Vinyl Pros Issue 5

HOW TO MAKE MORE SALES

NEWS, PROJECTS, Q&A’ s & MORE

THE BINARY BOX TALKS INTERIOR BRANDING SOLUTIONS

TOP INNOVATIONS

IN SIGN & PRINT

There’s a course for you!

Whether you’re looking to expand your business, brush up on your application skills, improve your sales and marketing pitching, or just fancy a taster for the products and opportunities in an exciting and innovative marketplace, we are the Academy for you.

Letter from the Edito r

Anyone else feeling like they’ve blinked and it’s May? In our fifth edition, we’ve changed things up a bit to try and give a more even mix of wrapping & signage articles to include something for everyone.

With that said, we’ve been at The Binary Box in Manchester with Chris Chadwick to see how starting out in graphic design has led to the creation of his boutiquestyle interior branding company. Something to note here is that if you’re looking to impress your clients, don’t neglect your HQ. I’ll leave you to have a look at what they’ve done with their space on page 17.

We asked 3M expert, Amy Cattanach, some of the questions from the community including pricing, benefits to becoming an accredited installer and misconceptions she regularly encounters. All the way from New Zealand, Denise Kirby joins us to talk about sustainability and PVC and Nicole Spencer and Craig Brown give us their take on the latest innovations in print and signage.

The man taking Tiktok by storm in kitchen wrapping, Alex Mchendrie, talks to us about how the platform has been instrumental for him in converting leads to sales, and some of the most important lessons he’s learned

along the way. I’m not sure how he’s done it again, but Brent’s back with all your primer questions answered –you might be surprised that it’s not all about Primer 94 anymore. Louise has some good news for those sick of wrapping every kitchen in a different shade of grey, as she shares how you can go bold for your clients and stand out on your social media as a benefit.

Paige Walton, from S6 Customs, got involved for our Quickfire Q&A (and by the way, some of the things she’s doing for the industry that didn’t make it into the piece need a round of applause). David Hammond talks all things sales in our Business Toolkit and we caught up with recruitment hero Matt Hanley to find out how his people-centred approach works for print and signage companies around the UK.

Connect with me on LinkedIn if you’d like to be involved going forward, I’m keen to shine a light on all the fantastic people in our industry.

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CONTENTS

12 Quick-Fire Q’s & A’s with Paige Walton 14

ONES WATCH

ONES TO WATCH

FESPA CONFIRMS FEATURE PROGRAMME FOR FESPA GLOBAL PRINT EXPO 2023

FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 (23 – 26 May 2023, Messe Munich), co-located with European Sign Expo and Personalisation Experience, will see the return of three popular FESPA visitor features –World Wrap Masters, FESPA Awards and Sustainability Spotlight.

WORLD WRAP MASTERS

FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 will host the World Wrap Masters Europe and Series Final (stand B2D85), kicking off on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 May with the final regional qualifying event –Wrap Masters Europe.

The successful competitors from days one and two will then go on to compete against winners of the regional heats in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway and UK & Ireland. The final, which takes place across Thursday 25 May and Friday 26 May, will feature a series of timed events requiring competitors to wrap cars and surprise objects against the clock.

Sponsored by HEXIS and HP, the competition will be judged by vehicle wrap experts including Kiss Lajos, Ole Solskin, Justin Pate and 2022 World Wrap Masters Champion Ivan Tenchev. Visitors interested in vehicle wrapping can also access free daily training workshops and demonstrations delivered in conjunction with The Wrap Institute (stand B2-C83).

FESPA AWARDS

This year also sees the return of the FESPA Awards, which opened for entries in May 2022 for the first time since 2019. Over 210 submissions from 34 countries have been received and judged by a panel of independent experts. The shortlisted entries will be displayed in the West Entrance of Messe Munich for visitors’ enjoyment throughout FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 and the category winners will be announced in a VIP ceremony on 24 May.

SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT

This year, Sustainability Spotlight (stand B2-B61) offers visitors the opportunity to see and touch a wide range of environmentally responsible graphics and textile material samples, including leather and leather alternatives, natural fibres, cellulosics and synthetics supplied by participating companies. Each substrate will feature an information card so participants can learn more about its sustainable attributes and how to produce innovative, environmentallyconscious products. The headline partner is ReBoard Technology, who will supply the recyclable and reusable material used to build the entire showcase area.

FESPA is also launching a new online Sustainability hub, which will provide free and universal access to FESPA’s extensive content on this topic. This includes the FESPA Planet Friendly guides, which detail up-to-date environmental information and legislations, and over 150 informative articles and best-practice case studies on how to implement environmental performance improvements in a speciality print business. The hub will also feature a new, on-demand video series hosted by FESPA sustainability expert Graeme Richardson-Locke. In conversation with suppliers, print service providers and sustainability experts, Graeme will explore how to minimise the environmental impact of businesses and print processes.

The Sustainability content hub will be accessible via FESPA.com from May 2023 and visitors to FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 can view an edited content stream in a seating area within the Sustainability Spotlight showcase.

Printeriors will also take the form of a virtual showcase hosted on FESPA.com, providing an ‘always-on’ online resource that details the dozens of interior décor applications that have been created for the physical Printeriors showcase since its inception. Launching in May 2023, the new Printeriors microsite will feature case studies explaining the production methods, technologies and substrates behind each application, as well as articles and podcasts discussing the interior décor opportunity.

Michael Ryan, Head of FESPA Global Print Expo, comments: "Visitors to FESPA exhibitions are always looking for ways to increase their industry knowledge, find inspiration and learn from other printers and visual communicators. Our popular features are set to deliver just that and, with the return of the FESPA Awards, we’re showcasing the diverse talent that exists across our global print and signage community. Maximising the reach of our educational content is essential to our mission, so we’re delighted to launch two brand-new online content hubs to offer multiple perspectives on sustainability and interior décor."

For further information about the feature programme, visit: https://www.fespaglobalprintexpo.com/whats-on

ASK THE EXPERT

What does your role at 3M involve?

I am UK Channel Manager, responsible for sales of 3M Graphics and Architectural Films through our distribution partners. I am supported by Regional Salespeople, Application Engineers, and Product Specialists. It is a fast-paced role and I work with both channel customers and end customers. It continues to interest me, even after 12 years I learn something new most days.

What justifies the 3M price point?

What proportion of any project cost is in the actual labour for preparation and installation? Doesn’t it, therefore, make sense to choose the product that will look great for the longest possible time, giving the owner peace of mind?

