Fashion Graphics
Fashion Graphics, located in Sint-Amandsberg (Ghent) is a dynamic company within the world of large format digital printing. The company has been in existence since 1999 and has had a female manager since 2015: Hilde Verheylezoon. Besides Hilde, who runs full production, three other women work in administration, finishing and prepress. This female touch is also well reflected in the interior of the premises.
Distinction through high-quality (textile) finishing
Once started to print advertisements for its own fashion label, Fashion Graphics has grown into a company that does a lot of large format printing on sheet material and textiles. They distinguish themselves by offering customers the total package from printing to high-quality (textile) finishing. They serve both resellers and end customers and have machinery that includes solvent, UV, water-based and sublimation. The printers are almost exclusively Mimaki's.
Hilde explains, "We can actually print and finish anything. We stitch our banners ourselves, instead of welding them. This is quite unique in our business."
Last year a Mimaki UJV55-320, supplied by Dimix, was added to the machinery park. "Our 3 meter 20 solvent printer had given up the ghost. We chose the UJV to print fabric in particular. We wanted to expand our capabilities. Until last year we could only print fabric up to 2.50 meters, now a larger size and that definitely has added value" says Hilde. "Anything larger than 1.60 meters we print on this new Mimaki."
Market under pressure
"In recent years, we have noticed that the market has not become easier. Competition is fierce and prices are under heavy pressure. This forces us to be flexible. Orders from our large customers are given priority. We want to keep these relationships good and stable and this is where we invest. Our extensive knowledge and experience in soft signage is our great advantage. The quality we can offer in this is very competitive compared to the price-fighters in the market."
Efficiency up and acting environmentally friendly
When asked if there are things Hilde would like to see done differently, she says the following: "We work in a very polluting industry. We have so many residual materials and waste. I would like to see a good, environmentally friendly solution for this and would like to contribute to this myself.
I also see efficiency gains to be made within our company in terms of automation. We still do a lot manually now, this could be a lot more time-saving."
Fashion Graphics' latest acquisition is a Summa F1612 cutting table.
"Because we now have the ability to mill sheet metal ourselves, we save a lot of time. With this we are even more flexible and can offer more possibilities to our customers."
Collaboration
"The cooperation with Dimix in recent years I experience as very pleasant. I can always call Frederik (account manager at Dimix) and ask for advice. The contact runs smoothly and the no-nonsense approach appeals to me, as that is how I am myself."
Future
"When I dream I would like to keep the company as stable as possible in the coming years. Sales may be raised a bit. A 3.20-meter textile machine is also on the wish list," she says with a wink.
