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. “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. 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 Factoid 57 Issue 245 - April / May 2023 email: news@signlink.co.uk FOCUS ON / SIGN-MAKING TOOLS Signcraft was founded 2002 ▲ The Pink PPF squeegee set from Sign Trade Supplies is designed specifically for the application of paint protection film
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