With more than 500 franchises worldwide offering a complete range of custom signs and graphics products, the choice of printer and supplier is of paramount importance to the sign industry’s leading franchise, FASTSIGNS®. The company regularly reviews and tests the latest technology to make sure it offers the best possible solutions to its customers and for its franchisees.
Recently, FASTSIGNS International selected the Mimaki JV33 as its chosen solvent printer and in the UK, FASTSIGNS® has selected Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT) to supply and support them.
An international company based in the US, FASTSIGNS has 21 centres in the UK, and while each one operates as a standalone business, they are all capable of delivering a complete range of graphics and display printing services. “We insist that large format printing is in place as part of each franchise’s initial setup,” says Garth Allison, Managing Director for FASTSIGNS® UK. He adds, “This means we can fulfil our core objective from each franchise, which is to provide a complete one-stop-shop for local and national businesses.”
Solvent printing is a key component of this delivery and the selection of the Mimaki JV33 as the solvent printer of choice was made after exhaustive testing in the US. “We are happy to take on the recommendations of the US as they are looking to fulfil all the criteria we need for delivering comprehensive printing solutions. The Mimaki JV33, together with the Mimaki cutting plotter provides a hugely versatile, reliable and cost-effective system, which is proving hugely successful at franchises across the UK and the world,” says Garth Allison.
As well as selecting the printing solutions for its franchisees, FASTSIGNS® wants to ensure reliable and consistent delivery, installation, training and support. To provide this, the company has turned to Slough-based GPT. Allison explains, “I have worked with Stuart Cole [GPT’s Managing Director] for more than five years and have always had an excellent relationship based on mutual trust. When he started GPT it was a very easy decision for us to make to work with the new organisation on the basis that they continued to provide high levels of support and after-sales care. I am delighted to say this has been the case.”
