CASE STUDY: Q PRINT FINISHING – SEAL LIQUID LAMINATING SHINES - November 3, 2011

RIGHT ON CUE – MELBOURNE FINISHER UV COATS THE STATE

Finding a profitable niche in any market is a hard thing but Tim Straford of Melbourne’s Q Print Finishing Services has not only discovered one, he’s servicing it like there is no tomorrow.

Q (for Quality) Print Finishing is all about doing just a few things better than anybody else. You won’t find a wide-format printing device at Q but you will find a SEAL-ATC Liquid Laminator capable of UV coating rolls and sheets up to 2000mm wide, plus SEAL film laminators.

“We just went out into the market and asked customers what they really wanted,” says the ebullient co-owner Tim Straford. “At the moment we have around 180 printers and 80 photographers sending us work. We like to build great relationships, networks and then provide service, service, service.”

Q Print finishing was established around 15 years ago in the Melbourne suburb of Kew. When Tim, his wife and partner got involved it was; “a bit run-down.” He says. “It needed a boost so I researched unique finishing methods and we installed the AquaSEAL 2 metre UV liquid laminator in November 2009. Since then, business has increased substantially and we’ve relocated in our current 10,000 square feet premises in Richmond. We have developed a good website which has also helped.”

“The benefits of liquid UV lamination are many both for the customer and service provider,” says Tim; “and also the environment because there is zero waste – there are no off-cuts, you only use whatever liquid you need.”

Speed is an obvious advantage. Q Print Finishing can UV coat a 100 metre roll of typical printed material in around 10 minutes. 100 metres of Self-Adhesive Vinyl can be coated in as little as 3-4 minutes. “Roll-to-roll,” chirps Tim, “that means you cut a run of posters after coating, a huge time saving. Cost is another advantage with UV liquid laminating typically half the price of film. As a UV-cured liquid, the coating is flexible and will not crack.”

“It’s extremely durable and has excellent anti-graffiti properties; you can use solvents to wipe off unwanted graffiti. Vic Rail trains for example, are ordered to have graffiti removed within 24 hours and Acetone is the usual solvent – the Aquaseal laminates can stand up to this well. Best of all, there is a new anti-slip liquid laminate which is CSIRO approved and this has opened up the Floor Graphics market to us and our customers,” beams Tim.

Asked if there is any substance in rumours about securing a major floor graphics coating order with a household brand retailer, Tim is more cautious; “Let’s just say that we are working with a number of printers that supply major nationally recognized retail brands. Advertising agencies now recognize floor graphics as bona-fide media; it’s the only place left to go inside stores with product messages and offers. The shelves, the ceilings, the glass – they’re already pretty full.”

Liquid laminators such as Q Print Finishing’s need to be kept busy because of the high productivity and initial capital cost. Power consumption for the bank of UV lamps inside the curing unit is heavy-duty. Tim says the Melbourne trams don’t exactly slow down when he’s laminating, but he’s had to bump up his building’s power supply.

Supplier Starleaton’s General Manager Ben Eaton says advances in lamp technology are being made for the next generation of liquid laminators. “We’ve also made some modifications to Q’s laminator, that make is a bit of a special unit,” he says coyly, “But in general 32 metres per minute of UV-cured coating is achievable.”

Q Print Finishing’s main markets are outdoor signage, point of sale foam boards, Pop-up displays, rigid composite boards, photography, floor graphics and transport graphics. They offer five grades of UV laminate, including texturised, with ratings from 2 to 5 years outdoor life.

It is said that enthusiasm will accomplish anything. Tim Straford’s enthusiasm for his company and services rubs off on anyone visiting his business. How does such a dynamic individual relax?

“Golf,” smiles Tim. One can’t help imagining that all of his club’s course signs and hole flags are liquid UV laminated for durability.

www.qprintfinishing.com.au

HOME     ABOUT US     CONTACT US

Enquiries: 1300 880 605   Starleaton locations: click here   Site Design: Solutions First