Jostens Fact Sheet: History, Products and Insights

Jostens is a popular brand known for creating personalized products that celebrate important milestones. Founded over a century ago, it has become a trusted name for high school and college rings, yearbooks, graduation items, and more.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the history of the brand, its journey to becoming a leading brand in the memorabilia industry, and the facts associated with it.

Let’s look at the history first.

History of Jostens (Timeline)

1897: Jostens was founded by Otto Josten in Minneapolis, Minnesota, initially as a watchmaking company.

1900s: The company shifted focus to manufacturing high school and college class rings, becoming well-known for these products.

1920: Jostens introduced the first-ever class ring with a unique design, solidifying its presence in the education market.

1940s: Jostens expanded its product line to include yearbooks, further establishing its foothold in the education and memorabilia industries.

1950: Jostens began producing high school and college graduation products, offering items like diplomas and caps and gowns.

1960: The company entered the sports market by creating championship rings for professional sports teams.

1980: Jostens became publicly traded, listing its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

1990s: Jostens acquired several smaller companies, including the yearbook publisher Taylor Publishing, expanding its reach.

2000s: The company continued to diversify, offering products like class jewelry and promotional items for various organizations.

2018: Jostens was acquired by Platinum Equity, a private equity firm. This marked the end of Jostens’ status as a publicly traded company, as it had previously been listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Present Day: Jostens continues to be a leader in the educational and commemorative product industry, offering personalized products and services to students, athletes, and organizations around the world.

Jostens Sustainability Facts

• Jostens uses mostly cardboard packaging and prints many marketing materials and product inserts with soy ink.
• Sustainability reviews are a key part of Jostens’ new product development process, focusing on materials, manufacturing, packaging, marketing, and end-of-life disposal.
• Jostens maintains full compliance with all applicable environmental and safety regulatory standards.
• The company focuses on recycling consumables, reducing waste, and practicing energy reduction across its facilities.

• Jostens has implemented energy management systems in 6 out of 9 of its operational facilities, with plans to expand.
• Jostens’ Minneapolis corporate headquarters has earned ENERGY STAR certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Jostens contributes annually to the Nature Conservancy through its Elements Collection give-back program.

Jostens product range and services

Jostens offers a wide variety of products, including class rings, yearbooks, graduation essentials, apparel, and sports gear. Each product is made with high-quality materials and provides customization options to reflect personal achievements.

• Class Rings: Available in gold, silver, and other metals, class rings can be customized with gemstones and engraved details, making them unique keepsakes.
• Yearbooks: Printed with vibrant colors and high-tech processes, Jostens also offers digital yearbooks with interactive features. Schools can use online campaigns to fundraise for yearbooks, and students can help design the pages.
• Graduation Products: Jostens offers customizable items for graduation like announcements, caps, gowns, diplomas, and diploma frames, as well as unique graduation gifts.
• Sports Apparel: From jerseys to team equipment, Jostens provides a wide range of gear for athletes, including custom jerseys and performance gear.
• Personalized Gear: Jostens offers customizable hoodies, t-shirts, jackets, jewelry, and accessories to commemorate events like sports, graduations, birthdays, and holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jostens

How does Jostens ensure quality?
Jostens maintains high-quality standards and conducts strict quality control. If a product doesn't meet these standards, they also offer a free repair or replacement in legitimate cases.

What materials does Jostens use in its products?
Jostens uses gold, silver, and other metals. They follow sustainable practices and ensure products are hypoallergenic for customer safety. You can read all about the materials used in Jostens products on their website.

Does Jostens offer discounts?
Yes, Jostens offers discounts during promotional periods. Memberships may also provide extra discounts, but eligibility varies. Check out all the working Jostens promo codes on GrabOn's offer page.

Does Jostens collaborate with other brands?
Yes, Jostens collaborates with other brands to create unique products and expand their reach through cross-promotion.

How does Jostens handle customer complaints?
Jostens works to resolve complaints by offering solutions and improvements. If not resolved, they provide refunds to maintain customer satisfaction.