Launched in 2022, 24 Hour Signs in Saskatoon is the first location in Jeff Parker’s network of franchises. Photos courtesy 24 Hour Signs
By Ginny Mumm
These days, custom-printed designs for personalization and branding are everywhere. Digital ultraviolet (UV) print technology enables easy full-colour customization on a wide range of media, including tile, glass, plastic, and wood, as well as on 3D objects such as drinkware and promotional products. Thus, it is not surprising to see its popularity surging in the sign fabrication industry. In fact, according to a report from Mordor Intelligence, the worldwide UV-cured printing inks market was estimated to be valued at US$1.27 billion (C$1.59 billion) in 2021, and is expected to yield a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 4.5 per cent from 2022 to 2027.1
For more details on the benefits of incorporating UV’s printing capability, we spoke with Jeff Parker, a franchisor and owner of 24 Hour Signs in Saskatoon. Launched in 2022, this is the first location in his network of franchises. We asked Parker about his decision to incorporate UV printing capability from the start, as well as what types of products he offers, and what it takes to make a sign shop successful in today’s marketplace.
What services does 24 Hour Signs offer, and why did you choose to offer those specific services to your customers?
Jeff Parker (JP): 24 Hour Signs is a full-service shop, with six separate divisions: signs, marketing and consulting, design and branding, custom printing, decorated apparel, and promotional products. We want to be able to provide all the design, signage, and branding needs for our clients.
In this day and age, keeping business local is top of mind for most of our customers, and for other businesses we work with daily. We say, “Skip the middleman,” and get it done locally in our shop.
Why was it important for your shop to have UV print capability right from the start?
JP: UV print opens up a world of possibilities. We chose to incorporate UV print capability from the beginning, so we could offer our customers a one-stop shopping experience.
We have a Roland DG VersaUV flatbed printer with a 762- x 1,524-mm (30- x 60-in.) bed, an 812.8-mm (32-in.) throat, and a height allowance of almost 203.2 mm (8 in.). We can use it to print on a wide variety of items. Whether it is a quick turnaround for a high-end braille sign, 500 custom poker chips, or 250 water bottles, our UV flatbed handles all projects with ease and precision.
