Timeline

Founded on this day in 1976 by the late Dennis Tydeman, this remarkable milestone marks half a century of large format reprographics and printing, branding, creativity and innovation. As we remember our foundations, reflect on our achievements and industry awards, our golden jubilee is a tribute to the hard work of our visionary founder, our incredibly dedicated and committed teams and our wonderful clients who have challenged and supported Imaginators over 50 years.

Imaginators installs a new HP Latex 800W press for the growing needs of the business.

The HP Latex 800W steps into a space of both creativity and productivity that really benefits our production department.

Isla is a non-profit organisation founded by event professionals and industry leaders focusing on a sustainable future for events.

“Imaginators are excited to be working with Isla. The work they are doing to support their members is exceptional and we are proud to be part of that journey, working with them to help bring change to the event and print industry.”

Imaginators become members of the isla Print and Graphics Working Group – an invitation only group which is focused on developing and sharing sustainable solutions with other like-minded members.

Imaginators were honoured to be elected and accepted into the Guild of Master Craftsman – a wonderful acknowledgment of our creativity and skill.

Imaginators embrace creativity and skill within our business. Indeed, many of our experienced and knowledgeable team have served under a Journeyman as an Apprentice where they learned their trade and skill to pass on to others.

Historically, a Master Craftsman, sometimes called only Master or Grandmaster, was a member of a guild. The title survives as the highest professional qualification in creative and craft industries.

The Guild of Master Craftsmen is one of the UK’s most established associations.

The Guild of Master Craftsman recognise these creative industries and Imaginators as a business which strives to achieve exceptional standards.

In January 1976 our founder Dennis Tydeman started a new business using a large format Multichrome gallery camera and a hand operated proofing table from the garage of the family home. Skip to 2021 and the business has evolved to become a multimillion pound award winning business operating from 1800m2 premises. We’re immensely proud of our achievements and celebrate our 45th Anniversary by remembering our journey.

Imaginators nominated for award of ‘Best Wide Format’ and ‘Best Superwide Format’ company at the prestigious Digital Print Awards 2019 for our work with Bentley Motors

Our Director, Matt Tydeman is nominated as a finalist by the Institute of Directors for Director of the Year 2019. These awards celebrate leadership excellence, focussing on the individual’s achievement, the importance of the director’s role in the community and the commitment and expertise which contributed to their success and achievement in business

Imaginators upgrade their finishing department with an automated stitching system for textile large format graphics.

Imaginators win prestigious award at the recent Essex Business Excellence Awards 2018 sponsored by HSBC. Over 1200 businesses from across the Essex region entered the awards with Imaginators being shortlisted as a finalist before winning the highly prestigious award of Best SME Business of the Year 2018.

Imaginators celebrate winning the Festival Supplier Award 2018 for Best Branding for the third successive year.

Imaginators feature in 2017 Parliamentary Review for innovation in printing.

Our journey is far from over – and that’s because we’re always evolving, growing and looking to the future to create a bigger, better, and more diverse business.

Join us on our journey.

Imaginators celebrate our award of ‘Best Branding’ company for the second consecutive year at The Festival Supplier Awards 2017.

Imaginators install a 5m wide Durst 512R roll to roll press. 6-colour, 800dpi, 350m2/hr.

Imaginators installs a HP Latex 1.5m wide roll to roll environmentally friendly printer.

Imaginators celebrate our awards of ‘Best Wide Format’ and ‘Best Superwide Format’ company.

Imaginators installs an Optimus MIS system to streamline business workflow.

Imaginators installs a HP Z6800 1200dpi 8-colour 1.5m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Company Secretary Jenny Conlon celebrates 25 Years with Imaginators with the print production team.

Imaginators celebrate our award for ‘Best Branding’ company at The Festival Supplier Awards 2016.

Imaginators celebrate 40 Years of trading and business with HSBC Bank at Canary Wharf.

Imaginators install a Durst P10 160 1000dpi 6-colour hybrid press.

