Work Tables for Signs

AS SIGNMAKERS, WE tend to think big and in a lot of cases make big. It is not too difficult to spend tens of thousands of dollars on printers, cutters and software. Design and printing and/or cutting are really the first steps in the job. Trimming, weeding, taping and even application can take up a lot of time. This also applies to finishing channel letters and soft signs like flags and banners. Sitting on the floor is not the best way to prep prints, vinyl or virtually any other media you are working in. With that in mind, good, solid tables can be your best friend.

You may think that getting some tables for your shop is just an afterthought. Heck, just go to Costco or Walmart and get some of those folding tables. That may work fine if you only deal with small signs but when you start working with larger stuff, you will likely find them inadequate. There are, of course, solid tables that manufacturers use for assembly. These may work perfectly fine and can be found fairly easily. However, you may want to look at work tables that are purpose-built for signmaking as they offer additional features that can make tasks like weeding, taping and in some cases application far easier, thus speeding up assembly. Let’s take a look at some of the features.

Trimming is one of the tasks that can benefit from a specialized table. First, you can get a table of sufficient size, typically 4 x 8 ft. or longer. The top can be covered in a healable cutting mat that has grid markings for precise trimming.

If you work with a lot of adhesive vinyl, you can find several manufacturers of application tables. These wonders can save a tremendous amount of time. Weeding can be an issue if you deal with intricate and sometimes small cuts. To aid in the weeding process, some of these tables can be equipped with a lighted table top. This greatly helps with seeing where weeding boxes and lettering and/or graphics are located.

Taping and application can also be a real time suck and the application tables have you covered there as well. The tables incorporate a rolling bar that’s the same width as the table. For application tape, a tape holder is attached to the bar and one person can quickly apply tape dry to the cut vinyl. The sign blank or banner can be placed on the table and a heavy roller is used to apply the graphic to the blank.

You can even use the roller to cold-laminate prints. The application tables can be purchased in various sizes up to 83 x 409 in., with up to two rollers installed. They are also available with healing-cutting mats and some can even be backlit for use as a weeding table.

What if you are doing a lot of fabric printing and soft signage? Sewing tables incorporate industrial sewing machines, perfect for accommodating large banners, flags and backdrops that need hemming or pocketing.

So don’t forget about work tables in your shop. They may seem to be an afterthought, but the right table actually saves you a lot of time. Precision and speed help eliminate reprints and cut down time significantly, thus saving you bucks.