Thinking of sign business / cutting vinyl lettering

[bridgitt]

I see on ebay and such places that a cutting machine for cutting out the stick on lettering for signs,vans, etc are quite reasonable now. Anyone got any experience in the sign business ? Many businesses need signs at some stage or another - even if its to announce a closing down sale ! lol.
Joking aside, anyone tried it and failed or know anything about it ? It sounds like the type of business which could start off from a little shed at home, as fitting could be done on site. I know signarama and others do franchises , but they are big bucks. Starting off small ( and only doing simple signs like stick on lettering on board ) may cost only a few thousand in total, and I saw a secondhand unit advertised for less. Thanks in advance for any replies.

[xabi]

What about the software needed to run the machines, would you need a flare for design or do the software packages do the hard work? Signarama and Signsexpress probably have it sewn up though. do you have any links to the 'cheap' printers? Have a slight interest in this myself.

X.

[PaintDoctor]

I used to supply the equipment and software, and do the training a couple of years back. At the time, for a basic setup, you were talking about 6k. 2k for either a Gerber, or Roland 24 inch plotter (Which would allow you to cut one colour of vinyl at a time), PC, and Signlab software.

Today, if you're planning on doing it, you need to be able to diversify, you'll need to be able to print digitally onto white vinyl, and that doesn't come cheap. Plus, as most signwriting software is dongelised, you'll also need to shell out for the more expensive versions which allow you to do this.

Is there a market for it? No, I don't think so. Most of the smaller signwriters I know aren't getting much work at the moment.

[bridgitt]

Originally Posted by xabi

What about the software needed to run the machines, would you need a flare for design or do the software packages do the hard work?.

It seems you can get the software and equipment ( or chinese copies ) quite cheap now to do the work. OK, it may not be as good as the real professionals use, but I am just thinking of those who want cheap but effective and simple signs ...no vehicle wraps for example.
Thanks paintdoctor for your reply too. When you say you provided equipment and training, what do you think of the equipment + offers that pop up on ebay if you enter "sign making" ?

http://shop.ebay.ie/i.html?_nkw=sign...ment&_osacat=0

I can imagine most of the smaller signwriters you know aren't getting much work at the moment, but even if 5000 or 10,000 euro could be earned per year, from the equipment on ebay that would be a start and a help. The big companies ( eg signarama, signs express ) must be doing ok if they can pay their franchisor, staff, overheads etc. Someone in Ireland must have started a sign business from scratch from the ebay stuff ?