How Does a Vinyl-Sign Business Owner Spend a Workday?

A vinyl-sign business owner starts his workday by checking for orders that might have come in after-hours via voice message, email or through his website. He returns calls to verify orders. He also returns customer service-related calls, should a customer have an issue with an order or an order change.

Throughout the workday, as time permits, the owner will complete any administrative duties that need done, including employee payroll, updating employee benefits (time-off taken, insurance documents) and he will pay bills that are due for that day. Administrative duties also include checking inventory for vinyl, inks, paper, writing tools and other sign materials the vinyl-sign business owner may use throughout the day.

The vinyl-sign business owner will also work the counter. He deals with customers picking upand dropping off orders. Part of the counter job includes making sure he understands the customer's layout and color choices for his vinyl sign.

He will then create the vinyl signs the customer requests. Most vinyl signs are printed on a piece of vinyl with a magnetic backing. The vinyl-sign business owner will enter the customer's specifications into the computer, cut the vinyl to size, then send it through the printer. Vinyl is also used for large banners, which are not necessarily backed with a magnetic material. These signs normally have punch-holes in them so they can be hung across the front of a business.

At the end of the day, the vinyl-sign business owner will run sales and expense reports, inventory reports and sales tax reports. These reports are used for the end-of-month accounting that must be done for the business. Sales tax reports are sent to the state's department of revenue, and may be sent on a weekly basis or a monthly basis, depending on how the sales tax account with the state is set up.