Signgrl
New Member
Hello everyone! I just found this site this morning from a Google search. What a great find! I am excited in getting to know some of you, asking questions, and helping less experienced ones.
Here's a little bit about me: It all started in 1996. I was kind of thrown into this business out of the necessity to get my mother off my back. I will explain. We owned a janitorial business and my husband always worked nights. I had two girls to raise and was tired of being home with a sleeping husband and being a single mother. My brother had the bright idea of starting a sign business since hubby was artistic.... Well, we couldn't find anyone who wanted to work nights to take over my hubbys position so..... meanwhile we bought a plotter, a Pictura 310e (remember that royal piece of crap??) computer, etc. with borrowed money from my mother. After a few months of no money generated from sign work, mom started calling. I started feeling so guilty for hubby not doing anything with our new purchases, I decided to gird up my pride and cold canvass. Now, remember, I had absolutely NO idea what this business was all about, let alone what could be done with this equipment. That day that I went out, I acquired a fleet of semis!. On my way home, I thought, "What the hell did I just do and how am I going to get out of it?" LOL. Quickly I had to learn SignLab 4.95, the plotter, Pictura, weeding, taping and a general knowledge of design, color combos, etc. I knew nothing, nada, zip.
It all started there that day in June of 1996. I have happily owned and operated this business for 13 years now. It has always been a one woman show. I am extremely successful and comfortable. I still only use SignLab and yes, I have upgraded many times. I am on my 2nd plotter and some have even called me the 'tape' queen. I do work in many states and have nearly 600 clients. 80% of them regulars.
I think its time to move into digital printing. I know, I know, it's about time, right? Just trying to get ideas about the best machine and any and all info I can find on the subject. I find myself in the same predicament as when I first started this business. I know nothing, nada, zip about the printing aspect of sign shops. Can someone point me in the right direction? I am a fast learner
~Signgrl
www.sierra-design.biz
Here's a little bit about me: It all started in 1996. I was kind of thrown into this business out of the necessity to get my mother off my back. I will explain. We owned a janitorial business and my husband always worked nights. I had two girls to raise and was tired of being home with a sleeping husband and being a single mother. My brother had the bright idea of starting a sign business since hubby was artistic.... Well, we couldn't find anyone who wanted to work nights to take over my hubbys position so..... meanwhile we bought a plotter, a Pictura 310e (remember that royal piece of crap??) computer, etc. with borrowed money from my mother. After a few months of no money generated from sign work, mom started calling. I started feeling so guilty for hubby not doing anything with our new purchases, I decided to gird up my pride and cold canvass. Now, remember, I had absolutely NO idea what this business was all about, let alone what could be done with this equipment. That day that I went out, I acquired a fleet of semis!. On my way home, I thought, "What the hell did I just do and how am I going to get out of it?" LOL. Quickly I had to learn SignLab 4.95, the plotter, Pictura, weeding, taping and a general knowledge of design, color combos, etc. I knew nothing, nada, zip.
It all started there that day in June of 1996. I have happily owned and operated this business for 13 years now. It has always been a one woman show. I am extremely successful and comfortable. I still only use SignLab and yes, I have upgraded many times. I am on my 2nd plotter and some have even called me the 'tape' queen. I do work in many states and have nearly 600 clients. 80% of them regulars.
I think its time to move into digital printing. I know, I know, it's about time, right? Just trying to get ideas about the best machine and any and all info I can find on the subject. I find myself in the same predicament as when I first started this business. I know nothing, nada, zip about the printing aspect of sign shops. Can someone point me in the right direction? I am a fast learner
~Signgrl
www.sierra-design.biz
Welcome to :signs101: Signgrl, from up north!
