FASTSIGNS International, Inc. requires owners of all new FASTSIGNS^® centers to open with either a solvent or eco-solvent printer from Mimaki or Seiko or with a MacDermid DisplayMaker flatbed printer, but leaves the choice to the owner, Last said.  “The fact that that our established owners are buying this equipment, too, demonstrates their commitment to adopting new technology,” she said.  FASTSIGNS^® owners who have installed these printers range from successful, long-term center owners to new franchisees, she said.

“Interest in UV print technology will continue to grow, but solvent printers are still less expensive and take less room,” said Jim Hunt, director of technical support for FASTSIGNS International, Inc.  The company is re-evaluating space requirements and workflow options for its centers to make it easier for owners to adapt to larger, more expensive printers, he added.  “UV print technology, especially a flatbed, has definite advantages over solvent printers,” Hunt said, noting that solvent printers, while fast, still require additional equipment such as dryers to keep the speed up.

“Since UV technology is instantly dry, signs and graphics can be produced faster and are safer to handle right off the printer,” Hunt said.  Environmental issues still concern most solvent printer users, he continued, while UV technology does not create solvent emissions.

“Another benefit of UV printing,” he said, “is the wide variety of rigid materials used for UV production.”  UV ink adheres well to almost any flat, smooth surface.  In addition, because UV ink does not evaporate, it is more efficient, requiring less ink to produce a good quality image, Hunt noted.  “I also expect more improvement in UV ink technology, as compared to the same investment in solvent ink,” .
In November 2004, the Asheville, N.C. FASTSIGNS^® owned by John Mark and Cindy Stroud became the first FASTSIGNS^® center in the world to install one of the new flatbed UV-curable printers.  “With the flatbed, we can print directly to whatever flat material – wood, glass, acrylic, metal, foamboard or another material – our customers want,” said John Mark Stroud.  “Because the flatbed prints directly on inexpensive, uncoated materials, we don’t have to laminate or mount the customer’s project.  This saves the customer money and saves us time.”  The Strouds said they have found “that this printer has been revolutionary for our business, and we expect that this technology will change our overall industry.”
 
In May, when Sang Lee opened the first FASTSIGNS^® center in downtown Philadelphia, PA, he chose to install a flatbed UV-curable printer to complement his aqueous inkjet printer.  Lee, who has a background in the printing business, said, “I know how important the right equipment is to be able to meet my customers’ needs.  The flatbed printer fits the bill.  It is versatile and produces high-resolution full color images that can last outdoors for two to three years.  Yes, it was a considerable expense to take on as a new center owner, but I’m sure that it will prove to be a good investment long term.”

Brothers Kevin and Bill Miller, who opened a FASTSIGNS^® center in Upper Saddle River, N.J. in January 2004, installed a flatbed printer this spring.  Bill Miller said, “What impressed both of us was the advantage the printer offers in terms of productivity.  You can produce full color signs and graphics without needing to weed, tape or even laminate.  The project comes off the printer ready to go in a half hour to an hour.  We can keep our staff at the same level and dramatically improve our productivity.” Like Sang Lee, the Millers considered the investment carefully before ordering the printer, but expect to receive a good return on their investment.

FASTSIGNS International’s Susan Last noted that the company’s technical staff researches new sign-making technologies, such as the flatbed and solvent printers, before recommending equipment to centers in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.  “We make a real effort to thoroughly research new technology so that our owners know the pros and cons of each piece of equipment,” she said.  For example, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. recently completed a health and safety study of solvent and eco-solvent printers to determine safety recommendations for its network.

“Technology is the underpinning of our business, and we take it seriously,” said Last.
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