Trade insight Business growth

How local print shops can unlock new revenue through signage

Print volumes fluctuate and competition increases. One higher-value opportunity is already sitting in front of you, in your existing customer list.

Sign Trade Supplies 6 minute read Maidstone, Kent
Sheets running through a printing press in a local print shop
The same press, the same customers — a wider product range

For many local print shops, there comes a point where growth starts to slow. Print volumes fluctuate, competition increases, and winning new customers becomes harder. But one opportunity is often sitting right in front of them: signage.

Many businesses that already buy printed materials also need signs. Shop fascias, wayfinding, wall graphics, post and panel signs, office branding, parking signs and outdoor displays all come from the same customer base you already serve. The difference is that signage often carries a higher value per job and can open the door to long-term commercial relationships.

The good news is that expanding into signage does not necessarily mean investing in expensive fabrication equipment or hiring specialist staff.

You already have more of the skills than you think

Many print businesses underestimate how transferable their existing experience really is. If you already design artwork for customers, understand colour management, and prepare files for production, you're already working with many of the same principles used in sign making.

Print professionals typically already have
  • Strong graphic design capabilities
  • An understanding of CMYK, RGB and spot colours
  • Experience preparing production-ready artwork
  • Established relationships with local business customers
  • Knowledge of branding and visual communication

The only missing piece is often the manufacturing process.

A print shop workstation producing customer artwork

Signage without the capital investment

One of the biggest barriers that stops print companies entering the signage market is the perceived cost. CNC routers, aluminium fabrication equipment, specialist tooling and larger premises all require significant investment. For many businesses, that simply isn't practical.

Fortunately, there is another way. By working with a trade manufacturing partner, print shops can quote and sell signage projects without purchasing expensive equipment. Instead of saying no to enquiries, you can confidently offer a much wider range of products while outsourcing the manufacturing. That lets you test the market, build experience and generate additional revenue before deciding whether further investment is worthwhile.

A trade partner that helps you grow

At Sign Trade Supplies, we work with trade customers to help them offer more without taking on unnecessary risk. Rather than simply supplying products, our approach is built around helping businesses find the right solution for each project through expert advice and ongoing support.

Whether you're quoting your first aluminium tray sign or looking at a larger wayfinding project, our team can help with product selection, technical advice and practical recommendations. We can also manufacture a wide range of signage products on a trade basis, so you remain the customer's primary supplier while we support you behind the scenes.

3 hour Average despatch time
99.34% Of orders safely delivered
No MOQ Order exactly what the job requires

Installation doesn't have to be a barrier

Another common concern is installation. The reality is that many successful businesses build partnerships with experienced local sign installers. That creates a simple model where everyone focuses on what they do best.

  1. 01 You manage the customer relationship
  2. 02 You design and quote the project
  3. 03 Trade partners manufacture the signage
  4. 04 Local installers complete the installation
An installed aluminium tray fascia sign on a commercial unit
Aluminium composite tray sign with vinyl lettering applied — a typical first signage project

Grow your business without growing your overheads

Offering signage gives print businesses the opportunity to increase average order values and strengthen customer relationships. Instead of referring enquiries elsewhere, you can keep that revenue within your own business while expanding the range of services you offer.

As your confidence grows, you may eventually decide to bring some production in-house. Until then, working with an experienced trade supplier allows you to grow at your own pace without committing to major investment.

We've spent more than 35 years helping businesses succeed with expert advice, flexible ordering, fast nationwide delivery and practical support whenever it's needed. Our goal is to be more than just a supplier.
Fast. Flexible. Reliable

For more information, get in touch

Tell us about the enquiry on your desk and we'll help you specify it, price it and get it made.