For example, 3M™ DI-NOC™ Architectural Finishes standard range has up to 12 years indoor durability (subject to use), and it is highly UV resistant. DI-NOC is a cast film so installers can heat and conform it around the existing 3D architecture. Desktops, wall panels, doors and complex shapes are very cleverly transformed. The conformability means that cuts and overlaps on edges can be avoided, giving a much more ‘realistic’ look whether it be imitating metal, wood, or stone. With good installation technique, the overall finish will be a premium one with 3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes.

DI-NOC Architectural Finishes Matte series has fingerprint resistance, a practical feature making an easy-to-maintain surface which both designers and end users love. Attending a 3M™ Endorsed Installer training course for DI-NOC Architectural Finishes at Spandex or William Smith or coming along to one of the Spandex training roadshows* is a fantastic way to understand how to apply the correct installation techniques. By doing so installers can unlock the product features and get the best quality result.

*https://shop.spandex.com/en_GB/s/spandex-roadshow-with-3m

3M are constantly innovating to make installation easier. For example, in 2022 we launched 3M™ Print Wrap Film IJ280. It has a vinyl formulation which conforms with less heat as compared to leading alternatives. This means both time and energy (electricity) savings for the installer. The IJ280 + 8428 when applied into a recess, and prior to post heating, is 2.2X more resistant to ‘lifting’ than other leading industry print wrap films for vehicles.

What are the benefits of becoming a 3M accredited installer?

When you pass the test for a specific product line, you’ll receive a certificate and the corresponding Endorsed Installer designation. You’ll also receive the 3M Endorsed Installer logo which you can use for advertising and other forms of marketing. 3M will promote our Endorsed Installers and 3M™ Select Graphic Providers to any leads we get. 3M™ Select Graphic Providers also get increased benefits such as an extended warranty. This gives the end user confidence when choosing an endorsed installer. ** **Approach a 3M authorised representative for more information on the benefits and process of becoming a 3M authorised installer.

Are there any misconceptions you commonly encounter?

We normally hear comments like “All vehicle wrap films are the same…. ” But when we train installers on our new 3M™ Print Wrap Film IJ280 we wait to see the appreciation in their eyes when they realise how much easier their future installs are going be with IJ280.

How are 3M contributing to the effort of raising industry standards?

We work in partnership with our Select Graphic Provider network so that we design the products with the voice of the customer in mind. For example, with the development of 3M™ Print Wrap Film IJ280, from printing, out-gassing, lamination, and installation, to the finished vibrancy and gloss level to removal, we consider what is important from printer to installer to business owner, vehicle owner and brand owner.

3M are constantly developing new and improved products. For example, our 3M™ Scotchgard™ Paint Protection Films have Self-healing technology and scratch resistance and maintain exceptional clarity with good resistance to yellowing. Our 3M Endorsed Installers for paint protection films have access to 3M™ Pattern and Solutions Center. Our patterns are hand drawn by expert installers, so they fit every time with no adjustment needed.

In which sector do you expect to see the most growth over the next 5 years?

Automotive and Architectural are the areas that we expect the most growth, but across all sectors, we expect to see more sustainability initiatives and products.

Within the Automotive sector, we already have non-PVC ranges of print wrap films: Firstly, our 3M™ Envision™ Print Wrap Films SV480mC and LX480mC. These 12-year non-PVC films are highly conformable and durable and so are ideal for commercial vehicle application. They can also be heated into internal and external brick and concrete surfaces. Secondly, we have 3M™ Envision™ Print Film Series 48 films for flat and 2D vehicle graphics. They are also popular choices for any public indoor spaces due to them meeting fire classification EN13501 for interior building applications.

3M is also investing $1 billion to reduce carbon emissions to become carbon neutral by 2050 and reduce our water usage by 25% by 2030. We believe that sustainable products and schemes are going to be vitally important across all sectors going forward and new sustainable products are in the planning, of which some will be launched this year.

LEATHER UPPER

CLIENT:

HUGO MIJARES

PROJECT: "r202d11"

192" x 96" on (4) 48" x 96" Chromaluxe Aluminum Panels, Exterior grade

Project Overview:

My work is digital art, dye sublimated to Chromaluxe Aluminum. My process is to create new art from within an existing piece. I zoom into a small area, crop it out, scale it up and manipulate it digitally until I’m happy with the new composition. In this case "r202d11" came from a 6" x 3" detail from "r202d10". I increased the detail up to 196" x 96", and worked with the composition, colors and detail to achieve the finished result. I’ve already clipped an 8" x 8" detail from "r202d11" that will create "r202d12". Applying the image to aluminum is the best visual transfer I have found versus other substrates such as paper and canvas.

What was the outcome?

I have collaborated with Hugo Mijares, the architect of the house in the image, many times to promote my artwork. In this image my artwork is superimposed onto a 3D rendering of Hugo’s design. The house is currently under construction and he is in talks with the owner about potentially purchasing my art for the installation.

FEATURED PROJECTS

"I have collaborated with Hugo Mijares, the architect of the house in the image, many times to promote my artwork. In this image my artwork is superimposed onto a 3D rendering of Hugo’s design. The house is currently under construction and he is in talks with the owner about potentially purchasing my art for the installation."

PROJECT:

ARENA BUSINESS PARK

Project Overview:

CLIENT: ARENA BUSINESS PARK FARNBOROUGH

Doodle Signs were first tasked with removing the old film from the front of 35 windows. Once we had a blank slate to start from, we installed Avery Dennison® 5500 QM Translucent Films,using over 100 meters of vinyl in total. Two installers fitted the material over a 5 day period, with heavy access machinery/cherry picker. Health and safety was paramount throughout this project as the business park remained open during the work.

What was the outcome?

We achieved a bright and bold look for our client, the inside was stunning to walk past the windows when the sun shined as pictured.

QUICK-FIRE Q’S & A’S -P AIGE WALTON

How long have you been working in the vehicle wrapping industry?

12 years.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Customer expectations and managing staff.

What is your favourite project you’ve worked on?

The first one that comes to mind, strangely enough, were the train wraps we did 9 years ago for Virgin Media and Waterloo Train Station for the Jurassic World launch. It’s not a supercar, but I learnt so much on the project, it stands out to me a lot.

Most difficult wrap you’ve completed?

Satin Gold Chrome Rolls Royce (front wings) or I’m currently PPF-ing a 1978 Porsche Targa without a template, so that’d be up there.

What’s a piece of equipment you couldn’t do without?

