How to Start a Tin Sign Business
Tin signs were a mainstay for advertising and are now considered classic symbols of Americana. An entrepreneur with an interest in vintage items may consider starting a tin sign business. Most tin sign businesses offer original vintage signs as well as reproductions. Nostalgic signs new or old remind people of happy times in their past. Tin signs are used in decorating living spaces and by businesses that want to create a sense of the past in their storefronts. Unless you are in a busy tourist destination, be prepared to set up a mobile business to vend at fairs and other public events.
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Things You'll Need
- Business plan
- Legal/tax documents
- Insurance
- Tin sign supplier
- Vending canopy
- Folding table
- Advertising/signage
Instructions
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Research the market for a tin sign business in your area. Look at potential markets, fairs and other venues that offer opportunities for vendors to sell their goods. Determine if there is any direct competition within those markets. For example there may be other antique, collectibles and nostalgia sellers, but you need to research how to stand apart from them. To compete, you may need to establish yourself as a dealer of rare tin signs and develop an expertise in this area.
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Write a detailed business plan based on your market research. Even though a tin sign business is small and will not require a large amount of start-up capital, it is a good idea to create a plan to focus your efforts at the start. Define your business goals in a mission statement. A mission statement may be "To provide rare collectible tin signs to collectors." Include a market analysis, competition analysis, marketing strategy, and financial projections. The business plan should detail the first year of the business. Discuss where you will purchase tin signs, such as new dealers as well as at auctions, flea markets and online auction sites.
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Fill out and file a business registration form with your state. A tin sign business can operate as a sole proprietorship. The form will inform the public that "Tom's Old Time Signs" is run by Tom Thumb, for example. A sole proprietorship can later be changed to a limited liability or corporation if the needs of the business change. Vendors are often required to be licensed with the state as well as local municipalities. Check with your local and state officials to be sure that you are in compliance for your specific area.
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Meet with an insurance agent to set up an insurance plan for the business. People will be coming into your booth at public events. This will present issues with possible injury, damage, and theft. Insurance will protect both you and your customers. Some signs are easy to walk away with unnoticed. Events are sometimes crowded with people. You will want to cover theft of expensive rare signs under your insurance plan. Describe your business activities in detail to ensure that you are adequately covered.
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Locate a supplier for reproduction tin signs. The supplier should be consistent and offer a quality selection of signs. Shop for vintage signs at antique shops, auctions, garage sales, and online. Stock your business with a wide variety of signs. Organize the signs in bins so that customers can easily pick out their signs. Milk crates work well for this purpose.
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Equip your business with a mobile vending kit. In most cases vendors are required to have a 10-by-10-foot canopy. You will also want a folding table, chair, and cash box. Select equipment that is durable and easy to set up and take down.
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Advertise your business in local publications that focus on events. Travel centers are also an ideal place to market your business, since they often provide literature on public attractions where you will be in attendance. Create a rustic sign for your business that might resemble country store or old-time gas station siding. Take advantage of nostalgic sentiments while creating a sign to draw customers into your booth.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep your inventory of signs fresh by constantly searching for rare vintage tin signs.
Be sure that you are in compliance with local authorities prior to attending an event.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Route 66 sign. High resolution illustration image by Stasys Eidiejus from Fotolia.com
