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Derek Munster Operations Mgr. Coloring Books
Beyond the Lines: How Derek Munster Is Redefining the World of Coloring Books
The Art of Order
Derek Munster Operations Mgr. Really Big Coloring Books, when you step onto the production floor of Really Big Coloring Books, Inc. in Olivette, Missouri, the first thing you notice isn’t just the color—it’s the rhythm. Machines hum, printers pulse, and freshly bound pages slide out in a steady stream of soft rainbow hues. Overseeing it all, clipboard in hand and a calm focus in his eyes, is Derek Munster, the company’s Operations Manager and the quiet conductor of this creative orchestra.
For Munster, art and process aren’t opposites; they’re partners. “People think manufacturing coloring books is simple,” he says with a grin. “But every page that reaches a child’s hands travels through a network of artists, suppliers, printers, and community partners. My job is to make sure that journey is seamless.”
From the Drawing Board to the Dashboard
Derek’s path wasn’t one you’d expect for someone working in what’s now a booming slice of the publishing world. Before joining Really Big Coloring Books fifteen years ago, he managed logistics for a home goods company. The experience taught him to navigate complexity — an ability that became invaluable when Really Big Coloring Books began its transformation from a small regional publisher into a national brand.
“When I arrived, we had a talented team, but the systems weren’t talking to each other,” Derek recalls. “Artists would finalize designs, but production would stall waiting for materials. Customer orders would come in faster than we could fulfill. We needed a bridge between creativity and efficiency.”
So he built one. Partnering with both the creative and finance departments, Munster introduced a real-time tracking system that connected supply chain data directly with design timelines. Within a year, production turnaround improved by 35%, and late shipments dropped to nearly zero.
“Derek sees operations as an art form,” says Ken Rich the company’s COO. “He treats deadlines with the same care we treat a sketch—something to nurture, not rush.”
Sustainability in Every Shade
As demand for printed relaxation tools grew, so did environmental concerns. Munster pushed the company toward eco-friendly production, replacing plastic wrap with biodegradable alternatives and sourcing paper from certified sustainable mills. “Our commitment to creativity shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense,” he notes. “Kids should be proud not only of what they make on the page but of what we’ve done to get that page to them.”
The Human Side of Logistics
Inside the walls of Really Big Coloring Books, Derek is known for his hands-on leadership style. His door is always open; his desk usually covered in color swatches and process flow charts. “He’s the rare manager who can discuss ink viscosity and project budgets in the same meeting,” jokes publisher Wayne Bell. “He understands that people need both clarity and purpose.”
When asked what keeps him motivated, Derek smiles softly. “Seeing someone pick up one of our books and get lost in it. Operations can be invisible,” he says. “But if we do it right, that invisibility is magic—it means everything worked.”
A Creative Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Munster is guiding Really Big Coloring Books into digital spaces while staying true to its tactile roots. The company’s upcoming hybrid platform combines physical books with an app that lets users scan and animate their colored pages. It’s a project that blends art, technology, and nostalgia — three things Derek believes belong together. “The future of creativity is hybrid,” he explains. “We’re not replacing paper; we’re expanding what it can do.”
Beyond the Lines: How Derek Munster Is Redefining the World of Coloring Books
The Art of Order
Derek Munster Operations Mgr. Really Big Coloring Books, when you step onto the production floor of Really Big Coloring Books, Inc. in Olivette, Missouri, the first thing you notice isn’t just the color—it’s the rhythm. Machines hum, printers pulse, and freshly bound pages slide out in a steady stream of soft rainbow hues. Overseeing it all, clipboard in hand and a calm focus in his eyes, is Derek Munster, the company’s Operations Manager and the quiet conductor of this creative orchestra.
For Munster, art and process aren’t opposites; they’re partners. “People think manufacturing coloring books is simple,” he says with a grin. “But every page that reaches a child’s hands travels through a network of artists, suppliers, printers, and community partners. My job is to make sure that journey is seamless.”
From the Drawing Board to the Dashboard
Derek’s path wasn’t one you’d expect for someone working in what’s now a booming slice of the publishing world. Before joining Really Big Coloring Books fifteen years ago, he managed logistics for a home goods company. The experience taught him to navigate complexity — an ability that became invaluable when Really Big Coloring Books began its transformation from a small regional publisher into a national brand.
“When I arrived, we had a talented team, but the systems weren’t talking to each other,” Derek recalls. “Artists would finalize designs, but production would stall waiting for materials. Customer orders would come in faster than we could fulfill. We needed a bridge between creativity and efficiency.”
So he built one. Partnering with both the creative and finance departments, Munster introduced a real-time tracking system that connected supply chain data directly with design timelines. Within a year, production turnaround improved by 35%, and late shipments dropped to nearly zero.
“Derek sees operations as an art form,” says Ken Rich the company’s COO. “He treats deadlines with the same care we treat a sketch—something to nurture, not rush.”
Coloring for a Cause
But what makes Munster’s role unique isn’t just his technical management. It’s how he connects business goals to deeper purpose. Under his watch, Really Big Coloring Books launched an initiative donating art supplies and relaxation-themed books to schools, hospitals, and senior centers. To date, more than 100,000 copies have been distributed.
“One of our best-selling titles was inspired by a teacher who used our books to help her students focus and de-stress,” Derek says. “It reminded me that simplicity—something as basic as filling a page with color—can have a big emotional impact.”
At a recent community event, Munster handed out coloring kits alongside student volunteers. “He never makes it about himself,” says Bell. “He’ll be stacking boxes one moment and listening to a coloring aficionado tell him why their favorite color is green the next.”
Sustainability in Every Shade
As demand for printed relaxation tools grew, so did environmental concerns. Munster pushed the company toward eco-friendly production, replacing plastic wrap with biodegradable alternatives and sourcing paper from certified sustainable mills. “Our commitment to creativity shouldn’t come at the planet’s expense,” he notes. “Kids should be proud not only of what they make on the page but of what we’ve done to get that page to them.”
The Human Side of Logistics
Inside the walls of Really Big Coloring Books, Derek is known for his hands-on leadership style. His door is always open; his desk usually covered in color swatches and process flow charts. “He’s the rare manager who can discuss ink viscosity and project budgets in the same meeting,” jokes publisher Wayne Bell. “He understands that people need both clarity and purpose.”
When asked what keeps him motivated, Derek smiles softly. “Seeing someone pick up one of our books and get lost in it. Operations can be invisible,” he says. “But if we do it right, that invisibility is magic—it means everything worked.”
A Creative Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Munster is guiding Really Big Coloring Books into digital spaces while staying true to its tactile roots. The company’s upcoming hybrid platform combines physical books with an app that lets users scan and animate their colored pages. It’s a project that blends art, technology, and nostalgia — three things Derek believes belong together. “The future of creativity is hybrid,” he explains. “We’re not replacing paper; we’re expanding what it can do.”
As the day wraps up, Derek walks back to the production floor, where freshly printed pages fan out like petals under fluorescent light. Watching him inspect a batch bound for a new eco-themed series, you get the sense that every part of this process — from pulp to packaging — carries the company imprint.
In an industry often dismissed as child’s play, Derek Munster has turned coloring books into a blueprint for mindful innovation. His story is proof that even in a fast-moving world, there’s still tremendous power in slowing down, picking up a pencil, and filling life back in with color.
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Really Big Coloring Books