Hi, everyone! I'm a brand new member here - thanks to Chuck Gallagher for turning me on to this website. I can already see a couple of extra hours a day just reading all the stuff here from the experts! I can't afford a couple of hours a day! I'm brand new to the sign business - Our shop is about 18 months young, but I had a couple years experience with CorelDraw prior to that. Yeah, I'm one of the new guys that has never picked up a brush, and yet calls himself a signmaker. All my experience so far has been with pixels, not paint. But I do have an enormouos admiration for those of you with natural talent for that. I have one full-time designer, and one part-time employee that does most of our assembly and installation work, 2-3 days per week. We have an Ioline Super 88 30" cutter, and a Roland SolJet 54" Wide format printer/cutter. We also do engraving/sublimation, Trophies & Plaques, Logo Design/ business cards, and apparel. Yeah, it's a lot, but we're in a small market, and the diversity pays off. I'm looking forward to my first HDU sign, and getting some education and help from all of you. Talk to ya soon! John
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
welcome aboard.
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Welcome and good luck to your new found career. Be patient. Never stop learning. Some of us are aholes and some of us aint.
My only advice is learn to design first before worrying about the technology. You will appreciate it later one and so will your business.
Feel free to contact me if you need any advice or help. I hate to admit it but I've been doing this for a very long time.
But....I still love what I do!
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Welcome to Letterville John. It's true that many of us oldtimers still carry on a love affair with paint and a brush, but don't be fooled. Most also have the latest and greatest in technology sitting in our shops.
As Letterheads, we are more concerned about good sign design rather than the tools used to create them. Many of today's signs are too small, contain way too much copy and inappropriate typestyles. In my own opinion, too many of today's new shops are learning the tricks before the trade. With all the toys available, it's an easy thing to do.
We talk about many things here on the BullBoard and that's wonderful. I also know there are many reading this BB that are just beginning and want to learn the basics. Those of us who are self taught will never forget how hard it was before Letterheads to get info on simple things like coating out boards. Never be afraid to ask a question.
Posted by dave parr (Member # 3868) on :
Welcome John, This new fangled toy in front of me keeps trying to do my typing for me, it's getting a bit un-nerving. One of the things you mentioned in your introduction, "natural talent," reminded me of the book by Mike Stevens, Mastering Layout. If you don't already have it, get it. Then study it. Check out the Letterville Bookstore & the Resource Center. There is a lot of great information here. This can be a very enjoyable career.
The Best to You & Yours, dave
Posted by Ryan E Young (Member # 2325) on :
