I agree, there are highs and lows. But overall a great and rewarding trade to get into. Thanks for the comment and keep truckin' on!

Thank you! I've made many mistakes along the way but it's great when it all works itself out and I can help out.

Thanks for watching and I hope it helps!!

Glad it was helpful!

Thanks Weston!👍👍 I still have my Dan Antonelli "Logo Design" books I refer to when I hit a creative road block 😁. SignCraft is another GREAT source for inspiration as well, worth every penny. I always learned the hard way, sign shops where so protective of the "inner workings" back in the day I never had the opportunity to learn in one. I took my knowledge to another shop and applied it to help them grow. My Dad used Corel Wayyyyy back but I just never got the hang of it, but I do have it loaded and use it as a crutch for some things Flexi has a hard time at.

As someone who went to school for graphic design I am more into the design aspect more than production, Im really into logo/brand identity, lettering, badge designs, digital illustrations but I do like to be able to make decals, apparel, posters, . I like to envision someones business and translate their brand identity on business card, poster, signage, print collateral etc. to help promote their visual brand identity

I hope it help and thanks for watching!

Best of luck!

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you for watching!

I don't have a laser, not sure if I can bring myself to try to learn something else. Still use my CNC, I still says that was the wisest purchase I ever made, it does have the best ROI if you have the space.

Good luck on your journey! For software I use Flexi sign, I know it's pricey but for me does everything I need it to do. I've been using LXI/Flexi for about 20 years now and I'm very comfortable using it and it doing what I need it to do. You also have the option for Adobe Illustrator and Photo Shop and don't forget CorelDraw. My .02 on used printers, if you have zero experience on how they work, it will be an expensive learning curve. Buy one that works 100% older is okay but it take out the aggravation of starting a new venture. I would also suggest to sub your prints out to start as you learn how to design. In my opinion design is key, knowledge of working the software is huge and speaks volumes as to the type of work you can create and sell.

Lots of tutorials to learn from on KZfaq as well! I have 2 older versions of Flexi (10.5 & 12) 10.5 is very stable, very rarely have a crash. The new version in installed of 12 I have had random issues I've never had before. Overall it's what I'm used to but I do have Corel and Illy loaded as well when I need them. Thanks for watching!

Same here, I would be nothing without it. Heck I can barely draw a stick figure 🤣

None specifically but it will depend on you state. In SC you don't even need a business license issued by the state, you just claim your earnings and run as sole proprietor. It will also depend on how you structure your business, sole proprietor or some sort of LLC. You may need other local or county permits, in our case in MD and SC we did/do not. If you are the only worker, business liability insurance will cater to what you do. The more the risk of injury or damage the more complicated the policy will be and the insurance company will ask for. For me because I did all the install work the policy covered me in everything I did. The LLC protected the wife and I and separated us in the event the company was sued and they could not go after our personal belongings. For the most part you just need some liability insurance if you are doing installs. Go to your local agent and they can tell you what you need and how much coverage in the event something happens.

No outsource any print job you can and make that $$$ unless you are busy and don't want to mess with it. Generally if you send to xyz, they won't be back. I will talk about that in another video.

Good luck trying to find one. Keep an eye out on ebay and marketplace. I have 3 licenses with the USB dongles v10.5 and 12 I think . Not sure what will happen if the usb's fail!

@@TheSignGuy I’ll take a look around and see if I can find one

@@SouthbayCreations I'll keep and eye out as well, if I see on I'll reach out to ya.

@@TheSignGuy Awesome! Thank you!

@@TheSignGuy Which version of Felxi do you use?

I don't have any experience with the summa but other than the cost, never heard a complaint. Can't go wrong with either cutter imo, cost, tech support and parts availability would be me concerns.

When we were in MD we had every decal we created on the shelf, nicely packaged and ready for sale. Over 300 different decals we sold on etsy, ebay and amazon sat on our walls and maybe sold 1 every week @$5 is not worth it. Focus on the bigger stuff, time is money and offer the decals as a side gig from the bigger stuff. We still sell the same decals we used to and might make $20 a week off of them. Most decals are bought and sold on-line, having a brick and mortar store just seems like a big investment for a little return. Best of luck to you whatever you decide!

I definitely went for the big fish. Im in SoFlo and half of my community is hispanic. Guess what?! Hispanics like to deal with hispanics lol and im 100% a native spanish speaker, so that's definitely an advantage! I feel i cant beat the $4-6 decals sold on etsy. Too much of it

Not personally, we tried to transfer/sell the business to the kids (years ago) and a few employees but they were not interested. Working for/in the shop was just a stepping stone and a way for them to work for the time being. That's why we decided to downsize, move and just get back to basics and be a 1 man show. You have to have a passion for this line of work, just being creative is not enough anymore. You have to want to succeed in the sign industry, wake up every day and do nothing but think of ways to use your equipment for profit. Your creative twist is unique to you and that's what you have to sell... How I would brake it down (I'm sure I'll forget something): Does he own or lease the location the shop is in? How much value does that location have to making the business run? Figure up the total cost of the equipment when new, media and other parts that make it run and find a value for it (fair market value). Do the existing customers and designs go with the business when sold? Best of luck to you on this venture! TSG

@@TheSignGuy thanks for your insight. Much appreciated. I love the business and have a lot of passion for it. Time will tell if I have the courage to pull the plug to invest in something.

