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CASE STUDY: SIGN PORTAL CREATES OUTSTANDING DETAILED DECALS FOR SCHOOLS
Sign Portal creates outstanding, detailed decals for schools
This project involved designing, printing, and cutting several dinosaurs out of 5mm foam PVC for a multi-national company managing several schools
Sign Portal has grown as an extension of its parent company, Merchandising Libraries, which has been providing customised signage solutions to libraries worldwide for over 20 years. Leveraging this foundation, the Queensland-based company has expanded its focus to serve trade customers and small-to medium-sized enterprises.
Through Merchandising Libraries, Sign Portal has had the opportunity to work with most councils across Australia. Its corporate clientele includes notable names such as Google, KTM, Husqvarna, BYD, Queensland Rail, and Good Drinks Australia.
These partnerships reflect the business’ ability to handle diverse and high-profile projects with excellence.
One such customer that Sign Portal recently dealt with is a multi-national company managing several schools. This project involved designing, printing, and cutting a dinosaur out of 5mm foam PVC. The customer’s key requirement was to create a cost-effective solution that could be easily shipped and installed without needing professional installers.
Director of Sign Portal and Merchandising Libraries Jason Hennah delved into the details of this project.
“We designed the dinosaur to fit into a compact 600mm by 600mm by 100mm box for easy shipping, using Velcro in selected areas so the customer could assemble it like a jigsaw puzzle. We opted for black PVC rather than white to ensure seamless joins between the pieces,” he said.
“To meet the client’s requirements, we used our Mimaki JFX Flatbed printers to print directly onto the foam PVC, ensuring high-quality detail and vibrant colours.
“For precision cutting, we utilised our CNC router, equipped with a camera alignment system, allowing us to achieve an accuracy of up to 0.5mm. This level of precision was crucial, as the dinosaur artwork required a butt joint for seamless assembly. After printing and cutting, we applied Velcro to the rear, enabling easy installation by the customer.
“This easy-to-install dinosaur was delivered at a third of the cost of the customer’s other quotes. The client was so pleased with the outcome that they commissioned us to expand the collection, adding a flying pterodactyl, smaller dinosaurs, and dinosaur eggs to complete the scene.
“This project didn’t have many challenges, as we’ve handled similar requests for over 15 years. Our experience and investment in state-of-the-art machinery enable us to deliver high-quality results efficiently and cost-effectively. This expertise allows us to meet complex requirements, ensuring precision and customer satisfaction easily.”
According to Hennah, Sign Portal is more than just a sign supplier – it is a partner that guides its customers toward the right product for their needs.
With over 15 years of experience working with government and trade customers, it prides itself on being educators rather than just order-takers.
“Our team supports clients from concept to delivery, ensuring they receive the best solution for their specific requirements,” Hennah said.
“We understand the unique challenges of our industry, and our new website reflects our commitment to customer service and efficiency. It will allow users to easily store and reorder previously made items, making it especially useful for resellers handling repeat jobs.
“At Sign Portal, we’re here to simplify the process, offering the expertise and tools needed to meet our customers’ needs easily and precisely.”
Sign Portal was born out of a clear demand from customers for a one-stop shop catering to small and medium enterprises. Its clients wanted a streamlined solution where they could find everything from air fresheners to billboard signs, and Sign Portal is able to meet that need.
Additionally, many of its clients manage multiple sites, so the new system enables them to reorder for different locations easily. This approach not only saves time but ensures consistency across the business.
At Sign Portal, its most lucrative areas stem from its ability to manage the entire production process in-house.
“We can print, laminate, cut, package, and ship – all from one location. This end-toend control allows us to maintain the highest level of quality while efficiently managing timelines. By handling everything under one roof, we can ensure that every job meets our exacting standards from start to finish, providing our customers with the reliability and quality they need,” Hennah said.
Investing in the latest machinery is also crucial for Sign Portal to ensure it delivers fast, accurate, and high-quality products.
“We have two Mimaki JFX printers that allow us to print on any flat surface, though we specialise in high-end prints on various materials. Additionally, we utilise two laser cutters, a fibre etch laser, a wide-format printer, and a rollover table for easy lamination of full sheets. This advanced equipment enables us to meet our clients’ needs efficiently and precisely,” Hennah added.
The company recently brought on a new production manager with over 30 years of experience in the print industry, enhancing its ability to deliver the same high-quality service and solutions that Merchandising Libraries is known for.
“This growth allows us to continue innovating while maintaining our commitment to providing the best signage solutions for a broader range of customers,” Hennah said.
The long-term plans at Sign Portal focus on providing exceptional customer service and high-quality products to its current and expanding customer base. Additionally, the company is looking to grow the trade side of its business by aligning itself with other signwriters across Australia.
“This will allow us to strengthen our presence in the industry and expand our reach while maintaining the high standards our customers expect,” Hennah mentioned.
Several key trends shape Sign Portal’s approach to market.
“First, customers increasingly value communication as much as quality. There’s a lack of communication in many industries, with businesses often too busy to respond. We take pride in maintaining clear communication with our clients throughout every step of the process. If there are any unexpected delays, we inform our customers immediately,” Hennah said.
“Another trend is the demand for fast turnaround times. While our state-of-theart machinery helps speed up production, we never compromise on quality for the sake of speed. Ensuring a high-quality product remains our top priority.
“Finally, we’ve seen a rise in manufacturers using cheaper, inferior materials. In Australia’s hot climate, particularly with high UV exposure, signage fades or fails quickly. We always ask our customers key questions about where the product will be installed, its expected lifespan, and their budget so we can recommend the right solution that balances longevity and cost.”
