UV-printed personalized puzzles have become a very popular product for Frontier Signworks.
How did you decide to incorporate UV printing?
MT: We are always looking at ways to improve our product offering to meet growing customer demands. We provide engraving on promotional products and company gifts. However, we noticed a growing trend in customers asking for full-colour logo imprints.
We did some research and liked how versatile UV printers are. You would be surprised at the variety of products people want to add a logo or design to. The Roland DG VersaUV can accommodate a vast array of materials and can print directly on materials and objects up to 101.6 mm (4 in.) thick. It’s been interesting to explore the possibilities and see all that this printer can do.
We like that the software is very user friendly, and we have the option of printing white ink only as well as the capability to add gloss or matte finishes. In addition, we purchased the available RotaPrint attachment, which fits into the LEF2, rotates the object, and makes it easy to print on drinkware without overspray or fading. We have found even irregularly shaped items can still get a really crisp print.
What products do you customize on your UV flatbed printer?
MT: It changes every week. We do a lot of custom tumblers and mugs for individual clients and corporations, as well as office nameplates, plexiglass frosted signs with full-colour pictures, UV printed puzzles, custom golf balls, and awards and trophies with full-colour imprints.
How has having UV printing capability enhanced your value to customers?
MT: The UV print capability has added great value to our Signworks division. Now, when customers come in and want to add a logo or custom design to an item, we are excited to be able to offer the full-colour UV print. Similarly, if an item can’t be engraved, we now have the option to offer UV print instead. It gives our customers more options and, currently, we are the only shop in the community offering UV print capability.
We also recently did a large order of tumblers for a customer who is very particular. The features on the VersaUV LEF2 allowed us to be incredibly precise in our colour selections and placement, making a very picky customer very happy.
Colour printing helps logos ‘pop’ on promotional products like pens.
How do you bring business to Team FS?
MT: A lot of our Signworks clients are long-standing repeat customers; referrals and word-of-mouth are also big part of our business. Our clients also find us through social media, as well as through our online store.
Our local community support has also helped to draw in clients. We have worked with nearly all of the schools in Brooks and the surrounding communities and, in previous years, had an Athlete and Student of the Week program that awarded students with custom T-shirts. We love to support schools and athletics, which is one of the reasons we decided to call ourselves Team FS.
Both divisions play a part in drawing in potential clientele. Once a client sees the wide range of services we can offer and the amazing staff we have, they branch out and try each division.
What lies ahead for Team FS?
MT: One of our customers once called us “the Google of Brooks,” and I think that is because we are always doing our best to keep up with the latest advances in technology and technique. We strive to offer everything in-house. We have a young, innovative team that is always looking for ways to serve our customers and community better. Our shop motto is “Another job well done, by people who really care!”
Ginny Mumm is a freelance consultant for digital inkjet printer/cutter provider Roland DGA. For more information, visit
www.rolanddga.com.
