Want to make more money without investing a lot?

If you are a sign maker or a garment personalisation business looking for ways to expand your business and broaden your target market, chances are you're only a few items of equipment away.


Check the list below to see if you could be diversifying your business into other areas without spending a fortune to do so...

 
 
 

 


Have you ever thought...


Wouldn't it be great to be able tell your signage customers that you can also produce all of their corporate uniform?

Or let your corporate uniform customers know that you can also produce their shop signage, stickers, labels and vehicle graphics?

This table shows how many consumables and bits of kit are used in both the signmaking and garment marking industries. If you use most of them already, you could be sitting on a gold mine!

Product	Used for Sign Making?	Used for Garment Marking?
Plotter
Software
Printer
Heat press
Sign vinyl
Garment film
Application tape
Weeding tool

Learn about how to make the most of these products in both industries...

Plotter


If you are creating Cad cut lettering or logos, whether it be sign vinyl or garment transfer films, you will be using some form of plotter. There are loads in the marketplace, but to be able to maximise your usage you would be best to have a 1220mm wide plotter which has OPOS eye technology.

Software


For cutting lettering and logos you will need a vector based CAD cut software for operating your vinyl cutters. For full colour printed jobs you will need a software which incorporates a print RIP.
A software which incorporates the two would be ideal, although you are also able to design in an external software and then import it into your CAD cut software or print RIP.

Printer


The most flexible type of printer to use for both printed signage and full colour garment transfers would be a large format solvent printer. The same inks can be used for both signage jobs and printed garment transfers. You may even decide to opt for a printer which can also contour cut - making it ideal for printed stickers and garment transfers.

Heat press


This is the only bit of kit on the list that is only usable in the garment marking industry. There are many presses available and prices can vary quite dramatically, but you can be making back your money from this investment in no time.
You may also like to consider renting your press on a monthly basis, giving you the opportunity to 'dip your toe' into this market, without a large investment.

Sign vinyl


This product is obviously only suitable for sign making applications, but they are cut in the same way as garment films using your plotter. There are a wide range of different products available with varying life expectancies and colour ranges. Ask for samples and colour swatches from suppliers.

Garment film


There are lots of different colours, effects and textures in garment films, all designed to give you ultimate flexibility in the products you can offer your customers. Cut in mirror image using the same plotter as your sign vinyl, with the excess weeded away it can then be applied
onto the garment. Offer corporate wear, work wear, polo shirts, hen and stag shirts - and with the right press you can also create caps and hats.

Application tape


Application tape is applied in exactly the same way in both industries - you just need to use the right tape for the specific application. Using application tape aids the application process, making it quicker, easier and without the potential of losing your graphics in the process. It is also handy for preparing your full colour garment transfers and storing them for pressing later.

Weeding tool


As you will always need to weed away excess media you will always need a weeding tool. These are used in exactly the same way on garment film as they are on vinyl and can greatly increase working speed and accuracy, making sure you don't lose parts of your design.

Both industries are pretty open and friendly places and you'll find lots of places for advice if you need it. There are a number of online forums and trade publications, packed full of experts and advice - all you have to do is ask!

 
 

 
 
 
Once you have all the equipment, materials and know how you need, give your new service a good chance of getting off the ground by promoting it correctly from the outset.

Here are a few marketing ideas that shouldn't make too much of a dent in your pocket...

• Add the message to your own workwear - "ask me about personalised clothing" or "ask me about signage"


• Add it to your business cards and any other stationery

• Put posters up in your shop advertising your new service

• Send an email to your existing customers letting them know about your new service

• Put flyers advertising the new service in the orders you despatch

• Add it to your website and email signatures