SMC: What type of projects have you been working on recently?
DS: Recently we had the opportunity to collaborate with the Town of Whitby and Auto Guardian in the first-of-its-kind autonomous vehicles project. Our role was to design, produce and install a truly unique wrap for these two vehicles. We are currently partnered with the Town of Aurora in a downtown beautification project where we will be working with a local artist to wrap a 15-m (50-ft.) wall in the heart of Aurora.
SMC: How much of the sign installation process is handled in-house?
DS: Currently, the majority of all local installations are handled in-house whereas all non-local installations are performed by hand-picked, highly trained, certified installers.
SMC: What tools/equipment do you currently use to complete your projects?
DS: It largely depends on the project. The production of our graphics are produced on several OKI M64 and Mimaki JV 150-160 printers, while lamination is performed on Seal 62 Base laminator and others. We utilize a Summo cutter to perform the intricate cuts for our decals and labels.
SMC: What does your planning process involve?
DS: The process begins with a meeting with our client to get a thorough understanding of their goals and objectives of their project. Measurements will be taken and all the data is analyzed by our team to formulate strategic options designed to achieve our client’s vision. Once the design is approved by the client, it is prepped for the production department to produce the graphics. After passing our rigorous quality control inspection, our installers work their magic and install the graphics. Throughout the process, our clients are kept current on the status of their project.
SMC: How is technology changing your business?
DS: Technology is constantly evolving in our industry and it is vital to stay current. Nowhere is this more evident than in the material options available. Where there used to be one main manufacturer of materials, there are now several producing extremely high-quality products. It is imperative to constantly communicate with our suppliers and material reps to keep up-to-date.
SMC: What is the key to staying successful in this industry?
DS: The key to staying successful in this industry is honesty, providing a high-quality product at a reasonable price, and always, always, always focusing on the best interest of our clients.
SMC: What are the future plans for your business?
DS: Unique Media Solutions looks forward to a bright future assisting clients to fulfill their goals. We plan to constantly grow and expand our services. Currently, 85 per cent of our growth is attributed to referrals. Recently, we have implemented a strategic marketing strategy to expand and educate potential clients on how we may assist them while continuing to communicate regularly with our current client base. In the past, our focus was primarily vehicle wraps and decals, whereas now we also focus on small-format printing, promotional materials, and various forms of signage. We have also specialized in customizing wall, window, and floor graphics.
SMC: How has COVID-19 affected your business? How did the shop cope?
DS: COVID-19 has impacted us as it has our entire industry. We originally pivoted to mass-producing COVID signage to assist local businesses. Resulting from the challenges arising from our client’s struggles in purchasing vehicles to replenish their corporate fleets, our team has taken this opportunity to reorganize and implement new procedures to enhance our efficiencies in servicing our clients. We have worked diligently to enhance our communication and relationships with our existing clientele.