A red micro squeegee or PID Wrap Glove.

What kind of wrapping do you like best?

Anything digital, purely because of the design element that makes it more interesting.

What kind of car would you love to wrap, but haven’t yet?

I haven’t wrapped a hypercar yet, but it’s not something I’m really bothered about doing.

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Worst thing that’s ever happened at work?

I wasn’t personally responsible, but a Lamborghini window once got smashed on reassemble...that wasn’t a great day.

9

Proudest moment in your career?

Launching the training academy ( The Vehicle Wrapping Academy) to set standards within the industry and being given the opportunity to work with looked after children and sustaining the initiative.

3M/Avery Dennison. 10

Which vinyl is easiest to work with?

11

Three pieces of advice you’d give to a new wrapper?

Take your time, set the right expectations, and get trained by someone who knows what they’re doing.

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What would you do if you weren’t a wrapper?

Before I started wrapping, I was a health care assistant. I wouldn’t go back to the NHS now though with all the pressure they’re under. I didn’t know what I wanted to do leaving school, even wrapping was a career I fell into and I can’t imagine doing anything else now.

13

Which part of a vehicle wrap do you not look forward to?

Nobody looks forward to bumpers!

14

Who do you find inspiring in the industry?

Justin Pate and Rainer Lorz from The Wrap Institute give me a lot of motivation to carry on what I’m doing within the industry surrounding the training. Installation inspiration it would be Jim Miller from Miller Decals or Krystal from Candy Wraps.

15

What are the most important qualities for success in the vehicle wrapping field?

Perfection and attention to detail. If you haven’t got the attention to detail, you aren’t going to last long.

16

What is the biggest misconception you’ve found around vehicle wrapping?

Customers think it’s exactly the same as paint, and sometimes this can lead to unrealistic expectations.

17

What is the most important piece of advice you’ve received in your career?

Don’t worry about what other people think.

18

What do you do to continue your professional development?

I am always seeking out opportunities to learn, the technical aspect of the job is something I really enjoy so I like to know everything about the materials and how they should be applied.

19

Do you think collaboration is important? Why?

Yes, it offers opportunities that you don’t get elsewhere, but it all depends on who with. Collaborating with Instagram influencers might get you somewhere in the short-term but you need to be mindful of the long-term opportunities with brands.

20

How critical are you of your own work?

Ridiculously critical! Some nights I lose sleep because of it.

A TOUR OF...

3M’S INSTALLER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, GRAPHIC INNOVATION GROUP

As soon as you enter Graphic Innovation Group’s Barnsley-based unit, 3M is everywhere. Everything from the walls to the reception desk is wrapped in 3M DI-NOC™ and swatches from both the architectural and vehicle wrapping films are on display on entry. The offerings of Graphic Innovation Group are three-fold. Alongside their private work wrapping, tinting and ppf-ing vehicles, directors Gavin Swallow and Ryan Travis have developed a long-standing and exclusive relationship with 3M, becoming the UK & Ireland’s only approved trainers and assessors for the manufacturing giant. Every 3M endorsed installer in the country will be given their accreditation in this training and assessment facility. So, what can you expect?

A WARM WELCOME

It’s not just that Gavin and Ryan are about as personable as they come, it’s their approach to teaching and learning that sets them apart. Understanding that many different personalities come through their doors to undertake training and accreditation, reading the room is now second nature to the pair, who aim to make everyone’s time there informative and enjoyable. “Some people are more introverted, they’re more in their shell than others, and it’s our job to draw them out and make them feel equally as comfortable in the learning environment, Gavin tells me. The relaxed setting, the professional setup and the way the whole team can put a complete stranger at ease are the perfect recipe for making a great first impression.

THE SETUP

Split over two levels, the arrangement at Graphic Innovation Group consists of vehicle wrapping on the ground floor and all things architectural upstairs. A classroom for studying theory and technical aspects is set up on the first floor, which is also where the DI-NOC™ practical work takes place. Looking around this floor, there is a variety of equipment on show to perfect every kind of wrapping technique an installer may encounter on site. The ground floor, dedicated to vehicle wrapping, has a larger-scale, automotive setup. Everything from basic corners to more complex shapes, using heat to stretch and conform the material and the correct way to do a splice joint are all taught and assessed right here. It is essential that participants master the techniques to the letter, as becoming a 3M accredited installer comes with benefits that rely on correct installation to be carried out once real-world application begins.

THE BENEFITS

The 3M name carries a lot of clout, there is no denying it. Having the 3M Endorsed Installer logo on your business credentials is something to give an installer’s employer or client confidence, knowing that they will also have the backing from 3M of an extended warranty. Aside from the more official benefits (as discussed by Amy Cattanach in our Ask the Expert section this month), there are some more personal ones too. Installers completing their training with Graphic Innovation Group leave with an open line of communication, able to call on Gavin and Ryan for their advice even after their time in the centre is up. The commitment to improving standards and building a network of confident and knowledgeable installers is something that Gavin and Ryan make apparent.

THE COURSES

3M Vehicle Wrap Fundamental Training

3M DI-NOC Fundamental Course

PPF Courses

Advanced Wrap Training

THE ASSESSMENT

After completing the Fundamental Courses and developing your skills and experience with the approval of 3M UK, you can apply to undertake and gain a 3M assessment. This is to achieve the highest 3M endorsed status. The tests are designed to find out if you can install and produce 3M standard work and have the knowledge and ability to be part of the 3M Community.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

When I ask Gavin if he thinks anybody can be a wrapper, he gives an interesting response. "I can teach anybody to wrap to a good enough standard to be able to do this as a career. But not everybody can be successful." This is a bold statement, one that reflects the confidence Gavin has in his own teaching, but it also raises another question...what is required of installers to make it in the wrapping game?

Top of the list is a strong work ethic. In the long term, wrapping can lead to a well-paid - and in some circumstances, a lucrative - career for those that pursue it. But overnight success stories in any industry are rare, and beginners can have unrealistic expectations of how much work this can take. Putting in the groundwork takes time. With social media showing the glamorous, heavily edited highlights, and no context of how much effort has gone into the successes shown, it is easy to overlook some of the basics that were covered early on. Many forget that wrapping is a physical job, there is no hiding behind a desk.

Secondly, there is no place for egos at Graphic Innovation Group’s training. Etiquette is part of the training and that means: tidy up after yourself. A willingness to participate, learn and work as a team goes a long way; you might be here for your own development, but you’ll go further together.

