The thumbnail version:

• The annual event had to go online in 2020
• It was still a success
• Get in on the 2021 event

The full version:

Future employees at a Sign Manufacturing Day.

Sign Manufacturing Day is an annual event that exposes shops to students who could potentially consider a career in the industry. It’s usually held in the first week of October when participating shops give groups of students shop tours.

Last year, this event, like so many others, had to adapt to the conditions of COVID by taking the event online. The organizers have reported that it was a success in spite of the unusual circumstances.

Now would be a good time to get your shop in on this event for 2021. Not only is participation in anything like this good exposure for your shop but it could give you access to up and coming talent.

Sign Manufacturing Day is organized by the Sign Association of Canada.

Thumbnail version:

• Roland is phasing out TR INK.
• The TR2 upgrade process may give a VersaWorks error message
• The fix is easy

The full version:

Roland is phasing out TR INK and replacing it with the superior TR2 inks. Aside from an improved ink, they’re promising you improved machine performance as well.

However, the TR2 upgrade process, while smooth for most operators, can result in VersaWorks giving the following error message: “The printer connected differs from the one being used. Please select the correct model and ink type or verify the port settings.”

If this happens, Roland recommends that you follow this procedure after you have saved any files, settings or profiles you may have built in VersaWorks in order to restore them if lost during the initialization: 

1. Close out VersaWorks
2. Reintilaize the application using the following steps:
   • Drive to the file ‘C:Program Ffiles/versaworks/versainit
   • Run the versainit
   • You will get a prompt to initialize the apploication. Click “Yes”.
3. Once the initialization is complete, restart VersaWorks and re-add the printer.

VerasWorks should now recognize your pinter.

This information is available on the Roland DGA website. If you have any doubts at all about this procedure, please Contact Rob at Stanley’s Edmonton office (780 424 4141) or Graham at Stanley’s Calgary office (403 243 7722) for guidance.

Welcome back and Happy New Year!

The crew are back at all four Stanley’s branches today, well rested and ready to get 2021 off to a flying start. 2020 was a difficult year and as we start 2021 we should do so optimistically, keeping in mind what Winston Churchill said: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

And while we’re looking ahead to a better year, there’s another wise quote we can use. This one is from the author, Maria Robinson, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

Stanley’s is ready to attend to your needs. Just keep in mind though that the COVID protocols of last year are still in place.

Edmonton 780 424 4141

Calgary 403 243 7722

Cambridge 519 620 7342

Richmond 604 873 2451

Thumbnail version:

• The recent Sign Media survey yielded some interesting facts about the industry
• Take the quick quiz and see how well you know your industry

The full version:

The idea is that this short quiz will pique your interest so that you’ll go read the full survey results.

The questions about the sign and graphics industry in Canada as revealed by respondents to Sign Media’s survey :

1. What percentage of respondents have been in the industry for longer than 30 years?
2. What percentage of respondents are 29 years old and under?
3. What percentage of respondents have been with their current company for between 5-9 years (more in this bracket than any other)?
4. What percentage of respondents are female?
5. What percentage of the respondents say their companies pay their employees bonusses?
6. What percentage of shops saw a reduction in revenue of more than 20% due to the pandemic?

The answers:

1. 19.5 percent.
2. 8 percent.
3. 29 percent.
4. 25 percent.
5. 40 percent.
6. 43 percent.

Being connected is essential to progress

The thumbnail version:

• Sign Media survey shows up some interesting industry association numbers
• It’s a good time to consider your shops memeberships

The full version:

This is not the first time you’ve seen something about industry associations here, and it won’t be the last. This is because the benefits are real. As an earlier post pointed out, no sign shop is an island but part of an industry with which it needs to interact in order to thrive.

The best way to interact is through industry associations.

Here is an excerpt from the recent results of the Sign Media Canada 2020 Salary Survey Report . . .

“Professional associations help to connect similar businesses in the sign industry which all abide by a set code of ethics. These not-for-profit groups promote the welfare of the industry, the status of members in the community, and the benefits of users of signs.”

It goes on to say, “Therefore, it is not surprising, 29.4 percent of respondents belong to the Sign Association of Canada (SAC), while 21.4 percent are members of the International Sign Association (ISA).”

