Camden High School Embraces Custom Print Solution

Like almost all educational institutions, Camden High School has an ongoing need for customised print products. And like many other educational institutions, this print work was outsourced or offshored until it recently brought this work in-house with the help of the dye sublimation printing solution from GJS.

A solution perfectly suited to schools

Adam McKeown, Deputy Principal from Camden High School explains. “We attended the Australia Post LPO expo in 2015 and it was there that we first saw the GJS dye sublimation solution and the huge range of products that it can produce.

“We purchased the solution and a range of printable blanks, including coasters, plaques, mugs and name badges so that we could produce customised print products on-demand and without having to use external suppliers, or order large quantities,” Adam said.

Camden High School purchased and are using a Virtuoso SG400 A4 dye sublimation solution. The solution produces dazzling high-definition prints and is a fantastic choice for start-up decorators and those looking for a versatile desktop solutions that can produce an array of promotional products and photo gifts.

The purchase of the solution was aided by the Camden High School Parents and Citizens (P&C) Association and was made via usual in-school purchasing processes.

What is dye sublimation?

Dye sublimation is a method of applying an image to specially coated ceramics, metals and polyester fabric. Dye sublimation ink is unique in its ability to convert from a solid to a gas without going through a liquid form.

The conversion is initiated by heat and controlled with pressure and time. The high temperature - from a heat transfer press - opens the pores of the polymer and allows the gas to enter. When the temperature drops, the pores close and the gas reverts to a solid state. The print then becomes part of the polymer.

Dye sublimation can open up many exciting opportunities for educational institutions, including the production of student awards, team/club t-shirts, plaques for sporting events, name badges for teachers, mugs for visitors and school branding and much, much more.

The dye sublimation process is quick and simple enough for one-off jobs and there is equipment available for long production runs.

Depending on the substrate, transfers can usually be printed in under a minute while pressing times range from as low as 45 seconds up to four to seven minutes for dense materials.

A speedy start-up

After a speedy installation, Camden High School was able to begin immediately printing customised products for both teachers and students. One of the most popular items that the school is producing is name badges for teachers.

“Traditionally we would have to wait until we had five or six new teachers start, and then send off to a supplier and wait for the name badges to be sent back to us. With the GJS solutions, whenever we need a new name badge we just fire up the printer and the press and can create them as and when we need. For example, we just had a new principal start recently and we were able to print her a new name badge as soon as she started,” Adam said.

Future fundraising goals

Whilst at the moment the solution is mainly used by staff to produce items for the teaching faculty and for school branding purposes, there are plans to educate students on its use and begin using it for fundraising purposes.

“The student representative council are very active within the school and goal is to begin involving them in the production of certain products for their various fundraising initiatives and the creation of awards and plaques,” said Adam.

The solution has been an economical investment for Camden High School with it estimating that it has halved its printing costs through the purchase of the GJS solution and by bringing the printing and production of certain items in-house.

“If anyone wants to know if the system is cost effective and worth purchasing for an educational institution then the answer is a definite yes. We would highly recommend the dye sublimation solution from GJS to any school that would like to bring production of customised print products in-house and have the flexibility to print short run and one-off items on demand,” Adam added.