r/signshop

Hi all! I have been in the large format signage industry for six years. I started in production design setup, preparing files for print and CNC work then I went to college for design and now I do the front end Design work for another printing shop. I have decided that I am ready to be a business owner and become a freelance Graphic Designer but I don't want my shop experience to go to waste, however I do not want to own a printer etc. I have been thinking of offering production ready print files, permit proofs and maybe even vending whole signs. I have confidence in my Sales and Design abilities but thats about where my confidence ends, I dont come from wealth and I don't have a business owning community around me I can ask questions to so that alone makes me nervous about starting out right and its difficult to just get my brain into gear and do it.

Are there people in here who are currently doing what I am hoping to be doing so I can feel a little more comfortable going full steam ahead with getting my business license?

I know this is a long shot, but I need a big roll of material. Does anyone know where I can get it?

Hey all,  

I'm currently looking for manufacturers for a signage project and trying to get a clearer picture of which custom signage manufacturers in China are reliable. We have a mix of needs across a few upcoming projects, including retail storefront work and larger wayfinding for a mixed-use development.

Specifically looking for manufacturers who can handle:

• Illuminated / non-illuminated channel letters
• LED & LCD digital signage (kiosks, video walls, wayfinding displays)
• Modular wayfinding systems for malls, hospitals, or transit hubs
• Turnkey service, including design, production, and installation

Curious to hear from anyone who has sourced digital signage solutions from China.

Appreciate any advice!

Just signed a 2 week lease for a vintage pop-up and the location is perfect for foot traffic.
But the landlord is super strict about the storefront glass..no vinyl or adhesive signage at all bc they don’t want cleanup after

Right now the shop looks completely empty from the street and I open on tuesday.. 😭 i need a way to put branding and our IG handle on the door without breaking the rules

Someone suggested static window clings (no glue, just peel off after), so I’m trying to figure that out fast
I was checking Signs and Uprinting for turnaround options but I’ve never used static ones before

Do the clear ones actually sit flat or do they end up looking bubbly/cheap? I need it to look clean but still be removable in seconds when I leave

I typed a whole long post out, realized I’d throw a tldr on it if I saw it.

Long story short, drowning in the sea of shopvox alternatives, lovers and haters. Looking to see what there is for alternatives as the increased cost and lack of support is driving me nuts.

My shops 2 employees, 300 customers, 150-300 transactions a month, sales of +\- 750k a year. Our scope of works is anything digitally printed,l and apparel. I just need to track jobs from quote to invoice in one program. I need to send quote and proof reviews through the program, then track those jobs through our workflow, and send order ready invoice emails with payment links to our customers. I don’t need the fluff as we’re small. So no conversion charts, sales lead info

Am I stuck with shopvox at over $400 a month? I’m hoping someone’s in a similar boat to us employee to sales wise. It seems like a lot of the programs are for larger shops.

Thanks

TLDR small shop, decent sales volume, doesn’t love shopvox, need options

Hi, all. I've been in the industry for a bit over a decade, but I haven't done much on the pricing side of things. I am potentially going to be doing a shop drawing for a fairly complex monument sign that is going to take a good bit of thought and a bit of research as well.

I don't want to over charge, but I do want to make sure I'm making what I'm worth. The design is done, for the most part. I'm just doing the specs.

Does anyone have any good advice about pricing my time on this? I am near a couple of major cities in the south, if that helps.

Thank you in advance for any guidance.

And everyone else. I try to do a fair job with a fair price. But I am starting to think I am undercutting myself. What would you guys charge to install a 3x8 printed max metal sign onto a brick wall. About 12 feet up. Along with two 24x48 max metal signs on each side of an existing sign post. Along with a 12"x24" windows decal.

Edit: also there was a placement change that ended up having to go through permitting again. AND its a gov agency

Hi. I have a client that wants a metal sign that has their logo cutout. Anyone know any wholesale or trade-only fabricators I should reach out to?