Give your industry association memberships some thought as you plan for the coming year. Apparently high numbers of your competitors are, so can you afford to not?

Finally! This crazy year is drawing to a close.

The crew at Stanley’s want to thank you for your support and for your understanding as they implemented the necessary measures to help battle COVID-19. It wasn’t always convenient but together we kept the industry going.

Next year will be more of the same initially but with responsible behavior and the introduction of vaccines, hopefully 2021 will be end up more “normal” that 2020 has been.

Regardless though, as always, the Stanley’s crew will be there to attend to your needs with their range of brand-name products and technical support.

In the meantime, if you’re going to need supplies from now to the end of the holiday period, please keep in mind that all four branches will be closing at 4.00 pm on the 23rd and reopening at 8.30 am on January the 4th.   

The thumbnail version:

• COVID-19 has forced events online
• It presents an opportunity for smaller shops in particular

The full version:

COVID-19 has caused many changes to the way we work, network, and attend shows, galas, and conferences. The latest example is the Best of Canada’s Sign Industry (BOCSI) awards gala.

This year it was livestreamed to more than 150 participants. It included a networking session and a running chat bar where participants could share comments. The benefit of running this type of event this way is that participants can join from the comfort of their shops or homes. There is no time lost to travel, no travel expense, and no accommodation expense.

In some cases this may become a permanent way for organizations to run shows, galas and conferences. For example, an art organization that for many years has hosted an annual conference in different cities around the U.S. for three or four hundred members, some of whom would travel from as far afield as Australia, went virtual on Zoom this year. Attendance was up over 700 hundred people from over 30 different countries. The money raised from paid attendance at the various workshops over the three-day conference far exceeded expectations and what the conference had raised in previous years. They’re considering making this a permanent arrangement.

This may be one of the legacies of COVID-19—online shows, galas, and conferences replacing the much more costly in-person events. If that is what happens, it presents an opportunity for smaller shop owners in particular to access industry events a lot more readily and with much less expense.

Something to look out for.

The thumbnail version:

• Pandemic has had a severe impact on the industry
• Shops will have to focus on certain drivers in the coming recovery

The full version:

Martin Schoeppler, CEO and president of Fujifilm Dimatix, writing for Sign Media Canada, explores the state of the industry after the impact of COVID-19 and how the post-pandemic industry will be different from before.

He includes mention of sign companies diversifying into textiles but we’ve already addressed that extensively here, so no need to do it again. However, the conclusion to his article is worth paying some attention to . . .

“It is evident the pandemic has had a severe impact on the printing industry at large; however, the author’s company and its customers are already firmly focused on the drivers that will enable a solid recovery. The voices heard form the field are indications of what is to come; advanced and innovative technology, customized customer service, and service dexterity, which will continue to be the foundations of an effective response in gaining a competitive advantage even during this challenging period.”

Planning the post-pandemic recovery.

If the bigger players in the industry are already “firmly focused on the drivers that will enable a solid recovery”, shouldn’t we all be?

From a small sign shop’s perspective, the key items mentioned as part of the recovery are “customized customer service” and “service dexterity.” These are elements that even the smallest shop with very limited resources can deliver in the post-pandemic world to ensure survival and growth.

Are you focused on the drivers that will enable a solid recovery?

The thumbnail version:

• The pandemic has presented a whole new marketplace for sign printers
• Roland DGA has confirmed what we’ve been saying for months
• Is your shop participating?

The full version:

Of course we’re printing COVID signs!

As as been pointed out here ever since the pandemic began, new opportunities have presented themselves to the digital and graphics industry. I mean of course the various new signs that retailers and institutions in particular need to deal with social distancing and other matters related to COVID-19.

It should come as a surprise to nobody then that Sign Media Canada, quoting Jay Roberts of Roland DGA, would report: “The sign industry paradigm suddenly shifted to: we need this now. End -users quickly began generating large amounts of signage for closures, new business practices such as take-out only, and crowd management. These signs were vital to keeping companies in touch with their clients throughout the crisis and into the phases or reopening.”

So, here’s the question . . .  Is your shop getting its share of this bonanza?  If not, isn’t it time to get in on the opportunity?

The thumbnail version:

• Sign shops are eyeing textile printing
• The forecast is eye-opening.

