The Evolution of a Printer

THIS PAGE: Michael Fredericks, 18 years old learning the printing ropes.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Michael present day.

The Evolution

of a Printer by Bill Melton

Michael Fredericks sits quietly at the table that has hosted a multitude of client meetings over the past three decades. He’s been at that table to discuss everything from custom wedding and birth invitations to charity event flyers and brochures and to help new business owners pick out just the right business card design for some of the many start-ups he has seen flourish around him in the Golden Isles during that time. “Funny how fast the time goes,” he says with a smile.

August marked 30 years that Mike has worked at Watermarks Printing in Redfern Village on St. Simons Island. From his humble beginnings learning to work the press when the establishment was known as “The Print Shack,” to eventually becoming the proud owner of a thriving business that has built a solid reputation for quality and friendliness, Mike has been the one constant at Watermarks.

When asked what led him at only 18 years old to the doors of the print shop that would become his life-long passion, Mike explains that his parents attended the same church as the shop’s original owners, Tommy and Kay Jenkins, and recommended him to the couple when it was discovered that they were looking for someone with an artistic eye who could learn the trade. Mike, who was attending college in Tampa but had fallen in love with Georgia’s beautiful coastal islands, jumped at the opportunity. It didn’t take long to realize that he had made the right career choice.

“I got along great with Tommy and Kaye and really just tried to learn everything I could. From running the press to learning (continues)

how each machine worked, I wanted to be able to do it all, from folding and cutting to printing in four-color, which was a lot more difficult at the time than it is with the digital printers we use today.”

Mike spent seventeen years perfecting his craft under the tutelage of the Jenkins. He helped to navigate the business through the new opportunities and prospects that were opening thanks to a rapid growth in technology that would allow Watermarks to compete by offering small full-color print runs and upgraded services. He embraced the digital revolution, seeing the potential that it had to increase growth and prosperity in his chosen profession.

In 2003, the Jenkins retired, and Mike, who by this time was fully immersed in the printing industry, stayed on with the new owners, Michael and Judy Fisher. Mike’s days were spent teaching the Fishers everything from how to run each piece of equipment to day-today operations, all while still interacting with each client to ensure that their needs were met effectively. At night, he would catch up on the actual printing of the day’s orders before heading home. Over the next two years, the business grew rapidly and Watermarks brought in additional help both in the office area and in project design. All the while Mike steadily built his knowledge, not knowing that fate would soon give him the chance to use it to the fullest.

In April of 2006, Mike, in conjunction with his parents, was able to take advantage of a golden opportunity presented to him to purchase Watermarks Printing. By this time, Mike knew every aspect of the business so it was a natural evolution from being an inexperienced kid with a gift for design to the proud owner of the shop in which he had literally grown up. The strong ties with the St. Simons Island community and vast base of knowledge that he had built would allow him to serve his customers with great expertise.

Mike nurtured the business, relocating it to its current location at 295A Redfern Village, and has provided

career opportunities for others who share his passion for art and design. Watermarks now offers expanded services that include web design and development, app development, and helping local businesses to embrace social media.

When asked what he does for fun when he’s not at work, Mike smiles and points at the radio that provides a steady stream of rock and roll hits throughout the workday. “Music is my other passion,” he says. “I’ve always been a huge fan of rock music. The louder the better! A perfect weekend for me would be to play golf all day and then an outdoor concert to top off the evening. It doesn’t get any better than that!”

Visit Mike and his friendly staff at Watermarks Printing for all of your print, design, and web development needs and put your trust in three decades of experience. Watermarks is located at 295 Redfern Village, 912.638.1445, watermarksprinting.com.

ABOVE: Michael (center) with his dad, Bill Fredericks (2nd from right), and his daughters, (from left) Megan and Samantha, and the Watermarks Printing staff celebrating the new building’s opening in 2009. LEFT: Bill Melton with Mike and his dad.

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