The Publication For The Grocery Trade

Image Co Ltd IS Big, And It IS Clever!

How can you ensure your shop carries on working for you day and night without opening twenty-four hours? By combining roller shutters and the latest in large format digital print technology, you create a product that is not only a necessity for security, but a hard-working tool for promoting your products and brand. Images printed onto electronic security shutters also deter graffiti artists from doing their own creative work on your premises AND can help put a smile on your local council's face by aesthetically integrating with the surrounding environment. This product, called Roller Vision, is the brainchild of Ian Cheetham who started the company two and a half years ago while in the retail interior design and shop fitting business. With the help of Leeds-based Image Co Ltd, specialists in large format printing and imaging who developed the technology for applying the images onto roller shutter doors, Roller Vision was patented and ready for action, with their first client ready and waiting as they were the catalyst for the business in the first place. Big Plans. Ian explains: "We were designing and fitting a jeweller's in the picturesque town of Chesterfield which had recently been designated a conservation area due to its historical buildings. We applied for planning permission to install the electronic security roller shutters but were refused on the grounds that the town was a conservation area and the effect would not be in keeping with their guidelines. They suggested we put the shutters on the inside of the window, which first wasn't practical and then we found wasn't allowed by the shop's insurance company. "I had the idea of printing onto roller shutters and got talking to Ashley from Image Co at a Bar show in Earls Court. Their stand claimed they could print large format onto almost 'anything,' so I thought I'd see what they could do! Once everything was agreed on the technical side, I re-approached Chesterfield Council and asked if it would be OK to install the shutters if they had an image of the interior of the shop, complete with customers, so the shop looked open all the time. As the Council had never come across this before they agreed! It worked beautifully and the rest, as they say, is history." Leave a huge impression Dependent on the images you have, the Roller Vision system can transform a functional blank space into an advertising board for your new products, prices, special offers and web details, or you can choose the Roller Vision 'Huge Impression' option where a high quality photograph of your premises is taken, then digitally optimised to make a high resolution, large output. The image is applied directly to your shutters, showing a shop open for trading which can appease councils and town planners as well as being your 'out of hours' product for brand reinforcement. Graffiti (singular: "graffito," although the plural is more common) is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, or more usually spray-painted on property that does not belong to the artist, and is often regarded by others as unsightly damage or unwanted vandalism. In addition to increasing security Roller Vision is hardwearing and resistant to graffiti - in fact it sometimes prevents graffiti. Ian continues: "No Roller Vision system installed to date in the UK has ever suffered from graffiti. We believe one reason is that graffiti artists, the ones who consider themselves serious artists, make their statement on a blank canvas - and Roller Vision systems are far from blank! "If you have to deal with graffiti from non-artistic artists, ordinarily when trying to remove graffiti using standard paint removers or thinners the paint is removed but can discolour the print so you can still see where the graffiti was anyway. The top, or scratch coat, protects the printed base vinyl from metal constantly rubbing it. This protective film applied after printing, eliminates these problems completely, at the same reducing costly cleaning or replacement bills for the retailer. Make your mark, everywhere. The range of services Roller Vision offers include developing designs that reflect and enhance your business needs and provide your shop front with huge visual impact. The process includes the HP SITEX High resolution Print Technology, a unique two part heated vinyl process. The print is UV protected with a lifetime fade-proof guarantee. New shutters require appropriate consent, and existing shutters need an appropriate survey. Roller Vision's service includes: survey, design, artwork, photography, delivery and fitting. The system is unique in that it is patented and is only available from Roller Vision, although in the last two and a half years they have appointed agents throughout the world and UK agents and in Sheffield, Leeds, London and Chesterfield. Ian says: "We are starting to attract as many requests for agent representation as clients, and future growth potential looks good. We intend to franchise Roller Vision worldwide in about six months time but all supply still comes from us in the UK." Big Awards for a Big Idea Ian concludes: "Despite only being established a few months, we were proud to receive a leading media award, taking first place in the Retail Design Awards www.design4design.com/retaildesignawards/signage.html - Best Signage/Graphics category. To win the Signage/Graphics section of The Reds, Roller Vision fought off stiff and diverse competition, including Boots and de Bijenkorf, and as a reflection of our client's confidence in our product John Stephenson's Jewellers has entered their shop front in the Retail Jeweller Awards in the innovation category. "In conjunction with Image Co's large forma digital expertise we are continually developing new applications to keep up with the markets requirements, improve our product offerings and keep our clients one step ahead. We like to think we've set the standard on utilising exterior retail display areas!" For more information on large format retail graphics contact Image Co Ltd on 0845 130 7700, or visit www.imagecoltd.com and for more information on the Roller Vision System contact www.roller-vision.com