Signs can be printed and hung in sign frames in a matter of minutes.
How it works
The 42-inch printer we have accommodates all our wayside signs and interpretive displays. The HP Designjet series has printers that can print up to 104 inches wide.
18 InterSection
With any sign, the layout and design is the crucial part. Thankfully we have a very talented artist on our staff who not only works as an interpretive naturalist but also serves as our media specialist. Dylana Eisaman has been a member of our team for over two years and is responsible for managing our sign fabrication system. She is very proficient in the use of Adobe Creative Suite 4, the design software we use for creating our interpretive signage and displays. When we decide we need a sign, our staff gets together and discusses the needs and intentions for the interpretive panel. Once sketches and research are completed, Dylana takes the proposed plans and drafts a sign panel using our CS4 software. When the sign graphic is finalized, it is converted to a PDF file and printed on the Colorfast Adhesive Vinyl. The limitations in our system are directly related to the print size of the HP 5500 Design Jet Printer. We have a 42-inch printer and the rolls of vinyl media are 42"x50'. So our signs have a limitation of about 40" on one side. After a sign is printed, the excess border material is trimmed off using a utility knife and straight-edge. The colorfast vinyl is an adhesive product; the backing can be easily peeled off and the vinyl can be applied to any smooth surface. Once the sign is trimmed to the size of the sign backer we use a hydraulic roller press that places