signmaker?

[J. Hulme]

We all know of their franchise(s) *rofl*

[Andy Gorman]

The questions that are missing: “What do you pay for materials? Answer: About twice as much as every other signmaker in the country”. “Why didn’t you just start a real sign business. A: Erm…………”

I have never understood why people become franchisees in a trade they don’t know.

[John Singh]

A more accurate description of the work described is signmaker.

Without taking anything away from the brilliant artwork and design produced by either digital and/or vinyl bods here on the site, the term signwriter is becoming a term more exclusive. Similar to the french polisher who everybody knows is a specialist in a particular field.

John

[Shane Drew]

quote big G:

The questions that are missing: “What do you pay for materials? Answer: About twice as much as every other signmaker in the country”. “Why didn’t you just start a real sign business. A: Erm…………”

I have never understood why people become franchisees in a trade they don’t know.

There is always someone who wants a ready made business, and not have to do the hard yards. Sign-A-Rama from USA has set up shop here in australia, and they are very competative, but they often apply the wrong products for the job. One franchisee I know supplied metalic when the client wanted reflective.

Simply put, you can not buy experience. In have found that franchisees usually end up at the mercy of their staff, because they have to employ someone who has the know-how.

Cheers
Shane

[Brian Little]

couldnt agree more nik

Regards Brian

[Jill Marie Welsh]

:vomit:

[Rodney Gold]

Actually , we all tend to glorify the “signwriter/maker” title.
Essentially we offer a service to increase the bottom line of our customers either with information , promotion or brand awareness. We should never consider ourselves elite artists or true craftsmen. We are here to serve.
Whatever you do and whatever the method of doing so , so long as you achieve results , that’s all that really counts.
Some folk are more creative than others at this and are more effective , thats the difference between a good signperson and a medicore or bad one.
In this business many tools are available and an experienced practioner will use the most appropriate regardless of their personal preference and will have the experience and vision to advise the client on what works best.
Signage is NOT an isolated function within a business. It has to be integrated within the business’s philosophy , its market position and the perception it wishes to generate to it’s customers. The signperson should NOT just be offering a “sign”.
To be really effective you have to be somewhat of a business consultant. YOU are responsible for a co’s image and we are considered the “experts” in this field.
Lets say a new client comes to you and asks for a logo for their new business , just using your creativity and designing something *you* think is good is actually not really that relevant. The choice of colours , fonts , sizes , graphics , materials , wording etc is TOTALLY dependant on the long term goals and business plan the client has. If he can’t express this to you or give you a good brief to work from , WE can’t be effective in terms of design. Designing a sign in isolation is floundering in the dark. The services of the signmaker should extend to stuff like letterheads , business cards , compliment slips , order books , vehicle graphics , interior and exterior decor , informational signage , uniforms , badges display and promotional material and so forth. The biggest mistake small businesses make is not thinking like big ones. All one has to do is put oneself in the position of a consumer and think of what would make the difference to you.
For example , an invoice hand written in a generic invoice book with a rubber stamped header hardly inspires confidence in the professionalty of the co issuing it. Same with business cards , those inkjet printed and laminted cards cut up with scissors or worse a piece of cardboard rubber stamped makes one think “mickey mouse”.
We are in a position to “shape” a business as signmakers and in doing so generate a lot more work for ourselves, essentially you want to be a partner in the business you are doing the work for.
The pride one gets when looking at a great sign one has done is doubled when you realise that your expertise , design and the integrated approach has actually been instrumental in the Co’s success. This in effect sets one apart from those that just churn out signs to a set formula (like most franchise operations)
The TRUE artistry in signage is the realisation that we are NOT just producers of nice graphics.

[Phill Fenton]

I think we may have strayed from Niks original point here.

I understood the original point was that in describing the work of a “Signwriter” the reader was then treated to a comprehensive description of the work of a “signmaker” (Vinyl, digital).

I occasionaly get phonecalls asking if we do “signwriting” and answer no. I then explain that we are a sign maker and describe the type of work we do. Usually the caller has been looking for a traditional signwriter (that could paint) and was phoning around local sign makers to find out if any of them did actual signwriting. Sometimes of course they don’t know the difference and couldn’t care less as long as they are able to get a sign made

Perhaps over time the world will forget the true meaning of the word “Signwriter” (someone who uses a brush and paint to write a sign) and eventually over time the modern day signmaker will also become known as a signwriter as appears to have happened on the original link posted by Nik.

[Keith Nilsen]

I absolutely agree with Phil. Signwriting and signmaking are two absolutely different creatures using very different skills in terms of manufacture, but exactly the same in terms of design and layout.

Rodneys description of the modern signmaker is probably the most comprehensive I have come across. It clearly puts into perspective the breadth of impact a signmaker can have on a business.

Now I would only like to have more customers who understood that concept without looking immediately to the cheapest option available!!