The software and equipment somewhat go hand and hand. Flexi is VERY versatile with a wide range (the biggest to my knowledge) of different cutter and printer manufactures. I highly recommend starting with a vinyl cutter, they are inexpensive and have a easy learning curve. It's all in what you are comfortable with, once you are comfortable you become confident! Like I said I have Illustrator and corel draw but use them as a crutch when I can't get flexi to do what I need it to do. My opinion is once you are comfortable with flexi (or any design program), you need to start producing something. Once you see the results of your design it should get the creative gears turning. Start thinking of the markets you want to get into and that will help shape the type of design work you want to do. But don't be close minded because sometimes the market will steer you in a different direction.

where do i find a software??

You are welcome

That is a great place to start, sounds like you have a plan. Flexi is what I've used about my entire sign "career" I started with LXI (sign warehouse) and I have used COREL and a touch of Illy but I've stuck with Flexi because I'm comfortable with it. It does not restrict me from using just about any equipment combination out there cutter, printer whatever 99.9% of the time it works. Equipment, well for me the support would be up there like #1 or 2, Eco Sol or Latex pick your poison. I don't have any experience with running latex printers just the Eco-Solvent and thermal printers. If printing and laminating quick is the priority than latex, I for one like the durability and better color gamut from Eco-Sol from what I've seen. I have personally seen a Eco-Solvent MUTOH printer that is 12 years old still printing (today) with average printing and cleanings on the same maintenance station and printhead. Not saying MUTOH is #1, 2 or 3 but they don't make things like they used to and printer manufacturing companies don't make money when a printer runs for 10 years. HP Latex IMO has a good money grab situation there and I've seen printers (sign shops) wish they could get rid of them because of the issues. I have also seen shops that LOVE them and there are a bunch out there. For me IF I was going to buy a new printer I would look at the EPSON SureColor Series first, just my .02! Lots of variables here and you just have to get what works best for you, and don't just listen to the sales reps selling you the equipment. TSG

Thanks so much for your valuable insight. I love your passion after all the years you’ve been doing this. Sharing your knowledge is really helpful for new people like me starting out. I’m not new to business I’ve been in the lighting business since I was 14 and still have the business in my family for over 50 years. If I find a printer I’m close to purchasing I’d like to run it by you to get your opinion if that’s okay.

Also my wife plans to do t-shirt transfers. Is the Eco Sol the best option for that application as well?

Sounds good about the printer. Eco Sol will do shirt transfers but IMO not the best option for a full line of garment printing. Look at the DTG, DTF or screen printing options for a "softer" feel. The material that the eco sol uses for the transfers does not breathe, it's like saran wrap on your back. I never cared for it on shirts but I did a few on hoodies.

Thank you!

Thanks and I 100% agree!

I’m 33 and wanting to start a sign shop, I just don’t know how to begin and where to start. I have been at a company for over 5 years now and I make banners, yard signs, decals and custom shirts heat transfer vinyl and sublimation.

@@RoscoeFamilyVlogs if you are close to SC I'll show you everything I know. What and what NOT to do 🤣

@@TheSignGuy I’m in Ohio but I might take you up on that and fly down sometime. 😂 It would definitely help. We spoke on the phone a few months ago. I’ll have to give you a call again soon.

@@RoscoeFamilyVlogs yeah, that's a tad to far 😂. Call anytime 👍👍

If the cutting head is pulling up all the way, I would check that the cutting blade tip does not protrude any more than 1-2mm. Make sure the media fan is flat, also check the pen holder, move it up a scotch so it won't drag on the media. In the past when I cut THICK media 15-20 mils and would have the same issue. I never got through it and it is what it is even on my Graphtec.

@@TheSignGuy I’ll give it a shot thank you. Your videos are awesome and helping a lot. Cheers

No but I believe I covered them in one of my videos.

I wouldn't mind but I'm not in the shop like I used to be. I don't have the orders like I used to as well so I'm not as busy on the sign side as I once was. The 54" printer and cutter are gone, just have the EDGE 2 printer, the 2 cutters, lasers and whatnot.

I make my own. I buy full 4x8 sheets and cut them down to whatever size I need.

Not really, I'm horrible at free hand drawing. I used to be able to sketch abstract art pretty good, now I do it all on the computer. To be 100% honest I was never good at drawing, I could see what I wanted in my head but could never get my hand to follow my head. LOL

I use flexisign

Have to shop around, not an easy answer.

I agree 👍👍but flexi is not for everyone and I use the older versions that are not cloud based.

@@TheSignGuy me too the pirate bay version lmao

@@-CBA- whatever works ya!!! Lol

I think it was back in the day along with dxf files. Before they figured out how to make money on the software.