Elevating quality at Elite Signs

There seems to be a great trend, in the sign industry in particular, for the skill to run through the family, as well as the business. This could not be more true for Elite Signs and Graphics, which was set up in 1996 by Clive and Barrie, the father and uncle of Simon James, who is the current managing director of the company. The craft even goes a generation further as before setting up the sign firm, in the 1970s James’ father and uncle worked pin-striping vehicles with James’ grandfather, who was a trained sign painter.

James fondly remembers visiting the sign shop as a child: “As a schoolboy I used to visit my father and uncles’ sign shop regularly, and absolutely loved the idea that they turned sketches and ideas into a reality on their Roland PC60 ribbon system print and cut machine—and the positive reactions of the customers were amazing.
From the start I could clearly see that providing quality signage formed the backbone of Elite Signs’ ethos and still does to this day.”

Apart from a few part-time jobs where he picked up valuable skills such as customer service, James has worked with Elite Signs since 2002 following graduating from university. Here he puts his business and marketing qualifications to good use, as well as developing his graphic design skills along the way.

Elite Signs became limited in 2004 and although a small team, they have plenty of capacity. James says: “We have five members of staff working in a 2,300sq ft premises which encompasses a purpose built design studio, print room, multiple production rooms, and our 17 x 6m wide vehicle fitting bay—which is now able to house multiple vehicles, lorry cabs, buses, and articulated trailers (although not all at the same time).”

Picking up speed

Elite Signs produces many types of signage and vehicle graphics, from flags and banners, to industrial and corporate signage. A keen fan of Metamark’s range of vinyl films, James notes that the company has put particular focus recently into promoting the vehicle graphics side of the business.

He explains: “Our growth has been largely evenly spread within the sectors we serve, but we’ve put some promotional effort into vehicle graphics and that’s reflected in our performance there too. Commercial vehicles these days have to look good. So, whether a business buys something new or decides to refurbish part of an existing fleet, there’s always something that needs doing. We’ve put a lot of effort into making sure we can be found when businesses come looking for livery work and vehicle graphics.”

Elite Signs has carried out many creative projects, all of which, says James, are notable in their way. However, he does pick out a few of the quirkier jobs: “We’ve done some work you might describe as quirky for Pug Fest and that resulted in a really super looking Mini, and multiple vehicle wraps for UK Swim School Franchise ‘Swimkidz’.

“We’ve catered for the other extreme too with very formal work for larger businesses needing corporate ID. Among the most memorable though was the work we did for Celtic Recycling, Forward Waste Management 3 MAN Lorry colour change wraps and most notably Smiths Heavy Haulage lorry fleet wraps, which have helped them win many awards.”

James continues: “A particular favourite of the team at Elite Signs is the Le Mans Silk Cut replica livery that we had to create from a poor thumbnail, so that proved a challenge. We have also created bespoke signage for hotels and the Miskin Manor Hotel now serves as inspiration to many businesses wanting signs that ooze style and quality, yet encompass functionality. What we prescribed in terms of design there has been widely adopted across the company and it looks superb.”



Distinctive style

James also believes that Elite Signs is ‘advancing livery design’ as its customers and suppliers give the company the positivity needed to go forward.

“We’re often in a position these days where a vehicle that’s already signed will turn up outside and we’ll be asked to do one of ‘our’ liveries for it—something that transforms it and elevates its quality,” says James.

He continues: “Ours is a distinctive style. We use the vehicle as a canvas and don’t consider panel boundaries as limiting the scope for applying graphics. Consequently, our liveries are big, bold, and imaginative. We use typographic elements, colour and contrast to maximum effect. We’ve even had our work followed for miles on the road by people wanting to get in touch and find out who did it. We’re all working hard to develop this further. We’ll really apply our learning. In short, what distinguishes us is the work we do and the service-led way we do it.”


James acknowledges keeping up to date with the latest technology, such as printers, as well as having the right people on board to operate it, as two factors that are critical to their success.

He continues: “We’ll strengthen the team but it has to be with exactly the right people. We’ll continue to put quality at the very centre of everything we do, so that means making the best with the best raw materials. I don’t intend saving a few pounds at the expense of our customers.


“In terms of expanding what we offer, I think our formula applies broadly. We’ll be taking a look at décor of course and we’ll respond imaginatively to any work that requires the Elite touch.”



With so many projects that they are proud of, and an ethos where they put customers and quality first, it seems family-run Elite Signs will continue to go from strength-to-strength. But what really sets them apart, or indeed ahead of the curve, is they are not willing to take the easy route and simply say ‘yes’ to a customer’s first idea to
simply take their money. Rather they work hard to really understand what it is their customers want to achieve, and then using first class materials from the likes of Metamark, capture the essence of this ambition with their own creative touch.

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