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After 12 years of leasing commercial and industrial property we are planning to purchase a small building on a 3/4 acre lot. Eventually we plan to build a modest building about 3000 sq. ft.which will include a place to actually letter a cube van. In the meanwhile, we will actually have to squeeze into a 1100 sq ft. bldg. Has anyone out there come across a really efficient way to layout a mostly vinyl/digital print shop with basic panel cut and prep fabrication? I read how many letterheads operate successful and organized opeations out of similar sized shops.
-------------------- Tony Lucero Eagle Graphics Waterford, MI www.eaglegph.com Posts: 305 | From: Waterford, MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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Going up as Victor said is key if you can do it. I've got a 750 sq. ft. warehouse (rent), but I've built a second & third floor of over 600 ft. each. My main office is only 12' x 20' & is all the customer sees.
I've got 2 computers, 2 plotters, & my Edge 2 along the back w/ 64 rolls of 15" vinyl above them on the wall, and an 8' shelf of edge cartridges on each side. Swivel my chair around & my desk, files, phone & fax are within reach. that takes up less then half the space. The other half has a 4x8 production table built on 2 banks of flat files full of samples, outgoing print jobs, and misc. screenprinting flat stock etc. 48 rolls of 24" vinyl project over the table, & 2 stools sit across the table for customers. The table projects out 8' from one side, & a door to the rest of the shop is on the other side with a cabinet & countertop next to it with all my vinyl tools, & 6 drawers of various supplies.
I have a 10 x 12 darkroom/ storage room behind the office, & the other half of the 30 x 25 space is for doing larger projects, & includes my 12' roll door. Stairs go up the middle.
I set up (1 or 2) 4 x 8 tables on saw horses, the tables dissappear when I need the space. The 4 x 16 easel will be behind them when I finally complete that. The second & third floor starts 6 feet back from the front so a forklift can put things up above where I set up my screenprinting area. I drag saw horses outside to cut MDO (eaiser to deal w/ sawdust) Not a busy enough shop yet for a panel saw.
Good luck. I'd love to reach the point of my own building someday too! -
[ November 07, 2001: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
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I've got 1100 sq ft and run a full Sign/Vinyl/Screen printing operation. I have a 5'x 20' adjustible wall easel that accomadates all of my flat sign/banner work as well as an airbrush station at one end for airbrushing T-shirts. I have a 4 shelf rap around storage area that goes all the way to the ceiling. On that same side of the shop is two 8' tables for material prep etc... lots of organized space under them. On the oposing side of the shop is a 6 station 6 color screen press computers, file cabnets, plotter, digital printer, desk, etc... Have a 10' x 16' show room in the front of the shop as well as a wet/dark room in the rear of the shop for screen processing. Have done some trading with the Auto Mall down the block for use of their detail shop for working on vehicals during inclimate weather. Rest of the time I do my vehical work out in front of the shop...no better advertisment! I'll be trading out one of the 8' work tables for a conveyer dry next month but I've got saw horses and a few roll around carts that will work. A little cramped, yes, but it works. I figure I can upgrade my screen printing press two 8 color 8 station, but I'll need Got just enough room for a nice comfortable chair to relax in while I dream about that larger shop Some Day! Robin
-------------------- Robin Sharrard Sharrard Graphics & Sign Fallon, Nevada rds@phonewave.net "Proud $$$ Supporter" Posts: 282 | From: Fallon, Nevda, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Thanks for the reply...I like the idea of implementing an easel hanging off a wall. Although I do not hand letter or paint, I think I can see how an easel type working surface would come in handy for banners and applying vinyl to panels for that matter. A storage shed for panels would be nice...if the city gets too picky...maybe the shipping container/retired semi trailer would fly. To the gentleman who posted the photo of his work area...veeerrry nice! Thanks again.
-------------------- Tony Lucero Eagle Graphics Waterford, MI www.eaglegph.com Posts: 305 | From: Waterford, MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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