Lush Graphix | My TrueVIS Story
A Machine that Supports My Style of Business
How was Lush Graphix established?
I previously had a sign business with a partner in my early 20’s, then worked as a graphic designer and stencil preparer for a screen printing company for five years. When I started Lush Graphix in 2011, it was a natural progression as I already knew the sign and printing industry.
What made you decide to choose a TrueVIS printer?
I’ve been using Roland DG products for 25 years. I have purchased five cutters and two BN-20s printer/cutters. Later I decided to stick with Roland DG as I find them the most reliable machines I have used. I have operated other wide-format printers and cutters in sign shops, and they don’t compare to how user-friendly and versatile TrueVIS is.
The main points that made me decide to go one step up from the BN-20 to the TrueVIS SG2-300 was its faster printing and drying times, the wider colour gamut, and the ability to print larger width items in-house that I would normally outsource. The fact that it was not a large expense was also a deciding factor. If I had installed a larger machine, I would need to keep it running to pay for itself and I wouldn’t be able to work on my other services I provide. This smaller machine gives me peace of mind that I can have it running some days and other days I concentrate on design work. I still outsource larger prints to a couple of sign shops I work in with and that suits them also as it keeps their larger machines working. It is a great balance.
What do you like about the image quality and colour output of your TrueVIS?
I absolutely love how blacks are now true rich blacks! Also gradients are seamless. Even gradient grey looks silver! With my TrueVIS, I print a variety of items, including vehicle graphics, outdoor signage, decals/service labels, packaging and product labels, and T-shirt transfers. I am printing with the TR2 inks which are a step up in richness and vibrancy. Colours POP!
How has your TrueVIS printer impacted or changed your business?
Speed and efficiency! “Time is money,” they say, and my TrueVIS is great when I need to get to the next job quickly. It is super fast compared to the BN-20 with faster drying times so I can produce more in less time. Plus, it gives me the ability to do wider signage in-house that I would have usually outsourced to a sign shop. I now produce A-frames, 600mm wide corflutes, and ACM panels, which has saved me money and wait times.
What are you most passionate about when it comes to your work?
Visual branding is my specialty so I try to make sure print and digital colour output can be as consistent as possible across digital and print media. I do a lot of colour matching and testing before I produce prints, so I can get very fixated and spend way too long on perfecting colours. VersaWorks’ “True Rich Color” preset can speed up this process. I’m looking forward to exploring more advanced features and new spot colour matching.
If you plan to expand your business, please explain how you would like to go about this?
I am a sole proprietor and am not looking at expanding as such, but more so outsourcing larger prints to free up my time working on branding and digital products. My TrueVIS has allowed me to retain and sustain my existing clients’ needs and has helped with faster production time.