Sign Media Canada's 2023 salary survey results have been published. Yes, that's the survey I urged you to participate in back in September. It's a comprehensive results report in the December edition of the magazine, signmedia. Keep in mind though that the results reflect the input of participants...

In this competitive industry where adding a product can differentiate your shop from the competition, new ideas should be welcome. One such idea can be found in the December edition of signmedia—magnetic signage. You should read the entire article but there are some highlights to whet your...

Particularly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary business closures that occurred at that time, shops turned to online media more intensely than before for exposure and marketing. In many cases this set in place a permanent business tool. But it's a tool that must be understood and...

I was at a community association meeting last night at which there was a discussion about ordering a sign from a particular sign shop in the area. It was mentioned that it was hard to find the sign shop though because it didn't have a sign. Apparently the owner took the store sign down to replace...

Most people have no idea of the extent of the capabilities of their digital cameras. Sure they know how to shoot a picture of the kids and the dog and perhaps a trick or two beyond that, but what about all the amazing things it can do if one just took the trouble to find out what they are? Well,...

I've always maintained that engaging with customers and sharing insightful information gives a shop an advantage over its competition. Its a form of added value. It's a way of differentiating your shop from competitors For instance, here is something in the insight category that you could bring to...

Tom Peters once said that if he flips down the tray on an aircraft and they haven't bothered to wipe away the coffee and food stains, he wonders how much they care about the maintenance of the rest of the aircraft. What is the impression prospective customers get when they come through your shop's...

Selecting a plotter-cutter can pose a dilemma, particularly for a first-time buyer. We all instinctively know not to expect all equipment brands and options to be created equal and to therefore expect them to have different features and capabilities. And therein lies the dilemma . . . which...

CIRA (the registrar for .ca domain names) recently completed their 2023 cybersecurity survey that delivered some discouraging statistics. We all need to take note of this type of information, especially when it comes from a reliable source. It serves as both a warning and notice to take all...

If you sit and wait for business and are not out there looking for it, then this post won’t interest you. But if you’re looking to target new customers you will want to keep in mind this story told by Seth Godin in his book This is Marketing. A well-known comedian’s agent gets him a booking at a...

You have a vinyl sign job but are not sure about the vinyl film you need. You're told that your choice for the job lies between a monomeric and a polymeric film.  So, what's the difference? Well, monomeric and polymeric films differ in their plasticizer composition, thickness, stability, and...

You don't have to try too hard to see bad signs. They're everywhere. Sometimes they're really, really bad such as a sign for a bed and breakfast establishment in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, just the next village over from where I live. The ink is running to the extent that you can't read the sign...

Growth is a traditional priority in business. However, it's easier said than done. There's lots of advice that urges you to take your business to "the next level (whatever that means) but it's not always obvious what it entails. And as with most business issues, nothing is going to happen without...

Ginny Mumm, writing for Roland's website, offered a list of examples of the many print products your shop can produce on Roland equipment for your retail clients. Mumm points out that while digital and cutting equipment is known for being extremely versatile, few owners use their devices to their...

I recently came across material in a pamphlet-type of format that you may find useful as a basis for preparing your own promotional material. You may use it for an email blast to your customers and prospective customers (assuming you have built an email list) or you may pick and choose ideas for a...

I once heard a shop owner say that if he didn't have customers he'd enjoy coming to work much more. I guess he was saying what all shop owners already know—you're inevitably going to have difficult customers. The question though is how to deal with them. Even though you may feel like frog marching...

This is to remind you that Roland TV provides an extensive selection of videos in two categories—(1) product support, and (2) applications. The chances are that you will not only find answers to your equipment questions there but also discover stuff you didn't realize your Roland equipment could...

Roland has some important tips for keeping your printer working smoothly. And it’s not just about when the operator is at the shop; it’s also about making use of the time that the machine is not working when the operator is away. This may be for short periods over a weekend or particularly for...

Large organizations and governments frequently undertake simplification exercises or projects which they like to refer to as “red tape reduction.” Essentially it’s a process of eliminating unnecessary activities and streamlining others to achieve the simplification we all crave when things just...

There's something your label and decal customers should understand. Some apparently don’t, and it’s costing them. This is where you have a role to play in offering good advice—it will be appreciated and help to consolidate your relationships with customers. This real-life story of a few years ago...

You’re in a competitive market. The degree to which you succeed or fail depends partly on how well you perform in competition with your competitors. This means knowing at all times as much as you can about what they’re up so that your shop isn’t left behind in the event that they’re offering a new...

You may have an active vehicle-wrapping business already or you may be considering getting into vehicle wrapping, regardless though, I read about a great idea for promoting vehicle wrapping . . . Run a competition for local schools whereby students are invited to design a vehicle wrap for the...

The Canadian sign industry has a number of big players but there are a vast number of smaller shops; some are one-person and home-based shops. Unfortunately, it’s commonly assumed that the little guys can’t compete with the big guys because they’re not as “professional” or as “business-like” as...

This year the ISA Sign Manufacturing day falls on the 6th of October. Whattheythink.com describes the day as follows: "On October 6, sign companies will have an excellent opportunity to potentially attract new and young talent to their businesses. Every year, on the International Sign Associations...

Doug and Howard want you to know that Stanley's Richmond warehouse has moved. The new address is: Units 5 & 6, 1350 Valmont Way, Richmond. The contact information is unchanged: The phone number is still 604 873 2451 and the email is howard@stanleyssigns.com It's business as usual, just at a...