A new co-branding opportunity in the UK that allows independent print business owners to expand their services to include signage & visual graphics services is quickly gaining traction and paving a path to recovery for business owners in the declining commercial print industry.
FASTSIGNS® the worldwide leading franchise in visual communications, signage and graphics centres with 530 locations in eight countries, is offering independent print business owners in the UK the opportunity to join the FASTSIGNS franchise system at a significantly reduced investment. The co-branding programme, which involves print businesses setting up a FASTSIGNS centre within their premises, is receiving tremendous interest in the US where the programme launched late last year.
Garth Allison, UK managing director explains: “We know that lots of printers would like to enter the signage and visual graphics market but find it difficult due a variety of reasons such as knowledge of the right equipment or marketing the products and services. Through our co-branding programme, independent print business owners have the opportunity to grow new, profitable revenue streams by diversifying with signage and visual graphics services, while still retaining their original business identity. Through the programme, independent operators have access to our proven track record and business model, including ongoing training and support.”
The new co-branding programme allows independent print shop owners to add a FASTSIGNS centre within their existing business and gain ongoing training and support from the franchise for as little as a £5,000 initial investment.
As a co-branded partner, FASTSIGNS offers effective local and national marketing, improved buying power and relationships with suppliers and up-to-date technology and digital services, as well as other benefits from being part of a franchise network with business owners nationwide.
FASTSIGNS franchise owner Bob Kromhaly, who co-branded his printing business with FASTSIGNS in 2011 to become FASTSIGNS & Kromhaly’s Printing, had operated a traditional printing business for more than 30 years before making the transition into signage and visual graphics/wide-format printing. Kromhaly’s business had just begun offering these services before turning to FASTSIGNS for the added expertise and support they needed to expand.
“Before joining FASTSIGNS, it would take us anywhere from a few months to a year to find the right equipment or software to invest in. Imagine consistently researching a heavy investment while staying on top of your everyday work—it’s a job in itself,” Kromhaly said. “As we began moving our business into signage and visual graphics, we knew a lot of research was ahead of us. Luckily, we came across FASTSIGNS early on and saw that the value in the added support and expertise from the franchise was a better investment. So, rather than spending endless hours doing the research ourselves, we now call on FASTSIGNS and know the answer will be right.”
With more than 530 FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centres around the world, including 19 in the UK, FASTSIGNS offers a variety of sign and graphics solutions including internal and external signs, banners, building signs, digital signage, site signs, vehicle graphics, decals, exhibition stands and displays, point-of-purchase signs, and posters—as well as mobile websites, promotional products, interior décor, branding, printing and other marketing services.
