Advice needed on starting my sign business please?

[Robert Lambie]

lots of things to take into consideration, not just a case of software and cutter.

Software, ide say Signlab.
Cutter, ide say Graphtec or Roland.

[Mike Grant]

An artistic background, without that you will just become another sticker cowboy killing the legit businesses who have operated for years. Get yourself a few books on layout and study them till you go crosseyed. And most important if you ask questions on here listen to the answers. We have had muppets on the forum who just won’t listed no matter what advise is given. Sorry to be harsh with your first posting but I have seen to many people with all the gear and no idea. Just remember that as a beginner to the industry we tend to treat you as just another cowboy trying to muscle in on what seems on the outside an easy trade to get into, well just for your information it’s not, it takes years to learn layout, balance, what fonts to use, colour combinations etc etc.
I don’t want to destroy you before you start but we all have to start somewhere, I was trained by an established company and it took me a few years under constant supervision before I was confident to say I was able to design a good sign without asking for a second opinion. You are jumping in the deep end doing what you are planning and if truth be told if you sell your talents make sure you have a talent to sell.
Good luck.

Here endeth the first lesson. 😉

[Gary Rutter]

thanks guys for the response, i will take everything on board what you have said.
i know i have got tons to learn, and i’m not going to learn it over night, im trying to get on training course’s but no joy yet,I’ll see if i can get some books somewhere.

thanks Gary

[Neil Davey]

quote Mike Grant:

An artistic background, without that you will just become another sticker cowboy killing the legit businesses who have operated for years. Get yourself a few books on layout and study them till you go crosseyed. And most important if you ask questions on here listen to the answers. We have had muppets on the forum who just won’t listed no matter what advise is given. Sorry to be harsh with your first posting but I have seen to many people with all the gear and no idea. Just remember that as a beginner to the industry we tend to treat you as just another cowboy trying to muscle in on what seems on the outside an easy trade to get into, well just for your information it’s not, it takes years to learn layout, balance, what fonts to use, colour combinations etc etc.
I don’t want to destroy you before you start but we all have to start somewhere, I was trained by an established company and it took me a few years under constant supervision before I was confident to say I was able to design a good sign without asking for a second opinion. You are jumping in the deep end doing what you are planning and if truth be told if you sell your talents make sure you have a talent to sell.
Good luck.

Here endeth the first lesson. 😉

Read this again and again. There’s a lot more to the art of sign writing / making than meets the eye.
I’ve been in the trade over 30 years (hard to believe I know :wink:) and I’m still learning.

Best of luck though and treat the trade with respect.

[David Hammond]

I started my business 14months ago, after taking over from a family member.

Luckily its kind of the family business so I’ve had help along the way. But most has come from the boards.

There’s a lot more than just cutting sticky back plastic and sticking it to a van or sign.

Firstly – think business. Where will you trade from, what market will you target, PRICING!! The industry doesn’t need devaluing any more!

Have you written your business plan, cash flow forecast, how you’re going to live for the first X months until you make enough money to draw a wage?

All the above should be 1st consideration. Don’t know if you have done these yet?

[David-Foster-]

quote Mike Grant:

if you sell your talents make sure you have a talent to sell.

😎 Mike, that has to be the best line I have ever seen on these boards. It should go on a header below the uksignboards logo :lol1:

[Mike Grant]

quote David-Foster-:

quote Mike Grant:

if you sell your talents make sure you have a talent to sell.

😎 Mike, that has to be the best line I have ever seen on these boards. It should go on a header below the uksignboards logo :lol1: