S2K Graphics Upgrades Tennessee Facility with Jeti Titan Printers from Agfa Graphics

S2K Graphics, an affiliate of Franke Group, and a nationally recognized leader in point-of-purchase (P.O.P.) merchandising, has outfitted its Tennessee facility with two Jeti Titan HS UV Flatbed Printers from Agfa Graphics. It will be replacing two older devices in order to deliver customers with a higher-quality experience from product manufacturing to delivery time.

“The new equipment increases our capabilities to produce and ship our products faster, reducing our customers' transit time and freight costs, and has tripled our overall capacity,” said Dan Pulos, S2K Graphics’ founder and general manager. “It has allowed us to efficiently increase production on a wide range of products from our window graphics and floor graphics to our banners, posters and displays.”

The determining factors in choosing Agfa printers included its true-flatbed platform, print quality, ease of operations and productivity.

“The Jeti Titan printers were the clear choice when we took into account its robust steel frame design that provides 24/7 print capability,” said Philip Garcia, director of operations at S2K Graphics. “Additionally, the flatbed design also allows for optimum registration and repeatability for double-sided print jobs, while its UV inks can deliver six colors, plus white in a single pass. The flexibility and dependability are unparalleled.”

As S2K Graphics continues to acquire business from new industries and territories, upgraded technology and equipment will complement the company’s efforts to introduce new, innovative products that disrupt the marketplace and drive higher client return on investment (ROI) in P.O.P.

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S2K Graphics Announces Team Expansion

S2K Graphics, an affiliate of Franke Group, has announced Kim Castano as its marketing specialist. In this role, Castano will be responsible for developing and driving social media content for its various platforms, working collaboratively with the sales team to develop marketing collateral and ensuring that the graphics company maintains consistency in its branding as an industry leader.

Castano has accumulated a well-rounded portfolio of marketing and business experience cultivated through her education from California State University, Los Angeles — where she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration — and her previous marketing roles in the fashion, health and wellness, financial tech, and legal industries. Her ability to navigate a variety of niche industry needs from a marketing perspective make her a valuable addition to the S2K Graphics team.

“Kim’s passion for identifying new strategies and her eye for detail have been immensely valuable in our marketing efforts,” says Dan Pulos, founder and general manager of S2K Graphics. “Her motivation to continue to grow as a marketing professional — bringing new ideas to the conversation — has brought a fresh perspective, and we’re pleased to have Kim on board.”

In addition to her day-to-day tasks, Castano will also aid in developing short- and long-term marketing strategies to complement S2K’s planned expansion into new territories as the company continues to grow locally and nationally. “I was immediately drawn to S2K after my first interview with Dan,” Castano says. “The company has a family feel, and with that, a real dedication to working together to produce high-quality products that are innovative and game-changing in the industry.”

The company also announced Leah Barash as its new senior account executive. In this capacity, Barash will focus on national sales of the company’s innovative merchandising solutions, creative design, manufacturing and fulfillment services.

Barash’s expertise extends from a sales professional background with nearly two decades of well-rounded, comprehensive agency, corporate and vendor experience.

“I feel so lucky to have been given such an amazing opportunity to work with S2K Graphics to help them achieve further success,” says Barash. “They have impressive client retention, and everyone at the company has been here for 10 to 20 years or more, which is indicative of a strong, cohesive team.  All the stars have aligned for me in this role. The people and my boss are fantastic, and their products are top notch and innovative.”

Barash will work on generating business from new industries and territories as S2K continues its growth and expansion.  Barash will focus on the introduction of S2K’s new, innovative products that disrupt the marketplace and drive higher client return on investment (ROI) in P.O.P.

“Leah is a capable, qualified and amiable professional whose demeanor, passion for sales and successful long-standing partnerships caught my attention immediately,” says Pulos. “The entire staff at S2K Graphics enthusiastically welcomes her to our team and I look forward to all she will accomplish with us.”

Barash credits her skill for relationship development to her upbringing as an “Army brat.” The daughter of a US Army Attache, Barash and her family lived in Bangkok, Thailand during her childhood and moved around regularly. The constant introduction to new cultures and types of personalities shaped her ability to relate to a variety of clients and identification of their unique and specific needs.

S2K Graphics Introduces POP System

S2K Graphics, a renowned leader in point-of-purchase (P.O.P.) design and print innovations, announces its new readerboard graphic system for the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry.

S2K Graphics’ new, one-of-a-kind P.O.P. innovation works with existing readerboards to provide eye-catching graphics for seasonal promotions. Patent-pending, the readerboard system enables QSRs to display promotional graphics alongside traditional readerboard text. 

Low cost, easy to install and durable enough for all weather conditions, S2K Graphics’ new readerboard graphic system can be customized with any promotional offer or product feature. The systems come printed with customizable, full-color graphics that are equipped with pre-mounted fasteners to affix the P.O.P. to the readerboard displays. The new readerboard graphic system is easy to mount and is built to fit most existing readerboard styles on the market to date.

“Readerboards provide QSRs with the highest communication impact for their brick-and-mortar locations. They increase the visibility of in-store promotions, drawing in street traffic, which can equal thousands of impressions everyday,” said Dan Pulos, S2K Graphics’ founder and president. “We’re are excited to bring this innovative graphic system to our customers and expand on the critical marketing opportunities readerboards provide.”

S2K Graphics’ new readerboard graphic system has been tested through a pilot program at McDonald’s locations throughout Houston, Nashville and Los Angeles. Upon installation, the test data from this analysis showed a collective 50-percent increase in unit movement for McDonald’s featured promotional product. With plants in Los Angeles and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as a sales presence in New York, Illinois and California, S2K Graphics’ readerboard graphic system is now available for purchase, and delivery and installation are available throughout the United States.

