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Is mobile sign service a good investment?
- Thread starter SignsbyBrandon
- Start date
I just read this thread and wanted to follow up with the OP and see which route they went. I too have a similar idea, but was planning on tailoring it to craft shows, fairs, and swap meets offering a limited selection of products that will be custom ordered and produced on-site.
gnubler
Active Member
Interesting thread, but sounds like a nightmare business idea.
I have a hard enough time with the random person that walks into my shop, almost always a waste of time.
To go to them and have to deal with person after person all day for a $12 decal might make your head explode. Everyone's gonna want something tweaked or changed, or want to watch/help with the process, or chit chat the day away.
I have a hard enough time with the random person that walks into my shop, almost always a waste of time.
To go to them and have to deal with person after person all day for a $12 decal might make your head explode. Everyone's gonna want something tweaked or changed, or want to watch/help with the process, or chit chat the day away.
I definitely see what you are saying in regards to decals. I am thinking of offering photos on framed canvas. A limited number of sizes and treatments done to said canvas. Basically, bring me a photo on your phone and leave the event with a personalized piece. Not exactly a sign per se, but the idea of a mobile operation is what brought me here.
gnubler
Active Member
Sounds like a frickin' nightmare. You're going to be dealing with sh!tty low-res images, be prepared for complaints about quality & color from Suzy Soccer Mom who doesn't like what she sees. Half the people that walk in to my shop have no idea how to get a file or photo off their phone...then it turns into tech support 101 for 15 minutes.
If I had to do a job like that I'd keep a steady supply of booze under the desk just to cope with all the custom requests and complaints.
If I had to do a job like that I'd keep a steady supply of booze under the desk just to cope with all the custom requests and complaints.
Notarealsignguy
Arial - it's almost helvetica
It'd be miserable
victor bogdanov
Active Member
I don't think any wide format printer will survive long riding in a trailer inked up
gnubler
Active Member
That, plus climate control and dust. Same reason I don't print in-house at the moment, I need to build out a clean room first.
Years ago when I worked at a commercial printer they purchased a direct to garment printer. I was trained by one of their techs and he got my boss all excited about the possibility of taking the printer to events and printing tshirts for people on demand. I literally wanted to blow my brains out as they were discussing this, seeing as I'd be the operator. It sounded like a horrible idea and I'm so glad it never came to fruition.
Years ago when I worked at a commercial printer they purchased a direct to garment printer. I was trained by one of their techs and he got my boss all excited about the possibility of taking the printer to events and printing tshirts for people on demand. I literally wanted to blow my brains out as they were discussing this, seeing as I'd be the operator. It sounded like a horrible idea and I'm so glad it never came to fruition.
This, too, was a concern of mine. Wondered about a table top with some form of shock absorption. I did plan on HVAC in the trailer for trying to minimize climate swings.
DL Signs
Never go against the family
You don't now?
GaSouthpaw
Profane and profane accessories.
Just because the allow the trailers in a residential area doesn't (necessarily) mean they'll allow a wrapped one- which often makes it fall into a commercial vehicle or advertising category that many don't allow. Best to check your local ordinances.
Many others have made the important points, though, regarding your idea- among them, it's not a great idea to put your valuable equipment into a trailer (unless you're talking a container-type trailer with airshocks, etc., to mitigate rough rides), the flea market thing is time consuming precisely because of the browsers/talkers, the abundance of quickie shops, etc.
So yeah, use your trailer for equipment storage and your installs. If your area allows it, wrap it (or at least put a name and number/website on it)- and make sure you use hi-performance materials that last. Nothing will be more off putting to a potential customer than a sign shop with bad graphics or a vehicle wrap or vinyl that's peeling, fading, etc.
Good luck.
victor bogdanov
Active Member
Spending a day filing police reports and insurance claims instead of working doesn't sound fun insured or not