Digital Print Leads Engraving Shop to New Opportunities

Scott Watson, son of the founders of Watson’s Engraving and Signage in Dundas, Ontario, Canada, started his career as a cabinetmaker. “Some of those skills transfer remarkably well to signmaking,” he notes.

After training for several years in a local sign shop, he joined his parents in their Dundas, Ontario engraving and awards business, adding “signage” to their offerings. “That’s when things really started happening for us,” says Watson.

Watson’s chose a Roland (Booth 601) as their first digital printer, and for every printer they’ve purchased since then. “Rolands have been a constant in our shop — they are easy to use and have outstanding print quality,” he says.

These days the shop relies on Roland’s TrueVIS VG-640 64-inch printer/cutter. “It’s an awesome printer — super fast,” he says. “The very first job we ran on it, the bright greens and blues almost jumped off the page.”

To maintain superior production quality, Watson’s uses Roland’s TrueVIS inks exclusively. “We especially love the color vibrancy, consistency and overall durability of the ink,” says Watson.

Watson’s specializes in interior and exterior signage, along with wayfinding signage, wall and window graphics and fleet and vehicle flat wraps and lettering. They also produce printed decals, labels and tags. They serve the many healthcare providers and industrial clients in the area, and provide signage for small shops, restaurants and retailers.

Watson’s is located in an old foundry that made munitions during the war. Now the foundry houses about 30 different stores.  Watson’s has about 3,000 sqft and five full time staffers, including a graphic artist. “It’s really helpful to have print/cut capability in one machine. A standalone cutter would have been costlier and would take up more space,” says Watson.

Speedy production has allowed Watson’s to take on jobs that other shops might find intimidating.  Recently Watson’s was asked to design, print and install a wrap for a 26-foot enclosed trailer — for the coming weekend. “We got the job on Monday and we were able to turn it around by Thursday,” says Watson. “We impressed the customer, which is a great way to get repeat business.

“Roland printers have made the difference by broadening our product range and keeping our business successful.”