WE SHARE YOUR STORIES
There is a tradition that runs through the veins of our family, a tradition made of paper, ink, and passion. It all began with my grandfather, in a small printing shop on Via Santa Chiara, in the heart of the city.
There, among movable type and the strong scent of ink, I spent my early years, breathing in the unique atmosphere of a place where creativity took tangible form.
As a child, I wandered curiously among the machines, watching the magic of printing turn ideas into reality. Even without fully understanding it, I already felt it was part of me.
After studying Economics at university, with a focus on statistics and mathematics, my future seemed destined for a more conventional path: a banking job or a career as an accountant. But the call of printing was too strong. I wasn’t ready to leave my country in search of a career that didn’t ignite my passion. So, I decided to get closer to the family business, with the desire to truly understand what it meant to carry on that tradition.
It was the 1980s, a time of transformation. The printing shop had already moved locations and was evolving.
And step by step, I fell in love with it.
It was a different kind of fulfillment than what I would have found behind a desk, it was the satisfaction of creating something with my own hands, bringing a project to life, feeling it in my bones. Every day was a new challenge, a different product. My favorite part was production: nothing was ever repetitive; every job brought new questions and new solutions to invent.
Over time, we evolved into Cartotecnica, transitioning from commercial printing, catalogs, brochures, flyers—to packaging. And here, the challenge became even more exciting: packaging is not just a wrapper; it is the “attire” that enhances a product and tells a story. It was a leap into complexity, where the choice of paper, inks, and finishing techniques became a process of refinement. Working with clients turned into a creative exercise, a constant dialogue to understand how to transform an idea into something beautiful and functional.
Even though there are European countries with a strong printing tradition, the difference between high-quality printing in Italy and abroad is tangible: the care, the attention to raw materials, and the dedication are not found everywhere. I can say it loud and clear this, to me, is what Made in Italy means in the world of printing.
This is a profession made of challenges and rewards, of long days where you ask yourself why you do it, yet you wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Every day, you create, solve, and innovate. And it is this dynamism, this constant renewal, that makes it so special.
Quality is not just about choosing the right paper or ink; it’s a philosophy, choosing the best option, even when it requires more effort and commitment. For example, the inks we use today are all natural pigments, free of hydrocarbons, and we often apply natural coatings to protect the product because beauty should last.
And now, seeing my son step into the business is like reliving those moments from so many years ago.
It’s a breath of fresh air, a new energy adding to our story. At first, I feared it might be a forced decision, driven by habit or tradition, but watching him develop a passion for production, dedicating himself with the same enthusiasm I once had, made me realize that, once again, the magic has been renewed. This is the beauty of a job that, despite its challenges, is done with heart, one that continues to pass down something special, generation after generation.
WE SHARE YOUR STORIES
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