Tips for Finding Qualified Graphics Installers
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Dan Marx, SGIA’s Director of Content Development, discusses finding a qualified graphics installer.
Getting into the graphics installation business is not difficult, according to Dan Marx, SGIA’s Director of Content Development — but that creates a challenge for graphics printers.
“It’s a business that you can get into for very cheap,” Marx acknowledged to a roomful of sign shop owners and installers at a Tuesday session organized to discuss graphics installation issues.
“That cost of entry is so low that you end up with people who are not very skilled,” he said.
Many heads in the room nodded at his assessment. Several attendees noted that building a network of qualified installers around the country was one of their key goals, though they admitted they were unsure how to go about it.
Marx suggested they visit www.SGIA.org/PDAA to learn more about the Professional Decal Application Alliance, a sub association of SGIA. The site includes a tool to help them find a PDAA Master Certified Installer. Another resource, Marx offered, is the United Application Standards Group (UASG), which is 3M’s certified users group. Its site (uasg.org) also has an installer search tool.
Graphics printers seeking installers should prepare several relevant questions to determine the installer’s qualifications, Marx offered. For example, ask them to describe a similar job they have done in the past.
In many cases, Marx pointed out, the installer is the only human that the end client actually sees, so it’s crucial that the installer leave a good impression: don’t arrive late, leave behind a mess or behave in a less-than-professional manner.
The most successful companies, he said, have got this down pat, which enhances their reputations.
When asked about issues of concern in the installation business, one attendee noted that with so many different types of media to choose from, she often finds her local product sales people lack a good understanding of the best media for specific applications. Marx suggested a visit to 3M Commercial Graphics (Booth 2709) at the SGIA Expo and to ask for the name of an expert to whom such questions can be posed when such a situation arises.
Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 170 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.
