Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1353283
G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M 2 0 2 1 A P R I L G R A P H I C S P R O 9 7 A new tip here, a new trick there add up quickly to streamline installs and give you better results with less work. Choosing the right materi- al for the job, having the right tool for the install, and using the proper amount of heat for the application can make a dierence in how e- cient and therefore protable you are in your installs. TRADE MAGAZINES Before I get to some of the hands- on training and testing options out there, I wanted to look at some of the other ways to further your edu- cation. Every bit of information that you can glean and put into practice in your shop has the potential to make you money. One of the simplest ways to learn is by picking up trade magazines and reading about new technology, new techniques, business development ideas, and ways to streamline your shop. Having this infor- mation also available online in search- able databases makes it easy to go back and look through past articles for tips and tricks. For example, GRAPHICS PRO added a podcast series in 2020 to its site that oers tips, tricks, and business advice from in- dustry veterans. ey come out the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, and past podcasts are archived and available to listen to on the website under the "Education" tab. ONLINE VIDEOS One of the rst places I go to check out industr y videos is The Wrap Institute. I appreciate the detailed explanations and the hands-on visual of various install methods designed to ma ke you a better installer. ere's an annual subscription to access all of the videos and information available on the site, but if just a few of those vid- eos speed up your installs, you'll increase your prot and more than make up for the price. You should always think of any cost you put into your education as an invest- ment, one that will pay huge dividends over the years. Most industry manufacturers also have training videos and resources available on their websites. On Avery Dennison's website, under "Resources and Learning," you'll nd installation and how-to videos that cover a wide range of topics. 3M Commercial Solution Academy courses a re free on-dema nd cla sses available online. Some topics include wrap heating techniques, working with Knifeless tape, and paint protection lm techniques. Another excellent source of online in- formation is Roland DGA's On-Demand Webinars. ese are free watch-on-de- mand videos that cover an extensive range of sign industry topics. TRADE SHOWS It's been quite a few years since I've been able to get to an industry trade show. When you run a small busi- ness, it's often challenging to get out of the daily grind and take the time to min- gle with others in the industry. When we do get to the shows, we always come back energized and full of new ideas. e pandemic put the brakes on these shows last year, but many, including the GR APHICS PRO EX PO (GPX), are back on this year. Engaging with suppli- ers and educators in person and through workshops is one of the most enjoyable ways to further your education. Online educational videos from industry experts and manufacturers are a great resource.