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Signextra speaks to RGS Signs & Screen Printing Scotland
Ed Rowlands & Nicola McIntosh
RGS Signs & Screenprinting, Forfar, Scotland
We both started out in the trade straight from school. Ed started in 1962 screen-printing with ‘modern design’ in Dundee. Then a job in London hand cutting stencils for major clients like ‘Guinness’ was another aspiring move. Valentines greeting cards was his next challenge, learning fine art lettering, which inspired his next move….self employment. Producing mainly screen-printing graphics & signage. Nicola then joined forces with Ed in 1983, after a year in the Dundee Rep theatre designing & producing stage sets. We both work brilliantly together, obviously as interests are shared. Our customers are mostly repeat business, which is what we have strived for over the years. Being particular and ‘fussy’ is certainly what the customers want.
1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN OUR TRADE?
Ed 44 yrs Nicola 22 yrs
2. WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN SIGN MAKING?
We are both very artistic and have always had a passion for producing and wanting to show our work in the commercial world
3. IF YOU WERE ABLE TO START OVER, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD DO DIFFERENTELY?
Yes definitely, would have been more eager to buy the latest equipment that was around at the time, you only realise this obviously as the years go by, when your customers are demanding there products quicker
4. IF YOU HAD A CHOICE JUST NOW, WHAT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT YOU MOST LIKE TO OWN & WHY?
We are seriously considering a large format printer, as more & more customers are asking for the service on a daily basis
5. HOW DO YOU FEEL YOUR BUSINESS HAS DEVELOPED, SINCE STARTING?
It has developed immensley. It has steadily turned over at the pace we wanted, from just ourselves producing work in the biginning, to nine staff printing 40,000 pieces of material a week for LEVI STRAUSS, using the latest semi-automatic screen-printing machinery. That was the most challenging contract we have tackled, and a learning curve into mass production. We went back to just working for ourselves, which we enjoy now even more, our artistic skills ‘flow’ better when the pressure is off!! No more HUGE overheads, we work all the unforeseeable hours, but at a speed we enjoy.
6. DO YOU HAVE A CHOSEN SPECIALITY?
Ed’s is his hand lettering, from sign writing one-off signs to smaller detailed fine-art signage. Nicola’s has jumped from the sign writing to CAD design and applying all vinyl work.
7. IS THERE A GOAL YOU ASPIRE TOO?
Perfection
8. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE SUPPLIER AND WHY?
Good question!! All suppliers differ in either, quality products, great delivery, Terrific prices, but they all have their ‘niche’ in the market, but have bad points too….so EUROPOINT DISPLAY SPANDEX VECTORWISE RACOON Are just a few, which all have the above, but in different ways!!
9. WHAT IS YOUR PET HATE ABOUT THE SIGN BUSINESS?
Shoddy work, is our major grumble with the trade just now, people accepting Work, which we would not put out our front door.
10. DO YOU FIND THE INTERNET HELPS YOUR BUSINESS?
It definitely works for us, as communicating with customers is such a breeze And now with all the fast technology…graphic media is just a click away!!
10. HAS REGISTERING WITH THE UKSIGNBOARDS.COM BEEN OF BENEFIT TO YOUR BUSINESS & IF SO WHY?
Goodness me, do you want an answer? (ha-ha) of course it is has!! Being in this trade you learn new things everyday, from new products (especially in the screen-printing) to technological hardware, and most importantly being together as a group sharing all our knowledge to help others
11. WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT IN THE SIGN BUSINESS?
Have confidence in your abilities…strive towards producing quality and most importantly…enjoy it at the same time!!
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17 Replies
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Its nice seeing our members put in the limelight a little. Signextra & the mag stuff you are doing Rob is great. I particularly like reading the write-ups our members have done like this & Phills … look forward to seeing all the others.
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couldnt agree more carrie. i really like seeing members doing these type of writeups. how/when they started and pictures of work that they do. its great to have people like nik, ed.. alison & phill etc to take the time & do one of these questions & answer sections for the site and magazine.
at that, i thank you all for putting the time in. ide be lost without you all… 😀 -
Really enjoyed this read 😛 Well done to all involved
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Ed ‘Rowland(s)’? are we related? On my family tree there is a Edward, he seems to run aronud the country wheeling-dealing (shoemaking to Shooting) and then disapears? Does this sound familar?
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Interesting read, its nice to get to know a little more about what other members are doing and how they started in the trade 😀
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some really nice work here..
I wish you both continued success..Jon
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well done to both of you.
L J
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Brilliant :cheer:
:cheer:Lynn
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thanks everyone for the lovely comments…it means a lot to me 😉
nik (oops & ed) 😀
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Well done Nik. Its always good to get a more in depth “read” about fellow signmakers involved in the business. How do you see your business developing in the future?
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quote Phill:how do you see your business developing in the future?
thanks phil 😀
i honestly just want it to stay where it is…. 😀 everthing ticks over everyday, a big thanks for that goes to my valued customers, and not forgeting my buddies on the board….you make my work even more enjoyable 😉nik
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Is that Ed in that picture with you Nik, or Sam Torrance? He doesn’t look old enough to have 44 years in the trade 😮
Seriously, interesting read and quality work. 😀
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quote Marcella:Is that Ed in that picture with you Nik, or Sam Torrance? He doesn’t look old enough to have 44 years in the trade 😮
that is ed marcella 😀 i’ll away and tell him what you said…he’ll be going about with a huge smirk on his face the whole night 😀 (specially cause you mentioned it) 😉
nik
thanks for the comments 😉
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Who is Sam Torrance 🙄 do I need to see a picture?
Lynn
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quote Lynn:Who is Sam Torrance 🙄 do I need to see a picture?
Lynn
Famous Scottish golfer Lynn, was ryder Cup Captain. (I think)
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quote Marcella:quote Lynn:Who is Sam Torrance 🙄 do I need to see a picture?
Lynn
Famous Scottish golfer Lynn, was ryder Cup Captain. (I think)
ye but eds better looking 😉
nik
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OK Nik I don’t need to see Sam Torrence then 😛
Lynn
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