Printwear & Promotion The Total Promotional Package
Changing one’s business model can be daunting and scary, but if done correctly can bring so many more benefits, as 4 Ways Solutions is discovering. Previously a sole trader in office supplies, the company has moved to a new base and, with it, has started to bring garment printing in-house. It most recently opened a showroom at its new base in Kent, so to see this new transformation, Acting editor Benjamin Austin went to the company’s opening day to speak to the owners.
The world of office supplies was one of steady reliable custom with its demands always needing to be met – that was until Covid.
The Pandemic saw a drop in office working, something to which the world just hasn’t returned.
For more than a decade, Fourways Solution
s built its reputation as a trusted supplier of office products, PPE and workplace essentials but as demands change so does business and the supplier has diversified its services into printed garments.
Having dabbled in this industry a little previously, it only ever subcontracted the work out, but now, alongside the moving into a new HQ, the company has decided to bring its garment decoration in house.
New ventures
Officially opening its new premises in January 2026, the company has transformed what was once an empty warehouse into a fully functioning garment decoration operation, bringing embroidery and direct to film (DTF) printing in-house for the first time.
For managing director Roy Meyer and sales director Bill Meyer, the move wasn’t simply about finding a bigger building – it was about creating a platform for long-term growth.
Bill said: “We sat down around the table and said, ‘Shall we? This is what we’ve got to do. This is the investment. These are the people I believe we can get who’ll help us.’ After a few days it was, ‘Let’s give this a go.'”
A blank canvas
While many companies gradually expand into garment decoration, 4 Ways Solutions effectively built an entirely new production department from scratch.
Bill said: “When we moved into this office in December, everything downstairs was empty.
“There was no heat press, there was no shop, there was no DTF printer, there was no embroidery machine, no workbenches. It was a shell.”
Since officially opening in January, every piece of production equipment has been installed from new, alongside artwork systems, computers and dedicated workspace for the expanding production team.
“The list grew and the stress grew but it was the best decision I think we’ve made.”
“What we brought with us was five people. Now we’re 15 or 16. We’ve gone from one vehicle to four. The office has tripled, the vehicles have tripled, the people have tripled and the workload has tripled.”
The right tech
Launching a decoration department meant making some important investment decisions.
Rather than rushing into purchases, 4 Ways sought advice from experienced production staff and immersed themselves in the industry before committing.
Among the most valuable experiences was visiting the Printwear & Promotion LIVE! exhibition, where the team were able to compare technologies and speak directly with manufacturers.
Bill said: “Going to the show helped. To go and see the machine that you’re just about to buy in full flow – what a difference.
“Someone can tell you it’ll print this and it’ll look like this, but when you’re standing there watching it, you think, ‘That’s impressive. I’ll have one.'”
The company ultimately invested in a six-head Barudan embroidery machine alongside Resolute DTF equipment – choices Bill has no regrets about.
“If you’re going to do it, do it properly. Barudan and Resolute are two of the best in the industry. The people we brought in, who between them had more than 30 years’ experience, immediately suggested those two brands.
“Once you see the work they produce, the samples they provide and the support they offer, the decision became very easy.”
Expansion is already planned, with another Barudan embroidery machine due to arrive soon as production capacity continues to increase.
A showroom experience
Alongside the investment in production, 4 Ways has also created a dedicated showroom designed to give customers something many decorators never offer – a chance to see almost everything the company can offer.
For Bill, the concept was born simply from having the available space but quickly became something much bigger.
Upon being finished the company hosted an open day on July 3 to let clients see how the new additions work.
Bill explained: “It was important to continue to be different. We wanted people to come in and see us. You don’t often open the doors to your office, especially to clients, but it was important because people can come and have a look.
“They know we’re doing it in-house; they know the level of machinery that’s here and they can see us run their job.”
The response exceeded expectations.
“The first person walked through the door six minutes past ten and I thought, ‘That’ll do – we’ve got one!'” Bill laughed. “It hasn’t stopped since.”
“We’ve had two new clients immediately and three orders over the line straight away.
“All because of the showroom and inviting people in. They can see our printer, our embroidery machine, meet the team and see where it all happens.”
Seeing the operation firsthand has given customers confidence in the investment.
“You can tell people you’ve got this equipment,” Bill says, “but until they actually see it, they don’t always believe you. When they walk in, they go, ‘Oh… you really have got it.’ It’s nice to show it off.”
A one-stop solution
Although garment decoration represents the company’s newest division, it complements a business model that has always focused on making life easier for customers.
4ways continues to supply everything from office stationery and classroom furniture to PPE, cleaning products and workplace consumables, allowing customers to consolidate purchasing through a single supplier; and it’s this flexibility that sets the company apart.
Also being there for customers. Like with the showroom, customers can come in take a look at products and try them out in person make the purchase and have everything needed in one visit.
But beyond that the company looks after all its customers need as and will go to great lengths to ensure they have what they need.
Roy said: “We make ourselves available, if someone’s run out of paper or safety gloves or goggles or hi-vis, somebody will put them in a car and get them to you.
“I find dealing with some suppliers now that you can’t talk to anybody anymore. Everything’s through a portal. We’re completely the opposite to that.”
“We wanted to be a solutions-based company. People can have one invoice once a month and on it can literally be Post-it Notes, pens, workwear, cleaning products and everything else they need. They’re not dealing with multiple suppliers and multiple invoices.
“Our job is to make their life easy.”
Growing with garments
The move into garment decoration may only be months old, but 4ways Solutions is already looking towards its next phase of growth.
Additional embroidery capacity, expanded print production and further recruitment are all firmly on the agenda.
For Roy, however, the greatest satisfaction comes from seeing how quickly the vision has become reality.
He said: “I’ve had two very close friends come here today.
“They’d tell me the truth if they weren’t impressed. Both have been very complimentary about what we’ve achieved in such a short time.
“We’ve put our blood, sweat and tears into this. I think it’s going to be one of the best things we’ve ever done.”
