True Tales

Sign Pro’s Trash Becomes Client’s Treasure

It was destined for the dumpster … until a resourceful customer saw its value.

Published

12 months ago

April 23, 2023

Signs of the Times Staff Signs of the Times April 2023 Issue

She Saw the Value

A customer came in looking for material ideas to construct a very large art installation. We walked through the shop and I showed her foamboard and she said no. I showed her Gatorboard and she said no. As I was looking for the next thing to show her, she pointed and asked, “What’s that? It’s perfect!” It was a 4 x 8-ft. sheet of honeycomb cardboard from the bottom of a pallet of Coroplast. I said it’s packing material. She said, “Even better!” So, we collected 30 sheets over the next month to print and construct an art installation that became the centerpiece of her exhibit. One man’s trash is another woman’s treasure.

Source: Alan Olinger, Houston Sign Co., Houston

Signs of the Times Staff

Signs of the Times has been the world leader in sign information since 1906. Contact Signs of the Times' editors at editor@signsofthetimes.com.

click to Comment(Comment)

Up Next

Curse You, Previous Signmaker

Don't Miss

Client Tries to Run Up a Tab at Her Local Signshop

Introducing the Sign Industry Podcast

The Sign Industry Podcast is a platform for every sign person out there — from the old-timers who bent neon and hand-lettered boats to those venturing into new technologies — we want to get their stories out for everyone to hear. Come join us and listen to stories, learn tricks or techniques, and get insights of what’s to come. We are the world’s second oldest profession. The folks who started the world’s oldest profession needed a sign.