Tools of the trade
Simply put, without having the right tools to hand, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to achieve the desired outcome in signage applications. Whether it is using a certain type of squeegee to apply a wrap to a vehicle or knives to cut a set of window graphics to shape; get this wrong and you risk placing the entire job in jeopardy.
Luckily for sign-makers, there is a whole raft of quality tools available to the industry, with many trusted and reliable suppliers to rely on. Working with these specialist companies will ensure you are getting the right tool for the job and a quality piece of kit to complete the project.
Here, we catch up with some of the suppliers of these tools to find out which tools have been proving popular and any additional advice they can offer to sign-makers.
Smart investment
One of the leading names in sign-making tools is Yellotools, which works with customers in core markets such as Europe and North America. Founder and chief executive Michael Althoff says sign-makers need to consider upgrading tools even if they are comfortable with kit they have been working with for a number of years.
“Over the last 20 years, I have seen so many sign-makers, all over the world, that are still using tools and applicators from ‘back then’,” Althoff says, continuing: “Why? Because at one point they stopped requestioning their workflow and accepted a ‘non-perfect’ way of getting things done.
“We ask so many people, ‘What do you hate about your job?’ Nine out of 10 say ‘Nothing, all is good’. But then you go a bit deeper into the conversation and after asking ‘why’ four or five times, they figure out that they do hate a couple of things such as removing vinyl and changing medias into the printers.
“They are not aware of the fact that you can eliminate waste from your daily job and get more profit all of what you do day in, day out by re-thinking the actual way of applicating vinyl, wrapping cars, storing media and organising their workflow by investing in the right equipment.”
In terms of what sign-makers should be looking for when investing in new tools, Althoff has plenty of advice, encouraging companies to invest in quality to benefit in the longer run. He gives a heat gun as an example, saying that cheaper models will likely have a simple brush motor, flimsy housing, and a standard built-in heat source.
Yellotools advises sign-makers to invest in tools that match their current business requirements
He expands: “Do they heat air? Yes, of course. Are they cheaper than others? Yes. But they are not designed to be used for work such as wrapping five cars a week. Here, you need brushless motors, rock solid plastic housing with rubber patches, ceramic heat sources, and really good electrical plugs and cables. Is this more expensive? Yes, but it's worth it.”
Before committing to an investment, Althoff says sign-makers should first consider whether they actually need a tool to help with a certain job and, if so, what would be the return on investment?
“At Yellotools, we want our customers to get their invested money back within a few weeks at the latest,” he says, adding: “So, it doesn’t really matter how much a tool actually costs; if you don’t have enough work to get it into full swing, you might need better marketing rather than a better tool.
At Yellotools, we want our customers to get their invested money back within a few weeks at the latest”
“I am aware that most competitors hate me for saying this out loud, but it’s really common sense. If we don’t help our customers grow, we can’t grow either. That’s why we always try to figure out what our customer really needs.”
Althoff explains that because there are always different levels of tool categories, it’s important to remember it wouldn’t make sense to suggest an expensive high-end tool to a beginner who might not have the customer base to get his money back in a few weeks. Instead, he suggests starting small and upgrading as you go.
“But we also advise sign-markers to stay curious and obey the progress. Don’t miss the point to get the better upgrade as soon as the jobs get bigger. Work smarter – not harder!”, he says.
Continuous investment
Meanwhile and William Smith is also well placed to supply sign-makers with quality tools for a range of applications. Established as a major supplier of materials, William Smith works with customers to help them identify the most effective tools for their work.
William Smith advises sign-makers to invest in quality and trusted brands
“As with any business it is important to make continuous investment to ensure you can stay with the trend,” says Kyle Giles, marketing executive at William Smith, adding: “Investing properly in sign-making tools will allow you to manufacture products to the highest of quality and as the customers expect.
“Underinvesting can impact a business from several different perspectives. For example, if you underinvest in equipment, you’re risking the chance that the quality of your product will drop.”
Giles goes on to say that technologies are continuously advancing and therefore sign-makers may have the ability to carry out processes more efficiently. In addition to this, they are more likely to be able to manufacture products to a higher standard if they are to invest in the latest tools available.
“If you don’t invest in the upkeep of equipment at some point equipment will fail, increasing downtime,” Giles says, adding: “This will then have a knock-on effect on your pipeline, lead times, and ultimately service levels. What is good for today isn’t necessarily good for tomorrow.”
So, what should sign-makers be looking for when investing in a quality tool? Giles says that first and foremost, any investment in equipment should serve a benefit to the business, whether it be creating an efficiency or improving quality.
