Save the Date
In This Issue
- Manager Message – Steve Webb – Boise Center Manager
- Center Tour – Boise Center
- Employee Spotlight – Aaron Radcliffe
- WOW – Janet Lund, Excellence
- Project Spotlight – Salvation Army
- Equipment Spotlight – HP R530 Flatbed Printer
- IndustryTip – Image Trace a Photo
- Announcements – Missoula did what?!
- Career Opportunities
- Know It to Win It– Test your knowledge and win a $25 Gift Card!
- Anniversaries – Happy Anniversary
- Birthdays – Celebrate!
Manager Message
“I challenge each of you to double down on the routines, habits, and behaviors that have gotten us this far. Keep delivering quality work. Keep communicating clearly. Keep showing up—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally—for yourselves and for each other.”
Steve Webb
As we dive into sprint time with fresh focus and renewed energy, let’s take a moment to appreciate the season around us—new flowers blooming, trees coming to life, and the perfect reminder that growth happens when we stay consistent.
In an Amazon Prime world that we live in, the world moves fast and rewards instant results, it’s easy to underestimate the value of steady, reliable effort. But the truth is, consistency is what separates high-performing teams from the rest. It’s not about huge leaps or flashy wins—it’s about showing up every day with the same level of care, focus, and commitment to excellence.
Over my almost 6 years with Speedy, I’ve seen many examples of this in action. From team members who continue to meet deadlines under pressure, to those who ensure every detail is double-checked before sending out a job. Please understand and know your efforts are seen—and they’re appreciated. The trust we build with each other, with our partners, and with our customers is built on this very foundation.
Why Consistency Matters
- It builds trust. When people know what to expect from us, they’re more likely to rely on us. That’s true internally and externally.
- It fuels improvement. Consistency creates a baseline—when we do things regularly and with purpose, we can identify what’s working and what isn’t.
- It reduces burnout. While spontaneity might feel exciting in the short term, sustainable progress comes from processes, habits, and manageable growth.
- It enhances team dynamics. When every member of the team knows others will follow through, it fosters collaboration, accountability, and shared momentum.
Staying Consistent—Even When It’s Hard
Let’s be honest—being consistent isn’t always easy. There are weeks when everything flows, and others when distractions, stress, or unexpected obstacles make it harder to stay on track. That’s normal. What matters is how we respond.
Here are a few things we can all focus on this coming month:
- Stick to the process, but stay adaptable. Processes are there for a reason, but that doesn’t mean we can’t refine them when needed. Bring forward suggestions, but don’t skip the steps that keep our standards high.
- Prioritize what matters most. Sometimes consistency is about saying “no” to things that don’t align with our goals, so we can say “yes” to the right work.
- Hold each other accountable. Encourage your teammates, check in, and share reminders when needed—we succeed as a unit, not just as individuals.
- Celebrate the small wins. Progress isn’t always dramatic, but every small, consistent step forward counts. Don’t overlook those moments.
Moving into May
As we move into May, I challenge each of you to double down on the routines, habits, and behaviors that have gotten us this far. Keep delivering quality work. Keep communicating clearly. Keep showing up—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally—for yourselves and for each other.
Consistency isn’t always glamorous, but it’s powerful. It’s how we build something that lasts—not just for a quarter, but for the long run.
Warm regards,
Steve Webb
Center Sales Manager, Boise
Center Tour
Join Janet Lund as she gives you a tour of the Boise AlphaGraphics location
Employee Spotlight
Aaron Radcliffe
Large Format Production Manager
Aaron is our large format production manager and has been here at AG Boise for 3 years. He ran the Boise State Print shop for years before coming over to AG. Aaron is a huge Nascar Fan and has been to many different racing tracks in the US.
Aaron’s work in wide format has consistently exceeded expectations. From managing complex print jobs with tight deadlines to maintaining precise color accuracy and quality control, Aaron’s attention to detail and technical skill stand out every day. He has a deep understanding of substrates, ink types, and finishing techniques, which ensures every project not only meets client specifications but also reflects the high standards of the AG brand. His ability to troubleshoot and adapt quickly to ever changing customers has made him an invaluable asset to the Boise team.
Aaron consistently takes the initiative—anticipating client needs, optimizing production workflows, and finding innovative solutions to enhance efficiency. Whether he’s working on signage, banners, or wall graphics, his pride in craftsmanship shines through. Aaron’s reliability and positive attitude make a significant impact, not just in the quality of the final product, but in the morale and success of our entire center
We Deliver WOW
Core Values Spotlight
We create opportunities to help people grow and succeed
Quality Work, Integrity, Responsibility, Accountability, Exceptional
We have a get-it-done, do-whatever-it-takes attitude. We are willing to go the extra mile and push through the opposition to achieve the desired results. We are problem-solvers; willing to accept challenges. We thrive on making it happen for our customers.
Janet Lund
Title: Customer Service Representative
We’d like to recognize Janet for her outstanding efforts with Invoca and leading the whole Speedy CPS network in high percentage calls. Janet has made significant efforts to try and get her calls to be as efficient as possible. What a great example of excellence in our company. Thank you Janet!
Project Spotlights
Salvation Army
We recently had the amazing opportunity to partner with the Salvation Army and donate this wall wrap in their Boise headquarters.
They were looking to create something that made anyone donors, students attending classes, or anyone attending after hours events like basketball feel welcomed by the community here in Boise
We created this from scratch with our creative design team, printed, and installed and was able to exceed the customer expectations for what a wrap like this would be like!
It was a special project to be able to help out such an amazing organization and know they are happy to partner with us at AlphaGraphics for all their needs.
