“Prior to installing these machines we would usually screen print, which meant taking the time to set up multiple screens, and then printing as many as 50 to make it cost effective. With the Gibson machine we can instantly print bespoke one-offs if required,” he says.

“Our other method was roll printing on our Roland wide format machine, which meant leaving prints for 24 hours, laminating and then mounting, which was a time consuming two man job. The Gibson prints direct to substrate and dries instantly. Plus there’s no mess and no waste.”

Making the investment was a bold step for the small but growing company, so the economic case had to be made. “We hadn’t heard of Gibson before but were very impressed at the demo site we visited,” says Terry. “Compared to the alternatives it’s cheaper to buy, but what’s surprised us is how cheap it is to run. The inks cost less than screenprinting or solvent inks, and we’ve calculated the power consumption is way less than expected at about £6 a day!”

The company’s Almeida cutter is an important part of the package. “We used to buy materials cut to size, but now we can print multiple signs in one pass and the cutter does the rest. It’s also really versatile, we can change the blades, cut all kinds of shapes, sheets of stickers, and more.”

Terry and his team are always looking for new sign markets. As much as half of their work comes from web orders which give a real-time indication of what is popular and a design-a-sign feature helps identify new trends. A feature of the Gibson machine gave Terry an idea which has huge potential. “We can layer the white ink which gives a raised surface and is ideal for producing braille signs,” he says. “All together we’re expecting this machine to contribute to a big rise in turnover in the coming year.”