OUR STORY OVER THE YEARS
Since 1961, creative brands have turned to Tec Color Craft for innovative custom printing solutions. From humble beginnings to printing over 1.5 billion stickers, TEC has earned its reputation as the most respected custom printer in the industry.
DETERMINED TO SUCCEED
Jan Frenkiel was born in Krakow, Poland, in 1911, and despite limited resources, he made his way to study engineering in college. More challenging times soon came when he was drafted to fight for the Polish Army under British command in WWII. His life suddenly changed when he lost his entire family in the war. Determined not to let that be his ending, he decided to start a new chapter and immigrated to Caracas, Venezuela, in 1946
Jan could finally express his creative talents with a fresh start in Venezuela. He began screen printing in a garage with a long-time Polish friend. With Jan’s engineering background, he brought innovation to the screen printing process. Word quickly spread about the high-quality products Jan was printing for local clients. It didn’t take long for big oil companies to turn to Jan for all their printing needs, and his garage operation grew into a flourishing printing company.
After success with his screen printing business, Jan was ready for a change and moved with his wife, Eleonora, and their two boys, Paul and Gary, to the United States in September 1961. Quickly settling in with few connections, Jan started seeking his next endeavor. He discovered an opportunity to purchase a Tec Color Craft Products business and was up for the challenge. In October 1961, he and his partner purchased Tec Color Craft Products in the heart of Los Angeles.
With a bigger vision for Tec to expand, Jan moved and set up shop in Covina, California, so that he could focus on his craft and have space for his family and business to grow. Jan continued to improve the screen printing process and became well-known as a leader in the industry. Innovative brands throughout Southern California started recognizing Tec Color Craft Products as their go-to resource for promotional printed products.
For over 20 years, Jan Frenkiel owned and successfully operated Tec Color Craft Products at the first location in Covina, CA. Jan built the business to run like a well-oiled machine so that his son Gary could eventually step in when he was ready to take over.
1983
GARY TAKES OVER
Growing up in a business and running a business are two separate stories. Gary Frenkiel overcame obstacles while staying true to his family’s core values and principles to take Tec Color Craft to the next level.
Gary’s interest in his dad’s screen printing business grew as he started helping at a young age. A strong work ethic and dedication to excellence instilled in him from his father led him to be a star athlete growing up. Gary excelled at baseball throughout his youth and continued playing at UCLA. After completing his studies there and at Cal State Fullerton, Gary worked full-time in 1975 at Tec Color Craft in Sales and Product Development.
It was time for Gary to take over operations after his father’s passing in 1983. He quickly realized he had big shoes to fill with his dad’s stellar reputation and admiration throughout the industry. New levels of challenges forced him through a sharp learning curve. With his three young children, Kristin, Blake, and Andy, always on his mind, Gary made it his mission to perfect TEC’s core foundation for his family’s continued legacy.
After the first ten years, Gary found his groove as President of the company with a continued commitment to leading the printing industry with the most innovative products and processes. His long-term accomplishments began here with a dedication to value every relationship and a promise to empower all people with support and care.
