Founded by Martin Lemiesz, Lemon Signs is now run by a 6-strong team of experienced staff
Thinking big
Since its inception in 2015, Derby-based Lemon Signs has grown to become an established sign company. Whilst it specialises in producing 3D signs, one look on the company’s website and it’s clear there’s no shortage of services on offer.
Founder and managing director, Martin Lemiesz, first started working in the sign industry in Hamburg, Germany in 2002 where he learned the trade. Describing himself as a very ambitious and driven person with lots of ideas, Lemiesz reached the point where he felt he wasn’t utilising his own potential. This led him to found the business seven years ago which he describes as the “best and worst decision” of his working life so far.
Despite being driven and ambitious, Lemiesz adds: “I’m definitely not a yes man either and that’s what is required by a lot of business owners and clients. It’s the freedom to do what I want and how I want it done, together with the ability to choose who I work with which was the main attraction back then.”
Starting out, Lemiesz worked at a small scale from his garage and over the years the company has grown to the size it is today – a 1,500 – 2,000sq ft site with six members of staff.
“The mission was simple. Be recognised as the most innovative and creative sign manufacturers in all the land. It’s a big goal, we know. But we’re big thinkers! That’s why we design and build giant signs, and not business cards and key rings. Small just isn’t an option here.
The Derby-based company produces an extensive range of signage and graphics
“As we continue to grow and evolve, it’s important that we remember our roots and the values that helped us get to where we are today.”
We believe that if it’s not thought through, it’s not worth making and that quality and attention to detail together with honesty, are our biggest assets”
Those values are ‘honesty, integrity, innovation, business with a smile, passion, and fun’. Lemiesz adds: “We believe that if it’s not thought through, it’s not worth making and that quality and attention to detail together with honesty, are our biggest assets.”
No shortage of services
Whilst the company’s offering to the print industry is limited with only a 1600mm-wide digital printer, its offering to the sign and wide-format print sectors is extensive to say the least.
“We live in a very visual world where a simple low-quality sign is no longer enough to attract new clients or project the right image for your company. At Lemon Signs, we print at 1440dpi, build 3D signs, and have the latest technology to keep up and often go beyond today’s standards.
“Large-format digital printers, vinyl cutters, laminators, CNC routers, hot wire cutters, flame polishers, and saws are just some of the equipment we use to create stunning signs for our clients.”
The list of signage offered by the Lemon Signs team is long and includes everything from 3D signs, exhibition display and event signage, internal signs such as reception and directory signs, wayfinding signs, and notice boards and plaques. External signage solutions include fascia signs, shop front signs, post mounted signs, fabricated signs, totem signs, built-up letters, and industrial signs.
As well as producing signs, Lemon Signs also offers a creative design service
Lemon Signs also offers a wide range of wide-format print and soft signage solutions such as vehicle wrapping including full colour change vehicle wraps, promotional vehicle wraps, fleet graphics, reflective vehicle graphics, custom decal and stickers, and magnetic signs.
In terms of wall graphics, the company produces a range of wall decals, printed vinyl or fabric wallpaper, 3D decorations, and 3D wall coverings. Etched/frosted window graphics, one-way vision perforated graphics, door graphics, solar and security window films, and wire window displays are all also available.
For the soft signage, banner and flag sphere, Lemon Signs has a huge range of products it can produce. This includes solid PVC banners in three grades depending on each customer’s budget and needs. Also in the soft signage range are PVC mesh banners, fabric banners, reflective banners, event banners, flags, internal banners, building wraps, banner frames, pop up banners, and exhibition and event banners.
In addition, Lemon Signs also offers short or long print runs of vinyl stickers and decals which can be applied to almost any surface. Demonstrating the imagination of the company, some examples provided are a giant tree or animal, a giant board game, a surfboard wrap, a life-size cut out, the sky on the ceiling of a room, or a model of a high street produced for Wilko.
As well as this, the company also offers a creative design service which helps companies without access to in-house designers, to achieve their desired results.
Lemon Signs offers a long list of vehicle wrapping services including full colour wraps and fleet graphics
“At Lemon Signs, we are passionate about what we do and pride ourselves on being able to deliver a premium bespoke product crafted to perfection on time and within budget, benefitting businesses for years to come. Having all our equipment and experts under one roof means we’re able to offer a fast turnaround on certain products and react quickly to customer’s needs.
“It also means we can control costs and maintain regular communication throughout the manufacturing process. All of our signs come with a guarantee of quality and workmanship, the length of which is dependent on materials specified.”
A strong reputation
The day-to-day running of Lemon Signs is varied with the company working with sign companies, creative agencies, local individual clients, and more commonly architects, interior designers, fit out companies, and builders. Working with these contacts, the company will often produce signage for new builds or remodel projects for private healthcare and higher education sectors. Prior to Covid-19, Lemiesz explains that the company was also heavily involved with exhibitions and conferences providing signs, graphics, giant 3D letters, and stage props.
Lemiesz explains: “We understand that each project is totally unique, and its success is something we take very seriously. From the outset, our dedicated team will monitor and control the progress of a project using their knowledge, skill, and vast experience to ensure objectives are met, on time and within the allocated budget. We believe in an individual approach and therefore our in-house experts are on hand to assist all the way from start to completion and beyond in order to give a project all the personal attention it deserves.
The company is looking to move into larger premises in the next two years as a result of continued growth
“Well placed signage will not only help a business to stand out from the crowd but also make it look more exclusive, more attractive, and more professional than competitors. Our fully insured installation team are second to none in terms of training and expertise so our customers can have peace of mind knowing that their sign will be installed using the most appropriate methods and fittings and all aspects of health and safety have been considered.
“We understand that reputation is everything. That’s why we pride ourselves on our own professional conduct throughout every installation.”
With the pandemic impacting certain areas of business, Lemiesz explains that despite growing year-on-year steadily since inception, and with annual turnover now triple what it was, the company’s appetite for growth has not been fully satisfied yet. With this in mind, Lemon Signs is operating a steady low risk growth strategy.
When reflecting on the successful business he has built, Lemiesz says one of his favourite things about the company is the fact that it’s different. “We are building a team of people who are proud of what they do and we love it. It’s difficult at times and means we had a lot of people working with us for a brief moment before we have realised they don’t fit the ethos. The ability to say no is something we think is important, as well as to work with clients whose values align with ours.
The ability to say no is something we think is important, as well as to work with clients whose values align with ours”
On the same breath, something that Lemiesz is most proud of is the fact that none of the signs the company has supplied so far have been removed, replaced, or fixed. “They still look almost as good as the day they were fitted. All this is purely due to our attention to detail, quality materials, and often overengineered solutions,” he explains.
Looking forward, and Lemon Signs is hoping to move into new premises of around 4,000sq ft in size as it has been struggling for space over the last couple of years. The company will also look at developing its own trade supply brand further and offering more products and services.
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