DCS Open House, Oporto, Portugal

Direct Color Systems™ recently held an Open House in Portugal where distributors from Europe, the Middle East and Africa learned about the exciting applications and new markets that a Direct Jet 1024UV or Direct Jet 1014UV can support. DCS's international partners were very impressed with the 1024UV that was on display, uniformly citing the outstanding output quality as the printer's best feature. The Open House included an educational session that explained the technology behind the Direct Jet UV printers and provided everyone the opportunity to see the printer in action and share business and market experiences.

SGIA Expo, New Orleans, LA

DCS also introduced the Direct Jet 1024UV last month at SGIA. The event was attended by more than 16,000 people. Hundreds came to our booth hoping to see the type of innovation that has become standard at SGIA - they were not disappointed. We were able to provide demonstrations and samples to many of our visitors.

Both events were well attended and we are receiving inquiries daily. We are ready to answer your questions about how UV can expand your company's capabilities.

This deduction allows a U.S.-based company to deduct the first $500,000 of equipment (Section 179 Property) purchased in 2011 from their taxable income. For companies purchasing (or leasing - with an Equipment Finance Agreement) up to $2,000,000 of equipment in 2011, this deduction is available in full. It then phases out on a dollar-for-dollar basis between $2,000,000 and $2,500,000 and it is not available for companies purchasing over $2,500,000 of equipment in 2011. However, companies can finance purchases over $2,000,000 with an operating lease and may still be able to claim this deduction.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Available for United States residents & customers only. Consult your tax advisor to see what equipment purchases will qualify your business for these extra tax incentives. Depreciation and expense deduction incentives are tied to the timing of the purchase, use, type of equipment or asset, phase-out of the incentives based on overall purchase size, and many other factors you should discuss with your tax advisor.

Use your Direct Jet printer in conjunction with DuraJet open-pored aluminum from Horizons Imaging Systems Group for revolutionary sub-surface color printing on aluminum. This video shows you how simple it is to create signs, awards, data plates and more that hold up to abrasion, chemicals and moisture.

Click here to watch this instructional video on our website »

This month's featured customer is E&J Specialties, Inc., a worldwide supplier of name badges and custom promotional products located in Rapid City, South Dakota. E&J representative Bonnie Warren remembers when their family business purchased their first Direct Color Systems printer about 15 years ago.

"My father started the company in 1963, and since that time we've grown to supply identification badges to 90% of the United States pharmaceutical industry. For many years we stamped badges with hot foil. About 15 years ago, we decided to modernize our badge-making process with a Millennium badge printer from Direct Color, and we haven't looked back."

Though Bonnie speaks highly of the traditional foil stamping process, she is quick to point out that the Millennium is faster and produces clearer, crisper badges. Happy with their Millennium's many years of service, E&J has recently decided to purchase a new DCS printer to improve the other half of their business: promotional products.

"My husband visited the Direct Color Systems facility last month and was thoroughly impressed with the new Direct Jet UV printer line. We decided to purchase a UV printer and are excited to begin using it. We have always received excellent support from Blair, Bill and the whole team, and we're confident this printer will be a great addition."

We at DCS look forward to supporting E&J as they approach 50 successful years in business!

E&J Specialties, Inc
1605 Evergreen Dr.
Rapid City, SD
57702-3454
bonnie@ejspecialties.com

This month's featured distributor is CSI Manufacturing Limited, located in Suffolk, United Kingdom. CSI UK specializes in the supply, service and support of laser engraving machines for the UK market. Matt Kirwan, Managing Director at CSI, took a moment to speak about his experiences with DCS.

After hearing about the Direct Color Systems line from Don D'Antonio, President of Innovative Plastics, Inc. last summer, Kirwan quickly recognized DCS printers as a natural complement to their primary line of Epilog Laser Engravers. CSI has since sold two DCS printers, and they are optimistic about the budding business relationship.

"Since our main market is promotional goods, we are keen to develop industrial applications, particularly with aluminum. The new UV range of printers has price competitiveness. With just two units sold to date I'm reluctant to make a general statement, but certainly the indications are that this is a profitable line to sell, and the quality of the output lends towards a profitable end product. The support that Rui has given to date has been superb. Epilog Laser have given great support throughout 8 great years, and I sense the same quality of support is there from DCS."

Direct Color Systems looks forward to helping Matt and the CSI team expand their business with our innovative printers. You can contact Matt directly at mkirwan@epilog-uk.com.

CSI Manufacturing Limited
6A Masterlord Industrial Park,
Station Road,
Leiston,
Suffolk IP16 4JD,
United Kingdom
http://csiuk-epilog.co.uk

Each month, Direct Color Systems features a different TSS (Technical Sales Specialist) based in the USA and Canada. These regional associates are your local link to sales, installation and technical support for all DCS products. Our featured TSS for the month of December is Tom Keyes of TWK Enterprises, LLC, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tom has worked with DCS for two years, and we at DCS couldn't be happier with our Midwest representation.

Tom brings 32 years of consulting and sales experience to the DCS TSS team. During his time at Pitman Co. and Fujifilm Graphic Systems, he provided products, equipment and services to the graphic arts industry.

With this much experience under his belt, Tom is an expert at matching products to each customer's unique needs. "The primary guiding principle I've employed in exploring customer needs and recommending solutions is always act in the customer's best interest," Tom explains. When the product has demonstrated its ability to fill the customer's need, everybody is a winner. What printer is best is entirely dependent on the customer's requirements - print quality, format, productivity, substrate compatibility and ROI must all be considered."

When customers consult with Tom, he is eager to recommend the Direct Color Systems line over competitive products. "Creative engineering and a sturdy platform give the Direct Jet the ability to print on a wide variety of substrates and on shapes up to six inches thick, which makes it a viable tool for a broad spectrum of applications: ad specialty, awards, name badge, signage, metal decorating, circuit boards and industrial marking, to name a few."

"Customer serviceability, low print head replacement cost, low ink cost and no charge for phone support give the Direct Jet the lowest cost of ownership of any flatbed inkjet printer in the industry. Multiple applications, print quality and support make Direct Color Systems a great place to be, for me and our customers."

We think Tom's experience and DCS's quality are a great match. If you're located in the Midwest, and would like to be matched up with the best printing equipment, you can contact Tom at 612-860-4443, or email tw.keyes@comcast.net.

• There are currently 9 mobile demo locations throughout Canada and the USA
• To get in touch with the TSS in your area, please contact us

March 6-9, 2012 ARA International Awards Market Las Vegas, NV	March 22-24, 2012 ISA International Sign Expo Orlando, FL

View our complete trade show schedule »