The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Technology has not only made our lives easier, it has also allowed us to be more creative in many areas.

One such area which is about to be transformed by cutting edge tech is the nail salon.

Digital nail printers, according to industry experts, are about to make a big splash. Combining printing technology with nail art, these small mobile machines often come with hundreds, sometimes thousands of pre-loaded nail designs. Some models have the added ability to customise your own design.

The machines have the ability to print high-quality images with pure photographic clarity right onto artificial or natural nails in seconds. For this reason, salon owners all over the world are adding these printers to their services as time-efficient money-makers.

The current market leader in digital nail printers is O’2 Nails, which was also the first company to put forward the concept of an electronic nail art designer combined with a printer. According to the company’s website, the purpose is to go beyond the limits of current nail design.

O’2 Nails produces portable printer machines like the Fullmate and ArtPro Nail. With these machines, users are able to download various designer nail styles onto the O’2 Nails mobile app and transmit them to the nail printer via Wi-Fi. The team at O’2 Nails believes manicurists can easily master any style with this technology.

Tribune Woman spoke with several Bahamian women to find out their thoughts on this advanced method of nail art.

Judith Sands said she sees it as a new way for people to show individuality and creativity.

“I think Bahamians will be very receptive as we love to wear our hearts on our sleeves, so this gives us a way to wear it on our nails. Art is for all ages, as it is a freedom of choice. (The) same way we get shirts or pins printed for special occasions, we can add our nails in the celebration as well,” she said.

However, Mikala Fox, who admitted to hearing about the digital nail printer for the first time, expressed some scepticism.

“I’m not sure I would consider having it done on me though. I am an avid nail customer and I love a great nail design, but this doesn’t look too long lasting. I visit my nail tech at least two weeks apart, and sometimes three weeks, and my nails are still intact. The acrylic and polish technique works for me, so this would have to be a ‘stick to what ya know’ decision for me. It would probably be something I purchase for my daughter to have some fun with, it reminds me of one of those makeup kits I would purchase for her as a little girl. With this one, I would have to stick to the old school route,” she said.

Meanwhile, licenced nail tech Iyeasha Storr-Williams said she sees the digital nail printer as being very time-efficient and offering unique designs.

“I have seen it before and I can say it is convenient. As a nail technician, I can tell you that when clients want designs and something different on their nails, we either draw or stamp various designs. But with this here, it is very quick and easy, so I think it is incredible. It makes our work easier, and the quicker we can do our work, the more clients we can take on,” said Iyeasha.

She explained that these printers are for clients who prefer elaborate designs on their nails, rather than those who want a simple polish and go.

“Some clients don’t like too much going on. But I think Bahamians would like this and would accept it with open arms because we as Bahamians love new things. I think as soon as someone offers the service here people will try it, and I think I am the one who will do it. I will definitely look it up and do more research. That would make my service much easier for clients that love designs,” said Iyeasha.