Curtis Signs builds on 20 years of growth with Roland DG technology

For more than two decades, Curtis Signs has relied on Roland DG technology to support its large format print operation for signage and vehicle graphics. What began with the purchase of a single cutter in 2005 has developed into a long standing partnership rooted in reliability, consistent performance and trusted aftercare support – helping the business grow while maintaining high production standards.

Remarkably, the first Roland DG device purchased by the company – a Roland Camm-1 Pro cutter, is still in regular use today. Over 20 years on, it continues to perform reliably, reflecting what director Stuart Curtis describes as a defining feature of Roland DG technology: longevity.

That same durability extends across the company’s print set up. Alongside the original cutter, Curtis Signs also continues to use its Roland SP-540V printer, a machine the team describes simply as ‘built like a tank’. Together, these devices have provided a stable and dependable production foundation for more than two decades.

Today, the company’s main production device is the TrueVis VG3-640 printer/cutter, configured with white ink. This system supports its day to day output, producing a broad mix of signage and vehicle graphics, from standard applications through to more specialist work requiring added versatility. Reliability remains central to how the business operates.

‘We need equipment that we can trust day in, day out,’ Stuart explained. ‘The fact that some of our machines are still running after 20 years says a lot.’

Alongside hardware, the business has gradually incorporated Roland DG Connect into its workflow – particularly to support production monitoring and media use tracking.

Before implementing Roland DG Connect, managing media was largely a manual process. Operators relied on experience, visual checks and occasional physical measurement to determine how much material remained on a roll.

‘Media management required an educated guess as to the amount on a roll, or a physical measurement before printing if we weren’t sure,’ Stuart said.

While this approach generally worked, shortages were rare thanks to cautious checking – it still introduced an element of uncertainty and required additional time and attention from operators. Decisions around whether to proceed with a job, or swap out material, were often based on judgement rather than precise data.

As job volumes increased and workflows became more varied, the need for greater visibility into media usage became more apparent.

The introduction of Connect’s media management functionality has helped to address this challenge. By providing clearer insight into how much material remains on each roll, the software allows the team to plan production with more confidence and reduce reliance on estimation.

At its core, the value is simple but impactful: knowing exactly what is available before starting a job. ‘Just having that visibility – knowing how much material is left – makes a difference,’ Stuart noted.

The impact has been a reduction in guesswork during production planning, helping streamline decision making and improve day to day efficiency. The team can move more quickly, with less need for manual checks or last minute adjustments.

While the benefits of Roland DG Connect are already clear, Curtis Signs sees significant opportunity to further develop how the software is used across its workflow.

With a wide variety of media types in daily use, each requiring its own profile setup, embedding the platform fully into production processes is an ongoing focus for the team.

‘We are still in the process of using it to its full advantage,’ Stuart explained. ‘Because we work across such a wide range of media, setting up profiles for everything takes time – but it is something we are continuing to build out.’

As with many evolving production environments, there are also workflow nuances that the team is refining over time. For example, when moving between printing, laminating and cutting, ensuring the correct profiles are selected is key to maintaining accurate tracking across jobs.

‘It is about getting the setup right and being consistent,’ Stuart added. ‘Once that is in place, you really start to see the benefit.’

This ongoing optimisation reflects a broader approach – integrating Connect more deeply into day to day operations to unlock even greater efficiency, accuracy and control as the business continues to grow. 

Even at its current level of use, the impact of Connect is tangible. Curtis Signs has already seen a reduction in media waste, alongside a noticeable improvement in production confidence.

‘There is definitely less guesswork,’ Stuart confirmed.

The ability to rely less on estimation and more on real time information helps create a smoother workflow, reducing interruptions and improving overall operational control.

Beyond individual features, Curtis Signs’ experience reflects the broader value of its long term partnership with Roland DG. Across hardware, software and aftercare support, consistency has been key. ‘Aftercare is excellent, and the maintenance plans are very good value,’ Stuart said.

This combination of dependable machines and ongoing support has helped the business maintain continuity, even as its workload and capabilities have expanded over time.

Looking to the future, Curtis Signs expects Roland DG to remain central to its growth strategy.

The business is currently exploring the possibility of investing in smaller flatbed technology, such as an 8x4 or desktop system, to expand its production capabilities while working within the constraints of its existing space.

‘We are limited on space in our current unit,’ Stuart explained. ‘Any larger investment would mean moving to bigger premises, so we are looking at options that allow us to grow within the footprint we have got.’

At the same time, the team plans to continue developing how it uses Roland DG Connect, gradually refining workflows and unlocking more of the platform’s functionality.

With reliable hardware, evolving workflow tools and strong ongoing support, the two companies are well positioned to continue building on a partnership that has already spanned more than 20 years.