Case study from Roland

Micheal Hawes spent 18 years in the education sector but this summer turned the tables to receive training himself, in digital printing and vehicle wrapping. The result is Devil is in the Detail, a brand-new vehicle wrap and signage business running a Roland DG TrueVis VG-640 printer/cutter.

"I have friends in the car industry and was looking for a career change," explains Micheal Hawes. "Around 18 months ago I started researching offering dent repairs and cosmetic vehicle work. This developed into Devil is in the Detail, a vehicle graphics business – a very different challenge to education." Perhaps as a result of his former career, Micheal made sure he spent time studying the market and the right technology for this kind of work before launching his business in Selby, Yorkshire. Online research, trade shows and suppliers' open days led him to Roland distributor Your Print Specialists (YPS) and the Roland TrueVis VG-640. This combination inkjet printer/cutter offers a wide colour gamut, fast printing and drying, accurate cutting and remote operation – ideal for graphics businesses of any size. Devil is in the Detail moved into its own unit in mid-June, while Micheal was still wrapping up his educational provision work and is now running the TrueVis full-time on an unexpected range of applications. "Initially my use for the machine was going to be vehicle graphics and digital wraps, but as word of mouth has spread with the machine's capabilities I am already getting requests for banners and signage too," says Micheal. "I thought, 'I may as well make the most of the machine'." The TrueVis can handle these applications and more: die-cut labels and decals, posters and backlit displays, wall graphics and murals, fine art and photography, and heat transfers for apparel are all easy to achieve on this integrated print-and-cut system. Micheal adds: "I don't originally come from a print background and I find the TrueVis straightforward to use. I like the integrated print and cut, the take-up unit is brilliant and it really is a multi-purpose machine." Undertaking training to maximise his investment in the TrueVis – despite its integral ease of use – was essential to Micheal, who is as detail-focused as his business's name suggests. "I attended Roland's intermediate print course at Coventry University, which filled gaps in my knowledge such as colour management. I also went on the Introduction to Digital Printing course at the Roland Creative Centre in Clevedon – the space really opens up your eyes as to the endless opportunities offered by Roland digital print." Already busy just weeks into his new career, Micheal Hawes simply wants to establish Devil is in the Detail in Selby. "I want to make a name for myself by committing to doing a great job," he says. "Training with the Roland Academy is helping me on my way."