Get creative with prints charming
YOU must be ready for anything in the signs and printing business.
‘I created a life-size photo of a dog for a bride to take to her wedding,’ says Natalie Muckell, the owner of Kall Kwik printing in Fleet Street, London.
‘ The wedding was abroad and she could not take the dog, but she wanted it there, so she sent me a picture of her pet, which we printed and mounted on board, so she could take in her suitcase,’ says Natalie, 53.
Kall Kwik franchisees offer online, digital, lithographic and largeformat printing plus website design, direct mail and email marketing services to businesses.
‘ You have to deal professionally with all kinds of requests — many of them lastminute,’ Natalie says.
Nigel Toplis, MD of Kall Kwik, says: ‘ Nothing fazes our centre owners, as they receive ongoing training on all the latest products and services.’ A franchise starts at £50,000.
Jane Wiles, the Signs Express franchisee in Portsmouth, recently completed a signage project for the new Wightlink Isle of Wight ferry.
‘The ferry arrived two days before it was to go into service, so we had to do all the custom wall graphics, directional, and health and safety signage at sea,’ says Jane.
She is no stranger to unusual requests. ‘Recently we wrapped a remote access vehicle for use in bomb disposal in Afghanistan.’
Prospective franchisees for Signs Express need £45,000 in capital.
KALL KWIK, 01530 513300; Signs Express 0800 731 2255.