Founded in 2008 by Director Mitchell Disbrey, the family-run business began humbly — with a coffee table as a workstation and a £200 plotter from eBay. Today, Signstar has grown into a 15‑strong team offering everything from vehicle wraps and illuminated letters to large-format print and nationwide installation.

“We started on a coffee table in my flat making signs, and it’s slowly grown over the years,” Mitchell recalls. “Now we’re installing all over the country and offering a really wide range of products.”

The challenge: outdated equipment holding back growth

As Signstar expanded, their existing equipment struggled to keep pace with customer demand.

Their old 610 plotter — bought second‑hand online — couldn’t deliver the speed or consistency they needed.

“Just getting it to do simple tasks was a challenge,” says Mitchell. “We needed to improve production time, quality, and general efficiency.”

With growing competition from online print providers, Signstar knew that to win bigger tenders and deliver at the level customers expected, they needed a modern, reliable production setup.

Finding the right partner

Unsure where to start with flatbeds and cutting tables, Signstar reached out for advice — and were quickly pointed in the direction of Adam Booth at Spandex UK.

“Being new to the market for flatbeds and cutting tables, we didn’t really know where to look,” Mitchell explains. “A supplier recommended Adam from Spandex, and he was really helpful from the start. Very knowledgeable, and he just kind of held our hands throughout the whole process.”

The solution: Roland Flatbed & Vivid VeloBlade — a game-changing combination

Signstar invested in a Roland flatbed printer along with a VeloBlade cutting table from Vivid Laminating Technologies — a pairing that has transformed their entire workflow.

“We invested in the Roland flatbed and the VeloBlade to really improve quality and make us competitive,” Mitchell says. “We used to struggle to compete on things like hoarding panels and direct‑to‑substrate printing. Now we’ve got two simple processes — print on the Roland, cut on the VeloBlade — and the speed and quality are amazing.”

The upgrade has opened up entirely new possibilities for the business:

• Print on almost any flat substrate
• Faster turnaround times
• Consistent, high‑quality output
• Confidence to bid for larger tenders

“The sky’s the limit for us now,” Mitchell adds. “Production times are really good, and this setup has given us confidence to bid for tenders we wouldn’t have gone for before.”

One of those tenders? A major nationwide project for the British Heart Foundation.

“We’ve gone in confident because now we’re competitive — and the quality is where we want it to be.”

Support that makes a difference

Beyond the hardware, it was the service and reliability from Spandex that made the investment feel secure.

“Spandex have been really helpful — even from the point of delivery through to after‑support,” says Mitchell. “It’s a big investment and a big commitment for us, so having that support has been amazing.”

Mitchell’s message for anyone considering new print hardware?

“If anyone is looking for any equipment in our industry, contact Spandex — because they’re the guys.”

Watch the full story

See how Signstar Solutions transformed their workflow with Roland and VeloBlade technology by watching the full case study video below.

Thinking about upgrading your production setup?

If you’re looking to boost quality, speed and competitiveness like Signstar Solutions, speak to Adam Booth at Spandex UK to find the right solution for your business.

📞 Contact Adam Booth: adam.booth@spandex.com