BNT, Vinyl, Business Questions and More in October’s Inbox

Refute the Editor

• The liability and risk in not drug testing employees who are driving company vehicles, working on customer property or operating equipment within your shop is huge (see ST, August 2025, page 42). Insurance rates for our industry are already extremely high and your advice to readers will result in more potential injuries, accidents and claims … Just because a state makes marijuana legal, it is still a federal crime. — Keith Kelly, KMP Graphics Inc., Burleson, TX

Do More, Do Better

• After any big projects, have a BNT: “better next time.” How do we improve on what we just did? Is there a better process? Safer, more efficient, more cost-effective? Do it over coffee, the next day or soon after while ideas are still fresh. — Nancy Wilde, Wilde Signs, Vernon, BC, Canada

Project Interests

• How to accurately apply perforated vinyl without curling at the edges. What special tools can a signshop not do without? — Stephen Satterwhite, Signs Designed of Charlotte, Indian Trail, NC

• Promotion goods and laser-engraving tips. — Mary Gasca, Redrum Graphics, Simi Valley, CA

• A look inside a signshop’s workflow, layout and equipment setup. — Madison Wicks, Skyline Sign, Conway, SC
• New ideas on sign designs is a need. — Adeel Akhtar, QuickSignage, Hackensack, NJ (Editor’s Note: Two new design columns coming in 2026.)

Business Interests

• Maybe more of the business side of things… Resources for billing, job management, etc. — John Wilson, Sign Craft, Niantic, CT
• I would love to hear about some of the challenges people face when hiring salespeople and how they overcome them. Teaching signage and printing can be challenging at times, especially when you have a shop that offers multiple print methods and services. — Deb Jerolymack, Houston Sign Co., Houston