S2K Graphics Receives Prestigious Point-of-Purchase Industry Honor

S2K Graphics, a Franke company and leader in point-of-purchase (POP) design and print innovation, was nationally recognized for the fourth consecutive year as a “Top 50 P.O.P. Company” by Creative Magazine in the publication’s 2016 list. A bimonthly outlet targeted to sales and marketing executives, Creative Magazine has stated that the Top 50 P.O.P. list in the publication’s May edition is its most important feature of the year.

To qualify for this recognition, S2K Graphics, known for manufacturing unique merchandising elements for Fortune 100 companies, had to prove its market share. Prompted by Creative Magazine to complete a corporate background check and demonstrate that the company meets or exceeds the publication’s criteria, S2K Graphics submitted its company profile, total number of employees and its 2015 P.O.P. sales volume.

“We are extremely proud and honored to be recognized by Creative Magazine for the fourth year in a row,” said S2K Graphics’ founder and president, Dan Pulos. “S2K Graphics started in humble beginnings as a small sign shop and I’m still in awe of how far we come. This is a huge honor and the print industry has our full commitment to continue to bring top-of-the-line print innovations to market.”

With plants in Los Angeles and Nashville, TN, as well as a sales presence in New York, Illinois and California, S2K Graphics has charted new territory in its P.O.P. research and development. These innovations include the company’s newly patented dimensional offset systems, which transform 2-D graphics into 3-D, disruptive P.O.P. designs — providing layered, eye-catching aesthetics to promotional displays.

S2K Graphics produces a variety of P.O.P. displays for national accounts, such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper and other market-leading brands, and is one of only seven California companies to crack Creative Magazine’s Top 50 list this year.

S2K Brings A Fresh New Look to McDonald's Windows

'Create Your Taste' promotes fresh ingredients in restaurant windows.

“Is this really for McDonald’s?” one passerby asked as two installers worked on a window graphic promoting the chain’s new fresh ingredients and customizable sandwiches. S2K Graphics provided the signage, printed on an HP Scitex FB7600 onto Contra Vision Backlite perforated film, for two locations in the city.

S2K Awarded Patent on New Dimensional Offset Displays

S2K Graphics, a renowned leader in point-of-purchase (P.O.P.) design and print innovations, announces its patent for a dimensional offset system. The patent, granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, was issued for S2K Graphics’ fabrication technique, which transforms standard, flat graphics into 3-D designs by providing layered dimensionality to promotional displays.

The offset system was developed by S2K Graphics as a solution to replace outdated dimensional systems, such as Styrofoam blocks with double-sided tape, which can be bulky to ship and difficult to install. S2K Graphics’ patented dimensional offset system consists of nylon-based plastic rods that are affixed to studs with adhesive backs for adjoining the graphics. During assembly, these rods fasten to stainless steel plates within the display, producing a snap-like sound when coupled together to let the installer know that they are aligned. The graphics for this patented dimensional offset system are custom-made and available in full-color designs with one, two and three-inch offsets.

“We are proud of our continuous innovations and enjoy developing new ways for our customers to generate attention for their products and positive returns on their investments,” said Dan Pulos, S2K Graphics’ founder and president. “We’re confident that our patented dimensional offsets are the best systems on the market for 3-D P.O.P. displays.”

The dimensional offsets primarily serve S2K Graphics’ national quick-service restaurant (QSR) accounts, such as McDonald’s, and were first unveiled in April at McDonald’s 2016 Worldwide Convention, held in Orlando, Fla. The offsets are durable enough to be used in both indoor and outdoor applications, from drive-thru lawn signs to P.O.P. displays within the restaurant. They are also versatile enough to be used for movie theater displays and brick-and-mortar retail locations.

S2K Graphics’ patented offset displays are weather tolerant, affordable and allow for easy assembly. With custom instructional patterns and graphic snaps, these dimensional offset systems also help to ensure perfect alignment, every time. Additionally, they have lower shipping costs and shorter installation times compared to the traditional Styrofoam block techniques. 

S2K Graphics Recognized for Restaurant Technology Innovation

QSR Magazine names S2K Graphics as an Applied Technology Award winner.

Chatsworth, California (Feb. 3, 2016) –– S2K Graphics, a renowned leader in point-of-purchase (P.O.P.) design and print innovation, has been nationally recognized as a Crew-Facing Tech winner in Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) Magazine’s 2016 Applied Technology Awards. The awards, which were last hosted in 2010, recognize companies that demonstrate the latest innovations in both crew-facing and customer-facing restaurant technology.

S2K Graphics was selected for its patented P.O.P. Placement Software Program, which is used in thousands of McDonald’s locations across the U.S. The program works by first creating full-color, realistic renderings of each individual restaurant. Based upon these renderings and consumer traffic patterns, both inside and outside of the restaurant, the program then prioritizes the franchisors’ P.O.P. merchandising elements. These elements, from posters, decals and banners to kiosks and drive-thru elements, are then optimally placed into the restaurant renderings to ensure that franchisors maximize their return on investment (ROI) through proper P.O.P. placement at every restaurant.

In the magazine’s feature on the awards, QSR spoke to the P.O.P. Placement Software Program’s ability to improve P.O.P. execution, lessen installation times and reduce merchandising clutter in restaurants.

“We are extremely proud of our product and the benefits it provides to our customers,” said Dan Pulos, S2K Graphics founder and president. “At S2K, we continue to invest in new equipment and develop new technologies, not only to ensure that we provide the most innovative, sales-driving products to our customers, but also to improve the effectiveness of the P.O.P. once its delivered to each store.”