To book a 3M course, please visit Graphic Innovation Group Application specialists - Lincolnshire - Vinyl Wraps (gigroup.ltd) for availability.

COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY.

Introducing a NEW range of architectural films, with over 180+ finishes on the shelf.

Discover the NEW LX Hausys BENIF range at architextural.co.uk Architextural, for complete flexibility.

THE BINARY BOX

There’s no mistaking The Binary Box as you pull up onto an industrial estate in Stockport. Lightbulb graphics on their entrance doors give a small glimpse of the creativity that awaits inside. Currently in the midst of their own office renovation – which still looks as striking as it did six years ago – Chris Chadwick, founder of the company, welcomed me in to talk about his business journey so far. The main work area has recently been fitted with a new wall mural, designed in-house. We sit in one of the rooms that is yet to be transformed, and Chris tells me it’s no longer a reflection of the work the team can produce. Printers have moved on and so have the materials they use. High standards are apparent from the off - I’ve never been anywhere else with a digitally printed Alps scene spanning a five-meter wall but The Binary Box is a place to showcase their best work, but it seems nothing less than the best will do here.

It was January 2009 when The Binary Box was officially formed under sole trader status, making the shift to a limited company around a year later. What began as an online business, printing and selling stickers, snowballed into The Binary Box as we know it today.

Chris is from a graphic design background, rather than a signage one and so once the business began to operate offline and serve customers, a steep learning curve began. Well-versed in design for big brand names for their pointof-sale displays, graphic application was something Chris needed to learn in order to branch out into the B2B market and leave the B2C era behind. Now that his company has recruited several times over, growing to a team of 13 as of this month, the days of wearing every hat in a business are over for Chris and he has the time to invest in growing his business. Working with a business mentor has been instrumental to his success, and he is expecting to employ another two team members by the end of 2023.

Currently, he has a fairly even split of team members, with half vinyl installing and the other half skilled in signage installation. Moving towards a team of 15 will mean there are three separate installation teams available to work on projects at any one time. As the projects here are often a little more unique than the norm, there are many other elements that come into play, LED neons, artificial foliage walls and slatted walls, to name a few. Pushing the boundaries of design is not out of the ordinary for The Binary Box, as Chris is keen to utilise the full range of skills that his team offers.

‘MORE UNIQUE THAN THE NORM’

Fourteen years into his business journey, Chris has doubled down on his growth mindset. Working in a business every day often leaves little time for working on it, which can lead to stagnation further down the road. It is clear from spending even a little time in The Binary Box that the company is dynamic and active, there is a hustle about the place that is embedded in their company culture, something that Chris mentions more than once. Whenever someone talks about their company culture, it now seems customary to ask them what their values are, just to make sure it’s not a buzzword used by the woke amongst us. Fortunately for Chris, he reels off their four values, complete with an explanation of each one, without any prompting. As I wonder how many people could bring these to mind so quickly, Chris explains why they’ve been such an important part of his business journey. "Over the years, we’ve analysed situations that have happened and now we are more aware of the personalities that will gel together well. It all comes down to their values and how aligned they are with those of the company. Because we’ve nailed our ethos here, it makes it easier to trust your gut instinct when hiring people."

This extends to clients as well, like other thriving companies, The Binary Box want their clients to be aligned with their values for a feeling of accomplishment on both sides on the completion of a project. Nobody likes a difficult client, and whilst we spend so much of our lives at work, Chris aims to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for all those involved. "If you get clients who are on the same wavelength, the process will be more fun, they’ll be easier to work with and they’ll probably pay you on time. If you pick up clients that are only bothered about driving down the price and nothing else, you’re always going to fail," he says.

"If you get clients who are on the same wavelength, the process will be more fun"

The way The Binary Box has evolved in recent years plays into the sustainability drive that is beginning to ripple through the industry. Chris says, "We come into play where an office might not want a complete fit out, but to give their existing space a complete facelift. Although we do work for some largescale fit-out companies, we have the capacity to manage the one step before for our clients." Instead of starting a project and taking it back to brick, The Binary Box are keen to maximise the use of the existing space, giving their clients assurance that a great result can come from a soft refurbishment. Creating imaginative concepts and seeing them through to completion is how The Binary Box has carved out a niche for themselves in a saturated industry. Preferring to label the company as a boutique interior branding solution rather than a sign and graphics company means clients know there is the scope to go beyond standard wall graphics they might’ve been accustomed to. As with any client, the more receptive to the concepts presented to them and the more trusting they are of the process, the more enjoyable the experience is for all parties. Naming one of his favourite projects to date, Chris immediately recalls Evolve Academy in Manchester.

Fitting their brand with bold and colourful design choices, the addition of whiteboard walls that staff interact with means the design landscape is forever changing in the Academy and expands on the sense of inclusivity felt by staff and their trainees.

Outside of their design and installation work, The Binary Box are keen to encourage more youth into the industry. Exhibiting at high school career days to widen the (usually quite limited) options available to school leavers and speaking at local colleges and universities are all par for the course. There aren’t many colleges offering an apprenticeship scheme for sign and graphics or large format print careers, but Chris found the opportunity with Walsall College several years ago to collaborate in this area. Recognising that the industry can offer a vast amount of opportunities to anyone who chooses to seize them, but that young people are woefully underserved in terms of training, Chris has plans to take this into his own hands in the future. "We want to offer training to younger people who might not have any experience working with vinyl or signage, but who are practical and good with their hands. We’re going to work on our own training programme as we have a skilled enough team to be able to deliver it. Sometimes it’s easier to train people up who have no prior knowledge – there can be some resistance to working in a different way if someone comes from another company to ours."

Going from strength to strength, crafting stunning workplaces for their clients and thinking outside the box, The Binary Box are a great example of how graphic design can spiral into a successful company that creates opportunities for both employment and collaboration.

Sustainability Expert

Denise Kirby

REDUCING OUR PLASTIC WASTE PROBLEM

Our industry is a huge consumer of plastic. Self-adhesive films, banners, rigid sheets and even many textiles are plastics that eventually go to landfill to languish for generations to come.

While the materials we use aren’t as devasting as single use plastics, you won’t find a turtle wrapped up in a selfadhesive print or banners floating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, we are still contributing to a problem that can’t be undone and leaving a legacy of significant waste for future generations to deal with. Before we can solve the problem, it helps to understand the problem.

