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I use a whiteboard on the wall and dry-erase markers. My personal schedule and appointments are kept using Apple's Calendar app. Quickbooks for estimating and invoicing. My favorite time-saving device is a pocket notebook. I can jot down a note in a tenth of the time it takes to power up my...

The SignCraft 2019 Sign Pricing guide has a 4' x 10' 1/4" ACM sign with high performance vinyl film at $393.00 (at their lowest pricing tier). Going with that sq.ft. price, that would put a 5' x 10' at $491.25 ($936.25 for two). My price would be $615 for one, $1190.00 for two ($617.50 each)...

Hendricks Vacuum Forming in Ohio is a good place to get pan-formed faces. You might call them for pricing; they are surprisingly reasonable. Note: Don Hendricks (founder) passed away yesterday. I never met him, but I talked to him on the phone several times over the years. He worked up...

Back in the day, we did art for free to sell the job. The customer wanted to see what his sign would look like before he plunked down his money. Design was an overhead expense. We made our money selling plastic, wood and metal. In time we accumulated a fleet of service vehicles, and...

Whenever I retro-fit a sign face I take field measurements first. Having the guys try to trim it in the field is inviting trouble (and is expensive). When you take the retainer off you'll see what you have to do. When I do these jobs, I always try to get the client to re-lamp and do any...

jman: I make my tables the same way. I have them taller than a "normal table height" so I can work on stuff without bending over too much. I also made two that were 2' x 5' (I have a 24" plotter, so it fits my output). I drew a 1" grid on the surface and cover them with .25" plate glass. I...

What's the point of that display? I couldn't figure out any of the messages from the close-up picture; from any practical distance the messages would be illegible. Any reasonable water tower job is probably best accomplished by painting with a brush and roller (and a much simplified design).

I use AI with CADtools for layout design. For variable messaging I include a message schedule. Everything is filed in a hierarchical directory (A –Z > Client > Project > individual files). No need for a relational database because each project is unique and not subject to query. Any...

Those look awesome, but I still have enough free ones that came with the vinyl to last me several lifetimes. I am grateful, however, that there are those in the industry who take pride in their tools. I will sometimes use those cheap sleeves to prevent scratches, but I seem to be able to do a...

I would be negotiating licensing terms with Mr. Neato. In addition to being a beautiful sign design, that logo will have uses for internal communications and real estate professionals.

Most of the time customers that contact me already want me to do the sign. If they need to see some examples we can usually just step outside and I can point to them (or they can go to my web site). What they want to know is "how much?" and "how soon?". Projects vary a lot, but often include...

Use an actual swan silhouette and have the bird floating on a line or reverse panel that separates "Lake Susan" from "OUTLOOK." Choose another font for "OUTLOOK" and fix the "u" in "Susan".

Pantone is the language most professional designers use for calling out colors. The system is designed around specifying the color of the finished product. The spot color fan decks are most useful, but the "Color Bridge" deck is useful when working with CMYK colors. The formulas are for...

I'll do a quick scaled drawing in Illustrator using CADtools which I will use to prepare the estimate. Often I will add a perspective corrected photo of the building or structure. Graphic design work is estimated separately, as it usually effects more than just a sign. I have no problem with...

I used to order those Spanjer letters. They were great! Gemini has always been good with RFQs and production times. I have never had any problems with either their service or products. It must be noted, though, that I do not run a "just-in-time" business. Those few times where I have needed...

Shop "A" has a digital printer, vinyl cutter, and laminator. He has a 3000 sq. ft. shop and several production employees. The owner must keep the machines and production workers busy in order to pay the bills. The designer is overhead, so the owner must limit the amount of time the designer...

The t-shirt business is incredibly over-saturated, especially with young, hip designers trying to make a go of it with original designs. If your son does not already know how he wants to create his art, and what software to use, I would advise selling the equipment and starting with a drop...

I give the customer the option. It saves me from having to go get it. My printer doesn't mind, and it gives him a chance to introduce his business to a new customer. He sells all kinds of sign related stuff.

I'm about $475 for a DS 4x8 on 3mm ACM. Design charges extra. I am fortunate in that I have a local guy who will print (UV flatbed) on my substrate for $2 sq. ft. I ship the substrate to him (no charge for local delivery from my substate vendor), and have my client pick up from him so I don't...

A few years ago my dentist offered to crown 6 teeth for $1500 each. I offered $800 each, cash, and he said he would do it. I ended up not doing it, and my teeth are still working just fine. If I need expensive dental work in the future, I plan on taking a "medical vacation" to Costa Rica.