Experience, Enthusiasm and Hard Work Lead to Successful Graphic Design Business

After working at a Chicago printing company for nearly 30 years, knew she had the experience to open up her own shop.

In 1993, after leaving the company, Cuprisin debuted Alphabet Soup, a graphic design and typesetting business. Based out of her Evergreen Park home, Alphabet Soup specializes in designing everything from business cards to invitations to brochures, Cuprisin said. She has even designed a resume.

"I'm good at putting things to paper," Cuprisin said. "All the years in the printing industry enables me to know how to put it together."

Cuprisin has always enjoyed the graphic design and typesetting business. She liked working on the lines at the printing company, because there were a lot of interesting people she was able to meet through the work, she said. After the company switched from old printing technologies to using a Macintosh computer, Cuprisin knew she would be able to branch out on her own.

"I thought, 'Thank God, I can put this in my spare bedroom,'" Cuprisin said. "... It's not like I retired. I like to be involved and to assist people when I see they're struggling to (accomplish) something."

Cuprisin, who came up with the business name after thinking of names that sounded fun, said she always creates the work her clients request from scratch, never using a template. She is so efficient and careful with her work that she has received a compliment from a local printer who prints out her work. He said when he receives her orders, he never has to worry about sending anything back for correction, Cuprisin said.

"He said, 'When I get her work, it goes right to the press,'" said Cuprisin.

One of the challenges of Cuprisin's line of work is realizing some people don't think they need professional graphic design assistance.

"Many people don't think they need me. If it's a big bank, I'm sure they have their own creative department," she said. "The little guy doesn't know how to seek me out."

Since Cuprisin is the current president of the , it is important to her that not only her business, but all local businesses, have a chance to survive and thrive.

"I want to work with the mayor in my role to work together for the good of the community," she said. "Our businesses are having a hard time surviving."

From a personal standpoint, Cuprisin said she is almost always available to clients and is willing to work late hours to get the job done.

"I've had clients call me up at 10 o'clock on a Saturday. The job comes in late and I know it needs to get done," she said. "I'm working in my home. It's not like I'm sitting in my office on 95th Street."

Even if clients don't have an exact vision for the product they need, Cuprisin can easily form one for them, she said.

"If you don't know what you want, I can make it happen," Cuprisin said.

Cuprisin is well aware of the negative affects the poor economy has had on local businesses; her own has not been completely spared. Her services were no longer needed by an organization due to budget cuts, she said.

"They said, 'Oh my gosh, it takes hours to put together a newsletter,'" she said. "They were just thrilled. I made life easier for them. Now, due to budgetary constraints, one of their employees knows how to design (so they will just use them). I lost them, due to the economy, since this person is already an employee."

No matter what the project is, Cuprisin said she enjoys designing them all, ensuring that she gives clients flawless work.

"I try to do what I can, I try to do my best," Cuprisin said. "As a typesetter, I'm always interested in the look of the piece. ...I want to create something that's understandable."

To contact Cuprisin about her services, give her a call at (708) 715-3546 or send her an e-mail at hcuprisin@sbcglobal.net.

"I'm an expert of graphic design and typesetting," she said. "I do professional work at a reasonable price."