The full version:

Hey! Here’s a forecast you should know about!

Sign printers are apparently eyeing textile printing as a diversification option. According to Ginny Mumm writing for Sign Media Canada, Allied Market Research’s industry forecast for 2020-2027 suggests that the global digital textile printing market will grow by a compound annual growth of 19.1%.

This projection includes direct-to-fabric prints and dye sublimation.

If this projection turns out to be even close to accurate, it suggests a huge diversification trend in the digital and graphics industry. And apparently it includes all sizes of shops, right across the board.

So, something you should be aware of and probably explore. No good eventually turning up after the train has left the station!

Thumbnail version:

• What goes into building a success story?
• It starts with a vision and proceeds with certain principles

Full version:

It starts with a well-thought out vision.

So what does it require to take a sign shop from a kitchen-table operation to a 33,000 square foot facility? It takes a vision and a willingness to realize that vision.

In an interview with SignMedia Canada the following question was asked: “What makes your company unique?”

The answer . . . “The ability to adapt to changing trends, technology, and market shifts allows our company to be more than just a vendor to our clients. It enables us to be strategic partners where information is moved back and forth to make sure we provide maximum value and service.”

The rest of the discussion addresses topics such as quality and service, which have to of course be part of the operating principles if a business is to succeed.

The company is Sticky Media of Montreal. Check them out. Read the full interview. Be inspired.

The thumbprint version:

• Sign shops are diversifying their production
• Dye sublimation is gaining in popularity

The full version:

Do I or do I not add dye sublimation?

When various contributors to industry magazines discuss diversifying a shop’s offering, dye sublimation comes up repeatedly. Some shops are apparently seeing dye sublimation as a vital component of their production in the future.

Dye sublimation’s attraction lies in the light fabrics that can be used and the vibrant colours the process produces. Apparently customers find this combination very appealing. Add stretch and backlit possibilities and it’s not hard to see why dye sublimation has a growing fan base.

The only limiting factor seems to be size of print but the industry is expected to solve that challenge in the near future.

If you like to keep your shop on the cutting edge, dye sublimation sounds like something you should be investigating.

The thumbnail version:

• The Sign Company of the Year for 2020 has been announced
• It takes certain qualities to win this

The full version:

The recent BOSCIes awards included one for “Sign Company of the Year”.

So what does it take to qualify for this award? How were Access Signs of Longueil, Quebec, described in the announcement?

“Aside from concentrating on revenue, Access Signs has made a direct effort to ensure it is engaged and involved in the industry through its director of business development, and by encouraging industry initiatives. The company is actively involved in provincial and national sign associations and is also a member of the local chamber of commerce, as well as donating signage to various food banks and charities. The shop offers each employee full training when onboarding them by matching them with a senior employee. Weekly lunches and learning sessions on Fridays help expand the staff’s product knowledge.”

So, there you have it. Any ideas you can use?

The thumbnail version:

• Recognizing an effort beyond the call of duty is smart business
• There are many, many ways of recognizing employees

The full version:

A recognized employee is a happy employee.

Bob Nelson in his book, 1001 Ways to Reward Employees, writes: “Compensation is what you give people for doing the job they were hired to do. Recognition, on the other hand, celebrates an effort beyond the call of duty.”

So what are examples of recognition? Well, he lists 69 items but, to be frank, some of them are too silly to mention and some of them are dated. For instance, I’m not sure any of your employees would appreciate a “tape deck for their car.” Some are not at all realistic for the average Canadian digital and graphics shop such as “an overseas training trip.” But here are some that any shop could manage:

• Paid day off.
• Magazine subscription
• Birthday card and cake
• Tickets to an event
• Recognition lunch
• Post about the employee on social media
• Round of golf
• Home computer
• Gift certificate
• Finally, a long list of other things you could dream up if you tried.

Recognizing employees who perform beyond the call of duty, is smart business.

The thumbnail version:

• The demand for COVID-19 floor graphics will be here for some time yet
• The substrates for floor graphics haver to be carefully selected

The full version:

The demand for floor graphics is probably going to persist for a while yet as COVID-19 shows no signs of abating. This isn’t news, we’ve been addressing the topic in posts for some time.

