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The sign business has historically attracted creative sorts. Back in the day when you had to be able to draw and letter with a brush, there was a sort of weeding out process as the more clever sign writers generally attracted a good following. It's still that way, but the clever sign writer...

We all have different business models. I spend most of my time engineering complex installations, trouble-shooting electronic message centers, and running a trained crew of experienced service techs. Once in a while, I get to design some graphics, but it is getting rarer and rarer. There are...

Ha ha! Actually, the town is subject to the same code requirements as everyone else. Bust them out and see how popular you next time you apply for a permit!

$300.00 profit if you have zero overhead, no payroll, and got your equipment for free. Actually, $2.72 sq. ft. would be a good price for a large scale print shop (factory) running the latest equipment with an experienced staff flat out all day long. Probably a bit high. A small, commercial...

It makes no sense to not have workers compensation. Not only is it illegal to have uninsured employees, but if one got hurt your assets could vanish in a flash!

I pay $30.00/sheet for 4x8 UV printed 4mm coroplast signs. I order them from a wholesaler. They will drop ship if requested. I would have to do over 100,000 4x8s a year to justify the expense of buying the machine, making room for it, material handling pallets of coroplast, and paying the...

You are lucky to have a town that allows "across the street" banners. Best bet (and just about the only way you are going to get a permit) is to use an open-net banner with heavy 200 denier nylon fabric graphic elements stiched onto a heavy duty nylon scrim (net-type material) with 200 denier...

Most of the reason the light is "blowing through" is because most electric sign cabinets are designed for pan faces, which lift the surface of the face further from the light source. You can clean off an old pan face, but the better plan is to buy a new one. You may be able to find somebody to...

I did it for a number of years. It worked out fine, but that was before you could get free layouts and discount prices by shopping on the internet. I am a nationally known sign designer with multiple awards. I have a degree in fine art from the University of Illinois. I have helped hundreds...

I do not know what your application is, but for backlit outdoor signs the only thing that works and allows me to warrant my product (5 years) is UV cured pigmented ink (image/white/image) on clear PSV (if not printing directly to substrate). Printed correctly on the right film, this is a decent...

Those online quote request form are aggravating, especially for people who aren't familiar with sign design. The poor customer doesn't know what standard practices are or how the prices break down (they'll ask for a 50" x 50" sign, and have no idea that a 48" x 48" will be substantially less...

My cost is $75, my sell price is $125.00. That's a 40% margin. That leaves me 20% for overhead and 20% profit. Note: I outsource the printing and fabrication, and we pick up finished work once or twice a week. A permit is rquired in my town. That would be the cost of the permit added to a...

Gino – you must be in Philly. Nobody else throws widdies.

Direct printed on aluminum composite material with top laminate the signs would cost around $75 (I can get around $125 in my market). Installation with site survey and permit will be around $250 – $450 (depending on whether a bucket truck is involved, drive time, etc.). The money is in...

Most customers want quotes (not estimates). But often they have no idea what they want. The first order of business is figuring out what they need, which usually involves a discussion about their business and a site survey. Several options are usually appropriate, and each needs to be...

116' x 9' banners? Even with a 35% flow-through you are lucky the ties broke instead of the fence falling down!

I have had great success using Alumiweld for simple frames and repairs. Most of our fabrication is out-sourced. If you have enough business you might be able to justify adding a welding area, buying TIG equipment, and staffing qualified welders. You will also need a large paint booth, the...

I think it is still technically illegal (in Illinois) because you are not required to pay it (opening the door for fraud), but if you collect the tax and remit it I don't imagine the state will complain too loudly. In any case, the collected tax (whether legal or illegal) is still a burden on...

I stay with 3M 180. I can get $6.50 sq/ft (laminated). There are plenty of guys who charge less, but we stick to our guns and stay with quality, 3M warranted materials. It pays off in the end! Note: We only use calandered vinyl for temporary and promotional graphics.

Grinnell Mutual. About a 35% increase over the last five years due mostly to a hardening of the market. A 120% increase would likely be due to audit discoveries or increased coverage. General liability and Workmans comp insurance are sky-high in the sign business (if you use aerial equipment...