Just Fab Graphics | My TrueVIS Story

How did you start Just Fab Graphics?

After graduating from college with a degree in graphic design, I immediately started working in the sign industry. I then went on to work in various design roles for the non-gaming side of a casino and later for a woodchipper manufacturer. This experience broadened my design horizons and fostered my career as a well-rounded designer. A major turning point came in 2017. I was laid off by the industrial company I worked for, and I thought it was the right time to start my own company. I took all my money, bought a souped-up computer, and launched Just Fab Graphics from my home in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

What kind of work do you do?

We do printing and wrapping for everything from whiskey labels to 53-foot semi-trailers. I’m still the primary designer, and I do installs as well. Jill Payten is our project coordinator and installer, and Zach Maatman is a designer, production manager and installer. My mother, Sherry, helped set up our eBay sales.

How did you get involved with TrueVIS?

At first, I outsourced the production of printed materials. Eventually, a friend of mine who owns a sign shop started printing my designs for me. But, when I thought about the amount of money I was paying to his company every month, I realized it would be better to take the plunge and buy my own printer. I had already experienced the quality and reliability of a Roland DG printer at the first company I worked for, and the fact that I could print and cut on one machine was also a big attraction. I sold my couch, bought my TrueVIS VG2-540 and put it in the living room. Back then, my house really looked like a graphics shop.

You said what you most love about TrueVIS is “printing everything.” Could you tell us more about it?

We provide graphics and signage for companies in the hospitality, construction, industrial manufacturing, retail, restaurant, and service industries. We also provide vehicle graphics and lettering for the local fire department and sheriff offices, as well as vehicle graphics, banners, labels, stickers, floor graphics, window graphics, and promotional items such as license plates, lip balm, and key chains. During the pandemic shutdown, we did special projects for companies that needed signage and produced many safety signs and floor stickers. Recently, we have been printing a lot of “open now” signs, as economic activity is beginning to recover.

What do you like about your TrueVIS printer/cutter’s image quality and colors?

Another reason I love my TrueVIS is the vibrancy of every print. We get so many compliments on the rich color it produces. That really makes our work recognizable around town, and it sets us apart from the competition.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love the diversity of this job. Some days, I can be working on graphics for a semi-trailer in the morning and selling interior window perf in the afternoon. No two days are ever the same.

How do you plan to expand your business in the future?

Our eBay store is going really well. It’s geared towards auto enthusiasts. We sell all types of floor graphics and banners for garages and “man caves,” and we have a lot of repeat customers in the U.S. and overseas. Connecting with our customers through social media has been very gratifying. We also get a lot of new customers this way. I would like to add another staff member so we can stay in constant contact with our customers. With my TrueVIS, we are set up nicely for future growth. We have great equipment, an outstanding team, and we’re very excited about the future.