Sacramento — The California Department of General Services’ Office of State Publishing (OSP) invites the general public to tour the state printing plant’s Open House January 19-21. This annual event, held in conjunction with International Printing Week, honors the contributions made by craftspeople in the printing industry worldwide.

 

The Office of State Publishing is a major division of the Department of General Services. It is a service/product oriented operation, directed by law to provide printing for the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government. The plant produces almost every type of printing and binding, which includes business cards, multi-part forms, brochures and magazines, and all bills and documents required by the Legislature to enact laws governing the State of California.

 

"The art and business of printing and publishing has changed dramatically in just the past few years," said State Printer, Celeste Cron. "We find the tours to be educational for everyone, especially school children."

 

The Office of State Publishing (formerly the Office of State Printing) is beginning its 150th year of service to state government customers. On July 1, 1996, OSP was authorized to provide printing services not just for state government, but for local and federal government customers as well. The 300,000-square-foot facility employs 500 persons who work in shifts around the clock. Located at 344 N. 7th Street (between North B Street and Richards Boulevard), the state printing plant is the nation’s largest state government printing operation.

 

The tours are scheduled Tuesday through Thursday, Jan. 19-21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations are required for one evening tour Wednesday, January 20 scheduled for 7 p.m. All tours take approximately one hour and cover one mile of walking. Please wear comfortable shoes and allow adequate time. The Office of State Publishing is wheelchair accessible.

 

Groups of five or more are encouraged to make a reservation. For more information or to arrange a special tour, call (916) 445-9110. You can also visit the OSP Home Page at http://www.osp.dgs.ca.gov, to learn more.