How to Start a Sign-Making Company
Sign-making companies design and fabricate custom signs for business and residential customers. Full service sign companies include billboard, neon and electrical signs in their product lines. Many smaller companies narrow their focus to less expensive products easily made on their premises.
These smaller sign companies may specialize in vinyl signs, magnetic vehicle signs and colorful banners. Copy and graphics may be generated by a computer graphics program and then applied to the correct sign stock. These signs can easily be modified and reprinted if necessary (See References 1).
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Things You'll Need
- Business license
- Information on local business prospects
- Information on local business startups
- Information on other local sign-making companies
- Information on your product line
- Information on niche opportunities
- List of sign-making equipment
- List of sign-making supplies
- "New Business" signage package for startups
- Introductory business pricing information
- Price structure for churches and civic groups
- Price structure for teams and youth groups
Instructions
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1
Select your business structure. Engage a Certified Public Accountant with service business experience. Consult a commercial insurance agent to manage risks for the business and for employees. Finally, visit your city or county clerk's office to obtain a business license.
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2
Analyze your market. Since your customer base will likely include area businesses, examine a good cross-section of companies within your local area. Your local Chamber of Commerce membership list will provide this information (See Resources). In addition, ask the Chamber about projected new business startups, as those companies are good sign prospects.
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Identify your competition. Obtain information on other local sign-making companies' services. Drive by the company locations to gain an idea of their business size, and make some anonymous calls to inquire about their service and price structures. Look on their web site for additional information.
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Choose a strategic location. Select an area not well served by other sign-making companies and close to other businesses and service firms. Look for a site with at least two entry and exit driveways, and good visibility from the main road. Remember that well-made building signs will help you attract attention and advertise your business. Ensure that the building's interior has sufficient workspace to safely perform all your functions.
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5
Establish your product lines. Select signage products with demonstrated demand and for which you can create an attractive price and benefit package. In addition, identify unfilled niches for which you can capture some customers. Examples include affordable event signs for non-profits, or business "sandwich board" signs that feature paste-on boards for different sale events.
Prepare a brief description of each product line. Where applicable, include basic and deluxe versions of each sign product. Offer volume discounts for multiple orders from the same source (e.g. real estate signs).
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Order sign-making equipment and supplies. List the equipment needed to make each sign product, along with consumable supplies such as different colored vinyl and magnetic sign stock. Remember that good quality equipment will stand up to the rigors of daily use. Compare several sources and look for bulk discounts if applicable (See Resources).
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Hire friendly sign-savvy staff. Find experienced sign makers with top-notch customer service skills. Competent and friendly staff can help a customer convert his single-sign order into a package of business identification materials.
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Open your sign shop. Develop "New Business" packages for business startups and introductory pricing for other business customers. Personally visit local businesses with your Grand Opening offers.
Cultivate the non-profit market with discount pricing for churches and civic groups. Finally, work with teams and youth groups to develop sign packages for fund-raising events.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit stack of signs image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
