Entrepreneurs with a creative and artistic bent often find themselves drawn to the world of printing and sign making. This is a dynamic ind...
Entrepreneurs with a creative and artistic bent often find themselves drawn to the world of printing and sign making. This is a dynamic industry that is and will always be in high demand as every business, organization, and an individual has something they want to promote to the world at large. Owners of a sign printing business get to connect daily with these other entrepreneurs and motivated people in order to craft engaging and entertain designs personalized for their purpose.
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Jonathan Bricks @jonathanbrickss
If you don't drive your business, you will be driven out of business.
B. C. Forbes Quotes http://po.st/Z11s7A via @BrainyQuote
1:35 AM - 17 Nov 2016
B. C. Forbes Quotes
"If you don't drive your business, you will be driven out of business." - B. C. Forbesbrainyquote.com
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This is a very rewarding business to be in, but to be successful requires having the right type of equipment. If you like to design and love working in an industry in which you get to create and see the physical results of your creations, then owning a sign printing business might just be up your alley. The following is a quick look at the type of basic equipment you need to get on board:
Computer Aided Signmaking (CAS) or Design (CAD) Programs
CAS and CAD programs are specialty design software that takes sign production out of back rooms and onto the desktop. Forget about the antiquated sign painter of yesterday, even those with minimal artistic talent can become graphic geniuses with the right software tools at their fingertips. These modern programs allow businesses to design everything from the most intricate business card to the largest vinyl billboard quickly, easily, and with beautiful end results. It's important to choose a program that's versatile and comes with a variety of options, such as an extensive font collection, in order to ensure that you can meet all of your customers' needs.
Versatile Printing System
Printers are the core set of equipment at the heart of any commercial sign printing business. There are three primary types of printers that are defined by what they are used to print on—business owners can choose to specialize with one or diversify and offer a variety of printing options for their consumers.
Offset Printers. Primarily used in producing magazines, catalogs, direct mail, and other retail advertisements, this printing method transfers images from metal plates onto rubber blankets or rollers which are then printed onto the end-product.
Screen Printers. This printing type uses a mesh to transfer ink onto a substrate with a blocking stencil used to negate ink. Screen printing equipment is most often reserved for businesses specializing in fabric printing.
Digital Printing via Laser & Inkjet Printers. With both these types of printers, printing is done directly from a digital-based image to the desired end-product, such as paper or vinyl signs. This is the preferred printer used for on-demand jobs and a good starting platform for entrepreneurs new to the industry. Both commercial laser and inkjet printers are available via Amazon.
Cutting Equipment
Cutting systems are a key component of all printing businesses, but what type of equipment will depend on which type of printing you opt to specialize in. Small cardstock and digital printing require just standard hand operated cutters or hydraulic cutters, while vinyl sign printing often requires more sophisticated equipment for precision cutting of letters and graphics.
Accounting Software
Good accounting software is a must for every business, whether it's internet-based or has a brick-and-mortar front of operations. Accounting software allows efficient and effective tracking of inventory, sales, and expenses for seamless business operations.
Inventory
Finally, fast product turnover is the magic ingredient for customer satisfaction. Especially when it comes to the sign printing industry in which client businesses have a message they want to get out to their own customers, and fast. To do this, it's important to have a sufficient amount of inventory to meet customers' needs on demand. Whether you opt to specialize in paper or fabric printing, be smart and keep a variety of options available.
Investing in the aforementioned equipment is the first big, tangible step in realizing a dream of owning a print shop. Learn about the others here.
In Conclusion
No matter what type of business you own or you are planning to start, you have to have good equipment or else soon you will come across serious issues. What is your opinion on the topic? Please share your opinion or experience in the comment section bellow.
About the Author
Jenifer Huston
Jenifer Huston is a freelance writer and digital marketing consultant. (show bio)
Follow
Jonathan Bricks @jonathanbrickssIf you don't drive your business, you will be driven out of business.
B. C. Forbes Quotes http://po.st/Z11s7A via @BrainyQuote
1:35 AM - 17 Nov 2016
B. C. Forbes Quotes
"If you don't drive your business, you will be driven out of business." - B. C. Forbesbrainyquote.com
Retweets
likes
This is a very rewarding business to be in, but to be successful requires having the right type of equipment. If you like to design and love working in an industry in which you get to create and see the physical results of your creations, then owning a sign printing business might just be up your alley. The following is a quick look at the type of basic equipment you need to get on board:
Computer Aided Signmaking (CAS) or Design (CAD) Programs
CAS and CAD programs are specialty design software that takes sign production out of back rooms and onto the desktop. Forget about the antiquated sign painter of yesterday, even those with minimal artistic talent can become graphic geniuses with the right software tools at their fingertips. These modern programs allow businesses to design everything from the most intricate business card to the largest vinyl billboard quickly, easily, and with beautiful end results. It's important to choose a program that's versatile and comes with a variety of options, such as an extensive font collection, in order to ensure that you can meet all of your customers' needs.
Versatile Printing System
Printers are the core set of equipment at the heart of any commercial sign printing business. There are three primary types of printers that are defined by what they are used to print on—business owners can choose to specialize with one or diversify and offer a variety of printing options for their consumers.
Offset Printers. Primarily used in producing magazines, catalogs, direct mail, and other retail advertisements, this printing method transfers images from metal plates onto rubber blankets or rollers which are then printed onto the end-product.
Screen Printers. This printing type uses a mesh to transfer ink onto a substrate with a blocking stencil used to negate ink. Screen printing equipment is most often reserved for businesses specializing in fabric printing.
Digital Printing via Laser & Inkjet Printers. With both these types of printers, printing is done directly from a digital-based image to the desired end-product, such as paper or vinyl signs. This is the preferred printer used for on-demand jobs and a good starting platform for entrepreneurs new to the industry. Both commercial laser and inkjet printers are available via Amazon.
Cutting Equipment
Cutting systems are a key component of all printing businesses, but what type of equipment will depend on which type of printing you opt to specialize in. Small cardstock and digital printing require just standard hand operated cutters or hydraulic cutters, while vinyl sign printing often requires more sophisticated equipment for precision cutting of letters and graphics.
Accounting Software
Good accounting software is a must for every business, whether it's internet-based or has a brick-and-mortar front of operations. Accounting software allows efficient and effective tracking of inventory, sales, and expenses for seamless business operations.
Inventory
Finally, fast product turnover is the magic ingredient for customer satisfaction. Especially when it comes to the sign printing industry in which client businesses have a message they want to get out to their own customers, and fast. To do this, it's important to have a sufficient amount of inventory to meet customers' needs on demand. Whether you opt to specialize in paper or fabric printing, be smart and keep a variety of options available.
Investing in the aforementioned equipment is the first big, tangible step in realizing a dream of owning a print shop. Learn about the others here.
In Conclusion
No matter what type of business you own or you are planning to start, you have to have good equipment or else soon you will come across serious issues. What is your opinion on the topic? Please share your opinion or experience in the comment section bellow.
About the Author
Jenifer HustonJenifer Huston is a freelance writer and digital marketing consultant. (show bio)
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