Decades of Print Experience

Discounters Pool & Spa Warehouse Signage Project

Posted on 24 February 2021

Retail Signage

Signage is an important part of the retail shopping experience. I wanted to share with you a couple of recent projects with Discounter's Pool & Spa Warehouse that revamped their in-store signage and exterior signage.

Doing business in Ontario for over 30 years, Discounter's Pool & Spa Warehouse prides themselves on being able to deliver unbeatable value as an Authorized Dealer of Brand Names at warehouse prices. Through their seven retail outlets located in Downsview, Scarborough, Mississauga, Hamilton, Kitchener, London and Barrie, they continue to provide the best in swimming pool and spa products in Ontario.

At my first meeting with Rob Newman, Senior Director of Branch Operations, he explained the lack of signage consistency across the retail stores. It was time to standardize the stores and create seamless brand for Discounter's Pool & Spa.

Below is a picture of the Downsview location prior to the revamping. The majority of signage is brand and promotion-based with little evidence of Discounter's brand.

The biggest change Discounter's Pool & Spa was looking to make was the implementation of Category Signage for all the products they carried and adding store signage for their different departments, including: Checkout Signs, Water Testing Signs and Way Finding Signs. Not to mention additional wall graphics to cohesively tie the look together. Using our years of experience, we were able to recommend high-quality signage material that would stand the test of time, and additionally sourced all designing and eventual installation of the wall graphics.

A photo of the revamped store is below. There is a consistent look throughout the store, and it's easier than ever for customers to find what they're looking for. These graphics will also greet you at each of the company's seven retail locations, cohesively bringing everything together.

  

  

The latest project we completed was for Discounter's Pool & Spa location in London Ontartio. Along with all the in-store signage we completed the exterior signage as well.

  

  

Customer Testimonial

See Chris at Shea Graphics for all your business signing needs!
Quality print, good value, delivers on time!

Rob Newman

Senior Director of Branch Operations

 

Start your next retail store signage project by contacting the print consultants at Shea Graphics today!

Chris Downey

Print Consultant

905 447 0257

chris@shea-graphics.ca 

 

Posted in:News Updates  

2020 - Print Production Year In Review

Posted on 5 January 2021

Well 2020 was a year for the history books, with COVID-19 affecting the whole planet.

At Shea Graphics we social distanced, worked from home, wore a mask and used a ton of hand sanitizer to get through the year.

From a print production perspective we were deemed an essential service and our print production services were not affected much through the pandemic. We did have an uptick in print for some industries and a downturn in others. Here are some of our more notable print production projects from the year we will never forget 2020!

 

Print Production for Breweries

With everyone at home for a lot of the year, we found there to be a large upswing in our print production for breweries. This mostly included printing for beer labels & beer case packaging.

 

 

Social Distancing Stickers 

Social Distancing stickers became a normal part of large department stores and grocery stores, instructing shoppers to walk certain ways down aisles and keep 6 feet apart. At Shea Graphics we produced social distancing stickers for a few different companies. Social distancing stickers are made with removable label material with a non-slip laminate so you can walk over them. Here are a couple of our popular floor decals.

 

Print Production for Sales & Marketing

Throughout 2020 companies continue to find ways to sell & market to their customers. Print is continuing to be a part of that. We printed sales brochures, product brochures, flyers, business cards & much more. Check out some of the projects below. 

 

There was so many fun projects we worked on this year! Check out some other print production projects we completed. Including: Water Labels, Kombucha Labels, Sanitization Stations, Laptop Labels, Keg Collars, Christmas Cards & a Custom Printed Door for a movie room! 

 

2020 is now in the history books! Here's to 2021 a year for everyone to be vaccinated and for us at Shea Graphics to keep printing our customers' fun & exciting print projects! We are looking forward to working with you and hope that your print project makes the 2021 year in review!

Shea Graphics

 

Posted in:News Updates  

The Many Options of Foil

Posted on 28 October 2020

Dressing up your business cards, pocket folders, letter head and much more with foil.

I recently came across a sample of a digital foil card, and it made me think about the many options for levelling up your print projects with foil. Let's take a look at some of these options.