Plastic is not inherently bad. It has value and offers immense functional and performance benefits during its service life. While derived from fossil fuels, only about 4% of oil and gas is diverted for all plastic production. The real problem plastic creates is when it comes to end of life. The majority of plastic materials our industry uses ends up in landfill or incineration, with only a small percentage being recycled.

We often talk about plastics as if it was one thing, but there are 7 different types of plastics, each with different performance attributes and degrees of impact on the environment. Unfortunately for our industry, the plastic that is the most damaging and the least recyclable is flexible PVC, the material we use for the majority of sign and print applications. This is why there are increasing regulations and bans around the use of PVC in other sectors.

PVC films contains a variety of chemicals and additives that are recognized for their toxicity. The composition of PVC combined with these additives makes disposal problematic.

Incineration produces highly hazardous dioxins and furans that can be released into the environment. Even at processors claiming clean emissions, the contaminated ash that remains still needs to be dealt with.

Once in landfill PVC never really goes away. It just degrades into microplastics then nano plastics. Landfills don’t last forever. Eventually, when they are no longer maintained and managed, the nano plastics together with all the other additives will leach out into the surrounding soil and waterways, infiltrating the eco system at every level.

It is quite sobering if you consider than every piece of PVC film you have ever used is still out there somewhere and will be for hundreds of more years to come. At the same time, we have to keep it real. We are not Greenpeace and need to balance environmental concerns with commercial reality. It doesn’t make business sense to use greener alternatives if they don’t offer the same performance aspects or are price prohibitive to use.

We don’t have to give up on plastics and return to paint to become more sustainable but we can significantly reduce our consumption of PVC. Consider the reasons why you use PVC. The main benefits are long term outdoor durability and conformability but there are many applications that don’t require those features. Short term promotional applications, point of sale, seasonal window graphics, interior walls and decorative applications do not need the functionality of PVC. PVC can easily be replaced with the many PVC-Free films available today without sacrificing performance. Some of these materials are also more readily recyclable or in the case of incineration or landfilling, do not release the same toxins into the environment and degrade a lot faster. Often, we use PVC out of habit and convenience. Making changes to materials and processes may feel particularly challenging especially when there have been so many other disruptions to contend with over the last couple of years with labour shortages, the energy crisis and covid, but if we want to create a sustainable future, we all need to do our part. Small incremental changes around the materials we use are better than doing nothing and is something we can all do today to minimize the impact of our plastic waste on the environment.

"If we want to create a sustainable future, we all need to do our part"

LET’S TALK...PRINT

print industry.

What are some of the more innovative things happening at RMC Digital?

As we print on a trade-only basis, there is a limited amount that I can say projects we’ve done, but something we’ve tried out for ourselves is hidden message printing. This can be done onto PVC or backlit textile. We’ve got up to nine layers on the H5 which means we can hide text within the layers. It’s not immediately visible until it has been illuminated – once you switch the light off and you know where to look you can see the indentation of the missing ink but without knowing it’s there you wouldn’t spot it. With the nine layers, we can also do some interesting textured prints like woodgrain effects or build up braille dots using ink. SwissQ have done some samples using their layers to make prints feel like oil paintings. We generally just use three layers to do block-out or colour-enhanced prints onto backlit PVC. This was something we worked with EFI to develop on the 5m wide printers which is a multilayer process to block out the black layer so that no light is allowed to show through. We then print a white and colour layer in the same carriage pass to eliminate misalignment and increase speed. This was previously done by masking off and spraying the back of the material.

Further afield, what are printers anticipating further developments in?

3D printing is obviously a big innovation. In the future, some believe it will be commonplace to have one in our homes like desktop printers. 3D printing has meant that things can be created that wouldn’t be possible through traditional methods like carving etc. You can scan smaller items and print them to a bigger size, and it’s been a huge development for construction. Printing houses and bridges is possible at the moment, but even on a smaller scale, the possibilities are endless. I’ve seen monuments, watches and even casts that have been printed. This sector is only going to become more sophisticated as time goes on.

Have there been any advancements in ink?

The addition of white ink has made processes like hidden messages possible but has also opened up different techniques in interior decoration, especially on optically clear vinyl. Canon recently launched their Colorado M-series and describe it as revolutionary. White ink often clogs up the jets, but with this printer, you can print UVgel white just as you would any other colour.

Nicole Spencer, Managing Director of RMC Digital, talks us through some of the latest innovations happening in the

TECH ADVANCEMENTS WITHIN SIGNAGE

With Craig Brown

We are a month past Sign and Digital and whilst I was there for all three days of the show, I spent most of the time on the "Explains Lounge" stand hosting presentations from various industry experts and business owners from across our wonderful industry.

The show has been traditionally seen as a launching ground for new products and machinery for the sign sector but this year it seemed a little more about upgrades and improvements of kit. I might be being a little unfair when I say many in our trade aren’t renowned as early adopters of technology but when we do see the worth in something we tend to jump on board and rinse every last pound out of it.

Labour-saving devices have always been popular and you only need to look at the number of options and brands available for application tables to see what I mean. If you’d told a sign maker 20 years ago that they would spend tens of thousands of pounds on a 5-meter workbench they would probably have laughed you out of the room, but ask anyone who has invested in one if they would give it up now and its odds on they wouldn’t go back to where they were before it arrived.

Workflow within the small to medium size sign businesses also seems to be a regular topic of discussion, with people wanting to know who’s using what CRM or pricing software and how you populate it correctly so that margins are where they need to be. I’m not going into who’s software is best but get it right and it’s one of the best investments you will ever make.

Another area I noted at Sign and Digital this year was the number of overseas suppliers, Covid certainly had an impact on our supplier chains so it was interesting to see the re-emergence of suppliers from as far away as China. I certainly won’t get into the pros and cons of importing products here but I always want to be able to build a strong relationship with anyone within my supply chain and price is not the driving factor in that partnership.

How do you demonstrate to your potential customer what they are going to get for their money when they enquire about a sign?

We are in a visual industry so it’s not unreasonable for the client to expect to see a representation of what they are getting for their investment. We’ve come from sketches on paper, renders on photos through to a complete walkthrough of a project using virtual reality headsets. That really is the try it on before you buy it set up.

The virtual reality walk-through of a sign project might seem beyond that of many at the moment but as more and more of the larger players in the market offer the service to their clients it becomes more of a case of when you look to adopt the technology rather than if you adopt it.

I’m only highlighting the virtual reality elements because at the moment it only tends to be used on the larger scale and larger value projects, but the way client’s expectations change about what they expect to see from their suppliers and by the nature of trickle-down technology, I suspect it will become commonplace before we know it.

