Welcome to Gapen on UV
Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Darren Gapen and for those of you who do not know me, I am the president of D.G. Print Solutions. I have been in the printing business now for over 30 years. Many of those years have been spent assisting printing companies across the country like yours to not only print more effectively and efficiently, but also become more predictable, proficient and profitable.
For more than a decade-and-a-half, I have been involved with UV printing and specialty applications within our industry. Together with the folks at Printing Impressions, we have started this blog with the intent to discuss the topic of UV printing along with the challenges and the rewards that it holds.
I realize that with the economic conditions we all currently face, there is a need to separate yourself from your competition. I’m sure you have all heard the saying "The strong get stronger." Is UV printing the answer? Absolutely, if you feel you have done your homework and investigated all of the possibilities, both good and not so good.
I just spent a few days with a customer at his facility talking about the likelihood of adding UV printing capabilities to their arsenal. I asked numerous questions they had not thought about prior to my visit. Many printers do not realize what is truly involved to be successful when entering the realm of UV. All of us recognize that success can be measured in many different ways.
UV printing opens many doors for you to walk through as a printer as long as you are open to the potential opportunities on the other side. The possibilities with the correct configuration of machine and lamps are endless. You as a printer know your clientele, stay in tune with their current needs and possibly have the insight and understanding to what direction they are heading into the future.
- Categories:
- Offset Printing - UV/LED Curing
- People:
- Darren Gapen
Darren has worked in the printing industry for 30 years and spent more than 12 years at two of the nation's leading high-end commercial printers: Bradley Printing in Des Plaines, IL, and Williamson Printing Corp. in Dallas, TX. During that time, he operated conventional and UV 40˝ sheetfed presses and also successfully managed a $15-million pressroom equipment transition. Darren also was Lead Press Instructor for Heidelberg, where he directed specialty equipment startups and was involved in all aspects of the printing process by teaching both instructor and pressroom employees.
In addition, he served as a troubleshooter for various printing companies in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. As operations manager for a start-up specialty folding carton company, he played a key role in achieving more than $6 million in sales within two years. Currently Darren is president of D.G. Print Solutions, a consulting firm that supports printing companies of all sizes. He specializes in growth development planning, pressroom color management and pressroom training through specialty print applications.
