Ever dreamed of running your own business but worried about upfront costs and inventory nightmares? Starting a sign shop using Diginate’s products could be the perfect low-risk opportunity you’ve been looking for.

Whether you’re a graphic designer looking to monetise your skills or someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, there’s never been a better time to enter the custom signage market. Here’s the best bit – you don’t need expensive equipment, warehouse stock, or huge minimum orders.

Why the sign business is booming

Every business needs signage. Window graphics, vehicle decals, safety notices, promotional displays – the list is endless.

Why Diginate is perfect for your sign business

No minimum orders

Unlike traditional trade printers who demand minimums of hundreds, Diginate has no minimum. Order one sticker or one thousand. This means you can accept jobs of any size, offer bespoke signage, test designs without risk, and keep costs low when starting out.

Professional grade materials

Our adhesive vinyl is 8 year polymeric vinyl – the same material professional sign makers use. Laminated for superior durability, it withstands British weather, UV exposure, and wear. Whether it’s outdoor shop signs, vehicle graphics, or window displays, this vinyl delivers professional results.

Any size, any shape

Need a 1.5 meter window graphic? Complex logos? Circular signs? If you can design it, Diginate can print and cut it. This versatility sets your business apart.

Plain packaging for dropshipping

We can ship in plain, unbranded packaging. Have orders delivered directly to your clients – they’ll never know you didn’t produce them yourself. This means you can run your business from anywhere, offer faster turnarounds, and present yourself as a fully-equipped sign shop without the overheads.

Services you could offer

Shop signage

Window graphics, opening hours, promotional displays. Local shops and cafés always need fresh signage.

Vehicle graphics

From partial van wraps to simple window. One branded van is a mobile advertisement for your business.

Event signage

Weddings, corporate events, festivals need directional signs, welcome boards, safety notices. Fast turnarounds, great margins.

Safety and informational signage

Businesses have legal requirements for fire exits, health and safety notices. Essential and recurring income.

Property boards

Estate agents need constant supplies of ‘For Sale’ and ‘To Let’ boards.

Interior décor

Wall graphics and vinyl designs are hugely popular for residential and commercial spaces.

Getting started: Your action plan

1. Order samples

Get sample packs from Diginate. Familiarise yourself with materials and finishes. Create test designs. This hands-on experience is invaluable.

2. Perfect your design skills

You don’t need to be an expert, but be comfortable with design software. Check Diginate’s help section for tutorials on preparing print-ready files.

3. Build a portfolio

Create sample signs for yourself or offer to help out a local business for free. Photograph everything professionally. These become your portfolio.

4. Set your pricing

Use Diginate’s instant quote tool to understand costs, then add your markup. Factor in design time and installation if you’re offering it. Don’t undersell yourself.

5. Spread the word

Create a simple website or social media presence. Join local business groups. Word of mouth is powerful – one impressed client leads to three more.

6. Offer installation

Not essential, but offering installation significantly increases profit margins. Many clients will happily pay extra for professional fitting.

Real opportunities, real profits

A 600mm x 1500mm shop window sticker would cost you £64.26 through Diginate, but you could charge £200-350 including design. That’s a healthy margin for a few hours of work. A 1500mm x 750mm vinyl sticker for a vehicle is £44.71 via Diginate but you could charge £300-400 including design and fitting. Ten small jobs monthly at £200 profit each? That’s £2000 extra income. Twenty jobs? £4000. Suddenly that side hustle looks like a proper business. And the best part is there’s no expensive overheads. No industrial unit rent, no £20,000 printing machine, no warehouse of vinyl. Your business scales with demand.

Stand out from the competition

Specialise

Focus on a niche like hospitality venues or wedding signage. Becoming the go-to expert is lucrative.

Offer exceptional service

Fast responses, clear communication, reliability. These basics put you ahead of competitors.

Build relationships

Every client is potential repeat business and referrals. Satisfied clients are your best marketing.

From side hustle to full-time business

Many successful sign business owners started small. Take your first clients while employed elsewhere. Work evenings and weekends. Test the market without risk. As your client base grows, you can go full-time on your own terms. The barrier to entry is refreshingly low – just a computer, design software, phone, and payment method. You don’t need a van or premises. Run this from your kitchen table.

Design skills?

You need competence, not genius. Many projects are straightforward text and logos. Your skills improve with every project.

Competing with cheap online services?

Offer what they can’t – personal service, site visits, expert advice, local knowledge, installation. Businesses pay more for someone who understands their needs.

How to get your first customer

One of the nice things about a sign business is everyone’s requirements are on display! Head to your local high street and make a note of which independent businesses have tired looking or out-dated graphics, signage or displays. Chat to the owner and offer your services – you never know, your first customer might be closer than you think.