'It took on a life of its own': Richardson Promotional Goods expands Roland family
Richardson Promotional Goods has installed two more Roland DG printers in its already bustling workroom – technology that has helped the business take on 'a life of its own', says its owner.
Richardson Promotional Goods was founded in Dublin in 1999 by Ian and Rosie Richardson as a sole trader of promotional merchandise, which saw its client base grow gradually in size and value. Around ten years ago it became clear that by implementing a print facility in-house it could fill a need that most of its competitors could not, so the business bought two new machines: a printer and a Roland CAMM-1 GX-24 servo plotter.
"I was literally presented with the two machines by Ian, my husband and co-director, and told I had a new 'toy'," recalls Rosie Richardson, Owner, Richardson Promotional Goods. "But it only took a few weeks to realise that we needed a printer that would give us greater capacity. Hence our first Roland VersaCAMM SP-540-CMYK printer/cutter was purchased – and I now had an even bigger 'toy' to play with!
"Our 'small' print facility took on a life of its own – it became a whole other animal to us. The VersaCAMM gave us flexible, on-site operation and such a fast turnaround that it introduced our customers to a world where delayed gratification was a long-distant memory."
Richardson Promotional Goods now employs a full-time designer, two full-time printers and a warehouse manager/printer, who work alongside Rosie and Ian to produce an extensive range of promotional products, business gifts, branded clothing, and sign and display systems. Its selection includes everything from Moleskine notebooks to stable table phone stands, all customised using Roland systems.
The original Roland CAMM-1 is still in use every day and is currently supplemented by a VersaCAMM, a SOLJET Pro 4 XR-640 CMYK printer/cutter and a new Roland VersaUV LEF-20 UV-LED printer. Richardson Promotional Goods has purchased all of its Roland equipment from Sign & Digital Materials, a leading supplier of large format printing machines and supplies, and says it has received 'excellent training back-up and support' from their very experienced team.
The VersaUV has been hard at work printing merchandise for banks and other corporate clients, thanks to its ability to print quickly and cleanly onto practically any material or object – even printing white, clear gloss and textural effects.
"We've recently added a Roland digital UV printer to our print 'family', which is giving us even more flexibility with fast turnaround on products," comments Rosie.
"As a company that prides itself on providing quality products at fair prices, I have come to trust the high-quality print that VersaCAMM produces, and now by running the VersaUV machine we can maintain a high standard with all of our in-house printed items. Our customers continue to receive excellent quality and service without paying over the odds."