Sign Maker Profile
The past year has been a standout for GK’s Graphics. Clare said: “Last year’s turnover I somehow managed to up by 40% on the previous year.
“As one person, I’m quite impressed and quite proud of myself to do that. “But I am having to wear every hat, whether it’s accounting, whether it’s literally mopping the floor, producing signs, fitting vans.
Clare cutting out stickers
Growing the business That continuity proved invaluable. The original shop had an eclectic mix of services – car parts, cycle repairs, and graphics – which meant customers often discovered signage almost by accident. Clare capitalised on those interactions, turning casual enquiries into repeat business and long-term relationships. That meant pursuing larger, more complex jobs – vehicle graphics, shopfronts, and signage projects that required planning and consistency. This meant that by 2022, Clare and her former boss agreed for her to vacate the shop and go at it on her own. She moved into a facility in Perry Way, Witham, where she has been growing ever since, gaining experience in new application methods and refreshing her equipment to keep up with modern standards, as much of the kit she took with her began to get outdated. She said: “My old man Roland was coming up to 20 years old, and this thing was hanging on.
“It was doing its best for a 20-year-old machine, but even towards its end, I thought no, this could be better. “I was realising that the processes from back in the day just weren’t cutting it anymore. The printer wasn’t cutting it anymore.”
“I would be hand-lamming – wet- lamming laminate onto print, and that’s how I was taught, but now I’m like this is very inefficient.”
A defining feature of Clare’s approach is her openness to learning. Without formal training in signage, she has built her knowledge through trial, research, and – crucially – asking questions.
She said: “I wanted to do the best job I
www.signupdate.co.uk Clare’s Epson printer, which replaced her Roland May/June 2026 | 31 |
can, so working out how to do it the best way I can and going for it,” “I love a bit of CPD, I’m always just researching and looking at how to do stuff better.”
Knowledge limitations She’s also refreshingly honest about the gaps in her knowledge. Clare continued: “That’s the dirty little secret. I am quite happy to say I don’t know what I’m doing more often than not because you can’t all of the time. You have to learn it as you go.”
That mindset has opened doors within the industry. “I’ve never had any backlash of like ‘why are you asking that?’. There are a few sorts of choice mates that I pester a lot. They’ve always got time for me – and they’re a lot bigger businesses than I am.
“I genuinely wouldn’t be here today without probably all of them; everyone is so nice. I don’t know if it is just a sign industry thing.”
“I’m looking forward to getting some help because I’m tired. I am so tired.” And help Clare will get, as she has just recently hired a new part-time worker, showing once again the growth of GKs Graphics. She said: “If I want to do that again this year, I need help. You have to let go to grow.”
A fresh perspective Looking back, Clare is still surprised by where she’s ended up. “Never in a million years did I think I would be here. “But I wouldn’t even go back to being employed. I like owning a business. I like doing this. I like this industry. I’m here to stay.”
Behind that confidence is a strong support system, including her partner. “Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I don’t think I would have risked doing it if I couldn’t live. Give it a pop because if it goes wrong, you’ve tried.”
That willingness to “give it a pop” has defined Clare’s journey from the beginning. What started as a way to top up income has become a thriving business built on relationships, resilience, and a constant drive to improve. And if the last five years are anything to go by, GK’s Graphics is only just getting started.
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