0508 SIGNAGE

It all began with a young boy, sketching logos and dreaming up brands as a hobby. What started as curiosity soon turned into something tangible. That spark became GreatPlates, a startup built from the ground up, designing and selling plate surrounds, sourcing rare personalised plates, and crafting small signs from a humble basement workshop.

​

Many nights stretched well past midnight, my wife and I side by side at the dining table, carefully weeding and applying graphics by hand. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was honest work.

It supported us while we studied at

The University of Auckland and laid

the foundation for everything to come.

At just 23, it became clear that signage

wasn’t just a service, it was essential.

Every business needed visibility,

identity, presence. That realisation

shifted the focus from small plate surrounds to real estate signage and full company rebrands. One of our earliest milestones came through Format Signs, delivering work for ANZ. Armed with a Roland cutter, ACM panels, and relentless determination, we spent long nights not just producing signs, but building something we could truly stand behind.

As the business evolved, Onform purchased Sign-A-Rama from Tom Mason, a business well regarded for its expertise in vehicle wraps. This acquisition sharpened our capabilities in fleet branding and large-scale wrap installations, adding another layer of technical skill and precision to what we could offer our clients.

Around this time, Sterling Signs, founded by Trevor Webber, had already established itself as a respected name in the industry, with over 30 years of experience delivering high-quality signage. Known for craftsmanship, reliability, and doing things properly, Sterling Signs built a reputation that stood the test of time.

A year later, we moved to Morrin Road, and Onform Signs was born. With a small but driven team of four, we were out wrapping vehicles, installing signage from cherry pickers, and lighting up East Auckland. Growth came quickly. Our 60sqm space couldn’t keep up, and before long we had a fleet of vehicles on the road and projects scaling in both size and complexity. From crane signage to high-rise installations like AIG, hotel signage for Sudima, and major rebrands including global names like Engie, we were finding our stride.

As Onform continued to grow, another defining milestone followed, the purchase of Sterling Signs. This wasn’t simply expansion, it was the merging of legacies. Bringing together Onform’s modern, forward-thinking approach with the proven quality and reputation built by Trevor Webber over three decades strengthened our capability, deepened our experience, and honoured the foundations laid before us.

Two years on, our reach had expanded nationwide. It was time again to level up. Today, Druces Road is home. We remain a family-run business with a passionate team dedicated to building brands from the ground up. From logo creation through to full-scale implementation, we partner with clients to shape and refresh businesses of every size.

With advanced equipment including cutters, large-format printers, and flatbed technology, alongside a growing manufacturing division, we produce a wide range of signage and graphics for interior designers, corporates, and homeowners alike.

Beyond signage, we offer a complete branding ecosystem, from business cards and websites to uniforms, vehicle graphics, and promotional products.

From basement beginnings to a nationwide presence, and through the integration of both Sign-A-Rama’s wrap expertise and Sterling Signs’ 30-year legacy, our journey has always been about one thing: creating work we’re proud of, and helping others stand out with confidence.​​​​​