2023 Wide-Format Rising Star: Colin Ramsey

While Colin Ramsey has only worked at West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based DMR Graphics for less than six months, his commitment and positive attitude have made him a stand-out — a true rising star at the company. “He shows up early every morning, ready to go,” says Jamie McLennan, the company’s general manager and senior sales executive.

Some of the drive he brings to the company surely stems from a four-and-a-half year stint in the U.S. Navy, where he sailed the oceans — serving as a Boatswain’s Mate — on two aircraft carriers, the U.S.S. George Washington and the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan. It was a high-consequence position that taught Ramsey strong skills that have stuck with him. “Work ethic, organization, being on time, listening, and taking criticism. It gave me a foundation that set me up for success. Skills for later in life.”

Following his enlistment, Ramsey worked for about four years as a welder, then moved into “the CNC game” for a short time, plasma-cutting in a metal shop before he was able to take his CNC skills into the sign and graphics segment, when he was hired at DMR Graphics.

Today, he works as CNC operator for the company, running two Kongsberg cutting tables to process and finish work including signage, building graphics, corrugated displays, and more. The company’s broader offerings also include decals and fine art reproductions. DMR Graphics uses both screen and digital printing, and offers extensive finishing and fulfillment.

About his position, Ramsey says his responsibilities extend beyond sign cutting, and he enjoys the aspects of quality control and problem solving that bring quality to the work he does. While he says much of his work focuses on cutting a variety of plastics, it also includes cutting other rigid materials like aluminum. “Colin has come a long way in a short amount of time, learning how his machine cuts and routs all different acrylics and PVCs,” McLennan adds. “And when needed, he is a great help in any of our
other departments.”

Ramsey’s impressions of his new-found industry are positive. “I’ve been here under a year, and I wasn’t sure what to expect.” What he has found is an industry he describes as, “more hospitable and more sustainable.” He has been pleased with the amount of problem-solving he does on
the job. “Some materials are harder to work with, so you have to make that work. Most jobs are not the same.”

About the variety inherent to his job, he says, “It keeps you on your toes, and having something new to manage or cut your teeth on does keep it interesting. Over the past few months, I’ve been able to see that I’m able to figure things out more easily. I feel like the more variety you have, the better you get.” He refers to it as, “adding more tools to the toolbox.”

He says the work culture is different from what he’s used to, and in a good way. This includes being recognized for his hard work and ingenuity. DMR Graphics, he adds, “is very team-oriented – people really do work together to get things done.”

Asked whether showing up early to work is indicative of his own personal or professional commitment, he says yes to both. “There’s a saying in the military,” he says, “that if you’re not early, you’re late. That was my first real job as a young man.” He adds that an attitude pulled from the Navy — bright uniform, early, ready to work — serves as a personal mantra. “I’m ready to get things done.”

In many cases, being a rising star — or even an established star — in the sign and graphics industry requires a strong approach that’s conducive to success. What, in his opinion, does Ramsey bring to DMR Graphics? “Work ethic, attention to detail, integrity, honesty, and to have your ego in check.” Beyond that, he says it is important to be willing to relearn, to reconsider, or change the knowledge or assumptions you operate upon. “If you’re humble about that,” he shares, “you can learn [new things] in a pretty short amount of time.” About Ramsey’s commitment to his work, McLennan says, “Colin sees that the print industry has the need for high quality workers that pay attention to details. We do lots of different projects, so he is always learning something new.”

Ramsey describes his job as a mix of working with technology and working with his hands. “I like the fact that I work with software and on computers,” he says, “but still do hands-on work, like a trade.” He says he also enjoys seeing the projects the company handles. “It’s interesting to see what we’re doing for people. Some things are ‘for sale’ signs, but some things are for charity. They are for something good.”

Outside of his work at DMR Graphics, Ramsey says he loves to cook and is into martial arts. “I also really enjoy reading: history, social criticism — it’s kind of a passion of mine.” As to what is most important to him in work and in life — a guiding concept — he says, “What’s most important to me is leaving things better than you found them.” Based on his discipline and commitment, this Rising Star is already on his way to improving production at DMR Graphics, and perhaps toward a long-term career in the sign and graphics industry.