The trouble is these additional services take time so we end up looping back to find other labour-saving devices and software to win back the time we have lost...

I’m constantly being told that AI is the future, so who’s going to be an early adopter of ChatGPT in their business and can it really be good for our sector?

I suspect that’s a whole other topic with some pretty strong views out there.

"I’m constantly being told that AI is the future"

BUSINESS TOOLKIT

WHY IS MASTERING SALES JUST AS IMPORTANT AS MASTERING YOUR CRAFT?

Now entering my 13th year in the signage industry, until recently working alongside my father, I’d like to share one of the most important things I’ve come to realise, and it’s taken me a while for the penny to drop.

Sales before stickers - I’ve gotten flack for saying this in the past, but the process of applying vinyl to something isn’t overly difficult. There’s an abundance of tutorials on YouTube, training courses, even spending time with roll ends to practise and experiment, and if you do mess it up, there’s always the option to rip it off and start again.

The same isn’t true for the sales process, or working on, rather than in the business in general. There are fewer tutorials, guides, and resources, there’s often great apprehension about trying something different, or even finding the time to implement new things.

I feel many small companies fall short in their sales and marketing. There are many great signwriters, wrappers, printers, and designers, whose technical abilities are amazing yet they fail to sell their services. I’ve seen for myself small sign companies transform flat, simple logos into realistic 3d renders, and they don’t charge for it, unable to see the value they’re providing to their customers’ brands. I don’t profess to be an expert by any means, this is an area I’ve worked on with the help of a business coach with industry experience, and after more than a decade of trying to find my feet.

David Hammond Seymour Sign and Print

How will knowing your numbers help with sales?

There’s no denying it’s boring, tedious, and even uncomfortable to scrutinise your business. But a worthwhile venture, provided you take onboard what you discover. You’re not going to stand back and look at your spreadsheet with a sense of achievement like you do after completing a customer’s project.

I’ve spoken with other business owners who believed themselves not to be cheap, but after further discussion, the reality was their pricing whilst not the cheapest wasn’t sufficient. Understanding your overheads and costs puts things into perspective and should give business owners the confidence to charge appropriately, and even decline those work that isn’t viable. For example, if it’s costing £30 an hour to keep

your workshop open, spending 5 hours designing, producing and installing some signage on a van and charging £200 is barely breaking even. Using this data, it’s relatively easy to establish starting costs.

If your setup is providing very specific products, such as stickers, or banners, things that can be standardised, the same costs can be used to calculate the number of units to sell in order for it to be viable at varying prices, and decide whether the amount of units is realistic and achievable.

There is little point in comparing your business with others, there are trade printers who are buying panels by the pallet load, with machines capable of printing full panels in minutes, capable of producing hundreds of boards a day. It’s fruitless trying to compete with these prices without being able to achieve the volume to make it truly profitable.

How can you avoid time wasters in your sales process?

You don’t need every customer, there’s the old adage "busy fool".During initial conversations, I try to find if there’s a reason not to work with the customer. Whether that be the customer’s budget, if they’ve unrealistic expectations of lead time, and that trusty gut feeling we all have. That aim is to vet the customer as much as possible before investing valuable time into them.

I’ve been guilty of chasing around, measuring up jobs, meeting customers, and preparing quotes, all in the hope of winning some. Now by qualifying customers early on, it reduces the time chasing around, leaving time to concentrate on those customers who have qualified, following up on their quotes, and delivering a more responsive service to these customers.

What is the number one thing people can do today to close more sales?

If you’re wrapping interiors, you’re not just applying stickers to furniture. You’re potentially saving the customer thousands of pounds. You’re saving them time and effort in having to source replacement furniture, the time and inconvenience of furniture being installed. All achieved by applying vinyl to existing furniture.

It’s another worthwhile exercise identifying the real benefits of the service you provide, and the problems you solve. We’ve gained several customers simply because we’re able to respond to their enquiry. Others because previous suppliers have required their vehicle for over a week to install signage, where we got that down to hours.

BRENT WILLIAMS

Last Thursday, I began a post on LinkedIn by stating: “I just don’t understand I primed it…”

I get this kind of call a lot, but that day was a little bit different. My dealer was both confident and somewhat cranky, obviously upset by a result that wasn’t expected. The dealer was delivering a set of MDF doors for a boat cabin replacement and the material was lifting in the center of the panels, not the typical edge lift that I see in typical failures.

The problem here seemed to be in prep; something was preventing the material from properly adhering to the substrate and the doors had been placed in direct sunlight, causing the finish to lift off of the surface in the center of those panels, likely due to a combination of heat, humidity and the direct effects of sunlight.

In asking the dealer how he prepared those panels, I got a common answer “I primed them”. In his defence, I get this response on almost every query of this kind. Yes. You “primed” them, but with what? He wasn’t sure. That was clue number one, as there is only one good, commonly used primer for MDF: 3M’s WP-2000

It turns out, he’d gone above and beyond but missed the target because he didn’t know that there are better, more powerful and specific primers available for his exact same substrate. He was using a PVA surface prep primer. That Polyvinyl Alcohol surfacing agent is fantastic for “wet” applications, gypsum compounds or plaster. But not for our dry application fusion materials.

Because of my work, research and experience, I know a lot more about adhesives and their chemistry than I want to, but it’s just part of the gig. I’m going to spare you the inane discussion of how silane monomers affect cohesion. Yeah, I’m that guy. You work with a product for over 40 years, you learn a lot about related issues.

On top of being an adhesives geek, I’ve learned WAY more than I need to about things like metal finishing, powder coating, gypsum installation and finishing standards...the list goes on and on.

One major “secret” to the application of fusion finishes is that almost every surface requires a specific primer, based on the substrate involved… EVERY SINGLE ONE. The reason that I say “almost” is that there are some very high-energy surfaces that the material adheres to extremely well but those are exceptions, not rules.

In common usage, there is a spectrum of 5 commonly used surface primers. These primers range from 3M’s Primer 94, the water-based WP-2000 and 3000, Adhesion Promoter 111 and, occasionally, a tertiary adhesive. There are also several other 3M adhesive promoters available and similar products made by other companies. Knowing whether these things work or don’t work is critical to a successful installation project.

Note: NONE of these are similar to the common "primers" used in the painting world. Those primers are intended as surface prep for paint application, though they are also frequently used as surface sealers for our fusion finishes. Used as surface prep, these are awesome. Used improperly, they can ruin an installation...and possibly a relationship with a valued client.

