Rigo on the old shop days, the shift in print, and why the culture still matters.
Rigo’s been around long enough to remember when the shop was louder, messier, and built on ink and instinct. Today it’s digital, faster, and constantly evolving — but the work ethic (and the people) are still the point.
- Based in Addison — rooted in the local community
- Print era → digital era — he’s seen the transition up close
- Known for consistency — steady work, steady attitude, steady presence
Rigo’s story (the short version)
More biography, less industry lecture — the human side of the work.
Rigo’s career started in the “old shop” era — when print meant ink, formulas, and the kind of hands-on craft you only learn by doing it daily. Before Lawton, he came from Mr. Burns, and over time he’s built a reputation in Addison for being steady, reliable, and easy to work with.
He’s watched the industry move toward digital, graphics, and scanning — but he’ll tell you straight: what matters most is still the same. Do the work right, treat people right, and show up for the team.
“It’s like a family… we take care of each other.”
— RigoVoices
Short quotes from the people around the story.
The Interview
Short questions. Real answers. The moments that tell the story.
Q: What was the shop like back in the offset days?
A: It was hands-on—mixing inks using a formula book, making colors happen when you didn’t have the exact ink on hand. That part was fun… until you realize the chemical side of it can be rough long-term.
Q: When did digital start showing up?
A: Slowly. Some people loved it, some people didn’t. Rigo remembers how “old school” mindsets pushed back—ironically, the same people still loved a printed newsletter in their hands.
“The printer shop should send letters, not email.” (…and yet he still prints the newsletter every month.)
— A classic Lawton-era quote from the transition yearsQ: Is everything going to go fully digital?
A: Not on job sites. Big plans still win when you need the crew around a table—pointing, marking, sequencing steps. Scanning will grow, but printed plans aren’t disappearing overnight.
Q: What’s a “crazy idea” you’d love to see on sites?
A: A big LED display / projector-style setup that lets teams flip through plans like an iPad—big enough for the whole crew to see. “Why did I come up with that idea?”
Q: How would you describe the culture at Lawton?
A: It’s like a family. People look out for each other. You enjoy the work, you enjoy the people, and it doesn’t feel weird to show up and help—because that’s just how it is here.
Check out more of our people here!
Jennifer Christilles embodies the Lawton drive. Read about her journey, from childhood roots in the office to her hands-on approach as CFO and Office Manager.
If you’ve printed with Lawton, Rachel’s likely had a hand in it. From running every machine in the shop to hiding 100 tiny rubber ducks, she brings both skill and creativity to everything she does.
Joey has been with Lawton for over 20 years, handling construction plans and document archiving. He shares how he got started, why he’s stayed, and even a funny shop story.
Carmen didn’t come to Lawton expecting to stay. But nearly two decades later, she’s still here—steady, sharp, and full of stories. From her early days mowing the yard to mastering payables and receivables, Carmen is the kind of teammate who makes Lawton feel like home. Get to know one of the real MVPs behind the scenes.
Check out some of our past projects below!
PowerWash.com project spotlight — wraps, outdoor signage, postcards, tri-folds, labels, and more produced by Lawton Printing & Graphics in Dallas–Fort Worth.
See how Lawton turned COSM’s FIFA World Cup draw in Dallas into a full event experience with lobby banners, rail graphics, window visuals, table tents, flags, and on-site installation—on time, on brand, and handled for live sports and fan events.
Produced with the Alzheimer’s Association® — Dallas made, Dallas installed. Dallas Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Purple, Purpose, and Print That Moves People That’s a wrap on the DFW …
Lawton has proudly partnered with the Dallas Holocaust & Human Rights Museum for over four decades, providing large-scale graphics, exhibit signage, and banners that help history speak louder. From basement beginnings to a world-class museum, we’ve printed more than materials — we’ve printed meaning.