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Been at it 15 Years…
It’s been 15 years since I entered the industry, and boy have things changed.
If you wanted Software it was one off cost, not monthly subscriptions. You’d easily be dropping £1000+ on Adobe.
The online thing hadn’t taken off, and things like PVC banners were a main stay, good money items. Roller banners were easily selling for £100 each, and before ‘so flat’ materials we were laminating grey back polyester with crystal laminate.
I can remember print reps coming in and collecting CD’s and Zip drives with artwork for print, then returning with hard copy proofs before going to print 🤣 I feel ancient, and it wasn’t that long ago.
Solvent was the go to ink, flat bed printing was available but not as common as today.
A recession + pandemic, and I still feel the current market is more challenging as there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the markets.
One thing I wish I knew many years ago, know your worth. Don’t be busting a gut for demanding customers, making next to nothing. There’s an abundance of companies who’ll do it, there’s no reason for me to either.
Who knows what the next 5, 10, or 15 years will bring 🤷♂️
What else has changed in our industry over recent years?
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7 Replies
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Yes there has been a great deal of change. When I started 29 years ago, it was all about vinyl cutting. Very few had printers capable of making outdoor durable signs – the Gerber edge was the prevalent means and very expensive. The internet was in it’s infancy – very few had email so invoicing and quotes were all done by letters. Sign making software was very expenzive – but it was a one off payment unlike the subscription based methods used by vendors to ensure an ongoing revenue stream. This method of subscription based is being adopted almost universally. Accounts packages such as Sage use it, even my wifes car has a subscription based option to have automatic headlight dimming. The system is in place in her car – but a monthly subscription is required in order to activate it. I could go on and on but I’m sure there will be many others contributing their thoughts?
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I am 36 years in the Industry and there have certainly been a lot of changes. (feels a bit like an AA meeting, this)😂🍺
I see many newcomers coming into the trade complaining about this and that, how this isn’t fair, business is hard, I can’t compete and so on. Their comments make me scoff and think, “Grow a pair!”From the traditional signwriter and his brush, to neon, cut vinyl, print, routing, laser, 3D print, LEDs, digital screens and more. We select our weapons of choice and fight the sign game battle. 😀
However, even if you are great at what you do, the general day-to-day running of a business can pull you under on its own. There are so many different aspects of running a sign company that you need to juggle, just to pay the bills and keep your head above water.
What lacks most in our industry is “proper” education, training and skill… it really is the pits.
Starting out new is not the problem. Everyone has to start somewhere. But your willingness to learn, improve and adapt dictates how far you progress.
Unfortunately, the “let’s have a go at this” approach to signs, print, and wrapping is all too common these days.
Throw in the biggest looming vulture of our industry, which will close down more businesses faster than ever before. “The Government”. -
Yep, at the old age of 41 i have been in the game now for 26 years.
From starting weekends for a small firm while at school, to going full time then off to another small firm, then to a larger firm on an industrial scale, to self employed subby, to starting on my own from a cold damp farm barn, to moving countries and starting again – its been a rollercoaster.
Like you say much has changed and now it seems to be atleast that everyone wants your money just to turn the lights on in the morning. I prefer the old ways of buying outright and am still just about holding on, still using cs5 but once this computer kicks it, im guessing i will have no choice but sign-up.
I was actually saying to the wife the other day that i feel like the old guy in the game thats stuck in his ways and not keeping up with the changes. I guess everything is just going ok and i dont see much but added stress with all the changes that would happen.
I’m much of the mindset “if its not broke……” but i know that shouldn’t be the attitude if you want a successful high flying business.
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The pandemic, and recessions were nothing compared how things feel at the moment. It’s almost like people are sat on their hands, waiting for ‘something’, but nobody knows what. As Rob said the government aren’t doing any favours at the moment and I don’t expect the next budget change that.
It does feel a bit counter-productive at times, I’ve spent many a day or afternoon sat at home as there’s nothing to do in the workshop. I’ll be heading home shortly today. But the business is still profitable.
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Well, if your not up to your neck in debt and your still earning enough, take this time to enjoy life a little. Don’t stress about what you can’t control.
Its funny, I’ve always been a high passed person. I think the industry and lifestyle in england makes you like it if you want to succeed. Its normal.
I used to work by the hour, knowing any wasted time was time out of my pocket. Then over the years it turned to a day, then a week….. now i’m at a month but i can see in the future me only worrying about if the year hits the numbers. I think a lot of that comes with progressive growth and not taking on debt to run your business.
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My eyes were opened when visiting the far east, a completely different way of life. People living with very little who were all quite happy and content, no rushing and stressing. Did make me wonder what on earth I was doing. I told a friend about this when he went with his dad, thought I was chatting rubbish and came back with the same mentality.😂
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Jees! Just realised that it’s 31 years in this industry. Maybe should have stuck to being a sparky…
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