My most common “tech issue” is a dealer/applicator that has used one of these sealers as “primer...not realizing that they need an “adhesive promoter” to increase the bond strength between the fusion and the substrate. They have been told by "the authorities” that you need to "prime" the surface, so they go buy a primer at the local paint supplier or big box retailer...not knowing what kind of primer is truly needed.

9 times out of ten, it’s simply that the applicator doesn’t have the training or experience with these adhesive promoters to know that they are even required. In many cases, they’ve never had some source of experienced project wisdom that they trust to provide them with direction, so they make their best guess and do the installation, only to see a failure of some kind after the completion of the project.

Once again, these failures are symptoms of the newness of our industry. The knowledge, experience and materials are all commonly available, but it takes time for these elements to make their way into common usage. When it comes to primers, the overriding logic is fairly simple: you use primers, promoters and adhesives to match the adhesive properties of the fusion material to the properties of the substrate.

The good news is that the adhesive qualities of the material are virtually a constant. The differences between acrylic adhesives used on all of these products are very similar in physical properties. The bad news is that the amount of variance in substrates is almost infinite. There are literally hundreds, possibly thousands, of distinct and different surfaces onto which these fusion finishes are applied. And that’s why we have to understand theory, not deal in specifics we would go crazy if we tried to catalog every single combination of material, primer, surfaces, pre-prep surfacing procedures and project conditions. There would be thousands upon thousands of combinations.

Instead, I train my dealers to understand why we use these different primers for varied conditions.

In next month’s edition, I will break down the major points for choosing the correct primer for each substrate.

KITCHEN WRAPS GLASGOW

OWNER: ALEX MCHENDRIE AREAS COVERED: GLASGOW CENTRAL BELT

How did you get into vinyl wrapping?

When I was 18, I had a keen interest in design. The job centre referred me to Frank at James Brothers, and the rest is history. Frank gave me a chance, and I’ve never looked back.

Which platforms have worked best for you in generating sales?

Social media, particularly TikTok, has been a game-changer for our sales, with 90% of our revenue coming from these platforms. Initially, putting myself out there in videos was challenging, but the rewards have been well worth it. Now, you’ll find me effortlessly creating videos as if it’s second nature on most days.

What’s your Tiktok secret?

Don’t let fear or nervousness hold you back, as people genuinely enjoy seeing and hearing what we’re doing. Don’t fret about video quality or sound, as most smartphones nowadays are capable of capturing decent footage. I realised that once I started putting myself on camera and stopped worrying about perfection, I gained more followers. Authenticity and genuine engagement go a long way in building a loyal audience on social media.

What’s your material of preference?

We offer a variety of vinyl brands, including Surfex, Cover Styl’, LX, and Di-Noc, in no particular order. Currently, you’ll find a lot of Cover Styl’ jobs as the price point is attractive to customers. However, we are constantly striving to expand our range and cater to a wider customer base by offering more options from other vinyl brands like Surfex, LX, and DI Noc. We believe in providing a diverse selection to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

How many kitchens have you wrapped so far, and what have been some of your favourites?

n the past, we used to aim to complete five jobs per week, but we realised that it often resulted in a compromise in the quality of our work. As a result, we made a conscious decision to limit ourselves to a maximum of three jobs per week to ensure that we can maintain the highest level of quality in our workmanship. This change has allowed us to focus on delivering exceptional results and has positively impacted customer satisfaction.

Is there anything you know now that wish you’d known at the beginning of starting your own business?

YES! You don’t need to be the cheapest to win work.

Do you have any plans to expand your company?

Are there any kitchens you’ve turned down, and if so, why?

I often decline kitchen projects for various reasons. One common reason is when the kitchen’s style is outdated and it has too many intricate parts that would make it cost-ineffective to attempt a vinyl wrap. It’s important to consider the overall condition and feasibility of a project to ensure that the end result meets our standards of quality and customer satisfaction.

While I am currently content with the size of my company, I have developed tools for instant quotes and job management that I plan to make available to other kitchen wrappers who may be interested in joining the kitchenwrapper.com network. My goal is to support fellow professionals in the industry by helping them win more work and providing them with access to the tools that have contributed to my success. By sharing my expertise and resources, I aim to contribute to the growth and success of the kitchen wrapping community.

BOLD KITCHENS

With Louise Wynne

Welcome to my 3rd interiors article for Vinyl Pros and this month, we are going BOLD kitchens! Unapologetically, unwaveringly and unstoppably brave AND bold.

Am I getting a bit carried away here?

Nope! There’s gonna be none of this; ‘I’ll just paint the island a dark colour to be brave’ (the interiors equivalent of dipping your toe in the water) or ‘I’ll buy a bright kettle and matching toaster to bring a pop of colour to the room’ (the interiors equivalent of wearing socks with old man sandals).

If we’re going in, we’re going ALL in.

Who’s with me?!

But, first of all, we have some groundwork to do. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.

Nervous Clients:

If you’re reading this, it’s likely you’re interested in understanding how to help a client who wants to make a brave statement but doesn’t know how to do it.

News flash! Creating a statement kitchen doesn’t mean following a trend, so if you have a client who wants to do something a bit different, but has this worry...

‘What if I get bored of it after a few months?’

My reply would be; ‘But what if you get bored of being boring?’

Now I’m not suggesting you say this to your client, but you get my drift! If you play it safe, you aren’t going to get the same level of happiness than if you make a well-informed, bold move. (That might be a better way of saying it to them!).

In Search of Happiness:

So, we’ll assume that your client is pretty set on being brave with their kitchen choice.

In this scenario, the first thing your client needs to think about is... what makes them happy. Not what makes interiors magazines, or friends or their Mum happy.

Trends come and go, but an interior based on colour and style that a person truly loves is going to bring immediate joy that lasts for a very long time.

Remember that Pinterest board exercise I talked about in my first article? What no? *eye roll* I do wish you’d been paying more attention! This is where Pinterest comes in very handy, so I’ll refresh your memory and include it again. You’re welcome!

Enter Pinterest...

It takes no time at all to create a Pinterest account. And a quick search will fill your feed with dozens of gorgeous images of vinyl-wrapped kitchens which you can then pin to different boards.

To get you started, you could create various boards for specific finishes, such as ‘Warm Woods’ or ‘Bold Colours’. Then enter the brand/s you offer to your clients into the search bar, find images you like, and get pinning!

