TrueVIS Versatility Powers North Gwinnett High School's Student-Run Print Shop
North Gwinnett High School | Suwanee, Georgia
North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia, provides its more than 3,200 students with experiences that will help prepare them for future careers. Its award-winning chapter of DECA, a non-profit career and technical student organization, has more than 250 members.
Marketing Coordinator and Technical Education Department Chair Jacqueline Huffman saw the opportunity for hands-on entrepreneurship at her school. Huffman worked with her administration to set up a school store called The Dawg House that sells spirit wear and related merchandise. Last year, the store’s revenue exceeded $100,000.
Expanding Skills with Roland DG Technology
Seeing a need for signage at the school, Huffman wrote grants and set aside some store revenue for a digital printer. After extensive research, they purchased a 54-inch Roland DG TrueVIS SG-540 digital printer/cutter. “We chose Roland DG’s TrueVIS technology for its high-quality print and versatility,” said Huffman.
The students also produce and sell personalized yard signs to congratulate students who earn spots on sports teams and those who are graduating. Parents can even purchase “fatheads” of their kids to hold up in the stands.
Huffman and her students created a colorful 36” square foam board sign for their state-wide DECA fall leadership competition. “The kids were really proud of how it came out,” said Huffman.
Setting up Shop
Printed merchandise has sold so well that Huffman and her students are setting up a separate print shop, called “North Ink.” The students handle all the needed inventory, including inks and media, and they are being trained in all aspects of sign production. “When they graduate, our students will have already gained ‘real world’ experience in running a school-based enterprise and in print production,” said Huffman.
Marketing Coordinator and Technical Education Department Chair Jacqueline Huffman saw the opportunity for hands-on entrepreneurship at her school. Huffman worked with her administration to set up a school store called The Dawg House that sells spirit wear and related merchandise. Last year, the store’s revenue exceeded $100,000.
Expanding Skills with Roland DG Technology
Seeing a need for signage at the school, Huffman wrote grants and set aside some store revenue for a digital printer. After extensive research, they purchased a 54-inch Roland DG TrueVIS SG-540 digital printer/cutter. “We chose Roland DG’s TrueVIS technology for its high-quality print and versatility,” said Huffman.
“When they graduate, our students will have already gained 'real world' experience in running a school based enterprise and in print production.”
To date they’ve produced staff shirts, inspirational posters, club announcements, and a wide variety of decals, as well as flags, standing banners, and hanging banners for school events and team sponsors.The students also produce and sell personalized yard signs to congratulate students who earn spots on sports teams and those who are graduating. Parents can even purchase “fatheads” of their kids to hold up in the stands.
Huffman and her students created a colorful 36” square foam board sign for their state-wide DECA fall leadership competition. “The kids were really proud of how it came out,” said Huffman.
Setting up Shop
Printed merchandise has sold so well that Huffman and her students are setting up a separate print shop, called “North Ink.” The students handle all the needed inventory, including inks and media, and they are being trained in all aspects of sign production. “When they graduate, our students will have already gained ‘real world’ experience in running a school-based enterprise and in print production,” said Huffman.