By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
Don’t let the name Dow, Hebert and Plourde, Inc. confuse you because this company is a one-man show — with Darick Williams is that one man (and the manager).
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Darick Williams ‘makes the cut’ at Dow, Hebert and Plourde, Inc.
The Caribou business, which provides a wide variety of business and personalized print services, including business cards, memorial folders, buttons, bookmarks, stamps and booklets also offers a complete wedding service from invitations to photography and personalized photo albums. Videography is also on the list of available services and Williams will take all of those 35mm slides and negatives that have collected in boxes of best intentions and put them on DVDs.
Recently, Williams decided, after a lengthy time of research and consideration, to purchased a Carbon Epilog Laser machine, which is, “It’s a very basic machine and the only one of this size north of Bangor, that I am aware of,” stated Williams.
The impressive digital laser printer uses a 4,000 degree beam when set at its highest level, can be used to engrave on any type of material from paper, wood, glass and leather to granite and is operated by having whatever is to be printed (photos, words, art) scanned into a laptop computer program, Williams then places the object to be engraved on and sets the beam and within a very short time, the job is completed with precision and quality that is very impressive. The laser beam, when activated bounces off five different mirrors prior to actually hitting the surface of the object to be printed upon. The beam can be used to burn into wood, acrylic, metal, glass, even fine work created on ink-pens and the back of an Ipod.
“It’s a 10-year-old technology but it is now more affordable plus it uses very little electricity,” said Williams. “It is much cleaner, very, very precise and I can do engraving or printing on things as small as a pen box for an executive business gift, or on a piece of glass, granite, marble, leather or whatever my customer requests as large as 24 inches wide by 18 inches long. It is much cleaner than previous methods of engraving/printing and is very precise,” he added.
Among the other items Williams, who also is a graphic arts teacher at the Caribou High School Technology Center, creates are memorial plaques honoring family pets who have passed away. These keepsakes can contain a photo, not scanned onto, but laser printed onto any type of material a customer wishes, granite being a very popular choice.
Williams also provides a selection of urns that he again uses the laser to engrave the names of deceased loved ones. “I work with area funeral homes,” said Williams. “If a loved one has been cremated, I can provide a more personalized container into which the remains are placed. This type of memorial container is also available for deceased pets,” he said.
As with the other services Williams offers at Dow, Hebert and Plourde, such as his photography, samples of his work hang in his work space and range from Fenway Park to family gatherings and of course weddings. He recently completed a documentary regarding the Cold War and Loring Air Force Base, in conjunction with the Caribou High School social studies class earlier this spring. Williams also captured last year’s Sesquicentennial Parade on video, — sold as historical keepsakes.
Overall Williams’ work is completed within a 3-to-5 day period depending on the job and this includes ordering and receiving the item being used for his work, whether it is a set of anodized aluminum luggage tags or a cremation urn.
Dow, Hebert and Plourde, was founded in 1965 by Clarence B. Dow, Jr., Williams’ grandfather. The company brought microwave/cable television to the area along with 96.1 WFST and 96.9 WDHP radio stations. The company also operated the Radio Shack and Muzak franchises as well as a Christian book store. In 1992 DHP opened a print shop on Hershel Street and in 1994 moved the print business to the downtown mall.
In January of 2005, the business which is now entirely digital was relocated to its current location on 16 Summit Street, in Caribou.
For more information contact Williams at 498-3533 or e-mail darickw@ainop.com.
