Two Reasons to Celebrate
Nottinghamshire-based display specialist moves ahead with investments
in family and metallic print technology
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Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK - Mansfield-based Classic Lines Plus Signs has had two recent reasons to celebrate. The first was the one-year anniversary of Nichola Johnson joining her parents, Pete and Sylvia Colman, in their Nottinghamshire business, and the second was their decision to invest in a Roland VersaCAMM VS-640 print-and-cut solution with white and metallic ink.

The combination of the additional capabilities offered by the VersaCAMM VS-640 and the skills Nichola has brought into the company now puts Classic Lines Plus Signs in a very strong position for diversifying its services. Working directly with commercial and individual clients, the business also has a thriving online store which displays the full range of products that can be supplied cost effectively and efficiently using the diverse capabilities of its Roland machines.

A family-run signmaking business, Classic Lines Plus Signs was founded in 1984 to produce customized striping for cars. Pete Colman began by cutting logos and vehicle decorations by hand, but soon purchased a Roland CAMM-1 vinyl cutter both to keep up with growing demand and to handle repeat jobs quickly and easily.

As display technologies developed, Classic Lines Plus Signs grew and augmented its product portfolio with the help of carefully planned, long-term investments in the machines needed to provide reliable, innovative and accurate output. Complementing the company's steady expansion during its first quarter century as a sign and display production specialist, the Colmans decided to invite their daughter, Nichola, to join the business.

With experience in marketing and sales for local and national companies, Nichola Johnson has now completed her first year working for the family firm. Her eye for business and creativity has been welcomed, and is particularly relevant as Classic Lines Plus Signs continues to diversify to cater to new commercial and consumer demand for its signs and displays.

"The past 12 months have seen the company move into new and innovative display markets, as well as continuing to service its sign buying customers," comments Nichola. "Now that we've added to our diverse range of manufacturing power with the purchase of a Roland VersaCAMM VS-640, there's no limit to the eye-catching options that we can produce in-house."

Classic Lines Plus Signs has continued to be a dedicated user of Roland machines and over the years has added innovative print-and-cut applications to produce the many types of signs and displays on the market today.

VersaCAMM VS-640

In addition to a vast range of output options, including banners, signs, posters, vehicles and canvas prints, the company also specializes in engraving for industrial and promotional applications.

All of the company's production equipment comes from Roland, including its duo of an EGX-350 engraving machine and an MPX photo impact printer. These capabilities are complemented by vinyl cutting plotters and full-color wide-format digital printer/cutters.

The ability to diversify away from standard jobs and add extra value with different finishes and effects was one of the key reasons behind the company's decision to invest in the Roland VersaCAMM VS-640 64" integrated print-and-cut solution. Opting for the six-color plus metallic and white ink configuration made sense to the Colmans as they wanted to increase their levels of innovation and inspiration.

Devotees of integrated printing and cutting, through the years Classic Lines Plus Signs has grown to depend increasingly on the accuracy of its Roland units when producing contour-cut signs and displays of all shapes and sizes, as well as decals, labels and stickers. The ability to print in metallic and white ink has been a huge bonus for the company, allowing it to extend its creative product offerings to new and existing end users.

The addition of Nichola as part of the company has also proved to be a successful ingredient in the Classic Lines Plus Signs family network. "The fresh vigor and ideas now flowing into the business, along with the continued strong relationship we enjoy with Roland, ensure our future success," said Nichola.

"I'm thoroughly enjoying developing my own knowledge and flair for making great signs and displays and I'm looking forward to maximizing the power and capabilities of our latest Roland machine."

Pete Colman has been a loyal patron of Roland for many years and maintains that the strong relationship he has with the company is paramount to the future success of his business." If Roland sold beans I would buy them as well," he quips. But, he adds: "Of course you are loyal to a brand if that brand is loyal to you." This is a serious point which he wants to emphasize because he states that the service and support he has received from Roland have been second to none.

Rob Goleniowski, Business Manager – Sign & Graphics of Roland DG (UK), comments: "This relationship is indeed a 'classic' example of why companies stay with us and our product lines, growing over the years with the technologies developed by Roland. Companies like Classic Lines Plus Signs are typical in that they started with our solutions, and have stayed with us since their very first investment.

"This is because Roland's customers know that not only will their businesses flourish as new developments come to market but we will continue to look after them and their machines which cover all display sectors, Goleniowski concludes. "We include everything a display producer, signmaker or commercial printer needs, from the equipment through to installation, training and maintenance."

Further information about Classic Lines Plus Signs is available by visiting www.classiclinesplussigns.co.uk or by calling +44 (0) 1623 661457.