Coffee Breaks & Evening Classes: How My Family Shaped My Love of Printing

My story

My journey into printing began in Italy, surrounded by the sounds and smells of our family's print shop. My grandfather, Giovanni Morelli, owned Tipografia GTM in Turin, and my parents continued this legacy with Tipografia Ampagraf.

As a child, I helped with small tasks in the shop, from cleaning to organizing type blocks. Though I dreamed of being a soccer player, I knew printing was in my blood. I studied graphic design and printing at the Paravia School of Arts in Turin, learning on machines like the Heidelberg Stella and the 2-color offset GTO.

In 1995, after mandatory service in the Italian Army, I returned to my hometown. I worked during the day and studied Adobe software in evening classes. Soon, I was designing and printing for clients. Coffee breaks with my father became cherished moments, strengthening our bond, as we discussed technical problems with the printing machines. My mom, who left art school to build the business with my dad, taught me to combine creativity with practicality—a core skill I still value.

Seeking change, I moved to Bologna to work in a graphic agency and explore new technologies. I got involved in web design when Flash animations were popular and the focus was on desktop screens, as mobile web barely existed.

In 2008, financial challenges led my wife, 2-year-old daughter, and me to move to the States. Here, I found opportunities in graphic and web design, but the dream of a family printing business remained.

In 2023, through faith and perseverance, Stampdt was born. While still new, Stampdt carries the legacy of generations of printers and is a culmination of my experiences and dreams. From Turin to America, I'm continuing a tradition that began in 1960s Italy, creating and crafting with the same passion that's been in my family for decades.