Large-Format VersaCAMM Expands Market for Successful Quick Printing Shop

In 1990, John Mel left his successful career in real estate to open his own business, a print shop. Eighteen years later his company, PrintWorks of Irvine, California, continues to grow, providing a range of services to surrounding businesses including digital output, offset printing, graphic design and now large-format printing.

In 2007, PrintWorks installed a Roland VersaCAMM VP-540 54” inkjet printer/cutter, a move that has expanded the company’s market reach and positioned it well for future growth.

“We have built a very strong customer base over the last 18 years,” Mel said. “And increasingly, we were getting requests for signs, banners and other large-format projects. Adding the VersaCAMM VP has made us a better resource for our customers. In fact, most of our wide-format business today comes from existing customers.”

“VersaCAMM print quality is outstanding and because it is so easy to use, we consistently get great results.”

Like many printing companies, the PrintWorks production environment features sophisticated computer systems and design software including CS3, a suite of Adobe design tools including Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat and Indesign. The business also employs graphic designers, production managers and a Web designer.

“The VersaCAMM VP is allowing us to better capitalize on our existing infrastructure,” Mel said. “Our employees are highly skilled graphics and digital printing professionals – a perfect fit for the wide-format market.”

PrintWorks relies on the VersaCAMM to produce banners, signage, window treatments and other graphics for its customers. The company typically prints on adhesive-backed vinyl and scrim banner media and uses Roland VersaWorks RIP software, which comes bundled with the VersaCAMM.

Recently, a local fitness center called on PrintWorks to produce a wall wrap, décor for the center’s popular spinning class. The finished wrap was 8 feet high by 20 feet in length and featured photorealistic images of trees.

“VersaCAMM print quality is outstanding and because it is so easy to use, we consistently get great results,” Mel said. “We also take advantage of the integrating contour cutting feature which is unique to Roland technology.”

Other recent VersaCAMM projects include a series of three point-of-purchase displays produced for a local retailer. The six-foot graphics featuring “Academy Awards” style Oscars were printed and contour cut on the VersaCAMM and then mounted to gator board.

“These displays were impressive,” Mel said. “The VersaCAMM is a great profit center for us and it is taking our business in a new direction. Based on our initial success, we now have plans to open a separate division dedicated to large format.”