Jed had a real estate sign install business after a successful career as a carpenter before coming to Wayside. His experience has really benefitted our sign department. Ian comes from a commercial shop background as well as some construction/finishing carpentry history. His attention to fine detail makes his installs on interior high-end signs flawless. Both of them can dig a golf course worth of signpost holes by hand in rock, and then turn around and install perforated film on windows. They both wrap vehicles and have installed LED and back lit signs and dimensional jobs.
These hydro box wraps are a great way to brighten and beautify an area or neighbourhood.
SMC: What type of projects have you been working on recently?
NP: Currently, the whole team has been busy working on a large project for The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Nechako Building. This project showcases exactly what Wayside can do and more. The project includes wall vinyl, CNC dimensional wood text, sandwich-printed vinyl on windows, and features reverse-printed acrylic and CNC ‘grout’ pattern on the front installed onto a pillar. This will give a mosaic look to the pillar. Projects like this one are what we live for. It is why we do what we do.. No two days at the sign shop are the same.
SMC: What tools/equipment do you use to complete your projects?
NP: We have a band new HP Latex R1000 for our rigidboard and white prints, a 64-in. HP latex roll-to-roll printerfor all our vehicle vinyl and wall graphic material, and an Axyz CNC cutter with fully-automated changers and router, tang knife, and cutter. We also have a new 64-in. Suma cutter and 64-in. Royal Sovereign laminator with take up, and two trucks, one of which is our boom truck.
SMC: What does your planning process involve?
NP: We start by making sure we have answers for all the important and related project questions, such as, what is the application? How long should it be up for? Is it indoor or outdoor? After we’re sure we have everything answered, we do a site inspection to make sure we have the correct measurements, see what the environment is like, and look for any obstacles or concerns that could impact the sign or installation. Next, we review the entire project for any challenges that might arise during production and install and what impact it would have should it fail. Then we make changes, if needed. Once we are ready to go, we do digital mockups, and in some cases, print out samples for the client. This way we can ensure we are all on the same page.
These hydro box wraps are a great way to brighten and beautify an area or neighbourhood.
SMC: How is technology changing your business?
NP: Technology is constantly and quickly changing. Think of how quickly cell phone technology changes; well, the sign industry is no different. The printers are getting much faster, with better quality and less waste, while being more environmentally friendly. CNC has made our industry able to give our clients a higher quality product for less money than doing it by hand. And all this progress allows us to complete jobs quicker, for less cost, and better quality.
SMC: What is the key to staying successful in this industry?
NP: First thing I would say is it is all about the people. Having a diverse, knowledgeable team of employees, who love what they do is key. They’re the face behind all the great ideas. Next, would be to stay open to change and be adaptable, and be willing to try new things and embrace technology. At Wayside, we are always trying unique and innovative ideas with our client projects to help them grow their business, because at the end of the day, if their business grows, we grow.
SMC: What are your future plans for the business?
