Since its founding in 1931, The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA) has grown from a small group of North Carolina master printers into a strong, two-state trade association representing printers, suppliers, and industry partners across North and South Carolina. Over the decades, PICA has continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of its members—expanding into South Carolina in the 1940s, affiliating with national associations in the 1950s, launching educational initiatives and workforce development programs in the 1960s through the 1990s, and embracing new technologies and member services in the 2000s and beyond. From establishing the PICA Awards to launching workforce programs like PrintForce and print awareness campaigns like Print IS, to creating educational opportunities through the PICA Foundation, PICA has remained committed to strengthening the printing and graphic communications industry. Today, with nearly a century of leadership, innovation, and service, PICA continues to support its members with resources, advocacy, and opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Here is a timeline of PICA’s history:

1930s

1931 North Carolinas Master Printers’ Association started.
1934 North Carolina Master Printer Printers’ Association, divides state into four districts.

1939 Stark Dillard asked that paper companies be allowed to contribute to the Association through Associate memberships – motion carried.

1940s

1940 Ink manufacturers granted admittance into Association as Associate Members.
1943 Decided to extend Association into South Carolina. Association changed the name to Carolinas Master Printers’ Association.
1945 Joseph J. Stone moved that the Board investigate becoming affiliated with Printing Industries of America. Motion carried. First Executive Secretary hired: A.S. Blankenship
1946 Association changed name to ‘The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc.’ (PICA)
1947 First ever South Carolina annual meeting held in Myrtle Beach. June 7, 1947
1948 Eugene Salmon hired as Executive Secretary, headquartered in Columbia, SC

 

 

 

 

1949 Publication, PICA, started

1950s

1950 PICA agreed to affiliate with PIA.
1951 PICA affiliated with PIA
1954 First official logo adopted
1957 Best Printers’ Self-Advertising Contest starts, sponsored by Epes-Fitzgerald Paper Co.
1959 Board of Directors voted to continue a program to “interest young men in the printing industry throughout the Carolinas.”

1960s

1960 The concept of the Graphics Management Institute was first made
1961 Board agreed to list the Association’s telephone number in the telephone book to make it easier to contact PICA.
1962 First talks were opened between PICA and the Printing Industry of Charlotte on merging. November 13, the PICA Foundation was incorporated.
1963 The PICA headquarters were moved from Columbia to Charlotte, NC. Gene Salmon retired October 31, 1963. The first biennial Carolinas Graphics Art Trade fair, the predecessor to The Charlotte Show, was held. PICA and PI-Charlotte merged, becoming the Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc., as one association October 8, 1963. Bill Treadaway hired as new Executive Secretary December 1, 1963.
1965 PICA’s seven geographic areas established


1966 The PICA Awards was established. Dillard Paper Co., established Best of Show award. First Awards Chairperson was Margaret Earle of Greensboro Printing. First banquet held at The Grove Park Inn. Keys Printing Company of Greenville, SC won the first Best of Show.
1967 PICA buys first building in Charlotte
1968 PICA Awards Banquet moved from annual convention to a Printing Week celebration.

1970s

1970 “PICA” registered as a trademark with the U.S. Patent Office.
1975 Gwen Doster hired January 25th as “temporary help”
1977 Dillard Paper Co., contributes $50,000 to the PICA Foundation to establish an endowment fund for the Graphics Management Institute
1977 Emily Heck joins the PICA Staff
1979 Norman Foust Award established by the PICA Foundation

1980s

1980 Agreement finalized to commission Limited Edition prints of “Tools of Freedom” painting by artist Ward Nichols. Marketing by the PICA Foundation and proceeds to go to fund scholarships for graphic arts students
1981 Foundation begins considering building the PICA Education and Conference Center. Honorary memberships in PICA approved.
1982 The PICA Scanner begins publication
1983 The Resume Register debuts.
1984 The PICA Building on Hawthorne Lane sold
1985 Freda Weese retires. The PICA Foundation establishes the PICA/Weese Scholarship Fund in her honor to assist deserving community college students studying graphic communications.
1986 GASC first expresses interest in purchasing the rights to The Charlotte Show. Construction begins on Education & Conference Center in Coffey Creek Business Park. First meeting of Small Printers’ Committee held.
1987 PICA moves into the new Education and Conference Center. Board unanimously votes to sell The Charlotte Show to GASC.
1988 Jimmy Cates retires from PICA
1989 The “Pride In Print’ program launches, complete with labels, presentation folders, logo sheets, apparel, hats, copyrighted: items sold nationwide.

