Avoid Working Here. Period. - Specialist AlphaGraphics Employee Review

1.0
Feb 15, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. Have a good working environment among team members, despite below average wages. 2. Small warm close-knit, family-owned franchise (Pittsburgh branch), no room for career advancement however. 3. Great way for inexperienced fresh graduates to learn hands-on.

Cons

1. Workload issue, no proper traffic control. There will be times when the workload will be more than three people's job in one. Then performance will be affected and you will bear the responsibility. This is mostly because hiring new candidates takes a great deal of time, related to issue 2. below. 2. Very slow hiring process. Recruitment is done by their HQ in Salt Lake City, UT. After the initial screening it may take months before the local offices that the candidate wishes to be hired or even be contacted. A lot of bureaucracy involved. This affects building the existing team when previous ones resign. We lost a few good candidates this way. 3. Unprofessional manner of communication among staff, vendors and new hires. Most of the senior management are connected in some way to the owners. Those who are not, were hired fresh and were not given the proper foundation or experience as a professional company would. 4. Below average salary or wages, and mediocre benefits (if any). E.g. Graphic Designers aren't really valued. Benefits are primarily for the seniors management. 5. Poor support from HQ to local franchise owners.

Explore other reviews about AlphaGraphics

5.0
Jun 4, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Learned a lot from a team that cared about my growth as an individual

Cons

Maybe a slight lack of direction or specific instructions

3.0
Jun 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working as a Graphic Designer at AlphaGraphics was a positive experience overall. One of the biggest advantages was having direct access to the CEO and leadership team, which made communication straightforward and allowed ideas and solutions to move quickly. The environment is fast paced and driven by real production demands, giving designers exposure to a wide variety of projects and practical problem solving. While the pace is steady, deadlines were generally reasonable and achievable. As with most print shops, occasional last minute emergencies happen, but they are considered part of the industry rather than the exception. Overall, AlphaGraphics is a good fit for designers who enjoy a hands on environment, working closely with production, and being involved in both creative and operational aspects of the business.

Cons

The main challenge is the level of multitasking required. If you prefer focusing on a single project at a time, you may find the environment demanding. Some situations require the entire team to come together to solve production or operational issues, which means stepping away from the computer and assisting in other areas of the business for a few hours when needed. Flexibility and a team first mindset are important to succeed in this role.

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