Practising architectural photography and graphic arts design for more than 30 years, Bill Mathis has mastered the ability to produce high quality images for his clients. As his client base grew, so did his need for equipment and supplies to support his photo and art-reproduction business. However, it became most evident in late 1999 when David Ault, owner of the exclusive Fox Run Golf Club, purchased the Amadee Wohlschlaeger art collection and wanted to begin experimenting with alternative methods and media to reproduce the pieces. Wohlschlaeger, known simply as Amadee, is an illustrator/cartoonist who has illustrated sports since the early 1930's.
Ault, who is a partner with Mathis in Sports Archives, Inc., turned to Mathis Jones for a solution to preserve the spirit of the Amadee collection. To avoid logistical complications and costs associated with outsourcing the work, Mathis Jones looked to the Océ CS5000 series wide-format colour printers to help reproduce the Amadee collection. The equipment's versatility allowed the company to print on many different media, including canvas and various banner materials. And by working with Océ Imaging Supplies, MJC was able to obtain a wide variety of high-quality media materials.
"If I didn't have the Océ CS5000 series printer, I'd be at the mercy of other sign makers trying to produce my designs, affecting my turn-around time and eating into my profits," Mathis says. "Or, I'd be using the old photography method of reproducing, which wastes water and uses a lot of chemicals."
The Océ CS5000 series printer and Mathis' skills proved especially useful last summer when the LPGA came to town. When the LPGA selected Fox Run Golf Club in St. Louis as the new site for its annual LPGA Michelob Light Classic, the organisation quickly realised that a new venue creates unforeseen problems. "When you move to a new venue for a well-attended event like the LPGA tournament, people aren't as familiar with getting around and locating amenities," Mathis explains.
To help visitors find their way; Gateway Sports hired Mathis Jones and other area printers to produce new signs. Mathis Jones Communications, with the help of an Océ CS5000 series printer and Océ Imaging Supplies, produced everything from locker room signs to 4-foot-by-6-foot maps of the course. "The machine's versatility gave us an edge," says Ellie Jones, Mathis' partner. "One day we could be printing fine art prints, and the next day, basic signs."
The Océ CS5000 series colour printers are heavy duty and provide the high quality and fast turn-around time necessary for all colour-printing demands. High-capacity ink tanks with on-the fly cartridge refills and a built-in dryer and take-up roll for unattended printing make the Océ CS5000 series easy to use. An integrated Colour Management System provides consistent and accurate colour across a wide variety of media for vibrant colours in all applications. Additionally, the built-in Océ Graphics Server software helps more effectively manage all print jobs.
MJC's list of jobs grew substantially when another printer hired to produce the outdoor credential signs for the LPGA tournament used the wrong type of ink, and the images ran at the first drop of rain. MJC quickly reproduced signs using Océ dye-based outdoor inks. The extra-wide printer is ideal for applications up to 60 inches wide, including outdoor murals, billboards and exhibit booths.
"Mathis Jones Communications led the pack in flexibility and responsiveness. The group clearly had the technology and equipment to deliver what we needed, when we needed it - even on short notice," Ault says.
Most importantly, the Océ CS5000 series printer provided the throughput speed MJC needed for fast job turnaround times and, in the end, the company was able to satisfy almost 90 percent of the tournament's printing needs. In fact, Fox Run was so pleased with MJC's work that Ault employed the company to create a new sign for the entrance - which, of course, was printed on an Océ CS5000 series printer.
The 2000 LPGA tournament is over, but Mathis still relies on the Océ CS5000 series printer, combined with his photographic ability, to help Fox Run. MJC regularly reproduces Mathis' photographs of the course to sell to members, and for those members who shoot a hole-in-one, he takes a picture of the hole, mounts the ball and scorecard on the print, and adds the names of the witnesses - all printed with an Océ CS5000 series printer and on Océ canvas.
With Océ, the business opportunities for MJC seem endless. "The Océ CS5000 series is easy to use," Mathis explains. "It's the first Océ printer I've ever used. In fact, before this product I didn't really get into signage much, but now I'm able to successfully pursue a new aspect of my business."
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Solution at Mathis Jones Communications
