Following a transformative year in 2024 installing the first DigiTech printer in Australia, 2025 is shaping up to be even bigger for SS Signs, with the launch of its revamped website and online ordering system.
SS Signs has launched a new website and ordering system, allowing customers to design, customise, and purchase signage online.
SS Signs operations manager Luke Lambourne said the website upgrade was designed to streamline the ordering process for customers.
“By eliminating manual order processing, SS Signs has increased efficiency, reduced lead times, and improved workflow,” Lambourne told ProPrint.
The revamped website also expands SS Signs’ product range to include statutory signage, custom stickers, beer boxes, LED neon signs, and more.
“With our new website and ordering system, customers can now instantly design, customise, and purchase signage online, eliminating back-and-forth emails and delays,” Lambourne said.
“We’ve also introduced client catalogues, allowing businesses to reorder their standard items effortlessly and have them produced within 24 hours. This upgrade streamlines the entire process, making ordering faster, easier, and more efficient than ever before. This launch marks a significant step forward in automation, convenience, and growth for SS Signs in 2025.”
Lambourne said the website is constantly evolving, with plans to release a new product every month.
“Right now, we’re producing braille signage to a high standard, and a full braille catalogue will soon be available on the website. Expect continuous improvements as we grow,” he added.
The launch follows SS Signs’ expansion to a state-of-the-art signage facility in Cleveland, Brisbane – increasing its footprint to more than 3500sqm. SS Signs plans to expand its footprint by another 1500sqm by the end of 2025 to further enhance its capabilities.
“The move was essential to support our growth and production demands, providing space for a 16m spray booth, a steel fabrication area with a 5-tonne overhead gantry crane, plastic fabrication, letter bending, three routers, steel folding, and water cutting,” Lambourne said.
“Our new facility includes a dedicated production space, capacity to wrap up to 20 cars, cranes, or boats, a full warehouse, and room for eight graphic designers.”
The facility also houses the first DigiTech printer in Australia – the DigiTech TruFire LTX2, which is also paired with an Aristo 6m long cutter.
Designed and built in the US, the flatbed UV printer, with its focus on innovative design, high precision and print quality, is a welcome addition to the Australian print market. With the TruFire LT/X2 model, the operator can change sheets of media in under 10 seconds with the standard auto-unloader. The printer is made for large print shops that require fast, efficient, all-day production.
According to Lambourne, the new additions have increased production efficiency by more than 20 per cent. Recently, the Digitech delivered 2500 corflute signs with one operator in one eight-hour shift. A few months after its installation, SS Signs hosted a successful open house in partnership with Celmac, at its Cleveland facility to showcase the DigiTech in action to the wider industry.
SS Signs also recently expanded its capabilities with key equipment purchases, including a guillotine that has the ability to cut up to 6mm steel, a bender for 6mm steel, and “one of the safest aluminium extrusion cutting saws available in Australia”.
The company also grew its vehicle and access equipment fleet, adding two scissor lifts, a cherry picker, a tilt truck with a 13-tonne capacity, and a 60-foot knuckle boom.
“Owning our access equipment has been a game-changer,” said Lambourne.
This year, the company has its sights also set on growing its footprint in Melbourne, where it currently operates roll over tables, the HP365, the HP R2000, laminators, Multicam cutter and router, and steel and aluminium fabrication capabilities.
“Growing our Melbourne operations is a key priority. While the region has seen some progress, we are implementing strategies to scale much more rapidly. This includes increasing our marketing efforts, expanding our client base, and focusing on building a stronger presence in Melbourne’s signage market,” Lambourne said.
“We plan to work with all our national partners out of Melbourne such as Sigma, Tesla and Snap Fitness. This will help save costs of travelling and freighting goods.”
This year, the signage company is looking to increase its fleet of machines in both Melbourne and Brisbane.
“For Melbourne, we’re looking at another DigiTech flatbed, which would make us the first company to own the first and second DigiTech flatbeds in Australia. It is an awesome machine – thanks Celmac! While in Queensland, we’re looking for a high- speed hybrid machine for redundancy purpose to back up our dedicated machinery.
“We’re also always on the lookout for staff in production, graphic design, vehicle wrap and install – we need more people with the business expansion.”
A third-generation printer, Lambourne was last year named an Emerging 50 winner at the annual ProPrint Awards and is an advocate for engaging more young people in the print industry.
“As someone who’s grown up surrounded by the print industry, with both my father and grandfather being well-known figures, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the business. At just 21, I’m proud to continue their legacy while carving my own path,” he said.
“What I love most about the print industry is seeing our work come to life. I love that no day is ever the same. There’s always something new to be learnt, or a new challenge to take on. I am very lucky to be the operations manager and that I am able to oversee the entire production process from graphic design, print, finishing, cutting, plastic fabrication, paint, and metal fabrication.
“It’s important that we continue to encourage fresh talent to the industry. The young talent that we have in our business is amazing; I would nearly go to say it is the core of our business, and we want to continue to provide pathways for young people in print.”
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