The UK Franchise Directory

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The Prontaprint brand is synonymous with business success and never before has this been more apparent. Established in 1971, Prontaprint is the largest and best-known print-on-demand franchise in Europe and the first print business to achieve 'Business Superbrand' status.

We've spent the past two years rolling out our new brand positioning and changing the face of our centres across the UK and Ireland. The new look follows a £3 million investment and over two years of research into the market to develop a proposition which clearly differentiates Prontaprint from our competitors and creates maximum impact with business clients. This was underpinned when Prontaprint won the 'Best Overall Marketing Campaign' at the Franchise Marketing Awards this year for its support programme for the repositioned centres.

It's a very exciting time for Prontaprint, with sales growing five times greater year-on-year across repositioned centres compared to the rest of the network, there's never been a better time to become a part of the Prontaprint success story.

As part of this repositioning, Prontaprint has simplified its business services into five core areas " design, print, display, direct mail and finish, to give local businesses a better understanding of how Prontaprint can help with all their business design and print needs.

The introduction of the new brand identity is not just about smartening up the centres' look and fascias, but evolving to ensure we continue to meet the needs and exceed expectations of businesses both now and in the future.

Helen Docherty, centre manager at Prontaprint Manchester, has already seen an impact of the new identity on her clients and staff alike since repositioning six months ago.

Helen said, "The repositioning has made a noticeable difference to our business. Clients appreciate the high quality of our new marketing materials with the quirky characters and the sophisticated overall look and feel. It gives us the edge to talk to clients on a different platform, reinforcing our key service offering to higher value business clients.

Our staff's enthusiasm has been renewed by the repositioning, everyone has been given a real boost not only through the whole new look of the business but also through the extensive training programme that we have been part of " we feel like we've re-launched the whole business."

If you have the ambition to succeed and a background in business management, have direct sales experience and are IT savvy, the rewards are there for the taking.

Click here to request more information from Prontaprint

Case Studies

Graham Hollway - Birmingham & Edgbaston

Former salesman Graham Hollway took on his first Prontaprint franchise in Edgbaston 23 years ago after being inspired by a friend who already ran a centre. Four years later he took on a second Birmingham franchise and hasn't looked back.

Graham's sales experience proved to be invaluable when he first started out as a franchisee. Using his tried and tested method of selling from door to door, Graham moved the perception of his Prontaprint centre away from the 'high street copy shop' label to that of a design print specialist offering a full range of services directly to local businesses.

Explains Graham: "Using Prontaprint's support I went out to target the kind of clients that would generate significant revenue. Having the Prontaprint brand behind me gave me real credibility and confidence when talking to new customers."

Graham's successful and proactive approach was quickly recognised by Prontaprint and during his first year with the company he became a regional controller for the brand, passing on his sales expertise to other centres throughout the Midlands.

Having steadily built a loyal client base over the years, Graham's 11-strong team now offer a range of services to various high profile businesses and organisations including Birmingham City Council and a number of the city's leading hotels. Most notably, they have been the lead design company for luxury leisure destination, The Belfry, for over five years.

Comments Graham: "When I took over the Edgbaston centre I was looking for something different as I was growing tired of the same old routine. Well, I've been doing this for 23 years now and there are no signs of things slowing down yet!"

"We are currently thinking about moving our premises off the high street to allow us to expand and accommodate our ever increasing client base. A move away from the high street will also help as we look to further cement our position as a business services provider.

"My advice to anyone thinking about taking the plunge would be to go for it and, as any business owner will tell you, you're only as good as the people you work with!"

Click here to request more information from Prontaprint

Kevin and Mark Bott - Bury

With a career in the print industry spanning over 20 years, Kevin Bott always had the ambition to run his own family business.

Working as a technical sales manager for several large companies, Kevin aspired to become his own boss and began investigating franchise opportunities as a possible avenue to getting things up and running under a well established brand name.

He eventually fulfilled his dream in October 2007 when he took over joint management of Prontaprint in Bury, Lancashire with his son Mark. Since then the father and son team have enhanced the centre's service offering through investment in new technology and strategic team changes focussing in design and sales.

Kevin comments: "Taking on your own business can be a daunting prospect, which is why we chose to invest in a well-known and successful brand. We have received essential support and advice from Prontaprint every step of the way, ensuring a smooth takeover of the centre and the potential to grow the business from day one.

"We could never have achieved the success we have experienced so far as a stand-alone family business. We just wouldn't have had the time or the money to buy in the expertise.

As a result of their accomplishments over the past six months, the centre will be rewarded with the company's new £3million brand identity, development training programme and enhanced business services in April, after passing a stringent audit process into business growth, standards and service delivery.

Mark adds: "We have already come so far in such a short space of time and receiving the new brand identity and positioning is the next step in continuing to develop and grow the business.

"Prontaprint really is committed to focusing on the bigger picture " continuously promoting the brand profile and positioning, carrying out research into changing client behaviour, and undertaking research and development into new print technology.

"In our first months we have benefited from Prontaprint negotiating us the best supplier deals and providing high quality training and staff development. Not only this, but we have received additional support from other centres in the region, who we are now working in partnership with.

"It is a fantastic brand to be part of - I would recommend the franchise route for anyone looking to start up their own business. The kudos of trading under an established brand name, whilst having the autonomy to put your own stamp on the business is a winning combination for success."