The National Flag Co. is located in Cincinnati and has been in the flag-making business since 1903. On a whiteboard, a child’s handwriting reads a slightly crooked but still legible message: “Art 2 Work on the flag co—do you think that it will happen Dad?”
Cindy Schaller explains with a smile that this message was written by her grandson, Arthur Schaller IV, a seven-year-old who dreams of working at the National Flag Co. with his father one day. The Schaller family has been producing flags at this company since 1903.
But Cindy doesn’t dwell too much on the future. “That’s a long way off,” she tells The Epoch Times. “Would it be great? Sure.”
The company in Cincinnati specializes in customizing and sewing various exquisite flags, sourcing all materials from the USA. Whenever a major flag maker receives a special order, they turn to this company for assistance.
On June 6th, the company’s president, Cindy’s son Artie Schaller III, gave The Epoch Times a tour of the factory’s production workshop—a colorful world of fabrics with unfinished flags scattered around. In addition to the red, white, and blue American flag, there were flags for high schools, the state of Colorado, and even Sri Lanka.
Artie Schaller III mentioned how challenging it is to find skilled workers who can make custom flags. But for those with the necessary skills, the ever-changing work provides a balance to their job. “There’s always something new,” he said.
It was a Friday afternoon with flexible working hours, so only a few workers were seated at sewing machines. Artie III mentioned that all stations were occupied the day before.
June is the core of the “flag season” in the year, with Memorial Day on May 26th, Flag Day on June 14th, and finally, Independence Day on July 4th for Americans to celebrate.
Looking ahead, Artie III anticipates a particularly high demand next year as 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. “We’ve already started communicating with suppliers,” he said. “I think it’s going to be red, white, and blue everywhere.”
Over the past three years, Artie III has taken over the management of the company from his father, Artie II. Cindy mentioned that her son’s passion for the family business comes as no surprise. “From the start, it was clear that he loves this company, he wants to do this work, he wants to stay here.”
The first Schaller family member to work at the National Flag Co. was George, Artie I’s uncle. He started as a 12-year-old apprentice in 1903 and retired in 1976, coinciding with America’s bicentennial.
Before George joined, the company had already been operating for over three decades. Frederick Spencer established it in 1869 as a printing company.
Cindy began assisting in 1990, transitioned to full-time in 2005, and plans to retire at the end of this year. Her work over the years has predominantly been in administrative management, such as digitizing records and handling payroll. “I’m not a seamstress,” she chuckled. “I’m clumsy.”
She witnessed the company survive the financial crisis of 2008-2009, which she described as “crazy days.” “We had to lay off people, and that was really sad,” she said, emphasizing the cautious approach the company has taken in its expansion since then to avoid similar situations. “We have a lot of employees who have been here for a long time, and we try to treat everyone like family.”
At the National Flag Co., it’s not just the Schaller family that has multiple generations working there. Lindsay Briede, while sewing, listens to fantasy novels. Using a heavy-duty Juki sewing machine, she sewed a piece of white nylon fabric. “I’m edge-locking or hemming the fabric,” she said after taking off her headphones.
Having worked at the company for over a decade, starting with simple tasks when she was in her teens, Lindsay mentioned her mother has been in charge of the art department for over thirty years. She’s unsure if her young daughter will choose the same path. “Right now, she just likes collecting rocks and pretending to be a dinosaur,” Lindsay laughed.
A distinctive flag produced at the company helps American families connect with their own traditions. The “Honor and Remember” flag, custom-made for an organization of the same name, commemorates soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service.
On one flag, the words “Honor and Remember” sit above the names of fallen soldiers, with a set of triangular stars slightly off-center from the middle. This imperfection is intentional. “That’s how they receive the flag at the funeral for their son,” Artie III explained.
The company produces about 300 of these flags annually, yet the waiting list remains long. “These will be more like family heirlooms,” Artie III said, advising these families not to fly the flag every day: “You want to pass it down.”
In this generational American business, tradition is everywhere. Within the National Flag Co. building, there’s even a small museum displaying the company’s history and various Schaller family memorabilia.
The Schaller family’s tradition may continue. Regardless of what the future holds, this flag-making family is proud of its past. “The fourth generation is doing well,” Cindy said.
And at only seven years old, Arthur has already left his mark on the family business—not just on a whiteboard. The first flag he made for the family business hangs on the wall next to Cindy’s desk. It’s a hand-painted flag with nine stripes and fifteen stars (including three at the bottom), with the words “Arthur Made This” at the top.