new business tips

[Dave & Rob Lowery]

By the sounds of it, a good bank manager and a large overdraft facility 😀

[John Gregson]

and plenty of orders :lol1:

[rugnugdo]

sould be ok, i got the computer, scanner, photocopier, A3 printer, circular saw, digital camera

just want some advice regarding the other stuff

[David Rogers]

Computer – i have illustrator CS Does this support a plotter / the plotter of your choice?
Cutter? – thinking of getting Grathtec 24" CE3000-60 Graphtecs are good machines – but concider other reputable brands such as Roland, Summa, Kyocera, Mimaki etc.
Scanner
PhotoCopier
A3 printer
selection of vinyl – not sure what to stock? Get started with a basic range of a dozen colours. Stock nothing with under a 5 year lifespan. Black, white, primaries, gold & silver etc.
selection of application tape – inc dispenser – again what to stock? Buy it by the ‘log’ 1200mm cut to 1@ 610, 2@ 300mm. Your choice of paper Hi-tack, or clear. Ask a supplier for samples.
Tools inc Scalpels, Squigees etc any handy tools that i would overlook rulers / straight edge.
cutting mats – buy a big sheet of Polypropylene (£30 tops for 8×4) virtually indestructable with a knife.
cutting table – build myself – size? At least 8’x4′ – as this will be your standard PVC sheet size.circular saw – useful for cutting alloy frame / trim
digital camera
Sheets of foam board & signboard – should i stock any If your supplier is nearby no, otherwise 5 sheets of white foam PVC & the same in fluted polyprop (correx) to get you started. Most do a 2-3 day delivery at about £15-20 each though!
step ladder
fluid chems – whats fluid chems do i need Meths or Isopropyl alcohol. You can get specialised application fluids – but you can get by with a couple of DRIPS of washing up liquid or baby shampoo per litre of water.

what else do i need to consider – customer base….orders & dedication to quality & service. ie. A reputation.

Hope that helps a wee bit.

Dave

[rugnugdo]

selection of vinyl – not sure what to stock? Get started with a basic range of a dozen colours. Stock nothing with under a 5 year lifespan. Black, white, primaries, gold & silver etc.

how many metres of each colour would be sufficient?

[Harry Cleary]

Hi and the best of luck in your new venture, I think you are going to have to ‘dive off the deep end’ a bit here, you will never know what you are going to need until you need it. I havent used mettallic vinyl since I got my plotter almost a year ago and i bought in 20 metres of the stuff. Buy what you can afford and be sure to watch your cashflow carefully and you should have no problems, allow the customer to dictate what you will need. Best to find a supplier with a good reputation for on time delivery and take it from there. Other than that, the equipment advice given here is sound. I would like to know were to get Polypropylene from?

[David Rogers]

quote rugnugdo:

selection of vinyl – not sure what to stock? Get started with a basic range of a dozen colours. Stock nothing with under a 5 year lifespan. Black, white, primaries, gold & silver etc.

how many metres of each colour would be sufficient?

OK, I had a big(ish) budget when I set up this venture and (…good point Harry) knew what sold in my area…and what didn’t and bought accordingly.

I still shift loads of medium & dark blues, black, gunmetal, yellow, dark green, silver & gold (NOT shiny films) & red. Less brown, burgundy, grass green, pale blue, mint etc. And a smattering of every other colour in the book…..

I’d suggest getting in 10m of black, a medium blue, red, med/dark green & yellow to get you started, and maybe 5m of the other colours you want to sell. Not gonna break the bank – but it’ll stop you from having to turn away work because you don’t have the colour there & then. When starting out you can’t afford to add a couple of days to your deliveries or turn away work!!

ps. your colour range will increase & change as in most cases you can push the customers to your way of thinking. Show them what the asked for….and give them an alternative as your take on the design. Keep EVERYTHING you ever designed – it becomes a library of ideas to modify & rob for parts…and can dig you out of a mental block when you just can’t be bothered to think of something totally original!!

Dave

[Lorraine Clinch]

Don’t forget white vinyl-white, black, silver, gold, ultramarine, red burgundy and forest green-these are probably the most used colours in my stock.

[Alistair Richards]

If you’re gonna be doing vehicles, I would reccomend getting the little magnetic grippers from VKF Renzel – 01527 585058, very handy tools, and a white and black chinagraph pencil.

quote :

I would like to know were to get Polypropylene from?

I too would also like to know where to get Polypropylene from.

Ali

[Brian Little]

oh and one more thing …keep the title "Graphic Designer" as soon as you call yourself Sign Maker the price drops 😀 😀 i wish you luck

[David Rogers]

I buy mine (one sheet every couple of years!) from Stockline Plastics. (Dundee & Glasgow)

3mm White Polypropylene 8’x4′ – about £20 plus VAT.

It’s also fairly non-stick – sometimes a blessing…sometimes a curse.

Dave

[rugnugdo]

who does everyone reccomend as a supplier or do you use more than one, i have heard good things of Hexis and Metamark?

[Marcella Ross]

I use Metamark vinyl most of the time, it’s good. But if you want a better colour range then Mactac, Oracal and Avery are really good.
Hexis isn’t one I’d go for …. but that’s personal preferences.

white, black, ultramarine blue, red, yellow, gold, silver – staples for any sign company!

The thing is, you don’t need to sit with a huge stock when you start…. all these companies will deliver next day so you can order vinyls when you need them, then gauge exactly what you want to hold instock after a while.

[Jill Marie Welsh]

You will also need business forms such as 2-part proposal sheets and receipts.
Also the first sign that you make should be one that reads:
NO WORK WITHOUT DEPOSIT
PAYMENT IS DUE WHEN SERVICES ARE RENDERED
I wouldn’t really stock up on vinyl until you get orders.
You will also need transfer tape, masking tape, yardstick/tape measure, marking pencils, squeegees, and maybe some application fluid.
love….Jill

[rugnugdo]

tell me a bit more regarding these 2-part sheets etc

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I have two-part proposal sheets.
They list the client’s name and vital info (fax, email, phone, address)
There are a few lines to describe what they are buying
(ex. one 4’x8′ single-sided sign on green Alumalite, lettered in white high-performance vinyl film- $500)
There is text underneath the lines to the effect that I require a 50% deposit, etc etc.
And that all artwork belongs to me unless purchased from me.
Then there is a spot for me to sign and date, and a place for them to sign.
That way they are aware of the costs, the colors, the materials, and most importantly the payment.
I’d post a piccy of it but can’t add an attachment in this forum.
love…..Jill

[rugnugdo]

could you me and pic? (mod-edit)

would be helpful cheers!

[Brian Little]

(-) (?) (?) 🙄

[Jill Marie Welsh]

😉

[rugnugdo]

is this one ok, i designed, anything i need to put on it, (any small print which protects me and my design wqorth adding?

the bennicholls is only so no one uses is that wont be on originals!