The Rotherham-based promotional print specialist installed the Roland SolJet EJ-640 dye-sub and a Roland TrueVis VG-640 printer-cutter in November as part of a precursor to a move to new 930sqm premises, which it is currently in the throes of.

As the print division of Gala Tent, the firm currently shares 5,100sqm premises with its parent company. Having "outgrown" its share of the building, Gala Graphics hopes to be fully moved into its new home by June, according to its managing director Glen Robinson.

With the SolJet, Gala will bring in-house dye-sub work that it previously outsourced, mainly promotional items that were printed in China.

“Our new SolJet will primarily print flags and fabric banners, as well as our new customer exhibition walling,” said Robinson. “We recognised that there was demand in the market for printing on specialist materials for a wide variety of industries including visual marketing, textiles and household.

“As we can now carry out dye-sublimation printing in-house, this means lead times are significantly reduced. We hope this will attract new customers from around the UK and Europe, alongside our new Roland TrueVis which will print tent canopies, and PVC and mesh banners, helping to expand our offering.

“In 2018, we plan on doubling our turnover, increasing our profits, moving to a new unit and hiring a minimum of four extra staff.”

Gala Graphics' parent company Gala Tent specialises in the design, manufacture, and supply of marquees and gazebos for the events industry. The Gala group has sales of more than £8m and employs 30 staff, eight of whom work specifically at Gala Graphics.

The SolJet and TrueVis machines join two Roland VersaCamm SP-540i printer-cutters in order to “increase production capacity” at Gala.