S2K Graphics Signs on as Exclusive POP Partner for Andy’s Frozen Custard

S2K Graphics was recently selected by Andy’s Frozen Custard as the chain’s exclusive POP partner as the franchise continues to expand into new regions.

Andy’s Frozen Custard—the largest privately owned frozen-custard-only QSR-plus in the country—recently opened its 55th store and plans on opening one to two stores per month over the course of the next year. The popular custard chain is well known for providing a quality product, excellent customer service and community involvement. Most importantly, the franchise is committed to making sure that its valued customers have the same memories and experiences no matter which location they attend.

“We were looking for a communicative partner who could not only keep up with our demand as a rapidly growing company, but also help us with both short- and long-term needs,” said Stevie Stryker, southern region marketing specialist for Andy’s Frozen Custard. “For us it was important to choose a company that could not only provide us POP materials that stay true to our standard signage but also offer us flexibility and innovative options as we continue to grow. We’re thrilled to be working with S2K Graphics as they help us convey our messaging throughout our stores.”

Stryker reached out to S2K Graphics after research led her to a press release announcing S2K Graphics’ inclusion in Creative Magazine’s “Top 50 POP Companies” list. After the initial call—in which S2K Graphics shared information about its quality, affordability and expertise with large national chains—S2K Graphics sent Andy’s Frozen Custard a sample poster and lawn sign, and paperwork was signed.

“The quality of our products ultimately brought this exciting partnership to fruition,” said Dan Pulos, founder and president of S2K Graphics. “We’re so pleased to begin this journey with Andy’s Frozen Custard, outfitting their new stores with eye-catching POP elements to communicate their seasonal promotional messages. On a related note, the last time I was in Nashville to visit our production facility, I traveled an hour outside of the city to a local Andy’s Frozen Custard and I have to say it was hands down the best dessert I’d had all year.  I’m a big fan!”

In September, S2K Graphics shipped out its first batch of POP to the chain, aiding them in the opening of three new locations. 

Published on: http://www.popin.net/s2k-graphics-partners-andys-frozen-custard/

S2K Graphics Releases Exclusive New Window Decal Formulation

S2K Graphics, an affiliate of Franke Group and a nationally recognized leader in point-of-purchase merchandising, has released its newest exclusive product offering, R-N-B (repositionable, no bubbles)— a special window decal formulation created by S2K Graphics founder and president, Dan Pulos. The new window graphic material, which is patent pending, became available in August, and multiple orders for the product have already been received.

Setting itself apart from other graphic materials, R-N-B was formulated to combat typical window graphic installation challenges. Whereas traditional window graphics often require two people to properly install them, R-N-B was developed so that retailers need not rely on professional or experienced installation teams to properly apply oversized promotional graphics. A typical 4-foot-high R-N-B decal can be applied by one person without the use of a squeegee and produce a professional result with no air bubbles and no creases.

Pulos said that the product has been a dream of his for many years.

“I’ve had the idea for about five years now and have been actively searching for a graphic film that would do what I had in mind,” Pulos said. “After extensive research, it was determined that the product didn’t exist, so I created my own special formulation, which is custom made for us and only available through S2K Graphics. My goal was to make window graphic installation fun! I wanted employees to fight over who gets to install the new graphics every time a new set arrives at the store. I believe we’ve achieved that with R-N-B. 

R-N-B is very forgiving with a built-in stiffness that allows a single person to apply, reposition and reapply graphics up to 5-foot-high without damaging the decals. Additionally, the product can be re-used if removed within 30 days of initial installation and properly stored for future re-use. The features increase the percentage of correct installations a multisite retailer should expect in the field. R-N-B prints are priced comparably to view-thru films, providing retailers with a high return on investment in both labor savings and field results.

Pulos said the inspiration for R-N-B came from the Colorforms kits that were popular toys in the 1960s and ’70s. These kits were comprised of multiple printed graphic pieces that could be easily repositioned using static cling technology to create multiple scenes or outfits for cartoon characters. Pulos envisioned creating a window graphic film that was just as much fun to work with and would allow virtually anyone to easily install graphics up to 5 feet tall. The product makes oversized graphic installations a low-risk, affordable reality for multisite retailers that would otherwise be dissuaded from tackling such a program.

