Home Forums Sign Making Discussions Off Topic Chat How To Get Started – Advice Required

  • How To Get Started – Advice Required

    Posted by marcusmc on 7 November 2006 at 23:15

    Hi all,

    If you read any of my previous posts (not many) you may know that I am involved in the glass & crystal engraving business. I engrave by hand and also by sandblasting. I have looked for a bit of advice and info on that topic but this forum is obviously more geared to the sign industry.

    Having had a bit of an interest in printing & signs from afar and having read a lot of posts and interesting topics I am interested in getting into this type of business initially in a small way. I am very computer literate, work well with my hands, keep cool under pressure and lot of other boring stuff.
    As with Lee’s post I would be gratefull for any advice form anyone on the forum with regard to entering this area of business. I am based in Waterford, Ireland.

    Enough waffle, any help/advice appreciated.

    Thanks

    Marcus

    marcusmc replied 18 years, 11 months ago 4 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • Phill Fenton

    Member
    7 November 2006 at 23:33

    I would recomend you read a book called "Mastering Layout" by Mike Stevens.

    Anyone can make signs – it’s not that difficult – making signs that look good is not an art but can be learned. This book is a very good starting point.

    Good luck. I started ten years ago with no prior experience. 😉

  • Robert Lambie

    Member
    7 November 2006 at 23:38

    i bought the book phill speaks about at the scottish letterheads meet, havent had time to sit down and get into it but from what i have read it is very good and comes across easy to understand by the way its presented.
    "hope that makes sense?" :lol1:

    what sort of area of signs do you want to get involved in most and where do you think you may need most help?

  • marcusmc

    Member
    7 November 2006 at 23:39

    Thanks Phill,

    I’ll look up that book.

    Marcus

  • marcusmc

    Member
    7 November 2006 at 23:56

    Robert,

    quote :

    what sort of area of signs do you want to get involved in most and where do you think you may need most help?

    I would be more interested sublimation type work and also small signs, window graphics and vehicle graphics, I think? Stuff that could be done with the equivilant of a printer/plotter/cutter & heatpress etc… ( I’m not sure on the correct terminology).

    Thanks

    Marcus

  • Tony Walton

    Member
    23 November 2006 at 13:23

    Hi Marcus, I started with a city and Guilds course at Preston College. Have a look at your local colleges for courses. It was a really quick and easy way into the industry. The teacher was superb and lined me up with all his contacts and suppliers. I use his layout advice and techniques to this day, 8 years on.

  • marcusmc

    Member
    23 November 2006 at 19:18

    Thanks Tony,

    Sounds like a plan. Really good way of going about things. I will see what courses are available.

    Thanks again,

    Marcus

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