Print My Sign Transforms Workflow and Output with the Colorado M Series

A Garage-Born Business with Big Ideas

Founded in 2011 in Dean Dyson’s garage, Print My Sign began as a self-sufficiency project. Dean, running another business that required stickers, decided to invest in his own printer to save costs. “The idea was just to do my own jobs and maybe cover the repayments,” he said. “But it got out of hand—in a good way.”

Word-of-mouth and organic growth quickly drove the need for more space and equipment. After operating out of a shared container workspace, Dean eventually moved into the current premises on the highway in Geelong, which Print My Sign now owns outright.

A Shift in Strategy

For years, Dean relied on a bank of eco-solvent and UV roll to roll printers. While they delivered solid quality, the growing complexity and maintenance demands of his diverse machine fleet started to present challenges. “Everything was a backup of a backup,” Dean explains. “We needed to consolidate and gain reliability without sacrificing capability.”

That search brought the Canon Colorado M – series to the top of Dean’s list.

Discovering the Colorado

Dean first encountered the Colorado range at a trade show, but it wasn’t until late 2023 that the timing—and the technology—felt right.

“We were reaching a point where older machines were costing too much in downtime and repairs. The Colorado offered a way to replace two or even three machines with one reliable, versatile unit.”

Print My Sign installed the Colorado M3W just before the Christmas break. Since then, the machine has delivered consistent uptime with no service callouts—only a few RIP-related questions easily resolved over the phone (Dean added Onyx Thrive for the first time).

A Boost in Capability and Confidence

The results have exceeded expectations. “The durability of the inks without lamination has been impressive,” says Dean. “We’re using cheaper media, unlaminated, and still getting excellent results. It opens up opportunities for better margins and faster turnaround.”

FLXfinish+ has allowed the team to offer matte and gloss finishes from the same print run. “We had a client recently request ultra-flat stickers—something we wouldn’t usually consider.  The Colorado handled it easily.”

Print My Sign now uses the Colorado for: Roll-up banners, window graphics on optically clear film, real estate signage, wallpapers and tiled wall coverings & white ink printing.

“It’s not so much that we’re doing brand-new types of jobs,” Dean notes, “but we’re doing everything better.”

Reliability That Inspires Growth

Dean’s team of five, manages the entire print and install process from under one roof. With Canon’s modular architecture, he selected the M3W configuration to match current demand—but knowing it can be upgraded in the future adds peace of mind.

“The Colorado is faster than our latex unit by about 30%, and for what we need right now, the M3W is perfect. If demand increases, we know we can scale without reinvesting in a whole new platform.”

Investment That Builds Trust

For Dean, the investment wasn’t just about capability—it was about credibility. “When customers come into our workshop and see the Colorado front and centre, they know we’re serious. We invest in the best technology—and that matters to them.”

Looking Ahead

As the business continues to grow, Print My Sign is exploring expansion plans, including a potential mezzanine floor to increase production space. For now, Dean’s focus is on maintaining the flexibility to say “yes” to as many jobs as possible, whether that’s real estate signs, bespoke wall coverings, or trade print services.

“There’s still a huge demand for physical signage and print. It’s not going away. The Colorado gives us the speed, quality, and confidence to keep up—and stand out.”

ENDS

About Print My Sign

Print My Sign is a family owned and operated printing firm that services the Geelong CBD and local areas. At Print My Sign, they use the latest printing technology at an affordable price. They maintain the highest standard of quality no matter how large or small a project may be. Their clientele needs are of the utmost importance and as a result a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.