It must be specially designed non-slip material.

But recently an article (can’t remember where) addressed the topic of substrates suitable for floor graphics. The point being made was that if the floor graphic were printed on the wrong substrate it might solve one issue but cause another, in the form of a slip and fall with serious consequences.

The writer urged printers to be very careful in their selection of substrates for floor graphics. This might seem obvious to some old hands at producing floor graphics but right now there are a lot of shops meeting the demand for floor graphics that have never printed them before. They in particular need to be aware that the substrate has to be specifically designed for non-slip qualities.

Not only is it common sense to use the right substrate but failing to do so could lead to negligence suits should someone slip and be injured.

The thumbnail version:

• Customized décor prints are trending
• Some research could get a graphics shop into this market

The full version:

Judging by a number of recent articles there seems to be a trend in businesses and individuals looking for ways to create unique customized décor for the spaces they occupy.

Interior decorators would make good contacts.

This presents an opportunity for large format digital printers to provide customized short runs. While wall coverings may be beyond the scope of most smaller digital and graphic shops in Canada, textile prints to be used as cushion covers, fine art printed on canvas, wall decals, blinds and a host of other items, are not.

Hooking up with a few interior decorators as well as some market research into this potential opportunity could be worth your while.

The thumbnail version:

• No sign shop is an island
• Join an industry association

The full version:

The BOCSIes awards results are always a good reminder to encourage sign shops to join an industry association, in this case the Sign Association of Canada.

No shop should try to exist as an island.

If your shop is not  a member of an industry association you run the risk of being out of touch with developments in the industry. And aside from keeping in touch and being inspired by developments as and when they occur in today’s rapidly-changing environment, there are also of course all kinds of facilities to be enjoyed and contacts to be made.

Just one such facility is the Sign Media Job Board where employers looking to fill a vacancy or employees looking for a job can meet.

Just as John Donne made the point in his 1624 poem that no man is an island but part of a greater society with which he needs to interact in order to thrive, so it can be said that no sign shop is an island but part of an industry with which it needs to interact in order to thrive.

Join an association.

The thumbnail version:

• The BOCSIes awards winners have been announced
• Check them out and be inspired

The full version:

The winners of the 2020 Best of Canada’s Sign Industry awards (BOCSIes) have been announced.

The merit of entries were judged in five aspects: originality; creativity; materials; appearance; and design sustainability. There were thirteen categories of signs covering every aspect of the sign industry in Canada.

Every year we encourage sign shops to consider entering this competition. It’s the kind of thing that can set standards for the shop and boost morale. Then there is also the benefit of exposure which could lead to new business.

So, check out the winning entries in the November issue of Signmedia magazine and be inspired.

The thumbnail version:

• Cash flow is a problem in these COVID-19 time
• Some of your customers could be at risk of failure
• Bad debts can kill your business
• A cash-only policy could save your shop

The full version:

COVID-19 has had an impact on the way business is done. For instance, cash flow is a problem for many businesses, your customers included. Some established businesses have failed because they haven’t been able to collect the receivables on their books when the pandemic struck.

No credit. No receivables. No bad debts.

I once spoke to a shop owner who built his business on a cash-only basis; no credit, no receivables. Of course this disqualified him with some customers who required credit but his argument was that building a bigger business with a big receivables list is kidding yourself and and incurring unnecessary stress and risk; COVID-19 has proved his point.

No credit. No receivables. No bad debt.

if you want to reduce your exposure to risk by not serving as your customers’ bank, you could start with a notice that: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we require full payment upfront with all orders.” Then list the various ways you accept payment. Some customers may object and you’ll have to do some persuading. But if your survival is at risk . . .

The thumbnail version:

• COVID-19 continues to hit the economy generally, and small business specifically.
• Ottawa has responded by updating a number of small business assistance programs.
• Click below to hear a two-minute explanation by John Swain.

The full version:

The thumbnail version:

• Printing United is virtual this year
• Roland will be there

The full version:

Roland will be showcasing its advanced imaging technologies for eco-solvent and direct-to-garment applications. The event runs from the 26th of October to the 12th of November.

Online registration for this event is at https://www.printingunited.com

In-person shows are of course better inasmuch as you can touch, feel, hear, prod, and smell equipment and materials but, given the COVID-19 situation this year, this event is the next best thing.

