Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1451373
5 8 G R A P H I C S P R O J U N E 2 0 2 2 G R A PH I C S - PR O.C O M I n my last article, I talked about how having a solid workow system from sales through production can make your shop efficient and profitable. Although we run a small crew, we can turn over a large volume of work because of our eciency. is extends into our installs as well. Half of our business sales are vehicle graphics – from spot graphics through full wraps. is means that installation is also a signicant portion of our business, and if we're not ecient in this area as well, it will cut into our prots. SCHEDULING Once graphics go through production, we move the job box to installation on our Toodledo tracking system, and we move the job folder to an installation wall rack. e install board is a custom dry erase board that lists all jobs waiting for installation. Sometimes they're scheduled, and we note the date; sometimes, we've called, and we're waiting to hear back from the customer. Either way, this board helps en- sure that we don't overlook a job that needs to be installed. We try to schedule jobs into our Google Calendar when the customer approves the artwork proof. By scheduling it ahead of time, we can move them through quicker because they get a slot on the calendar be- fore it lls up. Instead of waiting until the graphics are ready to call them and then try to squeeze them in, they've already been scheduled days ahead of time. We have a dry erase board next to the in- stall board that has our current production work noted. Next to it is a section for that week's installs. We ll it out Friday afternoon for the following week or Monday morning. This gives us the current week's installs at a glance to make sure the graph- ics are completed and organized the day before. PLANNING Before the vehicle arrives, pre- planning can speed up the instal- lation. Having a clean vehicle ar- rive is an important one. We ask that customers wash the vehicle the day before installation, clarify- ing that they can't wash it the day of the installation if we're doing a full wrap. Water can get trapped behind plastic molding, door han- dles, and other parts and will leak out behind the graphics when heated. Consider charging a washing fee if a vehicle arrives dirty. is is tricky because you don't want to make your cus- tomer mad, but you must also consider the time wasted washing down a lthy vehicle before you can even start the installation. If you point it out ahead of time, this situ- ation can usually be avoided. We also review any removals with the customer ahead of time, considering this when estimating the installation time. Removals include old graphics, adhesive, emblems, silicone, or any obstacles that are in the way of the installation. If your installation is of signs outside the shop, run through the install step-by-step to ensure you have what you need. Look- ing for a hardware store on-site because you forgot to grab the correct screws is a considerable waste of time. CLEAN & STOCKED If you do a lot of installs, you know how much a disorganized install area can slow you down. e alcohol bottle is low – you have to stop and ll it. Don't have clean lint-free cloths or your propane bottles are empty? You have to run to the store for more. Running out of masking tape? All the snap blades were used on the last install? Squeegees look like they were run over by the last few installs? Install stools won't roll, magnets are missing, or all your air release tools are dull? It sounds silly, but any or all the above items can result in a frustrating and inef- cient installation. It's important that after Wrap Installation WORKFLOW EFFICIENCY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR PROFITABLE PROJECTS Sometimes they're scheduled, and when heated. Consider charging a washing Dry erase install boards help track upcoming installs at a glance and make it easy to see which projects need to be scheduled. (All images courtesy Charity Jackson) S I G N A G E & P R I N T I N G B Y C H A R I T Y J A C K S O N