Equipment Spotlight
New HP R530 Hybrid Flatbed Printer
Boise finally has a flatbed! We’re incredibly excited to welcome our new HP flatbed printer to the production floor—it’s a game-changer for our wide format capabilities! This state-of-the-art equipment opens up a whole new level of creativity and efficiency, allowing us to print directly onto rigid substrates with stunning precision and speed. From custom signage to high-impact displays, the flatbed’s versatility means we can offer our clients even more dynamic and durable solutions. We’re looking forward to pushing the boundaries of what we can produce and delivering outstanding results with every print.
Watch our Testimonial Video
Design Tip
Raster Vs. Vector
Using Image Trace on Photos
The Basics: What’s a Raster Image?
A raster image (also called a bitmap) is made of pixels – tiny squares of color that make up the full picture. Think of it like a mosaic. If you zoom in far enough on a photo, you’ll start to see the individual blocks.
In our example, the sunset sky photo is raster-based. It contains thousands (or even millions) of different colors and subtle gradients that help capture the softness and detail of the clouds, the glow of the sun, and the blend of colors in the sky.
What is Vectorization (Image Trace)?
When you run Image Trace in Adobe Illustrator, the software tries to convert all those pixels into shapes – smooth, scalable lines and areas of color. This is known as vectorizing the image.
Instead of pixels, the traced version becomes made up of paths and anchor points, which Illustrator can resize without losing quality. It’s great for logos, icons, and simple artwork.
Vectorizing a Photo: What Happens?
Using Image Trace on a complex photo like a sunset can result in:
- Loss of detail – Smooth gradients and textures become flat color blocks.
- Unexpected colors – Illustrator may choose random shades that don’t quite match the original photo.
- Large file sizes – More paths = more complexity = heavier files.
- A “posterized” look – The photo can start to look like stylized art or an abstract version of itself.
Risks of Using Image Trace on Photos
- Not Print-Ready: If used incorrectly, the traced image may not look professional or usable for printing.
- Hard to Edit: Once traced, the image becomes complex with tons of vector shapes that are difficult to work with.
- Poor Quality Output: Instead of improving the image, it often reduces its quality and realism.
When Is It Useful?
Even with those risks, Image Trace can be useful if:
- You want to turn a photo into art (like for a stylized poster).
- You’re okay with losing realism and want a graphic look.
- You plan to use the image at large sizes and want clean edges.
For our sunset sky photo, using Image Trace could make an interesting background pattern or texture, but it’s not a good fit if you need a realistic photo print.
Final Tip
- Use raster images for photo realism.
- Use vector art for graphics, logos, and clean shapes.
- If you’re ever unsure, ask the design team for input before converting!
Announcements
Many of you are already aware that as of February 1st, the Missoula AlphaGraphics was made a part of the Speedy CPS family. We are excited to have them as a part of our family. Let’s start by getting to know Jessica Yandell, the center manager of the Missoula location.
Jessica Yandell
Center Manager, Helena
I am the Center Manager and have been employed here at Alphagraphics Missoula for 8 years and until recently, had been in a front office management/customer service position. My background includes print and management for nearly 25 years. I was born and raised in Montana, graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula. I have two nearly grown children and love to spend as much time outdoors together as we can.
Exciting News!
- Alphagraphics Missoula has won the Midtown Business of the Year award to be received at the Missoula Midtown Association Annual meeting on April 23rd.
- AlphaGraphics Missoula has also been nominated for Best of Missoula – Best Business Promotional Products category with final voting taking place next week.
Ffion Adamson
Ffion Adamson was born to Daniel and Angelique Adamson on April 19, 2025 at 1:05 am. She weighed 6lb 1 oz and was 19 inches at birth. This is Daniel and Angelique’s second child. Mother and Father are both doing great.
Career Opportunities
Here are the current career opportunities that we are looking for in the company!
Please share these links with anybody you feel would be a great fit for the company. As a reminder, there is a $100 referral reward for anyone who refers someone to work for our company and they stay with the company for 90 days.
- Production Hand Packaging and Assembly – AG Twin Falls
- Customer Account Support – AG Idaho Falls
- Inside/Outside Sales Rep – AG Idaho Falls
- Account Manager Inside Sales Accounts – AG Idaho Falls
- Digital Equipment Operator – AG St. George
- Customer Support Print and Ship Specialist – Speedy CPS Rigby
- Promotional Products and Apparel Sales Assistant – Helena, MT
Know it to win it
Last month, we asked you a riddle: I am always hungry and will die if not fed, but whatever I touch will soon turn red. What am I?
Congratulations to Maggie Jones Fowers, who won the random drawing for participating. The correct answer is: “Fire“
This month we will test your knowledge of the newsletter. Answer the questions below correctly to be eligible to win a $25 gift card!
The winner will be announced in next month’s newsletter. Maggie, please contact Adam Bostrom at abostrom@alphagraphics.com to claim your prize!
Milestone Anniversaries
Congratulations to those completing another year of service with Speedy CPS
5 Years
Sharda Baker
Michael Hamilton
3 Years
Randy Perrenoud
1 Year
Makayla Price
Birthdays
Dave Call – May 2nd
Mikayla Gambles – May 4th
Brandon Ditty – May 4th
Jodie Hatch – May 5th
Kip Faircloth – May 9th
Leah Allen – May 17th
Tevin Newsome – May 17th
Amaya Newman – May 17th
Gishen Sanchez-Lopez – May 20th
Alice Camp – May 21st
Malaina Dunford – May 23rd
Sarah Fetzer – May 25th
Derek Hoffine – May 25th
Berkley Oglesbee – May 27th
Luke Bartholomew – May 28th
Angel Reyes – May 29th
Makayla Price – May 29th