posted
In defense of O.P.'s pricing, ya AIN'T gonna get big bucks for a coroplast sign down here on the bottom coast. These dudes will break out the felt tip markers and card board before they pay $75.00 for a temporary sign.
Don't know Joe's business, but this is what I pay for supplies. 1 - 18"x24" coroplast blank =$.50 step stake, the el cheapo is $.39 ea. 24" Avery A5 (why use cast on coro?) $1.64 per yd. R tape= $.50 per yd. That comes to a grand total of $3.03. This is for a 2 sided sign. My shop is in my home & equipment is paid for. Prices should be IMHO based on local pricing averages, local economy, and your expenses. It is well worth my time to make these signs for $15 to $20 depending on layout.
Pat, we newcomers to the trade have it made in the shade. I love to hear and read about the old days when you had to learn the hard way and/or serve in apprenticeship status. I am humbled at the meets as I watch the "old timers" at work. Today we have Letterville, meets, and how - to's at our disposal. It's kinda like listening to my Dad tell about having to get up early and milk cows, feed chickens, then run through the woods barefoot to go to school. Only time I had to walk to school was when I missed the bus!
I'm so glad I didn't "miss the bus" to Letterville.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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posted
Oh well, I don't know if I wouldn't be swept up into that pile that PKing is talking about. I have only attended 1 meet in the 5 years I've been working on signs. I missed several close meets because of a stubbed toe or some other reason or excuse. I even think that at the meet I attended, I didn't make enough of a pest of myself by asking questions and seeking advice. Maybe I'll bring less agenda to the next meet I attend and seek a little more guidance. I may even take a little more time to just be in awe of the fine work being done while secretly recording any technique that I find being offered. I do think I did benefit from the exposure and the revival of interest that I still have in Lettering and painting rather then strictly computer based reproductions. So at that next meet I attend, I'll ask for a few more demonstrations or how-to's face to face.
posted
I will say just one more thing and shut up, I myself have invested hundreds or dollars and hundreds of hours into learning this trade mostly on my own BUT a good bit off of boards like this. when I first started, I didn't know about the Letterheads boards so I stayed on the other boards asking dumb questions and hundreds of them. Having a more than full time job at that time (90 hours a week) those boards, books, web articles and videos were the way that I accumualted a lot of info.That would not have been possible 20 years ago so times may be different. I also spent ove a year making signs at COST or near to it for my friends and family before I even dared to sell the cheapest sign to the general public, that was because I knew that I had lot more to learn. THEN i spent a good whil longer doing it as a side thing mainly for folks I know doing race cars, political signs, and basic stuff but STILL staying on the boards, reading books and learning every step of the way EVERYTHING I could from any source I could find. Then I was forced to go full time and struggled for a few months BUT now I am doing pretty good AND it is at least 95% off of refferals and word of mouth so I guess I am doing something right. Very few other sign folk have met me BUT the ones who have will tell you I will bug the livin ?rap outta them and hang around all day long asking questions. I KNOW that I am not the only one like that either, that is why I stay on this board every spare minute as is why others do too probably TO LEARN. I personally have met some younger kids (i'm 32 so I ain't that young) who have got a plotter for Christmas or something and they think they know everything so I can see where old the older guys are coming from BUT they ?iss me off too. I even saw a sign shop the other day it was a PRODUCE/SIGN stand, what is the world coming to?
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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thank you kathy....normally i shoot for the$15-18 for a single sided 18x24...at $12.50 a side that $25 for each2 sided sign..and i dont have the cheap stakes.. i sell the stake for $3 each..each area has it pricing diferance....what you get for a sign in new york city..aint the same price you goan get in slidell la.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Thank you Steve, David wright & others. I felt I was going out on a limb a little to dissagree with an elder (god forbid!) but never one to surpress my views I had to. I may be too blunt at times, hopefully not downright rude, but I am also glad I'm not the only one who saw an uneccessary generalization in this topic.
posted
Doug, I have to smile when I read your replies. You are blunt like I am. (gets you in trouble at times eh?) I have to agree with what you said.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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posted
He He, yes it does Cheryl, & I noticed your similar style. I'd no sooner candy-coat my true beliefs, then supress my technological opportunities. I feel that i have a healthy respect for history & tradition, but not a blind allegiance.
Oh,yeah O.P. I forgot to answer you... I get $45 - $75 for 2-sided, 1-color 18" x 24" coroplast (depending on what kind of car they drive) Guess I could get a few extra breakfast plates @ Denny's, & tip really well In fact I should send you my coroplast work & you will make enough to fly in for breakfast. My treat!
[ July 08, 2002, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
posted
Cheryl and Doug are my kind of people! They enable me to not have to post anything if I don't want to, because it would just be a repeat of THEIR stuff! Comes from GEEZERHOOD (at least from MY end!)!
posted
I'm lost!!! Certainly Cheryl is part of the young generation of signmakers, Doug professes to be 43 and probably part of the middle age generation of signmaker and Bob has crossed into the older generation of signmakers several years ago. They can't possibly agree on something, but that's what their post indicate. Will you three please edit your posts for the sake of disagreement?
In fact I thought Todd had this whole blame game thing figured out when he blamed it on Bill & Hillary. But come to find he's only 42 so... WRONG AGAIN!
posted
I am NOT yet a geezer like BOB.....but at 47 I guess I am no longer a younger generation signmaker either. Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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OoOoOpps! forgot to add a smiley after the geezer part BOB. You are a good ole geezer. Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Actually, Cheryl, to be politically correct...a necessity on THIS BB.....you're not a GEEZER till you hit 55!....But you ARE on the threshhold of being a '49r......CONGRATS!
posted
well i new to letterville an i love everyones work i also see this big argument about old school and new school pros and cons on both sides im 31 one i fell myself that im od shcool Kat i stared when i was 14 years old walking around Corpus Christ useing any wall for my canvas and painted My A&& off about 4 years later i got in the computer sign world so I've been every doing from there on i learn alot of stuff from my mistakes and by watching others i never refuse a challage One of the most importaint thing i learned about THE BLAME GAMEIts eazyer to say its my fault and its over with then tosit around an despute for hours on whos faul it is I look at it and say its screwed up now let make it right! and it happens even the best screw up! now for " new school" we are all in the same boat old new who cares we all got the same goal to accomplish for us ol timmers (it dosent mean in age because I'm Only 31) i try to teach the new commers what i know my only requirement is you have to take pride in your work if your here just to past time i teach you enought to get by ( AND I NO THATS WRONG) but i love what i do i have a lot of passion in what i do I bearth eat live signs if i not working i'm on the net trying to pick up new stuff people tell me get a life my response is i do got a life I'M A SIGNGUY! so dudes and babes theres my 2 cent
oh buy the way i think cheryl is a very attractive babe (sorry had to get off Chest)
posted
I'm soooo Old School that I can remember when harrass was TWO words.
-------------------- Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail: kjmlhenry@rogers.com
Why do I get all those on-line offers to sell me Viagara, when the only thing hardening is my arteries ? Posts: 2689 | From: London,Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
Nah Doug, it was Nixon. Oops, I forgot too!
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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