Sign Builder Illustrated August 2019

The How-To Magazine

Au g u s t 2019 | s i g n s h o p.co m

VINYL Cov er ag e SIGN BUILDER

A CAUSE TO WRAP

illustrated

EMC INSTALL: A HOT NEW DISPLAY

DIRECTIONALS:

FINDING YOUR WAY INDOORS

- More efficient than any 12V or 24V Stik on the market - Save installation time and run more LEDs with less power supplies with our easy-to-use Posi-Tap System

Contents August 2019

Vol. 33

No. 290

How-To Columns

12 15

THE BAR IS SET

By Adam Brown New sign package for legal association enhances their visibility.

MAXIMIZING PRODUCTION THROUGHPUT

By John Hackley Three “no-cost” ways to get the most out of your shop talent.

35

WHO ARE YOU?

By Jim Hingst Defining your unique selling proposition.

departments

4

​Cover Photo: BPGraphics of Phoenix, AZ.

6 9 50 52

EDITOR’S COLUMN

Multi-tasking is a popular business practice nowadays, but Editor Jeff Wooten concentrates on whether it is beneficial over the long run.

IN THE INDUSTRY

Orlando resort makes LED waves, a wall mural goes up, a digital time tower runs like clockwork, and lighting adds some Windy City flair.

SIGN SHOW

The newest products and services from sign manufacturers.

SBI Marketplace

Advertisements and announcements from the sign trade.

Shop Talk

David Hickey provides answers to some of the most commonly asked sign code questions he receives.

42 Features

19 38 42

15 signshop.com

46

2019 SBI BUYER’S GUIDE

Contact information for sign-related manufacturers and distributors.

THE INSIDE SCOOP

By Ashley Bray Examining the styles of interior directional signage.

WRAPS: A GOOD CAUSE & EFFECT

By Jeff Wooten Bus and train wraps help the United Food Bank of Arizona.

A HOT NEW DISPLAY

By Jeff Wooten Volunteer fire department raises its awareness with an EMC install.

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

1

August 2019, Vol. 33, No. 290 Sign Builder Illustrated (ISSN 0895-0555) print, (ISSN 2161-0709) digital is published by Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

Subscriptions: 800-895-4389

executive offices

President and Chairman Arthur J. McGinnis, Jr. Publisher Arthur J. Sutley 55 Broad Street, 26th floor, New York, NY 10004 212-620-7247 ; Fax: 212-633-1863

editorial

Editor Jeff Wooten 323 Clifton Street, Suite #7, Greenville, NC 27858 212-620-7244 jwooten@sbpub.com Managing Editor Ashley Bray 212-620-7220 abray@sbpub.com Contributing Writers Adam Brown, John Hackley, Jim Hingst

art

Art Director Nicole D’Antona Graphic Designer Hillary Coleman

production

Corporate Production Director Mary Conyers Digital Ad Operations Associate Kevin Fuhrmann kfuhrmann@sbpub.com

circulation

Circulation Director Maureen Cooney mcooney@sbpub.com Circulation Analyst Brandy Wilson bwilson@sbpub.com

advertising sales

Publisher/West Coast Sales Arthur J. Sutley 212-620-7247 asutley@sbpub.com Associate Publisher/Mid-West Sales Jeff Sutley 212-620-7233 jsutley@sbpub.com Integrated Account Manager/East Coast & Canada David Harkey 212-620-7223​ dharkey@sbpub.com Sign Builder Illustrated is published monthly. All rights reserved. Nothing herein may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. To purchase PDF files of cover and layouts or hard copy reprints, please call Art Sutley at 212-620-7247 or e-mail asutley@sbpub.com.

2

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

signshop.com

Novacryl Photopolymer The most diverse line of photopolymer substrates for ADA Braille and Accessible Room Identification Signage Allow your creativity to flow free and make your ideas possible with the most diverse range of substrates available that allow for unlimited design while being environmentally responsible.

www.novapolymers.com 888-484-NOVA (6682)

Editor’s Column

AGENDA

By Jeff Wooten

August 2019 AUGUST 8-10:

The ninth annual Tri-State Sign Expo and Golf Tournament plays out at the Downstream Casino Resort in Joplin, Missouri. (tristatesignexpo.com)

AUGUST 22-23:

The 2019 NSSA Sign Expo is moving to Foxwoods Resort Casino located in Mashantucket, Connecticut. (nssasign.org)

September 2019 SEPTEMBER 12:

Concentrate on Multi-tasking

The Project Peacock Print Fair, showcasing innovations and opportunities in print marketing, lands at Sony Pictures Plaza in Los Angeles, California. (projectpeacock. printmediacentr.com)

The juggling act of running a shop today.

