Instant Imprint Franchise Announces Exciting Partnership

IRVINE, Calif., (Jan. 24, 2011) – Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS) today announced  they have partnered with Instant Imprints, “your image people,” to be the exclusive global provider of multifunction products (MFPs) to new and existing franchises. Instant Imprints franchises provide their customers “everything you need to promote,” including – business apparel, custom T-shirts, signs, banners, school and team wear and other promotional products -- all in one efficient business model. Now with Toshiba products, Instant Imprints convenient retail locations can offer document services, including creation of – business cards, brochures, flyers, postcards, and other printed products.

“We recently announced this new revenue stream to enthusiastic franchisees at our annual conference in San Diego,” said Ralph Askar, president & CEO of Instant Imprints Franchising.  “As a premier promotional franchise, we’re honored to partner with Toshiba, a leading manufacturer of copiers and multi-function printing products.  Our leadership team developed the largest non-food franchise in the U.S. by making strategic partnerships.  And we’re using that strategy again.  We’re confident our footprint will grow because of the Toshiba/Instant Imprints partnership.”

The first Instant Imprints franchise location was opened in San Diego in 2002.  Currently, there are more than 40 globally.  “The team driving Instant Imprints forward truly impressed us. Toshiba is excited to be working closely with them to help franchisees succeed and grow,” said Larry White, vice president, Sales, TABS.

About Instant Imprints

Instant Imprints helps customers promote.  The company has revolutionized the promotional advertising industry by combining multiple businesses (screen printing, embroidery, wide format printing, heat transfers, and promotional products) into one efficient business model – the first and still the only franchise to combine these businesses into one model.  Every business, school, organization or group needs to promote in order to grow.  Instant Imprints empowers its franchisees to imprint on anything from business apparel, event banners, trade show displays, custom t-shirts, pens mugs and business cards, to cars and buildings.  Instant Imprints has been ranked as one of Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 10 New Service Franchises.  CEO Ralph Askar, with 23 years hands-on franchising experience, brings to Instant Imprints a proven record of accomplishments as one of Mail Boxes Etc. and The UPS Store's most successful multiple Area Franchisee's and Multiple International Master Licensee's.  Askar was an officer of Mail Boxes Etc. parent company from 1995-1997.

About TABS

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the seventh largest electronics/electrical equipment company in the world. TABS is a leading provider of managed print and professional services (MPS and PS), and manages product planning, marketing, sales, service, support and distribution of copiers, facsimiles, multifunction printing products, network controllers, and toner products throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. MPS and PS are strategic focus areas for the company, which first developed and began marketing the Encompass™ MPS program in 2003. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TABS has five divisions:  the Electronic Imaging Division; the Toner Products Division; the Document Solutions Engineering Division; the International Division; and Toshiba Business Solutions (TBS), a wholly-owned subsidiary corporation of TABS, that operates a network of wholly-owned office equipment dealers throughout the United States. Honored with the Channel’s Choice top award for “Superior Performance” eleven times by the Business Technology Association (BTA), Toshiba's entire product line, customer support and marketing distribution policies are markers for the industry. For more information on Toshiba products, programs, solutions and services.