Michael Bennett

A Chattanooga digital printing company recently won more than $100,000 worth of state-of-the-art printing equipment in a national “sign shop makeover” contest.

Michael Bennett, owner of The Bureau, said the company then used the equipment to redesign the look of its office at 1108 Dayton Blvd.

“Winning the contest has been a catalyst to giving a makeover to everything,” he said. “We’ve updated our logo. We’ve updated our look. We have printed new and different business cards. The whole inside of the business has a fresh look.”

The contest, sponsored by Mutoh printing equipment, consisted of an essay, in which entrants had to demonstrate a need for the equipment. They then were judged on creativity and entertainment in a 10-minute video expressing their needs.

The Bureau’s video is a comedy-musical where employees sing about their limited printing capabilities and their need for the new equipment. The video also includes a laugh track.

“When I heard it was being judged on creativity, I thought, ‘We can win this,’” Mr. Bennett.

The new equipment increased The Bureau’s printing capabilities and allows it to print large items at a higher resolution and enables it to print vehicle wraps that once had to be out-sourced.

“Now we don’t have to farm out as much,” Mr. Bennett said about the company that has nine employees.

Shortly after receiving the equipment, The Bureau printed a vehicle wrap for a catering trailer for Panera Bread.

“We have previously only done design work and printing for Panera,” Mr. Bennett said. “This was the first time we had been able to do display graphics for them.”

Beth Hanschke, marketing director for the East Tennessee franchise of Panera Bread, said she has used The Bureau for her printing for about a year and is pleased with its first attempt at printing a vehicle wrap.

“It was gorgeous,” she said. “They do great work there, and I’ve found them to have some of the best prices around.”

Jeff Worley, graphic designer for the Tennessee Aquarium, said he had intended to have The Bureau scan some items and then send them to a California company to do the large scale printing, but with the new equipment, The Bureau was able to print them here.

“Michael said they now have the capability, and he’d like to give it a shot,” Mr. Worley said. “It was a savings for us, but more than that was the convenience of having it right here in Chattanooga.”

Mr. Bennett said he and his staff are proud of the newly decorated office and their added printing capabilities.

“This kind of renewed our sense of accomplishment.” he said.