jderry1978 16 Posted April 19, 2016 I joined the forums awhile back, but never did my introduction. So here goes. I am in the process of opening my own little sign and graphics company. Currently I am a deputy sheriff for a local county, but am being pressured by my doctor to change professions due to back and neck injuries sustained in the past. So I figured a sign shop is the way to go. Growing up, my first two jobs were with small sign shops and it really grew on me. I have always enjoyed it and over the years have bought some equipment here and there to do small decals as a hobby. So now I am going to give it one final try to make my little dream of having my own shop a reality. I believe I have the necessary equipment and software to run a succesful shop, I own the following equipment. 31" Laserpoint II Plotter 50" SC with Laser Plotter 24" Canon Imageprograf 650 Printer 60" HP Designjet L25500 Printer 61" HP L260 Printer 68" Titan 3 Plotter 16"x24" Heat press I use the following sign programs: Flexi 12 Vinylmaster XPT Adobe Illustrator So far, just word of mouth advertising is keeping me busy. I was able to get the local little league contract for sponsorship banners. I am shooting for a May 1st official grand opening. Which is when I will start to run local ads and send out some mailers. I am blessed to have a wonderful wife who is more supportive of this endeavor then I could have imagined, and 5 great kids that keep me excited about doing this every time I see how they react to a marvel superhero decal or t-shirt I make for them. I hope I don't get to annoying with my questions, as I am sure to have several. I am good with the software and the equipment. However I am uncertain of what exactly to charge customers for items. If I can be of assistance to anyone, don't hesitate to ask, I will help in anyway I can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted April 19, 2016 Hi from Idaho. I have seen a few posts but not officially said hello. I wish I had had the opportunity to work in a couple sign shops as a young man. It would have reduced the learning curve when I got into vinyl. Good luck with your endeavor. I run a small ma and pa part time out of my home. I have 7 kids so I totally hear you on that score. It's nice to be able to do cool things for your family. Every year that I have a senior in HS (about every other year) they have a class project called the Econ Summit where the classes split up in teams of 4 or 5 and pick a country to represent in a mock summit and they all have to wear t-shirts with the country and flag and misc lettering on them. I started out with my oldest making her team some sweet shirts and then every year since I have had a string of them bring shirts over to get decorated. I don't charge them much 'cause their HS kids and it's for school (usually about $4 sometimes a buck or two more) but it's been great advertising and fun to do. That kind of thing is really why I bought equipment in the first place and then the real money started rolling in from business clients and over the years has turned into a viable revenue stream. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwp99 283 Posted April 19, 2016 Hello and Welcome to the forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dawn's Design 403 Posted April 20, 2016 Welcome from Mississippi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jderry1978 16 Posted April 21, 2016 ty for the nice welcome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrfibble 77 Posted April 25, 2016 Welcome I served for 5 years in England Hope the business does well matey David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
