This article first appeared in the September issue of Australian Printer
Colleen Raven Strangways first started her Adelaide-based business, Nharla Printing, in 2019 after entering the world of print as a side business to support herself and her young family.
Prior to Nharla Printing, Raven Strangways was working full-time as a social worker for Life Without Barriers, and as a part time photographer. A proud Arabana Mudburra Wirlpiri mother of two young boys living on Kaurna country in Adelaide, Raven Strangways soon found working multiple jobs and being away from her young family wasn’t very sustainable.
Moving into print was the answer, allowing Raven Strangways to use her existing skills in photography and Adobe products to create Aboriginal artwork for printing and sale.
“Ever since I was a kid, I have always been creative,” Raven Strangways told Australian Printer.
“I first got into photography around 2010, and a few years later decided to take the leap and make it my full-time job for a better work/life balance. But I soon learnt that photography can be seasonal – it’s either a feast or a famine – and I needed something else to support my family.
“I first got into printing using a Cricut at home, and then eventually moved into sublimination. However, I was starting to get frustrated because I was limited to the size of an A4 print area.”
It was then that Raven Strangways first met the team at Adelaide-based Graphic Arts Supplies.
“We first met Colleen in 2021 when she came into Graphic Arts Supplies and bought a small dye sublimation printer and a heat press,” Steve Murphy, sales director at Graphic Arts Supplies, told Australian Printer.
It took Raven Strangways no time at all to master the dye sublimation printing, and she quickly reached out to The Circle, a First Nations entrepreneur hub, funded by the Federal Governments’ National Indigenous Australians Agency, in partnership with the South Australian Government. The Circle supports and collaborates with First Nations entrepreneurs, businesses, and emerging First Nations business owners.
As the business was still small and the budget was tight, it was agreed by Raven Strangways and the team at Graphic Arts Supplies that the Roland VersaSTUDIO BN20A Solvent Printer (small entry model) was the right machine.
“That really opened up a lot of opportunities for me and printing soon started to overtake my photography business. I could print and cut stickers, heat transfer, dye sublimation, and produce small signage,” she said.
By mid-2022 Raven Strangways had purchased two additional machines from Graphic Arts Supplies: a Roland GS24 Cutter and Epson F2160 DTG/DTF to help keep up with demand. This allowed the business to also offer even more services, including direct to garment, direct to film printing, as well as faster cutting.
For the next two years, Raven Strangways focused on building her business and expanding her offering. The equipment she started with when the business first began was the right solution for her capacity at the time, but she was now seeking an upgrade for her growing business.
Continuing to work with The Circle, Raven Strangways was providing printing services for several large enterprises.
However, for her to really capitalise she knew she needed to upgrade her equipment. She again turned to the team at Graphic Arts Supplies to find the right solution for her business.
She needed to print larger stickers, wall art, wall papers, floor decals and larger signage. She, and the team from Graphic Arts Supplies, settled on the Mutoh 1341.
“This compact solvent printer with serious quality and capability was the answer for Colleen and her business
needs,” Murphy said.
This allowed Raven Strangways to go from printing 500mm wide to 1341mm wide. Also having a separate cutter maximised her workflow and increased her speed and output nearly 10-fold.
“Her new Mutoh 1341 solvent printer, paired with a Mutoh VC2-1300 cutter, has allowed Colleen to print much larger prints up to 1300mm wide x 50 metres and cut files to the same width. This is in line with business expectations allowing her to support larger more demanding clients and provide commercial grade printing and applications in house rather than outsource,” Murphy said.
This has helped improved turnaround times, proofing, and overall service offering. Raven Strangways can now also
print small stickers 5cm in size all the way up to car wraps, floor and window decals and even building signage.
“Having better equipment has enabled me to secure larger jobs,” said Raven Strangways.
“I’m now working with government agencies and a major retailer in Adelaide. My long-term plan is to expand the business and bring others in to take on some of the work. I want to be able to tender for more government contracts as well as be able to provide a pathway for more women to get into the print industry.
“I learnt from late nights watching YouTube and learning through my own mistakes. Graphic Arts Supplies have supported me, and I want to be able to offer other women the same opportunity and guidance.
“I’m of the belief that there is no competition. It’s all about collaboration and I believe that’s the key to being sustainable and successful in this industry. I feel like there’s enough work here for everyone so having partnerships and sharing the workload only helps us all succeed.”
Murphy said Raven Strangways’ success story means so much to everyone that knows her.
“For us at Graphic Arts Supplies, we could not be happier to watch someone start with the smallest of printers and work to where she is now. It is nothing short of spectacular. Colleen is the most wonderful person, a mentor to her community, and a successful woman in print,” he added.
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