With a bigger facility, better workflow, and the speed of the Liyu Platinum Q3XL-Pro, Graphic Warehouse is in a great position to grow
For nearly 20 years, Graphic Warehouse has been all about adapting, evolving, and staying ahead of the game. Trading as Matic Media Services Ltd., the company started as a traditional signage and display graphics manufacturer. But as contracted business with local authorities slowed down around 2016, Managing Director Richard McCombe and his brothers, Adrian and Robert, knew they needed a new approach.
“We wanted to move away from big, unpredictable projects and focus on a model that was scalable and sustainable,” says Richard. “So, we built a web-to-print platform and shifted to a trade-only model, serving sign makers, marketing agencies, graphic designers, and commercial printers.”
It wasn’t an overnight transition, but over the years, Graphic Warehouse established itself as a reliable, high-quality trade print provider. However, as demand grew, new challenges arose.
Outgrowing their space and their equipment
A couple of years ago, Richard and his team hit a bottleneck. Their existing print setup was running at full capacity, and while adding more shifts helped, it wasn’t a long-term fix. The real problem? They simply didn’t have enough space for new equipment.
“We knew we needed to grow, but we were stuck. Then in July 2024, an opportunity came up to buy a bigger building right across the road. Perfect. However, moving everything over was a nightmare! Printers, finishing equipment, the whole works. Definitely not something we’d want to do again anytime soon.”
But the move was worth it. With more space came the ability to invest in better technology, streamline workflows, and create a much-improved working environment for the team.
Why the Liyu Platinum Q3XL-Pro?
Graphic Warehouse had a mix of printers, including Colorado, Mimaki, and an Arizona. The Arizona had been a workhorse, but it was slowing them down. They needed something faster.
“We’d always liked Arizonas, they’re easy to use and maintain, but we’d outgrown ours. We needed an upgrade.”
Having worked with Liyu for years, Richard was already familiar with their machines and support. After thorough research, the Q3 stood out as a breakthrough solution that perfectly aligned with their needs.
“We saw it as a bit of a market disruptor. It was fast, simple to operate, and best of all, it could grow with us. The print heads can be upgraded easily, meaning we weren’t just buying for today, but for the future.”
A smooth installation
After the challenges of moving to a new building, Richard was dreading the installation of a brand-new printer. But to his surprise, it couldn’t have been easier.
“We were bracing ourselves for a nightmare, but the Q3 arrived on a lorry, got forklifted into place, levelled, and was up and running in just a few hours. That’s unheard of.”
Training was minimal since the team was already experienced with roll-to-roll and flatbed printing.
The real impact: faster jobs, happier customers
Since installing the Liyu Platinum Q3XL-pro, the difference has been massive. Turnaround times have improved significantly, and the smoother workflow means they can handle customer demand faster and more efficiently than ever.
“It just fits into our setup like it was always meant to be there. Since we got it, we’ve only had to call Liyu twice—once was just a courtesy check-in. That speaks volumes.”
For Richard, one of the biggest selling points of Liyu wasn’t just the machine, it was the way they handle support.
“We’re hands-on. We don’t want to wait around for an engineer to come in unless it’s absolutely necessary. Liyu understands that. If we hit a snag, they talk us through it remotely, and we’re back up and running in no time. That’s exactly the kind of support we need.”
The future looks bright for Graphic Warehouse
With a bigger facility, better workflow, and the speed of the Liyu Platinum Q3XL-Pro, Graphic Warehouse is in a great position to grow.
“Now we have the capacity to scale. We’re faster, more efficient, and better equipped to meet customer demand. And at the end of the day, that’s what really matters.”
For Richard and his team, investing in the Liyu Platinum Q3XL-Pro wasn’t just about upgrading a printer, it was about future-proofing the business. And with the right technology and support in place, Graphic Warehouse is ready for whatever comes next.