Marking Industry magazine has named Socrates Press of Bremerton a Silver level Manufacturer of the Year for mid-sized rubber stamp manufacturers within the United States. The firm attained the Bronze level designation in 1998 for small stamp manufacturers. The firm, which also operates Northwestern Stamps on Sylvan Way in Bremerton is the only full-service retail stamp shop on the Kitsap Peninsula.

Founded in 1994 by Chris and Ester McEwen the company started out as a part-time business venture out of their home and moved into commercial space in March of last year.

About 98 percent of Socrates Press’ business is rubber stamps. The company operates two divisions, a custom division that produces business stamps and an art division to manufacture artistic rubber stamps under contract to various companies. The company also makes stamps while the customer waits and accepts orders by phone or fax.

Customers for both come from all across the United States as well as Europe. “Only a small percentage of our business is derived from Kitsap County,” commented McEwen. “Nearly all represents a net gain to the local economy.”.