Branch refits started in Manchester, formerly PPS Print Communication before its takeover by Callprint last summer, with work including new external and internal graphics and installation of the promotional on-demand units showing personalised print examples.
Customers can view, select and order online in 10 of the 19 regional hubs, which offer the service for canvas prints, photo frames, promotional gift boxes, menus and drink packaging.
The units have LED screens on top which display messages controlled from one central location in London, enabling Callprint to tailor communication for each branch.
Marketing director Gary Cheek said: “We wanted to make ourselves more off-the-street friendly: we've always portrayed the corporate business-to-business side of the company.
“And about 80% to 90% of what we do is that, but some of the locations are prominent on the high street and we wanted to promote an off-the-street presence more heavily.
“We would like to double the current 10% of work we do in that area over the next year or two by offering personalised Valentines cards and picture frames and Easter egg packaging.”
Cheek said the company would use existing machinery to offer the service but was “continuously buying new equipment”.
In June last year Callprint doubled its print capacity at sites in London and Birmingham with a £350,000 spend on three Xerox Versant 2100 printers.
In September Callprint bought two new HP 1.52m-wide Designjet Z6800 printers for its central-London wide-format hub.
And two months later it bought Leeds-based Link 88 for an undisclosed sum to extend its regional network.
The new on-demand unit in Manchester aims to capitalise on the numerous bars and restaurants nearby as well as target walk-in trade customers.
Cheek said: “Customers using the walk-in service can use a kiosk-type computer to order a product with help from the branch staff. Ultimately they will be able to order directly from the internet.”
Managing director Steve Cheek added: “These new service offerings add to our product portfolio, increase the traffic through our offices and give customers a new in-store ordering experience.”
The Callprint group, which has operations in the UK, USA and United Arab Emirates, was founded 24 years ago by Alan Cheek as a reprographic and print and visual branding service provider.
It has since grown organically and by acquisition into a company with a turnover in excess of £16m and with over 200 employees.