Now you’ve got got the Pinterest vibe, let’s move on...

The fun bit!

To summarise, your client has;

1. Ditched the idea of following a trend foR the sake of it

2. Figured out what style they love

You’re in a great place to be able to bring this dream to life for them in their own home. What an honour. Let’s break the bold kitchen theme into 3 parts;

BOLD COLOUR

This is probably the most obvious way of creating a kitchen with impact and of course, it doesn’t necessarily mean using just 1 colour. Oh no! A single, bold colour works or a combination of multiple colours to create smack in your face, no holds barred personality.

Flicking through my Cover Styl’ colour palette, as I often find myself doing, I love the dreamy combination of NF06, NE54, NE53 & M7. Very Miami, I’m thinking. You could use 2 or 3 colours or all 4 for maximum effect. There’s a softness to these colours which means they work well together, without being too extra.

Just a few things to think about...

• Take into account the size of the room and the amount of natural light. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use dark colours in a small kitchen, or one with no window, but your client needs to be fully on board with this look and other factors need to be considered such as the additional artificial lighting of the room

• Too much of some colours is likely to feel overwhelming. An example here could be the Granny Smith Apple Green of Cover Styl’ M5. I mean maybe I’m wrong here. Maybe there’s someone out there who would love their kitchen top to toe Apple, but I’m yet to find them. Let me know if you do.

BOLD TEXTURE

Textures are a brilliant way to add interest to a kitchen without going full-on with colour. There are loads of fantastic choices out there and I particularly love texture when creating a moody, luxe, masculine scheme. NE73 looks and feels like fabric (how luxe is that?!) and by combining it with slightly softer tones and textures such as NE42 & NG20, you have a kitchen which is both brave and sophisticated at the same time. (How cool is that?!)

Mix up your textures on the splashback, worktop and units. If you stick to 2 or 3 colours from similar palettes, this will work brilliantly without feeling overwhelming.

BOLD PATTERN

There are some nice natural stone and marble finishes for you to turn to, if your client doesn’t just want one-dimensional colour. One word of caution! It can be quite tricky to use these more muted and natural tones, alongside stronger colour.

What do I mean?

Take NE72, for example, this striking monochrome marble effect works best with other colours from the same tones. I’d advise against putting it with a solid colour but it looks delicious paired with wood finishes such as J2 & J17.

BOLD TEXTURE AND COLOUR

This is where I rub my hands with glee, and where Rosie holds her head in shame.

Can you guess where I’m going with this? A few weeks ago, I posted a photo on socials of me and the Cover Styl’ glitter finishes to sound the public out and millions went mad for it #justsaying

So, go forth my vinyl-wrapping heroes. I can’t wait to hear how you’re saving unwanted cabinetry from landfill and helping to rid this country of the uninspiring, unforgettable kitchens we find up and down the land!

MTWO RECRUITMENT

SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT

Matt Hanley, the brains behind MTWO Recruitment comes from a 13-year background in placing candidates in their dream roles within the print and signage industry.

Like a breath of fresh air, Matt brings a human approach to recruitment along with the connections he’s made within the industry for over a decade to Match Talent With Opportunity. Keen to avoid sending out CVs en masse in order to place candidates, MTWO is built on a foundation of personal interaction and a more morally driven way of working. Clients that worked with Matt at the very beginning of his recruitment journey still work on an ongoing basis with him today, proving that the unique approach is

more holistic than simply delivering candidates – and builds long-term relationships and trust.

If you’ve ever recruited before, you’ll know it isn’t usually as simple as posting a job on Indeed and your ideal candidate sending their application straight to your inbox. But in our particular industry, how hard is recruitment? According to Matt, it’s as tricky as they come. Factors beyond anyone’s control have impacted the difficulty in hiring, including Brexit and Covid, and this is where acquiring the services of a skilled recruiter comes into play. Without prior industry knowledge or an engaged network of candidates, you are more likely to find yourself with an inbox full of CVs from completely unsuitable people than you are your dream hire.

Outsourcing this task to someone with more than a decade in the industry, and with the processes that MTWO have put into place means that your chance of successful recruitment increases dramatically. Not one for sending over a raft of unqualified CVs, a lot more work goes on behind the scenes at MTWO before clients meet any potential hires. Building his own relationship with the candidates first to ensure they would be a good fit for the criteria he has been given, Matt is a far cry from being a ‘database recruiter.’ As for the events that have shaped the nation in recent years, Matt is a keen supporter of FESPA’s Next Generation Networking, an initiative to encourage young people in the industry to connect with each other and build on their skills for a successful career. With so many potential candidates leaving the UK after Brexit, it has become more important than ever to nurture young talent within the industry.

With so many skill shortages to contend with, MTWO begins by setting expectations with both its clients and the candidates they put forward. The bigger picture is something that Matt is keen to convey to his clients, as times have moved on, it is not always about salary. In order to make sure candidates are happy with their move, a variety of factors come into play. Potential employees are now asking questions about their work-life balance, commuting time,

progression opportunity, longevity within a business, the clients they work with, and company values they relate to. Done right, this approach to recruitment makes for a lower turnover of staff, saving any business money in the long run. But as Matt notes, the struggle with recruitment can even occur when these factors are considered and an unbeatable offer is on the table. After all, recruitment is the only industry where the product – for want of a better word – can think for themselves. People change their minds, encounter unexpected hardships or their circumstances change. Matt believes the key to managing these different variables is to empathise with and relate to people at every stage of the process.

Understanding that this is about people’s lives and is nothing personal makes it easy to see why candidates feel so at ease with the recruitment process at MTWO.

Laying the correct foundations for his business early on has meant that MTWO will be looking to expand in the coming months. His team currently stands at three, but in the future, he has ambitions to grow the company to a manageable number of staff: a number that will mean his personable, people-first attitude to recruitment will not be compromised.

Products FEATURED

SuperGlove Pro+ Application Glove - Sneaky Edition - Lime Green

From £14.95

3M Primer 94Vehicle Wrap & Tape Adhesion Promoter

£18.72

Paint is Dead

PROKNIFE - 9mm Snap Off PID

£11.62

SmellGood ProWrap Squeegee

£9.35 each

Knifeless Pro Tape 3mm x 50m (Detailed Work)

£35.39 each

Stykra 450 Toffee Tape ULTRA (Correx Bonding)

£15.26

Anti-Static Brush

£46.25

Rubber Rollers - 50mm Wide

Medium Hard - £7.95 Soft - £6.95

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