Doubling Production: The Fanatic Group’s UV-LED Success

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It's no secret that PRINTING United Expo is the place to explore innovation across the entire printing industry — from wide-format and packaging to promotional products, commercial, apparel, textile, and more. For this reason, it's no surprise that promotional products suppliers and printers attend Expo eager to explore the latest technologies and solutions to improve and grow their businesses.

For The Fanatic Group — an Edison, New Jersey-based provider of officially licensed collegiate products and custom-branded gift merchandise — Expo is central to the company's purchasing process.

"We always visit PRINTING United Expo with an open mind to find new equipment," says Gregg Solomon, president of The Fanatic Group. "The process of seeing a machine in person, understanding its capabilities, and learning from technicians is very valuable in the process of purchasing."

Supplying merchandise to over 4,000 colleges and schools across the country, The Fanatic Group relies on solutions that can deliver full-color, digitally printed drinkware, gifts, and novelty products with low minimums and fast turnaround times.

To meet those needs, the company leans on eight UV-LED flatbed printers and one UV-LED digital rotary printer, producing items like stainless steel tumblers, water bottles, and ceramic mugs.

Finding the Right Equipment Fit at PRINTING United Expo

In 2023, Solomon purchased the Inkcups X5 flatbed printer after seeing it at PRINTING United Expo. That printer has since been upgraded to the Inkcups X5-T, offering the same benefits of the X5 but with extra height for printing taller products, according to Inkcups.

"The process of purchasing, shipping, and installation was extremely easy considering our experience with the brand/machines," Solomon shares of the buying experience.

With upgrades and new UV-LED solutions, Solomon says The Fanatic Group has increased its output, greatly impacting the business's growth.

"Our newer pieces of equipment doubled the output from our original machines. This was the most appealing part when surveying various machines," he adds. "We are now able to take on more orders and print and ship in a much faster fashion than in previous years. Additionally, this increases the amount of reorders we receive from our customers."

Looking ahead to PRINTING United Expo in Orlando this year, Solomon says the company will continue exploring innovative equipment to expand its capabilities and better serve its college bookstore and retail customers.