Washington Puts People First

"We farm about 40 percent of our work out to private printers," Swisher says.

Though Washington has had its own printing operation since 1898, today's Department of Printing does much more than just print. For example, it has created an Internet storefront through which it sells business cards, letterhead, publications, manuals and more. About 20 state agencies link to the site to sell their manuals and publications, 30 of which are printed on an as-needed basis, Swisher says. In all, about 200 items are available from the storefront.