Versatile Production Helps Build Business for North Simcoe Signs

North Simcoe Signs has been providing signage to the community of Midland, Ontario for over 15 years.  The secret to their lasting success? According to founder Mike Cillis, “You have to care about two things: your customers and your quality.”

Roland DG Quality Wins Business

To keep his commitment to quality, Cillis relies on Roland DG.  The shop is currently on its fifth Roland DG, the powerful TrueVIS SG-540, 54-inch digital printer/cutter. “Everything we print, we print on a Roland DG,” said Cillis. 

“In the first four weeks of owning my first Roland DG, I generated in sales what the printer had cost me. After that, it was a no-brainer,” he said.  “I don’t understand why anybody would buy anything but a Roland DG.”

In 2011, after growing his business to 12 employees, Cillis took a five-year sabbatical to travel with his family. Now North Simcoe Signs is a family affair. Cillis’s son Ryan works with him and maintains the company’s social media platforms. “You can do a lot with a few talented people and great production equipment,” said Cillis.

“In the first four weeks of owning my first Roland DG, I generated in sales what the printer had cost me.”

North Simcoe Signs provides all types of indoor and outdoor signage, window and wall graphics, banners, posters, and decals. Their clients include local businesses, restaurants, retail outlets and civic organizations. They provide municipal signage ranging from stop signs to vehicle wraps for the police and fire departments.  

Branding Bands

North Simcoe Signs has also developed a sub-specialty in serving the music industry, producing logos, posters, banners, and custom drum “skins” for bands, along with decals, fridge magnets and other fan giveaways. 

Cillis is proud of is his shop’s community involvement, including work for Tushfest – an annual concert in honor of musician Wayne “Tush” Tocheniuk, which raises funds to pay cancer patients’ parking fees.

“My Roland DG printers have been workhorses – we’ve never had a serious issue,” Cillis said. “Signmaking is a great business – it really connects you to your community. I couldn’t ask for things to be better.”