In 1990, when Lisa Bailey moved her QuickColourPrint.com.au business from London to Perth, there was little or no choice in graphic software and the output applications were extremely limited.

“I brought with me one of the first sign making ‘computers’ on the market, and I remember being proud that we could produce signs in up to 12 fonts,” she says. “Then the nineties brought an explosion of technology which rendered traditional sign writers all but extinct.

“Now all of our stores have high quality, full colour, wide format digital printers and cutters, which means they can produce full-colour posters, banners, vehicle graphics and signs in-house, sometimes within minutes.”

The latest offering is lenticular printing, which creates 3D or moving images. A business card or brochure can feature a ‘video’ of up to 15 frames, while lenticular panel signs appear to move as you pass by. New processes have also made personalisation and full-colour printing on fabric easy and affordable.

“We are able to offer far more products than we traditionally could at prices lower than 20 years ago,” says Bailey.

As technology has grown more sophisticated, so have the clients.

“They’re much more savvy than in the past,” she continues. “I remember when green was green – but now every plumber knows all about Pantone colours or CMYK formulas, complementary colour scheme and fonts. Our clients know what they want and demand high quality.”

QuickColourPrint.com.au is the only franchised system which uses the same design software to produce both signs and printed product artworks. That means clients can source their business cards, stationery, signs and fleet markings from a single supplier.

“The signs are produced in-house but we outsource all offset printing to large local print hubs,” says Bailey. “This minimises studio space and overheads. And, as well as being equipped with the latest offset and digital equipment, these large print hubs are positioned to ‘gang’ jobs together, so we also get the price benefit of buying in bulk.

“Competition between these hubs is strong, which is an ideal situation for our franchisees in terms of technology, quality, speed and price. We’re seeing more and more print shops switching off their printing machines in favour of using the large hubs…why make it yourself when you can buy a set of full colour business cards for $10?”

The graphics software used by QuickColourPrint.com.au is simple to master – a complete novice can be running his or her own print and sign shop after just 14 days of training. Training also covers sales and marketing, accounts and administration.

“Franchisees don’t need experience in the printing industry but a fabulous work ethic is essential,” says Bailey. “Our franchisees are ideally motivated couples with personality plus. No geeks need apply!”

Bailey believes that the future lies with franchises able to offer both printing and a full sign service at one location.

“Traditionally, they’re vastly different industries but we have found that the two are now inextricably linked,” she says.

She also has no doubt that continuing improvements in technology will make working in the industries faster, cleaner and more environmentally responsible.

“More and more print operations are offering recycled product ranges or partnering with green organisations such as Carbon Neutral and Green Stamp.”