About 1-800-STENCIL
Offering a Wide Selection of Parking Lot Stencils
How it was founded
Jonathon and Lindy Thompson started Outline Industries, the parent company of 1-800-Stencil in 2009 out of pure necessity. Together, they got their start striping parking lots and soon became aware that the cost of stencils (especially custom stencils) was eating up any profits to be had. Jonathon didn’t want to use plywood stencils and quickly found a knife-cutting machine that would cut through plastic well. He started to create his own stencils and the local paint shop caught on. Soon he was asked to make stencils for the paint shop to sell and Outline Industries was born. Jonathon and Lindy quickly went to work collecting funds, developing the shop and selling their stencils. It didn’t take long for them to catch the attention of some pretty big names and they developed a high volume distribution business out of what was once a necessity to keep their business running.
What we do
Outline Industries boasts a fully operational CNC shop with machines that can quickly cut hundreds of stencils per day. With our two CNC machines, along with waterjet capability, we are capable of cutting anything from paper to metal material and everything in between. We are set up to quickly customize any stencil or prototyped part a customer may need and that starts in our office. Our design team is set up with state-of-the art design programs that can quickly make an idea a reality. Our sales and customer service departments work out of the same office as design. This allows our sales and customer service reps complete access and direct communication with the design team to ensure accurate and quick production of all stencils.
Where we’re going
Outline Industries is committed to making our process and product line better every day. We look forward to website improvements, new product line introductions and buying a commercial building over the next 3 years. In the short term we will continue to work with people in the field to ensure they are getting exactly what they need. We are committed to offering product lines that are high quality, affordable, accessible and always made right here in the USA.
Jonathon Thompson – President/Sales/Design Jonathon is a co-founder of Outline Industries and oversees all of the operations, specializing in design and sales. He brings with him great field knowledge from his work history. Jonathon got his start by striping parking lots in 2002 (Lyon Striping, South Lyon, MI), he then started sealcoating driveways and parking lots in Michigan all while he was in high school. In 2007 he moved to Colorado where he worked on a paving crew (Acord Asphalt, Granby, CO) and was quickly picked up as a pavement estimator in the great Denver region (Rocky Mountain Pavement, Denver, CO). He started striping parking lots in 2009 and it wasn’t long before he started building stencils (Outline Industies). He’s now widely recognized in the pavement marking industry as a knowledgeable reference. In his free time, Jonathon likes to Snowmobile, ski, read about marketing techniques and cook. |
Lindy Thompson – Office Manager Lindy is a co-founder of Outline industries and oversees all office related employees and duties. Lindy brings with her a wealth of communication knowledge having received her Master’s Degree in Sport Psychology from Brunel University in the United Kingdom. Lindy started assisting her husband with his striping business in 2009 and it wasn’t long before she quit her job to work with Jonathon on a full time basis. She went out in the field with him and gained a lot of practical knowledge and information. When Lindy and Jonathon started Outline Industries in 2010, Lindy could comfortably talk to people in the industry about Outline’s products. As the company grew (and is growing), Lindy has taken on a roll that ensures Outline clients are invoiced and communicated with in a timely fashion. In her free time, Lindy enjoys riding her Dressage pony (Beau), doing yoga, reading, cooking and playing with her dog (Juno). |
Juno – Scrap Plastic Disposal Unit Juno is our shop dog (she belongs to Jonathon and Lindy, but is EVERYONES best friend.) and is responsible for picking up the scrap plastic around the shop. She does her job with joy and enthusiasm, but tends to just transport the plastic from shop to the front lawn. We love her enthusiasm, even if we have to often pick up after her. In her free time, Juno enjoys long naps, going on trail rides with her mom and her pony, chasing bunnies, chasing squirrels, hunting for anything that moves in the shop (especially flies and hoppers), and eating anything she can get her paws on. |
The Facility
The Shop
The Outline Shop is home to a Biesse CNC machine, an Excalibur CNC machine, a mustard yellow CNC machine, an Autometrix knife cutter, and a 110 ton beam press.
The Office
The Outline office is where the magic happens. Our design team works on CAD programs to create stencils, help clients prototype ideas and design torque-tight. The office is also home to taking orders and working hard at the best customer service in the industry. Lindy keeps herself busy by converting sales orders, sending out invoices and payment reminders to our clients.
Production capability
Outline Industries was designed to support high volume production. Jonathon and Lindy’s vision was to produce stock for various distributors around the world. Even though the shop is set up to produce high volume, Jonathon and Alex have also made sure that smaller volume is not only doable, but remains efficient at the same time. Our shop can route, knife cut and die-press at incredibly high speeds. Outline also makes sure to keep skids of LDPE (of various widths) on hand for even the largest of products. Outline also keeps styrene, aluminum, wood and various sign-board materials on hand.