Digital Foil Using Toner

This card is a great place to start. It was created by first printing black toner, and then the foil is pressed on top of the toner, sticking to the paper. There are no dies or set-up costs, making this an efficient way to introduce foil to a short-run project. However, if you want to print colours on your print material with foil, you run into needing to print first and then adding lamination followed by printing the black foil on top. These extra steps will translate to extra cost. But your end result will truly pop.

 

Digital Foil using MGI or Scodex Machine

Another way of producing foil on print digitally is by using an MGI or Scodex machine. In this instance, the cards are printed first before entering the MGI or Scodex machine where a varnish is sprayed onto the printed material where the foil will be placed. Then the cards go through the foiling part of the machine. Going this route gives you the option for a three-dimensional effect, which adds the same depth as embossing your project, without actually going through the process of embossing. Think about high end marketing pieces, and how this technique can be eye-catching and professional on your finished goods. This process does run into premium prices, but is increasingly popular among creative designers and marketers.  

 

Traditional Foil

        

 

The old standby is traditional foil. With consistent results, many people opt for this option. Traditional foil, or hot foil stamping as it is sometimes referred, uses heat to transfer metallic foil to a solid surface. Examples of this process includes business cards, pocket folders, product packaging, letter head, envelopes, product tags etc. This process is typically done on an old Heidelberg Windmill retro fitted for foil stamping. This process is cost effective for larger runs and there are many options when it comes to foil colours and finishes. There is also no limit to the type of stock you're using, making it an extremely versatile option. In terms of pricing, since you do have to buy a die this isn't always the best bet for one-off projects or low-quantity runs.

No matter the option you choose, foil is certain to help your pieces stand out from the competition. If you have any questions or are curious about how you can include foil in your next project, contact me and we can certainly discuss.

Chris Downey

Print Consultant

905 447 0257

chris@shea-graphics.ca

Posted in:News Updates  

Print & The Sales Process

Posted on 18 August 2020
Print & The Sales Process

Technology has made connecting with customers easier than ever. As a consumer yourself, you are likely inundated with information from companies in the form of emails, phone calls, websites, social media, Ad Words, print, radio, television, and everything in between. You may find some of these methods more effective than others that's the beauty of it. Sales professionals are constantly looking for new and inventive ways to catch people's attention.

But the question is:

How can you make your company stand out?

At Shea Graphics, we use a combination of email marketing, phone calls, website referrals via Ad Words, and of course, PRINT!
Print continues to be an effective form of marketing across many industries, and a go-to for motivated sales professionals. Here are some things to keep in mind for your next print project:

1. Identify your customer's needs

It's imperative that you know who you're targeting before going any further. This is the crucial step in turning prospects into long-term customers. Building your database is key, and once you have it, you need to treat it like gold. Ask yourself critical questions like, "What can I offer them that will help improve their business?" The printed material you create for your prospective customers needs to speak to their needs. Sure, your general information needs to be included of course, but how can you present in in a way that reaches your targeted customer? Compel them to want to reach out to you.


2. Provide a high-quality product

Print is tangible. You are creating something that people can see and feel, so it's important to deliver something high-quality and pleasing to the eye. There are countless options when it comes to paper stocks, so choose wisely. Having a print professional on your side can make all the difference. Make sure to pick a quality stock that you would be impressed to receive. There's nothing worse than something that looks nice but feels cheap or like it was printed on a home printer. As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a first impression.

3. Be Creative

It's easy to fall in the trap of creating something generic and mass mailing it. But you don't want to be that company, do you? Let's talk about creating custom pieces that catch the eye. The opportunities are truly endless when it comes to print. Between die-cutting, foils, and more, you can truly create something unique that's representative of your company and what your prospective customer needs. Create something that when it lands on someone's desk, they actually want to open and read it.

4. Follow-Up

All of this is for naught if you're not going to follow-up. You've identified your customers, picked high-quality paper stocks, and created a stand-out design. It's landed on the desk of your dream customer and now what? Pick up the phone! Say hello, mention the day you dropped off your card or brochure or whatever wonderful piece you've made. Ask for their thoughts and learn even more about them and their business. Perhaps now isn't the right time and that's ok too. Check in another time. Think of the pieces you've received in the mail over the years. You don't always need what's being offered right away. But one day you might.  The key is to follow-up and follow-through on your printed sales materials every single time.
Keep these ideas in mind before you start on your next print project. If you're unsure where to start or have questions about a project you have in mind, feel free to give me a call and I'm happy to discuss with you. Let's get you the results you've been dreaming about.