“Reputable brands are always a good indicator at the quality of a product, and I think that’s a given and most people will be aware of this when they are looking at new tools and other solutions for sign-making applications,” Giles explains.
As to how William Smith can help, within its dedicated fabrication department, Giles says that the company is able to offer all the standard state-of-the-art equipment that is required to produce quality sign products.
O Factoid: William Smith's tool offering includes a 6m x 4m batch oven for powder coating, a SM powder spray coating booth, and a 4m 100T press brake O
Picking out some of these solutions, Giles says William Smith can supply a 6m x 4m batch oven for powder coating, as well as a 5m powder coating spray booth and 4m 100T press brake.
“These are just some of the key pieces of equipment we have for sign-making; our full range stretches much further, and we invite sign-makers to contact us to see how we can support them with all types of applications,” Giles adds.
Strong bonds
Establishing a lasting relationship with a trusted tools supplier could be key to a sign-maker's success. Last year, Swedish sign manufacturer Signcraft paid tribute to its relationship with specialist tooling supplier ITC Tools, with the two companies having been working together since 2002, following a chance meeting at Sign and Digital UK.
“At the time, we had only had our routing machine a couple of years, and we were using tools from another supplier,” says Signcraft founder Henry Barker, who adds: “The range of tools was quite limited and made some jobs quite challenging.
“We didn’t know how limited the tools were until we met Sally from ITC. Sally introduced us to the ITC range, and this encompassed everything from square and ball nose tools to tapered tools, long series tools, and much more.”
Over the years that followed, Signcraft purchased a number of tools from ITC to use on its shop floor, with Barker saying as well as the diversity of range, the “outstanding quality” of products kept the company going back for more.
“The tools were almost impossible to break and the service and technical support from Sally has been outstanding,” Barker says, adding: “If we have a particular challenge or we need a special tool, the technical support from Sally and the ITC team has been exemplary.
“We use a lot of the ITC LG Series of single flute tools for machining all our plastic materials and the STA Series for machining aluminium or similar materials. Upon occasions, we also use special ITC tools for machining stainless or other more challenging materials.”
Barker adds: “What we have found with ITC is the quality of the cutting tools is exemplary. The tool life, quality, and performance is outstanding. It is also the technical expertise that ensures we are optimising our machining parameters and maximising the potential of the cutting tools.”
Elsewhere, as its name may suggest, Sign Trade Supplies has a range of options on offer to the market. Business development manager Garrick Dartnell says investing in quality tools is important because it can directly affect the quality and consistency of the signs you produce.
The Pink PPF squeegee set from Sign Trade Supplies is designed specifically for the application of paint protection film
“High-quality tools often offer greater precision, durability, and reliability, which means you can create signs that are more visually appealing, accurate, and long-lasting,” Dartnell says, adding: “Additionally, investing in quality tools can increase your efficiency and productivity, saving you time and money in the long run.
“Underinvesting in sign-making tools can lead to inconsistent results and can also cause problems with customer satisfaction and decrease repeat business. In addition, underinvestment can lead to reduced efficiency and productivity, as cheaper tools may require more maintenance, replacements, and down time.”
As to what sign-makers should be looking for, Dartnell says there are several factors to consider. Firstly, look for tools made by reputable manufacturers and suppliers, as he says these tend to be tried and tested items that will stand the test of time.
Secondly, he advises to look for tools that require minimal maintenance to save time and increase efficiency. Lastly, Dartnell says consider the overall cost-effectiveness of the tool, taking into account the initial cost, maintenance, and expected lifespan of the premium tool in comparison to a cheaper alternative.
Casting an eye over Sign Trade Supplies’ latest solutions, Dartnell picks out the WrapFuel Pink PPF squeegee set, which he says provides a great set of application squeegees designed specifically for the application of paint protection film.
Meanwhile, Dartnell says the Nano Suction Quad Patch allows sign installers to make any clean smooth surface into a magnetic area when positioning vinyl graphics or vehicle wrap before application.
“This is particularly useful for aluminium truck bodies, GRP body panels, glass surfaces, and anything else that standard magnetic grippers won’t hold to,” he says.
With many sign-makers and related businesses seeking to reduce costs in what is currently a very tough market, it is understandable why some may be looking to cheaper options when it comes to tools and similar solutions.
However, from speaking with specialist and expert suppliers here, it is clear that any sort of underinvestment in tools could cost sign-makers much more in the long run. After all, are the savings on cheaper tools better than losing a customer that was dissatisfied with a job? Affordable options are available to sign-makers, and by speaking with trusted suppliers, they can locate the tools that will allow them to achieve high quality output without having to break the bank.
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