1990s

1990 Bill Treadway retires. Tom Brennan appointed Interim President.
1991 Jim Carpenter hired as PICA President.
1993 Richard Spencer hired as PICA President.
1994 The PICA Communications Technologies Resource Center (PCTRC) launches with Dr. Taz Tally as director. Lisa Johnson hired as Director of Communications and Susan Helbein hired as Director of Membership.
1995 Carrie Epps hired as Coordinator of Member Services and Jeff Stoudt as Director of Education.
1997 Terrie Duncan hired as Coordinator of Communications.
1998 PrintForce workforce development initiative is unveiled.
1999 Angel Andersen joins PICA as first PrintForce Project Manager.

2000s

2000 The PICA Scanner reformatted into a four-color quarterly publication
2001 Peggy Howell hired as PrintForce Project Manager
2003 Last Charlotte Show held
2004 Gwen Doster named Interim Executive Director
2006 Jeff Stoudt named Interim Executive Director
2008 Jeff Stoudt named PICA President

2010s

2010 Gwen Doster retires December 31st. ‘The Gwen Doster Judges Choice Award’ created in her honor.
2011 Margie Farthing hired as Administrative Director.
2012 Inaugural People’s Choice Award debuted at the 2011 PICA Awards. Classic Graphics chosen as winner by attendees.
2013 William Smith of BCE Charlotte serves as Chairman of the Board for second year in a row. PICA Foundation created the Annual Golf Classic.
2014 Bryan Hall of Graphic Visual Solutions serves as Chairman of the Board.
2015 Trish Sports of Sheriar Press in Myrtle Beach, SC, became first Female Chairwoman of the PICA Board. Mac Papers sponsors Best of Show in PICA Awards.
2016 PICA Awards celebrates 50 years. Mac Papers + Packaging became the Best of Show Sponsor. Sun Solutions of West Columbia wins Best of Show in the PICA Awards.
2017 Bryan Hall of Graphic Visual Solutions named as 118th PIA Chairman of the Board and the third Chairman of the Board from the Carolinas. The PICA Building on Rose Lake Drive sold.
2018 Bryan Hall serves a second term as PIA Chairman of the Board.
2019 Margie Farthing retires. Debbie Wesoly hired as Administrative Director.

2020s

2020 Covid 19 shut down the world. Printing Industry listed as Essential Business. PICA Awards held virtually for the first time in 54-year history. PICA Fall Conference held virtually. PIA/SGIA merged.
2021 PICA ends relationship with PrUa when presented with a proposal that was not in PICA’s best interest. PICA contracted with Employers Advantage to supply PICA Members with HR Resources. Second year PICA Awards held virtually, due to Covid 19 group meeting limitations. PICA Fall Conference brings the return of group meetings in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.
2022 Print Is Campaign launched under Chairwoman Lydia Morgan. PICA Awards Banquet returns to a live program. PICA’s updated website was launched. PICA hired the first Graphic Student Intern for the Fall semester from Clemson University.
2023 The Print University online video learning was launched on the PICA website. PICA entered a relationship with TruCare to provide specialized health insurance under Chairman John Cassidy.
2024 PICA Emerging Leaders group launched with a core group creating a logo, charter and Purpose, Vision and Mission Statement under Chairman Andy Markl. In July, Joe Conley becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors.
2025 Jeff Stoudt, PICA President, retired April 12. Carrie Epps named first female President on April 14. Terrie McKee hired as Director of Member Engagement. Vickie Smith of Sun Solutions in West Columbia, SC named Chairwoman of the PICA Board of Directors. Area Meetings return, branded as Pints with PICA, PICA Print and Pour events, and Coffee with PICA. PICATalk, the Association’s podcast, launched on YouTube and Spotify.