How to Start a Sign Business: Everything You Need to Know

Starting a sign business is a strong idea for a potentially profitable venture with a diverse customer base. But as diverse as they are, you’ll find yourself easily connecting with your clientele.

Why?

Because they’ll be a lot like you: passionate entrepreneurs who just want to grow their business. A sign company owner interacts frequently with other business owners, as well as company executives and marketing professionals. Another benefit of entrepreneurship is being able to choose who you work with. You’ll be hiring people to help you run the design and production part of your business, and as the business owner you’ll get to set the tone and create the culture you want for your workplace.

How much will it cost?

Costs vary when starting a new venture. How can you tell how much you’ll spend on starting a sign business of your own? You’ll need to budget for commercial real estate rental first and foremost, and that means scouting out the right-sized space for your shop.

How much can you make?

A specific prediction of your revenue isn’t really possible, but you can come up with some educated estimates by considering the demand for your services. Consider your potential client base: stores, offices, factories and municipalities, among others. These entities are in constant need of new, temporary and replacement signage, whether they’re mom-and-pop shops or large corporations.

Understanding how to reach those customers and market your sign business will be key to estimating your revenues.

Products and services

From graphic design needs to sign installation, a modern sign store can fulfill many creative needs for today’s businesses. Indoor and outdoor signs, vehicle wraps, digital and electrical signs, banners and printed and promotional items are all in high demand.

Why a sign business is a good idea

Opening a sign business in 2021 seems like a smart business decision. Globally, the sign industry is growing by 7.5% annually and is estimated to continue at that pace through 2028, according to Grandview Research. With over 30 million small to mid-sized businesses in the U.S. alone, there is a continuing demand for the products a well-rounded sign business or sign franchise offers.

Even after a rocky economic period during the height of the pandemic, the signage industry was not significantly impacted. And now that consumer confidence is bouncing back, experts predict an even greater demand for the specialized services and products offered by a sign shop.

The advantage of franchising

With an established franchise brand like Image360, you can put aside the stress of trying to research and answer all these questions. You don’t have to know how to start a sign business, because we’ve done all the footwork for you. We’ve got the design processes and business model already established. We’ll help you identify your target market and grow your customer base. We’ll show you how to set pricing and how to serve clients in a way that keeps them coming back. But you’ll still be your own boss. As we say in franchising, you’ll be in business for yourself, not by yourself.

Learn more about the Image360 opportunity

You don’t have to start from scratch. To find out how to convert your existing business or start your own Image360 franchise, fill out this form to request more information and download your free franchise kit.