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S2K Graphics Successfully Renews G7 Master Certification

S2K Graphics, an affiliate of Franke Group and a nationally recognized leader in point-of-purchase (P.O.P.) merchandising, has successfully renewed its G7 Master certification, having first obtained the certification in 2011. A G7 certification is an internationally recognized methodology for calibrating printing presses and proofing systems, and renewal is possible every two years after the initial certification is recognized.

In order to receive the G7 Master certification, printers must demonstrate skilled, tested and proven leadership in print production; show knowledge of the fields of color management, process and quality control; and work to reduce costs, improve brand consistency and have a quick turn-around time.

“As a G7 Master Facility, we have developed process control systems that enable us to deliver color accurate products,” said Philip Garcia, director of operations for S2K Graphics. “We can efficiently manage color across many different printing platforms at multiple printing facilities within our organization. The biggest factor in the printing industry is being able to match, with accuracy, colors for our clients, and this certification informs our clients that we are able to do so.”

The certification is an acknowledgement and testament to the facility’s ability to calibrate color accuracy, as was most recently demonstrated through the press check process S2K Graphics provided for two major automotive companies, Kia and Mitsubishi. The press check process involves sending clients contract proofs to demonstrate the ability to match the clients’ colors. Both automotive companies signed off on the first round of articles sent for color approval.

“S2K's color management systems combined with G7 certification produce superior color for our clients,” said Leah Barash, senior account executive at S2K Graphics. “This has resulted in a fast and effective press check experience and, in most cases, first-round color approvals. Our clients continue to choose to work with S2K for these reasons as well as because of our innovative product line and customer service excellence.”

The benefits S2K Graphics clients receive when working with a G7-certified printer include the assurance of receiving a high-quality end product and accurate, brand consistency.

S2K Graphics Receives Industry Recognition for Fifth Consecutive Year

S2K Graphics, a division of The Franke Group, was nationally recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a “Top 50 P.O.P. Company” by Creative Magazine, an outlet targeted to sales and marketing executives. The publication has stated that the Top 50 P.O.P. list in its April/May issue is its most important feature of the year.

In order to qualify for the honor, S2K Graphics submitted its company profile, total number of employees and its 2016 P.O.P. sales volume for consideration. Additionally, the manufacturing company, which has provided Fortune 100 companies with an array of unique P.O.P. merchandizing elements, proved its market share through a corporate background check, while demonstrating that the company meets or exceeds the publication’s criteria to be considered.

“We are extremely honored to be included in the Creative Magazine’s 2016 Top 50 P.O.P. Companies for the fifth year in a row,” said Dan Pulos, VP and managing director of S2K Graphics. “It is gratifying to see our products, such as our Window Wraps, Readerboard Graphics, 3-D designs and our P.O.P. Placement Program resonate so powerfully with our customers. Besides our sales accomplishment from last year, we are excited about our new P.O.P. merchandising innovations, the rest of 2017, and what’s to come.”

S2K Graphics produces a variety of P.O.P. displays for national accounts, including McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper and other market-leading brands, and is one of thirteen California companies recognized in Creative Magazine’s Top 50 list this year.

With plants in Los Angeles, California and La Vergne, Tennessee, as well as a sales presence in New York, Chicago, Nashville and San Francisco, S2K Graphics continues to chart new territory in its P.O.P. research and development. 

S2K Graphics Closes Readerboard Graphics Sale with McDonald’s Nashville Market

S2K Graphics, a division of The Franke Group, officially debuted its Readerboard Graphic product with new features, including brighter and bolder graphics, and improved durability, placing more than 60 units into McDonald’s Nashville restaurants.

S2K Graphics founder and owner, Dan Pulos, created the bright and colorful Readerboard Graphics as an alternative to traditional readerboards with black tile letters to help clients capitalize on P.O.P. opportunities.

“Readerboards provide quick-service restaurants with the highest communication impact for their brick-and-mortar locations,” Pulos said. “They increase visibility of in-store promotions, drawing in street traffic, which can equal thousands of impressions every day. After testing our product at various national locations, results have shown that our use of bright and colorful graphics lifted product sales by 50 percent in the locations we tested. Additionally, the product had a payback in less than a week during testing, increasing sales and restaurant guest counts.”

