Adding UV Print/Cut Helps Established Offset Company Maintain its Edge with New Products and Textures

John Gosselin was watching his job disappear. “I was the lead press operator and pressroom manager for a company that was going out of business,” he said. As the company was closing, John approached a few of the company’s main trade customers and asked if he were to get his own equipment, would they continue working with him for their printing? “They said ‘Of course!’” noted John. 

John started Gosselin Graphics in 1997 in his father’s garage. Today, his company employs 21 people and occupies a 15,000-square-foot facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We talked with this successful print provider about how he built his business, what changes he’s made over the years, and what lies ahead for this forward-thinking company.  

What was it like when you started? 

John Gosselin:  Starting my own company seemed like the only thing I could do. I had been the lead press operator and pressroom manager at a printing company for about six years. When the company closed due to poor management, I approached a few of the main trade customers who knew that I was the one doing all of their work and asked if they would give me their business if I started my own company.  Thankfully, they said yes. 

“We like to stay current, and the (LG-640) UV printer/cutter offers us some unique capabilities.”

I started Gosselin Graphics in 1997 with one small offset press and a plate machine. I was only printing for the trade, so that was all the equipment I needed to get started. I did everything myself, and gradually built up my business. 

Tell us about your company today.

Today we occupy a 15,000-square-foot facility in an uptown commercial area. We currently have 21 employees. Our shop has very little foot traffic; we rely on our ecommerce website, some advertising, and word of mouth for all of our business. 

What equipment do you have in your production area? 

In our production area, we have three large offset presses and a full bindery. Over the past few years, we have grown our large-format division with as much automation as possible. We currently have four roll-to-roll machines and a flatbed printer for all rigid substrates. 

Most recently, we added the Roland DG TrueVIS LG-640 64-inch UV printer/cutter. We like to stay current, and the new UV printer/cutter offers us some unique capabilities. Purchasing the LG has not only allowed us to expand our product line, it has also enabled us to offer special effects like spot gloss, simulated embossing, and matte or gloss finishes. In addition, we’re able to print on non-traditional substrates like holographic material. 

What industries do you print for? 

Our clients are all trade customers, so we print for every type of industry from small companies up to large corporate entities and everything in between. We also offer print-and-ship for our clients. 

What products/applications are you using the LG-640 UV printer/cutter for?  

We use the LG-640 mainly for stickers but we also use it for window graphics, retractable banners, and some posters. The printer has been great – we’re pleased with the print speeds, the color has been on the money, and we were able to build profiles to match the printing from the printers we already had. 

How have your clients responded to these products?  

So far, we have had a good response from the new products and we expect that sales will continue to climb. We are excited to be able to offer our clients a full range of UV-printed products, and we see this as a growth area for our company.