Imaginators installs an automated Kongsberg XN44 robotic flatbed cutting table.

Imaginators expands it vinyl department with in the installation of the UK’s first 1.6m wide vinyl cutter.

Imaginators installs a new FIAB High Frequency 10kw track welder.

Imaginators installs a HP Scitex XP2750 720dpi 8-colour flatbed direct to media inkjet printer.

Imaginators installs a second HP Z6100 1200dpi 8-colour 1.5m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Imaginators installs a HP Z6100 1200dpi 8-colour 1.5m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Imaginators installs a second HP5500 720dpi 6-colour 1.5m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Imaginators installs a HP Scitex 720dpi 8-colour 5.0m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Imaginators installs an AGFA Graphics Grand Sherpa 1200dpi 6-colour 1.6m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Imaginators win ‘DSPA Award’ for Ultra Wide Format Digital Printing.

Imaginators win ‘DSPA Award’ for Young Digital Printer of the Year. Matt Tydeman, Martin Skipp, Tony Hills.

Imaginators win ‘DSPA Award’ for Ultra Wide Format Digital Printing.

Installation of the UKs first Scitex Creo VLF Platesetter and Brisque Workflow.

Imaginators win ‘DSPA Award’ for Ultra Wide Format Digital Printing.

Imaginators installs a HP5500 720dpi 6-colour 1.5m roll to roll inket printer.

Imaginators installs the UK’s first NUR Fresco 3200 360dpi 4-colour 3.2m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Imaginators receive ‘Special Recommendation Award’ for Large Format Digital Printing.

Print World magazine announces Swan Graphics move into large format digital print production with the installation of the UK’s first NUR Blueboard HiQ 70dpi 4-Colour 5m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Imaginators formed as part of the Swan Graphics Group by Directors Matt Tydeman, Mark Tydeman, Derek Phillips and Malcolm McReath

Swan Graphics moves into new purpose built premises in Nazeing, Essex.

18000sqft factory acquired by Swan Graphics to accommodate Swan Graphics Group and Imaginators new digital printing business.

Swan Graphics installs a RasterGraphics PP5000 6-colour 1.3m roll to roll inkjet printer.

Swan Scanning installs a Silicon Graphics Indigo Extreme workstation to handle large format digital page make-up and retouching.

Swan Scanning installs a third Dainippon Screen SG777 Large Format Drum Scanner. The only company in the world to own three.

Swan Graphics expands and opens a Nottingham sales office to drive business growth.

Swan Scanning converts scanners to postscript imagesetters with the worlds first installation of a Centurfax postscript bridge.

Our founder Dennis Tydeman receives Diploma from GPMU in recognition of 45 years service to the Executive Council of the printing industry.

Swan Colour Press – formed to specialize in short-run large format lithographic printing.

Swan Scanning installs a second Dainippon Screen SG777 Large Format Drum Scanner. The only company in the world to own two.

Swan Graphics undergoes a transformation following the installation and commissioning of the UK’s first Dainippon Screen SG777 large format drum scanner. Dennis Tydeman said ‘we have undergone a metamorphosis’.

Matthew Tydeman joins the business as a scanner operator.

Swan Scanning installs the UK’s first large format SG777 Dainippon Screen laser drum scanner with two lasers. Malcolm McReath, Mr. Tsuruta and Dennis Tydeman at a VIP event held at Swan Graphics.

Swan Scanning – new company founded to specialize in large format laser drum scanning.

Swan Graphics moves from existing outgrown premises in Stratford, East London, to larger more modern premises in Hackney, East London.

Mark Tydeman joins the business as a final film planner and production controller.

In 1979 the business expanded to six people an extended their services into platemaking.

Originally known as Cygnet Reproductions, Swan Litho Services was established in January 1976 when three working Directors started a lithographic studio in Stratford, East London, using a large format Multichrome gallery camera and a hand operated proofing table.

We’ve been on quite a journey since our inception in January 1976 and have evolved, grown, diversified and strengthened our business spanning 50 years.