Starting engraving products

[Mattie]

site looks brill matthew
what shop software do you use? is it prestashop?

Thank's, no it's opencart i use then make code changes to get site how i want i.e colours, layout etc.

[smitch6]

i love the look of the site with the changing image etc
really professional well done
i'm actually quite envious in a nice way of course

[sarahjayne]

Love your website - it's really well put together and thought out. Although I did think you were doing vinyl graphics as well, then realised it was delivery info - but that was just me getting carried away ....
How long has taken you to get from making your first mug to here? (Give me something to aim for

[Mattie]

Love your website - it's really well put together and thought out. Although I did think you were doing vinyl graphics as well, then realised it was delivery info - but that was just me getting carried away ....
How long has taken you to get from making your first mug to here? (Give me something to aim for

Thanks Sarah
I used to do vinyl graphics until a few month ago but i sold the business to concentrate on dyesub products, i then bought a rival dyesub company and merged it with mine and since then it has been none stop as their customers came to me. It was due to this i could afford to buy the engraving machinary i needed and some stock, anyway all in all it's took approx 2 year to get where i am now i first started out in the inshops shopping centre (nightmare of a place) then rented my first shop and now still have that plus rent industrial unit i kept when i sold sign business.

Don't want to come across as bragging just wanted to give you the full story, what i would say to anyone is don't give up it does get hard (very hard) but it's worth it in the end.

[sarahjayne]

Thanks Sarah
I used to do vinyl graphics until a few month ago but i sold the business to concentrate on dyesub products, i then bought a rival dyesub company and merged it with mine and since then it has been none stop as their customers came to me. It was due to this i could afford to buy the engraving machinary i needed and some stock, anyway all in all it's took approx 2 year to get where i am now i first started out in the inshops shopping centre (nightmare of a place) then rented my first shop and now still have that plus rent industrial unit i kept when i sold sign business.

Don't want to come across as bragging just wanted to give you the full story, what i would say to anyone is don't give up it does get hard (very hard) but it's worth it in the end.

Thanks for the potted history. I'm just starting out and have no idea which niche to follow, for me personally, I want to know how to do it all - quite simply because it all interests me - obviously finances curb my enthusiasm. I've a friend who is willing to let me vinyl his van fleet - nice and simple designs, I want to do wall and furniture decals, even if it's just for myself (would you happen to know where I can pastel coloured vinyl?) and I can't wait try the subli stuff - particularly mugs and slates but jewellery as well ... guess I need to get my feet wet and then decide where I want to concentrate my efforts. I seriously need a business plan - even if it is only to keep me on track.
Great to hear of your success.

[John G]

I've a friend who is willing to let me vinyl his van fleet

I'd learn the basics first before doing fleets - start with a few small signs for yourself and perfect the technique, vehicle liveries look crap with bubbles all over the vinyl. All the major vinyl suppliers will do colour swatches - just pick and choose which colours you want and order by the metre - sometimes a minimum order of a few metres, but don't get the cheap stuff - its crap.

[Mattie]

Sarah

I would concentrate on one area first i made the mistake of rushing in to all sorts of different printing methods and learnt the hard way haha, vinyl is a good market i used to loved it (might do it again one day) apart from the weeding bit.

my main supplier was www.grafityp.co.uk

[Mattie]

Due to customers not liking the grey and purple design of my engraving site i done a survey and the most popular colours they like where blue and green so i have changed my website to match, i know it was work that shouldn't need doing but i like to keep customers happy (sometimes).

What do you guy's think?

[AdamB]

I you want to stand out Matthew it works ......................... I can't pick fault with it to be honest it's just that at first I was 'ouch' - looking at it now it's 'stand out' which is what you want if you know what I mean?

Also, I just tested the chat facility on your website (I was curious) and was speaking to Mark. A very pleasant guy with very nice manners - very good mate, very good indeed!

Speak soon Pal

Adam

[Mattie]

Cheers Adam

Yeah it took me a while to get used to the bright colours but i think they go well together.
mark just came to me and said do you know a Adam, i said no, he said he's off the DFS, i said you mean the DSF you dingbat he doesn't sell sofa's haha
glad he was polite, he's only been here about 3 weeks but already got raving reviews from customers saying nothing is to much trouble when they contact us. I employed him as first contact as he deals with most emails, calls, chats etc

Thanks Adam
Mattie