Combining traditional skills and today’s technology
Technology has given powerful tools to signmakers
By Dan Sawatzky
Posted on Monday, August 26th, 2019
I turned 65 this past year—an age when most think seriously about retiring. Not me! I enjoy what I do far too much. Things continually change here, however, and often in a big way. My son Peter and Hailey, his wife, now own the business. This takes much of the pressure off me, freeing me to enjoy the creative aspects much more. While I’ve never been involved in the sign business for the sake of money, it is more about the art than ever these days.
Operating a business in today’s fast-paced digital world is definitely much different than it was years ago. Now we have a lot of technology to assist us and also many great machines to take the hard work out of the process. That’s not a bad thing. Materials have changed as well. While I often hear many “older” folks in the industry comment about missing the good old days, I would never want to go back.
Embracing technology I believe the key to adapting to this new age is to embrace the best of the new and mix it in with many of our favorite old methods.
Dan Sawatzky's shop, Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation, is in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. Dan shares his experience in his Sign Magic Workshops on 3-D sign making, and his Sculpting Workshop.