By Melissa Donovan
In April 2009, Carol Boyd and Ann Dominiski, GM and sales manager, respectively, purchased Dodge Color from its retiring founder. Operating since 1980, it serves the metropolitan region of the District of Columbia, MD, and VA—referred to as DMV. The new co-owners expanded the scope and breadth of the business in May 2010, acquiring Chrome Imaging.
The merged entities became what is today known as Dodge-Chrome. “The name is significant in the DMV area, as both companies are premier photo providers. Together, we offer high-quality graphics and printing services including photographic and large format printing, installation, design, production, high-resolution scanning, and retouching to a diverse customer base throughout the U.S.,” share Boyd and Dominiski.
A 17,000 square foot facility in Silver Spring, MD boasts a staff of 18, offering everything from custom large format printing and installation, trade show exhibits and graphics, design and production to museum-quality prints and scanning, digital retouching, photo and inkjet fine art printing, and mounting and framing eco-friendly signage.
Above: Dodge-Chrome relied on materials from Sihl to create an immersive office environment for Stanley Black & Decker.
Top Knowledge
Known for its quality, precision, and efficiency, Dodge-Chrome was presented with a noteworthy project in Spring 2026.
Stanley Black & Decker is a worldwide leader in tools and outdoor power equipment. It manufactures power tools, hand tools, storage, digital job site solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products, and engineered fasteners to support builders, tradespeople and do-it-yourselfers. Well-known brands include BLACK+DECKER, CRAFTSMAN, Cub Cadet, DeWalt, and Stanley.
The manufacturer was looking for a local supplier—an added bonus 100 percent women owned—to jazz up a newly renovated building part of its Towson, MD campus. Boyd and Dominiski say Stanley Black & Decker provided Dodge-Chrome with clear objectives. The company wanted “bright, bold, and colorful graphics to enhance the space for their employees and promote their brands and products.”
“This project was about more than enhancing the physical space—it was about creating an environment that reflects our brands, values, and the people who work here every day. Partnering with Dodge-Chrome allowed us to work with a trusted local vendor that shares our focus on quality and sustainability, while delivering bold, high-impact graphics that bring our brands to life throughout the building,” shares Bill Beck, president, tools and outdoor, Stanley Black & Decker.
At the outset, Dodge-Chrome’s capabilities stood out and more importantly its experiences with and knowledge of the best media and hardware for the job at hand. The Stanley Black & Decker team wanted to outfit several walls in the building with full graphics, some would also include pictures that popped a bit more via another method of application.
Boyd and Dominiski turned to Sihl Inc. and its vast media portfolio. First, wall graphics.
Understanding that Stanley Black & Decker had sustainability in mind while outfitting this building, Dodge-Chrome chose Sihl 2505 WallBliss Type II coated satin nonwoven media. Offering a textile-like finish, it is ideal for commercial spaces thanks to features like stain resistance and scrubbability. The media is eco-friendly because it is not only PVC-free, but also FSC, ASTM-E84, and Class A certified.
“As part of our ESG commitment, we were intentional in using eco-friendly materials that support sustainability while enhancing the everyday work environment for our employees,” notes Beck.
A heavy weight—300 gsm—2505 WallBliss Type II offers great dimensional stability, allowing for ease in pasting to the wall. An added plus, the Dodge-Chrome team finds it much easier to install than comparable materials they have used in the past.
For the second type of application, used to make specific imagery stand out from the wall graphics, the project team decided to design acrylic face mounts hung with metal hanging frames. The face mounts were printed to Sihl 3999 Maranello 8G instant dry, glossy photo paper, which features a 7.5-mil thickness and neutral white to offer a wide color gamut as well as accurate skin tones.
“The Sihl materials were integral. We selected them based on our extensive industry experience with the printing and installation of these specific types of products,” note Boyd and Dominiski.
When it came to printing the graphics, the print provider operates a variety of devices in house on a daily basis including hardware from both Canon U.S.A., Inc. and Epson.
For this particular job, a Canon Colorado 1650 UVgel roll printer was used to print to 2505 WallBliss Type II. The 64-inch printer offers up to 1,800 dpi resolution and features FLXfinish technology, which allows for instantly dry prints at a low temperature.
The Sihl 3999 Maranello 8G photo paper on the other hand was printed on an Epson SureColor P20000 64-inch roll-fed printer using UltraChrome HDX ink, a high-performance, ten-color pigment ink set.
68 acrylic face mounts at 48×32 inches were printed to the Sihl 3999 Maranello 8G and 3,000 square feet of wall graphics were printed to the Sihl 2505 WallBliss Type II. Finishing that much media meant turning to automated equipment.
Between the print provider’s Sharpcut router from Colex Finishing Solutions, Inc., which cuts materials up to 2.5 inches in thickness; a 54-inch Graphtec America FC7000MK2-130 cutting plotter; and a 36×51-inch Laguna Tools SmartShop Laser Ex CO2 laser cutter and engraver, the team was able to meet production deadlines throughout the process.
“This technology streamlines our in-house production by providing precise cutting and trimming, which allows for greater efficiency and faster turnaround times,” state Boyd and Dominiski.
Overall, between consulting with the Stanley Black & Decker team, test prints, color matching, final printing, and fabrication, the production process took between two and three weeks.
Color matching was one of the more strenuous parts of the process. Ensuring that each logo from the various brands associated with Stanley Black & Decker would be printed properly required precise color management.
“Our brand colors carry meaning, and getting them right matters. Whether it’s CRAFTSMAN red or DEWALT yellow, we wanted to ensure exact color matching across all applications, including our workplace, so the environment feels as authentic and on-brand as the products we build,” shares Beck.
Dodge-Chrome also handled installation, which lasted a little over seven days. It was a smooth process thanks to not only the ease of installing Sihl’s 2505 WallBliss Type II but the installation team was also able to use Stanley Black & Decker equipment for the duration of the project.
“The Stanley Black & Decker team was incredibly organized throughout the entire process, from the initial site visit and receipt of graphic files to the final installation. They were excellent to work with and we look forward to our continued partnership,” share Boyd and Dominiski.
“We couldn’t be happier with the final result. The space looks incredible and truly reflects the iconic brands we build, making it something our teams feel proud to walk into every day. The team at Dodge-Chrome was professional, extremely detail oriented, and a great partner from start to finish,” admits Beck.
According to Darren Speizer, VP of sales and marketing, Sihl, consulting with Stanley Black & Decker and Dodge-Chrome and contributing to the overall project was memorable. “The opportunity to deliver high-quality print media that met both the visual and ESG objectives was a true privilege. The final results are amazing—with stunning, impactful brand messaging throughout the Stanley Black & Decker facility, enhancing the environment for employees and visitors alike.”
Bright and Bold
A combination of the right hardware, materials, and collaborative partnership yielded the perfect end result. To quote Boyd and Dominiski, “bright, bold, and colorful graphics” now find a home in the Towson, MD building.
May2026, Digital Output
