The Amazing History Behind Budget Printers:

Upon becoming discontentment with corporate life and in search for his own development, Dan Falotico, considered going into business for himself. In early 1974, the results of his actions were the basis of "Budget Printers". His first company was called "Hartford Business Forms" and was set up in his home in East Hartford. By September Dan needed a business location. He found a small shop that had the name "Budget Printers" in Windsor. This was a store front business at the time, without presses or production equipment. He purchased this printing brokerage business and with it came a list of irate customers. While Dan worked at his regular full time job, Sue, his wife, answered the phone during business hours. Dan made his sales calls evenings and weekends. This small-unheated storefront was only $60.00 a month, and during the winter, an inadequate electric heater was the only method of heating the place. Sue and Dan's sister Dolores accomplished their hurried business with coats and gloves on.

By March, Budget Printers had already outgrown its site. Dan moved across the street and purchased his first press. By going to Prince Tech for printing courses, he filled in on printing background. After his regular job he'd go to Budget Printers at all hours to produce some printing and Sue would assist as she could with packaging, billing or whatever had to be done.

In June 76, Dan hired his first employee to answer the phone and take orders. In addition to sales calls and production Dan was now involved in all aspects of business.

June 77, Dan found the location he considered desirable for his growing business and purchased the building at 1996 Park Street in Hartford. He took over the end office for "Budget Printers", which was about 20% of the building, set up shop and went into production with a Multi and a new Itek. This was now a dedicated printing operation even if it was staffed only with part time help. Dan ran the presses evenings and weekends, sometimes alone and sometimes with assistance.

"Budget Printers" continued growth necessitated expansion to the second office. As of June 1978, Dan had been working full time with NCR up to now, but all of his free time and Sues assistance during the day just weren't enough any more. Three months before his 10th year at NCR, just before he would be fully vested, he terminated his job to make the full commitment to his business.

In September 1979, Dan recruited his first full time hire. This woman had many duties that included answering the phone, paste up, taking orders and running a press. Another gentleman wanted to be less active at his printing business and offered Dan his equipment and customer list. Dan bought him out and that man stayed on to help Dan on a part-time basis.

The starting company, "Hartford Business Forms", was still on the go and another woman was hired for the sale of guest checks. Dan hired another person whom became the first full time pressman for Budget Printers. Sue took a crash course in typesetting and several more people were added to the staff that included a part-time typesetter and a full time sales woman. Then Lai, a pressman, started working, and is presently still working here today.

Summer of 81, the size of the shop had now doubled again as two more offices were taken over in the expansion. A full time paste up person, a typesetter and another full time pressman were added. More equipment was purchased from a company that was closing out called the "Impressionists" and Dan gave jobs to their Vietnamese employees.

In 1982 Dan purchased the "Graphic Group" equipment and in the process picked up their salesman to replace the saleslady who left to have a family. Later, in October, he hired a second salesman and in November he hired a general manager.

In March of 1983, Dan now began looking around for more suitable quarters for his growing business. He favored the Hartford area and found a building five blocks east in the old Reno Store. Dan moved his entire operation from 1996 Park Street to his new location down the street at 1718 Park Street with a loss of less than a single day of interrupted production. This now enabled Dan to bring his whole operation under one roof. "Hartford Business Forms" was now incorporated as the holding company and renamed "Hartford Business Supply, Incorporated" for "Budget Printers" and "Budget Office Supplies". Sue Falotico was named President of the Corporation.

Within six months, the shop had now grown to 22 employees, 14 of which were full time, including new salesman, Bruce Cobleigh. With over four times the floor area of the previous location this took on the aspects of a professionally managed shop. The storefront was more appealing with its office supplies. Ample parking as well as the whole brighter appearance drew in more customers.

In 2005, Dan bought a neighboring company called Bristol Lettering at 2034 Park Street that does silk screening, embroidery, flags, advertising specialties and more. In 2007 he moved all of that operation into the 1718 Park Street building. Now we can service all of your print and specialty item needs.