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Factory sign to quote… Help!
Hi all,
Up till now only really dealt with vehicle graphics and the odd shop door. Got an inquiry to supply… and possible fit a small factory sign about 6′ X 2′. Very basic job with black vinyl on a white background.
Trouble is, I have not got a clue what material to use for the backing or whether or not it needs framing? Also…. any tips on how to fix it up?
Your thoughts would be graciously received.
Addie
(:)
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9 Replies
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I know a lot of people would simply screw a foamex panel to the wall for a sign like this, but it is always a better job to use a frame. I buy mine ready made complete with foamex cut to size from Cherwells in Brackley. Cheap as anything, all you’ve got to do is apply graphics. All you do then is screw the frame to the wall, remove one end by undoing a couple of screws, and slide the panel in. Of course you don’t have to use foamex, Perspex is another alternative, but dearer. At the size you are talking about either would be suitable.
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Thanks for that. Wasn’t really sure what to ask for.
Dont like to call suppliers looking toooo much of a novice! (even though I am 🙁 )
How do you charge for something like that? Time wise its only going to be a matter of minutes and I imagine the board is not going to be a fortune. Do you take the end use into account, ie, the fact that its the company’s main advert, or would you have a minimum charge type affair for this type of work?
Questions… questions…..questions!!
(:)
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As Andy says, Foamex is your cheapest bet, but I’ve been using Reynobond/Dibond more and more recently. Its lightweight, extremely durable and easy to apply to. Prices vary, but I pay around £80 for a 10ft x 5ft sheet and if you buy any colour, the reverse is white, so there is very little wastage. The smaller pieces I use for smaller signs, I did a few signs for a church with the offcuts from a large shop sign.
Price wise, I’d charge about £250, but I’m told I’m a tad on the cheap side, so it may be better to wait for others to comment.
Good luck with it though 😀
Cheers, Dewi
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Hey,
thanks for that. Big problem for us is pricing. Most things like this are ‘first times’. we dont want to be too expensive…. but at the same time, we dont want to go the opposite.
Much appreciated
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Pricing ??.
I saw a driving school car the other day, covered silver text, looked like my 8 year old had put it on… bubbles, well their weren’t a smooth bit of vinyl on it.
I would have charged about £250-300 for that type of car and design, but it would have been done professionally.You get what you pay for, (pay peanuts and you get monkeys doing the work) you can’t charge full whack for a job that’s done crap, but then again some of the rubbish I’ve seen is beyond belief.
When using aluminium frames, you need to take into account hanging strips and panel locks, which stop the panels bowing and separating.
Just screwing Foamex to the wall looks cheap in my opinion. The panels need to be at least 10mm thick to stop warping, plus theres a lot more drilling and screwing involved, holes have to be spaced out evenly and all the same height etc, to make it look neat nothing worst than seeing screw holes all over the place.Simon
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I know what you mean about dodgy jobs. Being a novice and all that I find myself being quite sad really and examining every van and sign that I can get my hands on!! I cant believe the poor quality of some of the work out there.
It probably takes us twice as long as it should to do some of the jobs….. but when they are finished they do at least look like someone who knows what they are doing did the applying! All goes a bit pear shaped when someone wants to watch mind 😳
Its an aluminium frame we will be using. Supplier has told us that it fits direct to the wall from the inside, then just slide in the board and fix the final end. Easy! so they reckon! 🙁
Thanks for that
(:)
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I just did a supply job someone else fitting and I have to do at least 25% again due to bad fitting. To be fair to the guy I think a lot of it was to do with time constraints on his side
Touch of the “I am fast but by f$^* I’m rough”
Some of the stuff is whole design and shadow to replace and on the back door some whole words due to misplacement, even though I supplied detailed layout drawingd along with it.Bit off post but relevant to the last one.
Goop.
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Addie,
From what you have said, its sounds like your interested in signs and not just trying to make a quick buck..It’s good to look at other sign makers work; i still do it now, 18 years on,
It will give you some good ideas and what to avoid (learn by others mistakes type of thing).
With the way you doing things; taking time and not letting bad work go, you will soon get a reputation of a good quality sign maker and the work will start rolling in, may take a while but it will….most of my work comes from recommendation not advertising. Good Luck!Simon
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Cheers for that guys,
Need all the luck we can muster!!!
:praise1:
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