Staying up to date and ahead of the competition requires that you register now.

The thumbnail version:

• Roland has the BT-12 direct-to-garment desk-top printer.
• It’s suited to limited-quantity prints for, say, promotional purposes.

The full version:

The Roland BT-12 direct-to-garment desk-top printer.

Roland is telling the story about how an employment services company in Oregon acquired a Roland BT-12 direct-to-garment printer as part of their promotion program.

Shortly after COVID hit, they decided to print Tees, sweats and masks with their logos. They also printed clients’ logos on those items and gave them away as a promotion. Apparently it was well received.

If your sign shop is looking for a promotional idea or even a way to get into textile prints, you should talk to Stanley’s (Calgary 403 243 7722 and Edmonton 780 424 4141) about the Roland BT-12. Just understand though that while they’re fine for occasional limited-quantity prints for, say, promotional purposes, desk-top DTG printers are not high-volume production machines.

The thumbnail version:

• This shop pivoted rather than close
• It’s a lesson in consulting end-users

The full version:

The September edition of Sign Media Magazine had an interesting illustration of a successful pivot to meet changing circumstances. The lesson was buried near the end of an article about North Design Build, a sign shop in Hamilton.

Like most other shops, North Design Build was hit hard by the impact of COVID-19. Rather than close (as some did) they decided to pivot to making personal protection equipment, most specifically a face shield. This is where the pivoting lesson comes in.

The interviewer asked the owner, Kenneth Tschernow, about the challenges involved and how they overcame them. The answer is illuminating: “Developing a face shield that is comfortable and functional while conforming to the Government of Canada’s material recommendations was the real challenge. We overcame this by launching a feedback campaign, which encouraged all end-users to submit their comments, complaints, and recommendations. This data along with a few healthcare practitioners’ napkin sketches helped us further refine our design, making it a true one-size-fits-all, useful, and practical product.”

The rest of the article is well worth a read but the excerpt above gives some insight into what you have to do when pivoting into something in which you have little experience—consult the end user.

The thumbnail version:

• A second wave of COVID-19 has started
• Floor signs are showing signs of wear and tear
• Time to take advantage of an opportunity

The full version:

It seems that the much-feared second wave of COVID-19 is becoming a reality. This means that masks, hand-washing, disinfecting, and social distancing will be with us for some time yet.

Something else that will be with us for some time yet because of this are COVID-19 floor signs that tell us where to stand and which direction to walk. The wear and tear on many of the floor signs that came with the first COVID wave, suggest that a second wave of signs is becoming due.

If you missed out on the floor sign and decal wave the first time, why not see if you can get in on the second wave?

A tour of businesses and institutions with heavy foot traffic might be a good place to start. If you see worn, damaged, or peeling signs you might get lucky with a cold sales call. Your chances are even better if you can show that the first round of signs were deficient either as to design, material, printing, or application.

In this market sign shops will do better by going out and finding work rather than sitting around waiting for it.

The thumbnail version:

• Employment or business ownership?
• Go forth with a plan and eyes wide open

The full version:

Thanks to COVID-19 and the ripple effect it has had on most aspects of our lives, we’re living in strange times. Your job in a sign shop has probably been affected in one way or another to the extent that you’re wondering if you might be better off controlling your own destiny.

You may be wondering if now is the time to do what you’ve maybe been thinking about for some time—open your own sign shop. If this is the case, just know that you’re thinking about more than opening your own sign shop; you’re thinking about becoming a business owner. There’s a difference.

Venture forth with eyes open, wits about you, and a plan.

You may know all you need to know about producing great signs. But what do you know about raising money, accounting, business planning, budgeting, hiring, firing, marketing, selling, leases, legal agreements, and a host of other non-technical issues that will confront you as a business owner?

I ask, not to scare you off, but to encourage you to explore business ownership thoroughly before leaping in at the deep end. Do a lot of something you probably don’t currently do much of—reading. Read (books, blogs, magazines), talk to business owners, and don’t venture out alone without one or more of a mentor, a lawyer, an accountant, and a financial planner to consult when your understanding, experience, or knowledge is deficient.

