JKADesigns
New Member
I bought a S.W. Panther 24" plotter with the serial connection, desktop computer with LXI, got a couple clipart books and CDs, 20 18"x18"x24" boxes full of vinyl, probably half scrap, a good percentage of half-rolls of vinyl, etc. I thought I got a pretty good deal on the package, 2k, but am trying to decide how to get started. The equipment was new in 2002, and I was told it only has 10 hours on it. Its an older system, but I figured, for the package price, and the opportunity, why not.
I've already made a couple of banners for family, and find it pretty easy, yet there is a learning process here. Just put together a banner, and have some background in mechanical engineering technology, so understand the basics of how to put signs together. I will need to buy the recommended books on this site, so I can learn how to design small business logos. I understand that I'm probably 10 years behind the times, but I believe there are still markets for cut vinyl.
In my local area, there is a sign shop in every town already. There's one, in my small town in Iowa, called xxxxx Wild West Designs... the shop logo is a single color, and in my opinion is quite unappealing. No "eye appeal" to encourage customers to "come in and see what we can do for you" kind of place. That shop just started three to six months ago, and there is a shop in the next town, of about 1500 people, who does cut vinyl, and she says she's two to three months behind as of last November. She did it from her farm in the country for a couple of years before moving to town.
I'm thinking about doing door-to-door sales, have a booth at the county fair, maybe go to the ball games and sell some to the soccer moms, any input or ideas?
My goal is $500 a month in income from the vinyl for my wife and I. I haven't really decided on pricing, but I'm looking at $20-25 a square foot with a premium if it takes more than an hour per square feet to weed. I bought a sign from the gal in the next town over for $30 last November, it was about 4" by 5', so I feel that price range is about right.
I plan to become a premium member as soon as I get some money coming in from this. Thanks for your input and ideas!
I've already made a couple of banners for family, and find it pretty easy, yet there is a learning process here. Just put together a banner, and have some background in mechanical engineering technology, so understand the basics of how to put signs together. I will need to buy the recommended books on this site, so I can learn how to design small business logos. I understand that I'm probably 10 years behind the times, but I believe there are still markets for cut vinyl.
In my local area, there is a sign shop in every town already. There's one, in my small town in Iowa, called xxxxx Wild West Designs... the shop logo is a single color, and in my opinion is quite unappealing. No "eye appeal" to encourage customers to "come in and see what we can do for you" kind of place. That shop just started three to six months ago, and there is a shop in the next town, of about 1500 people, who does cut vinyl, and she says she's two to three months behind as of last November. She did it from her farm in the country for a couple of years before moving to town.
I'm thinking about doing door-to-door sales, have a booth at the county fair, maybe go to the ball games and sell some to the soccer moms, any input or ideas?
My goal is $500 a month in income from the vinyl for my wife and I. I haven't really decided on pricing, but I'm looking at $20-25 a square foot with a premium if it takes more than an hour per square feet to weed. I bought a sign from the gal in the next town over for $30 last November, it was about 4" by 5', so I feel that price range is about right.
I plan to become a premium member as soon as I get some money coming in from this. Thanks for your input and ideas!