The purchase, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the McDonald’s market in Nashville, came on the heels of the successful, recent wind tunnel testing to assess durability and shape retention qualities under extreme weather conditions. After testing the graphics in 90 mph high-speed winds in 30-, 60- and 90-degree angles, the results established that the graphics passed the durability test and did not detach under these conditions.

S2K Graphics’ Readerboard Graphics have specially formulated materials designed to fit easily in existing readerboard systems and withstand the rigors of hostile outdoor environments 15-20 feet in the air. They are cost-efficient, easy to install, and can be customized with any promotional offer or product feature.

S2K Graphics’ Dimensional Window Graphics Sustain 90 MPH Winds

S2K Graphics, an affiliate of Franke Group, recently tested its Dimensional Window Graphics in a San Diego-based low-speed wind tunnel off of Pacific Coast Highway to assess durability and shape retention qualities when faced with wind and extreme weather conditions.

In order to evaluate the Window Graphics’ performance in these conditions, the S2K Graphics team performed two sets of testing at speeds of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 mph, with rotations at 30-, 60- and 90-degree angles. The first set of testing included a pre-mounted graphic, a standard mount that one of S2K Graphics’ professional installers would have installed. The second replicated a “Dirty Install,” recreating an installation that would most likely have been done by a customer, instead of professional installer. Each test was four to six minutes long, at temperatures of 70-74 degrees.

The graphics were pre-mounted on an acrylic base with similar adhesion qualities to glass windows, and were then attached using S2K Graphics’ standard decals and tapes that are sent to clients, with no manipulations made.

The results from both set of tests showed that S2K Graphics’ Dimensional Window Graphics can successfully withstand winds up to 90 mph without damage, highlighting the product’s durability and tolerance to non-desirable and windy weather conditions.

“While conducting the wind tunnel testing, I was amazed by both the durability and resilience of the 3-D graphics,” says Brandon Ledford, S2K Graphics’ operations manager. “After exposing the graphics to high winds, they sustained no damage and also successfully returned to their 3-D shape after completion.”

The patent-pending Dimensional Window Graphics are printed on 2 mm Coroplast — a high-quality, printable surface with excellent adhesion quality and waterproof, stain resistant qualities. The graphics can be used in conjunction with S2K Graphics’ Window Wrap Program — available in one-size-fits-all, multi-size and custom — and have been designed for easy installation and removal, are cost-effective, and have been proven to produce a 23.6 percent increase in sales over standard decals.

S2K Graphics wins Best in Category for P.O.P. Materials at Print Excellence Awards

S2K Graphics, an affiliate of Franke Group, was recognized by the Printing Industries Association of Southern California (PIASC) at its annual Print Excellence Awards ceremony held on April 7, 2017.

S2K Graphics was awarded Best of Category in the Point-of-Purchase Materials category for its patented dimensional offset system, which transforms standard, flat graphics into 3-D designs by providing layered dimensionality to promotional displays.

“We’re quite pleased to receive this award from PIASC,” says Dan Pulos, founder and general manager of S2K Graphics. “Daily, we strive to create innovative P.O.P. offerings that disrupt the marketplace, and our dimensional offset system is a testament to the success of our efforts. The entire team at S2K Graphics extends their gratitude for the recognition.”

The Print Excellence Awards competition accepts nominations from all graphic art firms — printers, finishers/binderies, brokers, graphic designers, ad agencies and in-plant operations — located within the service area of PIASC. The judging is done anonymously, and the panel is comprised of a team of distinguished professionals with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the graphic arts industry.

Judges considered the quality of printing, degree of difficulty, technical expertise, and overall visual appearance of submissions in a variety of categories, including books, digital printing, invitations and programs, presentation folders, magazines, point-of-purchase materials, and beyond.

The dimensional offset system serves a variety of S2K Graphics’ clients and national quick-service restaurant (QSR) accounts, such as McDonald’s, and was first unveiled at the McDonald’s 2016 Worldwide Convention in Orlando, Florida. With custom instructional patterns and graphic snaps to ensure a proper alignment during assembly, the displays are outdoor durable, affordable and easy to assemble.