Since 1961, Litho-Craft Printing, Office & School Supplies

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- For decades, Litho-Craft has been on West Beech Street, just off the four lane. However, co-owner Ken Sims has heard Litho-Craft originally was on the second floor of a since razed building on North Tennessee Avenue. “I think that building sat next to Royal Lunch and Billiards (The Pool Room),” said the affable Sims.

Litho-Craft is your locally owned one stop printing and office supply shop and is this week’s WLAF business of the week.

Litho-Craft has been in business since 1961 and is marking its 64th year in business this year, all right here in LaFollette. It is locally owned and operated by Mike Ray and Ken Sims. They purchased the business in 2006 and have been operating it for almost 20 years.

Mike Ray (left) and Ken Sims of Litho-Craft

“The best I can tell, Litho-Craft has only had three owners, all local, over the years. Gene and Maxine Cantrell started the business and sold to Leon and Melissa Justice, circa the late 1990s. Then Mike and I came in 2006,” said Sims.

Ray and Sims’ wives help out at the shop from time to time, and longtime employee Wayne Huckaby has been out front taking care of customers for 18 years. Jack Jordan, a pro in the printing industry, is also on staff. You will see Jordan at Litho-Craft or out on deliveries.

The Ray-Sims friendship of the mid-1980s grew into a business partnership 20 years later. “Mike and I met at University of Cumberlands then called Cumberland College in 1985 or 1986. We both studied business and data processing and had several classes together. Mike also worked for UC for a couple of years in the mid 1990s. Mike was working at Litho-Craft for for Leon Justice when the opportunity to purchase the business came up. We had kept in touch over the years and it seemed like something we would both be interested in,” said Sims.

Litho-Craft prides itself on being the area’s local hometown source for office supply and printing needs. They do business cards and handle general commercial printing jobs. Litho-Craft has most office supply and school supply needs in every day stock. 

“We strive to make our customers’ needs our priority,” Ken Sims said.

Ken Sims said he wanted to thank customers for their support.

If Litho-Craft doesn’t stock an item you need, just request it, and they can special order items.

“Graduation is not far away and will be here before you know it, and Litho-Craft Printing, Office & School Supplies can handle all your invitation needs!

“We are big enough to meet your needs, but small enough to remember that customer service is what matters,” Sims said. 

Litho-Craft is located at 719 West Beech Street in LaFollette. For more information, call 423.562.2296. Business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Litho-Craft is closed Saturday and Sunday. You can also check them out on Facebook or on the Litho-Craft website. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-01/31/2025-6AM)

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