Chris Downey

Print Consultant

905 447 0257

chris@shea-graphics.ca 

 

Posted in:News Updates  

Custom Beer Case Packaging

Posted on 10 June 2020

In the past few years I have been getting involved in more & more work with craft breweries accross the country. I find that many breweries are looking for a print consultant to help them navigate the print production process and beer case development.

Breweries are also looking for beer case packaging that; will stand out on shelves, be cost effective and also be durable enough to last on liquor store, beer store and grocery shelves.

This is where the Shea Graphics team and myself can help. We have worked with many breweries on their packaging requirments and have the experience to get your packaging project done for you. Check out some of the projects below to see the various beer case projects we have completed.

 

Redline Brewery 4 Pack Tall Cans

This Brewery out of Barrie Ontario recently contacted me looking for a branded 4 pack tall can case. The beer case needed to have multiple purposes being able tochange the beer inside to make a 4 pack for the Summer / Spring / Fall / WInter without having to change the graphics or printing multiple versions of the back.  

We took Redline's digital mock up and created a dieline for the brewery's designer Ben to place the graphics on it.  White mock ups are created for testing and making sure the case is going to function properly. Then the final artwork is put onto the die line in preperation for printing. 

 

Customer Mock Up            

 

 

Litho printing , die cutting then glueing all happen next to create the finished product.  We were lucky enough to make our way up to Barrie and get a case filled! Check out the packs below. To inquire about pricing please contact Chris at chris@shea-graphics.ca or 905 447 0257.

 

 

 

Christmas Corporate Beer Case & Glass Give-Away

A few weeks before Christmas I had a Marketing Company approach us looking for help. They had a client in the aviation business who givew away a 6 pack and glass to their best clients for a holiday thank you gift.  The pack they gave away last year was made out of brown corrugate material and lacked pazazzz! The final customer wanted something that was durable and be able to ship to the NWT and Yukon without the glass breaking or beer getting harmed, but also be interesting and be kept around as a conversation piece or be re used. 

 

Working with the marketing company and our production team we came up with this pack. It is created out of B flute white corrugate material to protect the beer and glass inside. The box was printed digitally and die cut to shape. The box shipped flat to the fulfillment company so they could easily construct the boxes and pack with the beer cans and beer glass. THe case also comes with a white carry handle so you can easily carry the pack around and re use it after the fact. 

 

6 Pack Beer Cases 

 

The most popular case we have been manufacturing is the 6 pack tall can case. All our packs are made with recycled beverage carrier strength board stock. This paper is cost efficient, green friendly and durable to hold the weight of the cans or bottles. We have standard dies available but also work with breweries on custom packs. 

Beer Case Packaging Examples 

  

 

To find out more about our beer case packaging offerings and to get your project started contact Chris at 905 447 0257 or chris@shea-graphics.ca . 

Posted in:News Updates  
< Previous | 1 | 2 | Next >

What we do

Digital Print

We deliver quality print, with speed and value that will impress you and your customers

Offset Print

Consistent high quality printing for large volume print runs

Large Format Print

Have your brand stand out from the crowd in a Big way

Specialty

Make a lasting impact on your customers with specialty print and finishing techniques

What our
Clients Say


I have worked with Jeff Milburn of Shea Graphics for more that 20 years and could not be happier with the professional advice and service he has provided. Whether the work was for my own companies or for my clients, it was always a first-class production, delivered on time and on or under budget. More than just a consummate printer, Jeff is a p...

George Scott

Latest News

Discounters Pool & Spa Warehouse Signage Project

Posted on 24 February 2021
Retail Signage Signage is an important part of the retail shopping experience. I wanted to share with you a couple of recent projects with Disc...
Posted in:News Updates  

2020 - Print Production Year In Review

Posted on 5 January 2021
Well 2020 was a year for the history books, with COVID-19 affecting the whole planet. At Shea Graphics we social distanced, worked from home, w...
Posted in:News Updates  

The Many Options of Foil

Posted on 28 October 2020
Dressing up your business cards, pocket folders, letter head and much more with foil. I recently came across a sample of a digital foil card, a...
Posted in:News Updates  
< Previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >

Address

1692 Central St Unit 6, Claremont, ON L1Y 1B3

 
Bookmark SiteTell a FriendPrint