Dip Doctors leave an impression
Even a bad economy has winners. One of them is a water-transfer printing business in west Columbia, which is flourishing as people decide to refurbish items rather than buy new.
Dip Doctors, Inc. opened in August and is one of only 11 companies in the nation that uses a high-tech hydrographic process. The company will imprint patterns on multiple or individual items.
“We are only limited by our imagination,” co-owner Kent Sapp said. “You can actually transform any metal, wood or plastic to look like whatever your heart desires.”
Sapp, Mark Niles, Tim Rector and Junior Gilpin decided to open Dip Doctors as a side business to augment their seasonal work in sign-making and construction. Sapp owns Signs by Woody; and Niles, Rector and Gilpin are in the HVAC business.
But Dip Doctors has exceeded expectations. “I originally thought we might have to hire someone to work at Dip Doctors, but now we’re thinking about hiring people to run our other businesses instead,” Sapp said.
The water transfer process uses a water-filled tank, 10 feet long, 4 feet wide and 3 feet deep. The object to be dipped is prepared for the process by sanding, removing rust or applying a base coat color. A film with an imprinted pattern on it is placed on the water. When the film disintegrates, a floating ink remains. The object is dipped in the ink and it transfers onto the object, leaving a perfect replica of the pattern. Finally, the object is covered with a high-grade polyurethane finish.
The process accommodates nearly any object that can retain its shape in water and that can fit in the tank. Thousands of patterns are available, including granite, marble, camouflage, animal print, wood, metal and numerous specialty prints.
The results create converts.
“I’ve already been asked numerous times from people wanting to get a franchise or sub-franchise from me,” Sapp said. However, the initial investment can range from $150,000 to $250,000 and trade secrets are highly guarded, Sapp said.
Niles and Sapp said it took several months to prove to the parent company, which they would not name, that they were up to the task of successfully operating the business. So it will be a while before they franchise the business, Sapp said. “Right now, we’re the only show in town,” he said.
“There are lots of companies out there now that do mass production. The ‘wood grain’ in high-end automobiles is plastic dipped in a burled wood pattern; but those companies have a 1,000-piece minimum. We’ll do one-of-a-kind items,” Sapp said.
Because Dip Doctors, Inc. is the only shop of its kind in the Midwest, they have a customer base from several surrounding states. Sales from their Web site, www.dipdoctors.com, account for the bulk of their work. “We are flat covered up; we keep getting busier and busier and busier,” Sapp said.
Controlling growth has been important as the business owners climbed the learning curve on the technology. The four owners say they have extremely high standards on the finished product. “Basically, we tell people a two-week turnaround. And we don’t miss our deadlines.” Niles said.
Dip Doctors, has 400 patterns in stock and can order samples of other patterns on request. One such custom job was the application of a patriotic red, white and blue flag pattern to the cane of a war veteran.
Looking to expand into home décor, Sapp is going to dip his kitchen faucet to match the granite countertops in his kitchen. “The product sells itself. You can show someone that you can dramatically change the look of their kitchen, bathroom, dining room, etc., in this economy, without a lot of cost,” Sapp said. “We can do baseboards, door trim, kitchen cabinets, Formica countertops, furniture. You name it, we can dip it.”
Dip Doctors Inc.
7301 W. Henderson Rd. | Columbia, Mo 65202
875-7903 | [email protected]
www.dipdoctors.com