Ordering signs and marketing materials online can be fraught with high costs, shipping fees, delays and miscommunication. A new locally owned Marine Avenue sign shop seeks to simplify and take the stress out of ordering custom signage.
Suncoast Sign & Design opened this summer at 101-4400 Marine Avenue and offers customers a wide range of custom design services and locally made signage, says owner Mike Chisholm.
“Suncoast aims to provide services and products that previously may not have been available locally and offer high-quality, tailor-made products,” says Mike.
Suncoast takes a full-service approach to help customers.
“When clients come to us with an idea, we do the research and put the whole package together. We provide them with products they will love, whether that's a sign or a t-shirt,” explains Mike. “We aim to do a lot of the production work in-house to keep costs reasonable. We want our customers to get the best price.”
Suncoast is able to produce all types of commercial and business signage, LED signs, installation and maintenance, vehicle graphics and wraps, utility box wraps, black-out and mesh banners, gallery-wrapped canvas prints, full-wall murals, logo design, flags, t-shirts, business cards, stickers, fabric imprint and embroidery, and various branded items.
“We have new equipment, including an environmentally friendly latex printer that offers fast turnaround time with no off-gassing that can occur with solvent printers,” says Mike. “Our equipment also allows us to provide accurate and consistent colour matching from job to job.”
Mike says the shop has also developed a sign identification system that allows customers an easier way to order reproductions of previous designs. The company offers payment plans on higher-cost orders with a deposit, he adds.
“Yes, you can afford an LED sign because we will make sure you can,” says Mike.
Advertising can be expensive for start-ups, but it is critical to business success, he adds.
“Effective signage provides one of the best returns on investment for small businesses.”
Mike says his goal is to give back to the community and he encourages other businesses to do so as well.
“Recently we supported the Loon Lake Race,” says Mike. “All the donations went to the Special Olympics. It was a great feeling and we wish to do more for our community.”
Suncoast’s team includes graphic designer Jason Law, who brings a large range of professional experience to his role and owner Mike, who is a professional 3M vehicle graphics installer with more than 30 years of experience in retail management and designing and building retail displays.
In addition to helping businesses promote themselves through physical signage, Suncoast also collaborates and shares office space with local internet marketing and web design company WCR Creative, which is owned and operated by Bernie Ehman. Bernie has over 20 years of experience creating and marketing websites online.
Working with WCR Creative really adds value to the range of services we can provide for our customers, says Jason.
“It’s a really good fit having Bernie with us,” he adds. “We mesh together perfectly.”
An increasing number of businesses in Powell River need to get noticed online but also have a need for more traditional, physical signage as well, says Jason.
“We tie the two together,” he adds.
Bernie says he encourages potential clients looking to create an online presence or update their existing website to contact him. “It all starts with a free consultation to discuss the goals you want to achieve,” adds Bernie.
More information on WCR Creative can be found at powellriverwebdesign.com.
“Suncoast offers a senior’s discount, pickup and delivery, and is looking to work with local artists and photographers who want to sell prints of their work,” says Jason.
For more information, visit Suncoast Sign and & Design at suncoastsign.ca or call 604.485.7036.
