OUTPUT

Alex Wood, sales executive at Hull-based wide-format print provider RMC Digital Print, tells Morwenna Kearns about how his business has developed during the recession and being nominated for a Sign and Digital UK Award.

You've been nominated for the Wide Format Printing Company of the Year Award. What are the projects that have got you noticed?

This year we have been developing colour enhanced double-sided print for both day/night and block-out flex-face signs for which demand is fast increasing across the signage market. The finish with digitally printed material is crisper and better quality than traditional methods of spraying or painting the rear of the material.

With UV-curable inks there is no drying time involved and so this method is also faster and more durable. This has helped to advocate the use of LED technology within signage. It has reduced the amount of LED modules required to illuminate the signage and hence reduces costs of employing this new technology.

This is a popular solution for illuminating signs these days and with the cost of fluorescent tubes on the rise it is one that more and more people are using to enhance their environmental credentials as well as appease planning authorities that are averse to fully illuminated signs.

Why did you decide to enter the awards?

The awards are an excellent way to network with your peers and to discover new innovations in print and signage. We wanted to showcase our recent technological advancements and to discuss cutting-edge developments with others within the industry. Although we are not as long established and as large an organisation as some of our contemporaries we felt that our print quality and customer focused outlook allowed us to compete in the category.

We're thrilled to have been shortlisted against such strong competition and feel this recognition has helped make our mark on the fast-moving world of digital print. We are a forward-thinking company always keen to learn and stay ahead of the game so we can continue to offer our clients the excellent service they have become accustomed to.

What are you looking forward to seeing at Sign and Digital UK?

Currently we are unable to do all of our finishing in house but have recently expanded our purpose-built production facility with the addition of a mezzanine floor. This has given us the space to install new equipment so we are looking forward to seeing some finishing equipment. We are also looking forward to seeing the display celebrating 25 years of print – there should be a few retro photos in there.

What would you say have been RMC Digital Print's biggest achievements?

In 2011 we moved into a purpose-built factory and then further extended the factory by installing a mezzanine floor. We did all of this without stopping production and provided quality print to our clients during this period.

In a difficult year for most companies we have managed to expand our company, grow our production facility, increase our printing capabilities and come up with an innovative print product. We have achieved a lot in a short space of time and being shortlisted for the award is testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our staff. This is the beginning for us and we hope for many more significant achievements in the years to come.

What are your opinions on the signage industry at the moment? What changes would you like to see?

I think the signage industry is still as competitive as ever with companies offering a fast turnaround and economical prices. The signage industry has been heavily affected by the recession as a whole as many companies are reliant on the retail industry which has fallen on difficult times. Although, in saying that, we have had enquiries from our signage clients moving into the next quarter so hopefully we will see a resurgence within the industry in the coming months.

Personally, I would like to see the industry focus on becoming more environmentally friendly, which I understand is difficult but there are small changes that can really help. There are a lot of new products being offered in the marketplace which have excellent environmental properties. We are seeing an increase in the demand for our green products, which is great. A prime focus for our business is to be able to offer an environmentally sound solution to all of our clients without compromising quality.