4

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

and a failure to consider the cost of inventory led to a different career shift and an in-home DTG printer being sold at a yard sale.

Business models in any industry are now about being able to do more with less. My niece was not able to put in a 100 percent effort, much less that there now seems to be a paradigm shift toward 200 percent.

Multi-tasking continues to increase as new hardware and software allows you to do multiple things at once. While technology helping your workflow is always welcomed, there can be a danger of personally trying to do too much at once to satisfy a 25/8 lifestyle—leading to anxiety, reduced attention to details, or cutting corners. Be careful out there.

I am fascinated by John Hackley’s article this month on “maximizing production throughput” (page 15) and his definitions of TOC multi-tasking and human multi-tasking (and why the latter is more fraught with danger when it comes to accomplishing things correctly). Are you able to concentrate on what makes your shop special?

There’s nothing wrong with working harder, but more often than not, you have to avoid distractions and concentrate on also working smarter.

Jeff Wooten Editor, jwooten@sbpub.com

SEPTEMBER 20-21:

The Sign Association of Canada’s national tradeshow, Sign Expo Canada 2019, takes place at the International Centre – Entrance 1 in Mississauga, Ontario. (sac-ace.ca/sign-expo-canada)

October 2019 OCTOBER 23-25:

The inaugural PRINTING United (formerly SGIA Expo) converges at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. (printingunited.com)

November 2019 NOVEMBER 22-23:

Photo: Shutterstock/MinDof.

A

t the risk of obscenely dating myself, how many others of you remember the TV game show Concentration where contestants had to match two prizes plastered on the back of cards in order to reveal two pieces of a rebus puzzle beneath them?

Successfully being able to solve these phrases required memory skills and detail recall. Successful sign makers should have surely aced this show, right?

But I wonder how this game show would fare in today’s busier times, with so many distractions in everyday life vying for our attention spans? After all, a recent study revealed that we check our phones every twelve minutes just after waking up.

I was quite astonished by that number because, honestly, that figure feels more conservative than I would have expected.

Many of us are tethered to instantly answering phone calls and responding to emails, while online interruptions can disrupt the work day. Are humans organically wired to keep this up on a consistent basis and still remaining productive?

Sure it takes a lot of skill and expertise to run a successful sign shop operation, but it also takes…concentration (ta-dah!).

I think ignoring this last trait plagues a lot of start-ups not used to the industry. Searching for a new career identity, a niece of mine recently tried starting her own T-shirt printing business by purchasing a cheap, over-the-counter direct-togarment printer. The first couple of runs proved fruitful, but soon constant social media overload, production repetition,

Join the USSC Foundation at Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey for The Sign Exchange tradeshow. (usscfoundation.org)

signshop.com

100 watts that fits in the palm of your hand.

• 1/4 the size of a conventional driver • Available in 60w or 100w • Minimizes shadowing • No need for remote mounting • Fits into a wide range of applications

FREE SAMPLES AVAILABLE Phone: 800-464-2680 | Email: samples@keystonetech.com | Web: keystonetech.com/samples

LED LAMPS | FIXTURES | DRIVERS | LED RETROFIT KITS | BALLASTS Keystone Technologies | Philadelphia, PA | 800-464-2680 | keystonetech.com

In The Industry

Margaritaville Resort Orlando

Makes LED Waves

N

ew york city, new york — Jimmy Buffett’s newest vacation attraction, Margaritaville Resort Orlando, celebrated its grand opening earlier this year with cuttingedge digital display technology from SNA Displays (snadisplays.com). The sprawling destination resort located just south of Orlando in Kissimmee is the latest amusement park property to utilize digital displays as a way to attract and engage visitors.

The project incorporates a wide assortment of digital signage over a vast campus and for various purposes (including digital wayfinding, pylon identification signage, and spectacular assets).

In total, there are more than thirty digi6

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

tal displays—including LCD monitors, free-standing kiosks, and interior and exterior LED screens.

