Hear ye, hear ye...fab shops already have the equipment to make the magic happen, especially since the proliferation of CAD, waterjet, laser and plasma. I have to believe that a lot of them are in the process of improving their layout and design skills in order to jump into the sign market. Sure, it's a "poke in the eye" for sign shops, but well-established fabricators would be absolutely foolish not to do so...just sayin'.
Around here, garage-shop fab companies are popping up like dandelions after a long summer's rain. The most prolific items found on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace are ornate fire rings and (so-called) metal "wall art". It's the 21st century equivalent of peeing Calvins, once the hottest rage in the 90s.
Technology continues to offer up some wonderful tools, but unfortunately the democratization and commodification of your bread and butter is at hand. Just a few decades ago stereo lithography prototyping shops were getting top dollar for 3D printed prototypes. Today, you can buy the equipment and the software for what a moderately complex prototype cost back then.
On a side note: In the early 2000s, we still had an independent local record shop. Yes, those large vinyl disks with grooves, clicks, pops and white noise were still available back then. As hard times had their way with many small business, they started a little coffee bistro in their record shop and were able to tread water long enough to wait for the tide to turn in their favor. And now that vinyl has been making a steady comeback, they've really been kicking arse.
The moral of the story: stay lean, stay agile, and stay alert.
JB