The dreams of business ownership tend to be all fun and games. The reality, not so much. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t own your own business, it just means that you must venture forth into business as you would into a jungle, with your eyes open, your wits about you, and with a plan.

The thumbnail version:

• Sign-printing technology nowadays is amazing
• Poorly designed signs are still being produced
• Printing poor signs with great technology is a waste

The full version:

Sign-printing technology has come a long way. Today we have the technology to churn out excellent signs. But has sign design kept up with the advances in printing technology? Not so much.

You shouldn’t have to squint to read a sign!

For example, Nova Scotia’s province-wide municipal elections are coming up in a week or two and there are candidate signs everywhere. And some of them are so poorly designed that one has to wonder whether printers are even trying to offer design advice. Surely design advice is part of the printing service?

What many of these sign designers don’t seem to realize is that in rural Nova Scotia in particular (which is most of the province), people are not going to stand and examine the signs. They have to be read from passing cars at speed. So a sign with poor colour choices and cluttered and small lettering are essentially totally useless, and hence a waste of money.

Great sign-printing technology counts for nothing if it’s wasted on churning out poorly designed graphics.

The thumbnail version:

• Word of mouth is an effective marketing tool
• But your customer service must be top notch
• A lapse in customer service can see word of mouth work against you

Full version:

Word of mouth is an effective and inexpensive business builder so you want customers to tell other people about your great customer service. In fact word, encouraging word of mouth should be a key element of your marketing strategy. If more businesses spent some of the time they waste on social media obsessively looking for “exposure” and instead focused on promoting word of mouth recommendations, they’d see better returns.

However, word of mouth can be a two-edged sword. It can work against your business too if a customer’s experience is less than great. Remember, unhappy customers are just as capable of talking as happy ones.

So, here’s a reminder of a list of qualities needed for providing great customer service. How does your shop measure up?:

• Top notch communication skills
• Good listening skills
• A willingness to take ownership of customer problems
• Patience
• Empathy
• Good, polite manners
• Product knowledge
• Adaptability and creativity

Customers talk. The question is, what are they going to say about your shop? You don’t want word of mouth marketing to backfire on you!

The thumbnail version:

• Logos are important for small businesses to confer professionalism and legitimacy
• Small business logo priorities and big business logo priorities are different

The full version:

Some business writers and consultants tell small businesses that “a great logo is essential” because it will “trigger brand recognition.” What’s happening here is that they’re failing to make a distinction between big business and small business—the needs are completely different.

Here’s a word logo that does the job. It tells you the name of the business and what it has for you.

For most small businesses the need for a “great” logo has nothing to do with “brand recognition.” Let’s not kid ourselves that the buying public will ever recognize our logos the way they do for, say, Nike, Coke, McDonalds, and Mercedes. For us, the benefit of a “great” logo is that it confers an air of legitimacy, speaks to our professionalism, and gives the appearance of a serious contender.

So what should our prime considerations be when designing a logo for our small business? As hinted above, a good, clean, professional design and, preferably, also tell what our business does. This is why I favour word logos instead of obscure graphic designs that say nothing (remember, something like the Nike swoosh will be meaningless for your small business).

A logo has an important job to do promoting your shop as professional and legitimate. “Brand recognition” in the Nike sense is not a priority. Design with this in mind.

The thumbnail version:

• It’s a changing market and new opportunities abound
• You have to look around outside your shop to see what’s going on

The full version:

Look outside your shop to see what’s going on.

In the 2nd September post I mentioned a changing trend in the industry that Roland had mentioned in an article on their website. Below is an excerpt from the same article that you may have missed. It’s good advice that should be heeded, so here it is . . .

“ . . . every shop and situation is different, and sign and graphics providers should be aware of what’s happening on a more local level—identifying the immediate customer needs in the locale that are not being met. The sign industry has a history of adapting to fit changing times and an essential new need for facemask products, outdoor signage, social distancing signs, and other previously niche products is an indication that graphics providers should be paying close  attention to what’s happening outside their shops. Now more then ever, bringing new ideas to your shop is important, as well as looking at what competitors are doing and talking to customers and colleagues to find new leads, ideas and revenue possibilities.”

We’re in volatile times. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The sign industry in particular has new opportunities created by the virus. The question though is whether your shop is up for the challenge.