1951
Ira Strack begins his career in printing.
About Us
The CustomXM Team
Who is CustomXM? A team of absurdly brilliant people who love what they do.
Our Team
Paul Strack
President
Since abandoning his career in public accounting, Paul has been with CustomXM for over 35 years. As the second-generation owner, he serves as president, sales manager and chief motivator. He’s also an experienced emcee who’s never seen a mic he didn’t like and occasionally enjoys juggling fire batons. These days, he’s looking forward to handing the reins to Michael and doing a little more traveling.
Michael Strack
Vice President
The son of Lisa and Paul Strack and grandson of Ira and Mary Lee Strack, Michael continues a family legacy that spans three generations. Since joining CustomXM in 2018, Michael’s role has grown from leading the company’s marketing efforts to helping guide its overall growth, strategy, technology, and day-to-day operations.
Lizzie Engard
Client Services Manager
Trading scrubs for swatches, Lizzie Engard joins CustomXM as our new Customer Service Manager. A proud mom to two girls and a pup, Lizzie is a former nurse who insists our paper cuts rarely count as a medical emergency. Off the clock, she is mountain biking, camping, sewing, or baking. Stop in and say hi to the newest face at CustomXM!
Josh Coker
Production Manager
Josh wears many hats around the office, including Production Manager, Wide Format Specialist, and Graphic Designer. Josh keeps production running smoothly, and produces quality design and printed pieces in the meantime!
Bobby Noles
Bindery
Bobby is the veteran on our team, joining CustomXM more than 40 years ago after his graduation from Arkansas State. He is responsible for our bindery operations and all things related to cutting and folding. Bobby recently turned 70 years old and says he found his fountain of youth at the local fitness center.
Sixty Years of Firsts
…And Still Counting
Over 60 years ago, Ira and Mary Lee Strack struck out on an adventure of a lifetime, opening Custom Printing Company on Pike Avenue in North Little Rock.
A half-century later, that adventure continues. Son Paul Strack leads the company today as CustomXM, with grandson Michael Strack alongside him and carrying it into its next chapter.
Interactive Timeline
Relive Our Story
Swipe or click & drag to explore.
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1966
Ira and Mary Lee Strack, with partners Charles Dodson and his wife, Betty, open Custom Printing Company in North Little Rock
They started the company with used equipment they purchased: two offset presses, two letterpress machines, a Linotype machine, a camera, a ruling table, a folder, a drill, a stitcher and foundry type.
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1971
Custom Printing expands its physical plant for the first time.
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Early ’70s
Custom Printing embraces the new “direct-to-plate technology.”
This both eased and sped up printing processes.
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1975
Custom Printing expands it physical plant again.
This gives the business a larger presence on the 1700 block of Pike Avenue.
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Late ’70s
The Strack family creates a family photo that should have never been put on the internet.
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1983
Custom Printing developed their own software for estimating and accounts receivable using BASIC programming language.
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1984
Custom Printing adds computerized typesetting.
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1990
Son Paul Strack joins the business, bringing a wealth of energy for sales and a great knowledge of computers.
This also may be the first time a CPA left public accounting to go into printing sales!
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Early 1990s
Custom Printing replaces typesetting with desktop publishing and adds digital color printing.
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1993
Custom Printing wins the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Small/Medium Business of the Year.
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1995
Custom Printing expands again to create its current physical plant.
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1996
Paul Strack is named president of CustomXM.
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1999
CustomXM launches its first website.
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Early 2000s
Custom Printing wins Best in Show – NAQP Premier Print Awards.
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2004
Custom Printing starts repositioning its business.
The company now embraces “cross-media, interactive marketing solutions” as well as traditional print.
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2006
The business’s name changes to CustomXM.
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2007
CustomXM purchases a NEXPRESS Digital Color Production Press from Kodak.
This enables unique versions of each printed document based on the prospective customer.
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2009
Printing Industries of America awards CustomXM with two Best in Category “Benny” awards at the Premier Print Awards.
The business also wins a Graphic Award for self-advertising work.
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2009
CustomXM wins Arkansas Business’s Business of the Year.
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2012
CustomXM created the state’s first virtual shopping wall at McCain Mall.
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2012
CustomXM becomes one of the first commercial printers in the area to install a 3-D printer. Less than 3 months later, they become one of the first commercial printers to totally abandon that technology.
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2013
CustomXM adds wide format printing capabilities with its SignXM division.
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2014
CustomXM opens a business office in the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock.
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2014
Printing Industries of America awards CustomXM with a “Benny” in Best of Category at the Premier Print Awards.
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2015
CustomXM becomes one of the first in this area to offer digital printing with clear and white toner, and the ability to print on a 27” sheet size.
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