AlphaGraphics of South Kansas City - OWNER IS A BULLY! - Designer AlphaGraphics Employee Review

1.0
Mar 12, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working alongside the prepress operators and designer.

Cons

If I could give them zero stars, I would. I worked for them for several months, and it was the most stressful, anxiety-ridden nightmare. The owner, Sam Hess, would joke about FIRING his employees (one of the many reasons why a press operator had quit while I worked there). When I was hired as a production artist, I loved working there in the beginning, however, over the next several months I noticed that the owner had favorites and if you are not a favorite, then you do not exist. Great example: he will get up from the break room and leave the room as soon as you sit down. He treats his employees with LITTLE to NO respect. If you mess up in any shape or form, Sam will ignore you until you apologize to him. And not in a "I'm sorry, it won't happen again" type conversation. I mean, you're begging for job security. Not only would Sam blame others for his mistakes, he was and is a BULLY. I've worked for mediocre bosses, and even great ones but he takes the crown as the worst employer I've ever worked for. I tell everyone who is needing a great printing company to look elsewhere.

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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