Promising to dress up their customers businesses for success through quality print productions, PRINTSTRATS is a discerning print service provider with a difference. Strategically located at Adebowale House on popular Ikorodu Road Onipanu – Lagos with easy access to both the island and the mainland where majority of their customers are based, PRINTSTRATS believes ‘good outlook makes good business’. In this SPECIAL FEATURE INTERVIEW, WHERE To Print caught up with PRINTSTRATS Team Head – Mr. Segun Lufadeju on what informs the company’s formation, strategies for success and other issues that bothers on quality and professionalism in print business. Excerpt:
CAN WE MEET YOU PLEASE?
My name is Segun Lufadeju, usually regarded as the Team Head of PRINTSTRATS because we run the organization as a team. The PRINTSTRATS team comprises of individuals with versatile experiences in different aspect of our operation. For instance, we have different specialists that handle our printing machines from design to digital and from folding to laminating and other finishing machines. When we combine our efforts, we provide the best print for our customers to aid their good business.
WHAT KIND OF PRINTING IS YOUR SPECIALTY?
Our specialty is on-demand, short run digital printing but we also have capacity for high volume offset print. That is why we’ve invested on digital printing machines like Konica Minolta and Canon that can print as wide as 24 inches in A1 sizes. We also have machines for lamination, folding, stitching and stapling. We also have machines that can number and perforate and also cutting machine. With all these in place, we hope to be able to service our clients effectively and make their work easier. Our goal is to save our customers’ time, money and eliminate stress of running from pillar to pole before they can have a perfectly finished print job. At PRINTSTRATS, we always achieve top quality print production and finishing. It is a One-Stop print and finishing shop.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN BUSINESS?
As a printing company we have been in business for over 3 years but before that time, our mode of operation then was on contract level of which we usually bid for print contract jobs and later take them to credible printing presses to print – but now we have grown beyond that level. Today, we boast of our own printing machines while our focus is to operate a one-stop printing and finishing shop were individual print buyers can come in with their jobs which we handle from beginning to the end. We therefore have all the facilities for design, digital printing and finishing.
WHEN EXACTLY DID YOU START PRINTING AS A PROFESSION?
I started my printing career about ten years ago. I actually began with the publishing of TEENAGER’S DIGEST magazine; it was this magazine that launched me into the mainstream of printing where I started getting printing jobs from companies that later graduated to printing contracts from big organizations like Dangote, Samsung, Sterling Bank, Macvites, Heinz Food and other marketing and reputable companies. I should also mention that I developed interest in printing by working for my brother that had an advertising firm during my university days.
SIR, FOR THE TEN YEARS YOU HAVE SPENT SO FAR IN THE INDUSTRY – WHAT ARE YOUR UPS AND DOWNS AND HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO SCALE THROUGH?
Just like in any other business, there are lots of ups and downs in print business. It just takes a lot of determination, focus and to really know what you want to do to stay afloat. You have to persistently work at improving yourself; embracing new technology; being innovative in your job delivery. These are the things that have really stood us out and still keep us in business till date.
WHAT OTHER ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR COLLEAGUE IN THE INDUSTRY?
They should embrace technology. The days of doing things the old way are gone. They should realise that to stay afloat in printing industry you have to be very creative, imaginative and innovative aside being able to give their customers something that is better than what can be obtained elsewhere. Technology is one thing that has made that easy to achieve; a lot of things that people used to do in the past with a lot of efforts are now done with just a click of a button in single machine. This makes you solve a lot of problem faster, neater and in better quality – so my advice is to embrace innovation, technology that will move your business to the next level and enable your customers to keep coming back.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE THAT WANT TO COME INTO PRINT BUSINESS – WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THEM?
They should first have passion for printing. They should ask themselves if they can withstand the pressure and demands of the profession. They should learn from veterans in the industry as well as equip themselves with the tools of the trade. Printing business has all its rewards but they have to understand that they have to prepare and plan for the future with their customers in mind.
WHAT IS YOUR ACADEMIC BACKGROUND?
I am a graduate of University of Ilorin, where I had my first degree in Sociology. I have also been involved in several trainings in printing to improve my career as a printer. I am also member of Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON).
WHY DID YOU DROP SOCIOLOGY AND PITCH TENT WITH PRINTING?
Well my reason for coming to printing is because of the flair I have for design. I also have an eye for beautiful, good quality print. And as I mentioned earlier, I develop interest in printing by working for my brother in an advertising company during my university days and even continue to work with him for two years after my graduation. During those years I was able to get a better grasp of every aspect of printing.
WHAT IS YOUR FUTURE PLAN?
My ultimate plan is to become a leader in my field of digital printing and finishing.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS IN PLACE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE THAT?
Well, were are just starting and with the printing machines on ground so far – I know we have already positioned ourselves in that direction and we will continue to be innovative and creative in our approach as we move forward and grow our business.
DID YOU HAVE ANY REGRET SO FAR?
No regret at all. I enjoy every bit of the time I have spent in the printing profession. To me, printing is a calling. I love to see printing job come out in crisp quality and that is one of the things that motivate me to put together this kind of printing outfit. No regret; the future – as far as I am concern – is very bright.
BRIEF PROFILE OF MR. SEGUN LUFADEJU, TEAM HEAD – PRINTSTRATS
Born and bred in Lagos, Mr. Lufadeju is the Team Head at PRINTSTRATS – a One-Stop print and finish shop. We are in business to make life easier for our customer. At PRINTSRATS, you get your jobs done A –Z in one place, within our facility.
