A family printing business in Florida which has been operating since 1967 has blossomed into a successful company, it has emerged.

Beginning as small business run on Ralph Rust's back porch, Crown Printing now occupies its own facility where it prints paper products such as business cards, stationery and envelopes, reports the Lakeland Ledger.

Mark Rust, son of Ralph, took over the firm eight years ago, after spending a childhood growing up with the company.

"It's very much a family business and always has been. It's just a good old-fashioned business," Mark's wife Edith told the publication.

Edith's children both work at Crown Printing and the couple's small sons are both learning the ropes as well.

According to the Rust family, they have never had to use sales representatives or extensive advertising because their reputation spread through customer referrals.

Their efforts were recognised in January, when the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce named Crown Printing its small business of the month.