“With major accomplishments in various market segments like LED spectaculars and corporate interiors, it is very rewarding to be involved in such a prominent resort and amusement park project like this,” says Dennis Hickey, president of SNA Displays.

The flagship signage for the new Margaritaville property is an LED display at the Island H2O Live! Water Park wave pool measuring 42 feet wide-by-22 feet high. The screen has a resolution of 1,280-by-672 pixels.

Upon entering the waterpark, visitors are greeted by an LED display approxi-

mately 21 feet wide-by-9 feet high just above the turnstile awning. A twin LED screen, also installed above the awning, can be viewed as resort guests exit the waterpark. Both of these displays have a resolution of 480 pixels wide-by-264 pixels high.

Across the 300-acre property, in the retail area of Margaritaville, are several additional LED installations by SNA Displays. An entrance pylon contains a mix of two-sided static and digital signage, including a 16-foot-wide-by-9foot-high LED display. There are also three LED screens placed around various roundabouts in the retail area of the resort, providing themed and directional messaging to resort traffic. signshop.com

A Wall Mural Event

L

Another double-sided pylon display was installed close to the 184-room resort hotel. This vertically oriented LED screen measures 11.5 feet wide-by-19 feet high with resolution of 352 pixels wide-by-576 pixels high.

All exterior LED displays at the resort were produced from SNA Displays’ Empire™ product line and feature a 10-millimeter pixel pitch.

SNA Displays also supplied an interior videowall for the resort’s hotel lobby. The 20 foot wide, 9 feet high screen from the SNA Displays’ BOLD™ line of interior display products features a 2.5-milimeter pixel pitch. At 2,400-by-1,080 pixels, it’s the highest-resolution LED video display on the property. signshop.com

The digital signage network will be promoting various events and activities throughout the resort in addition to displaying commercial content. Media sales are managed by Boldsite Media.

“We’re very excited to [partner] with SNA Displays and [co-developmer Encore Capital Management More and more, brand ambassadors and other marketers are looking for ways to reach consumers in destination environments,” says Bob Johns, president of Boldsite. “Margaritaville Resort Orlando just exudes a fun, lively environment, perfect for companies to reach and interact with people of all ages.”

To see additional photos of this project, visit http://bit.ly/32NYuqp.

ouisville, Kentucky—A staple of Louisville, the KFC YUM! Center is a multi-purpose sports and events venue known to draw large crowds of people up to more than 23,000. But crowds of people aren’t the only “large” things to make the Center unique.

S.K. Sign & Banner of Clarksville, Indiana fulfilled an urgent request

by Center representatives to print and install a twenty-one-foot-tall wall graphic—in just three days.

Confirming their material choice with partner Athens Paper, they used Mactac® IMAGin® ROODLE™ (RO628) printable media to create a faux brick wall and historic Falls City building wall graphic.

T h ey b e g a n p r i n t i n g o n a Wednesday, using an HP Latex 560 printer. The graphic included eleven seventeen-foot panels, each fifty inches wide. Panels were printed to the edge of the material w i t h a o n e - i n c h ove r l a p. O n Thursday, they were installed onto the smooth interior wall with the lowest panels being applied four feet above the ground. By Friday, the project was complete.

“With ROODLE, our installers didn’t even have to tape up the product—it was super easy to install,” says Stefan Kopf, owner of S.K. Sign & Banner.

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

7

In The Industry ADDING WINDY CITY FLAIR

C

time tower Runs Like

ClockWORK

L

os Angeles, California—Back in 2013, Los Angeles International Airport initiated a massive installation of digital displays and technologies in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. One of the terminal’s signature attractions, a seventy-two-foottall, four-sided LED tower dubbed the “Time Tower,” has received a significant upgrade with the integration of a RealMotion™ server that enables generative and interactive content, while simplifying content management and creation.

“The LAX Time Tower quickly became a world-famous digital media project because, in some measure, it instigated the design currents we still see today,” says Geoffrey Platt, director of RealMotion. “However, even the most high-profile installations can be improved as technologies evolve.

For this specific four-sided LED experience, the original head-end solution is where the field has evolved the most—and RealMotion embodies that evolution. [Its] innate ability to use real-time rendering capabilities is what increases flexibility, performance, and creative possibilities. The footprint of our system alone gives a notion of how

8

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

far we’ve come: less than 20 percent of the rack space with more than double the throughput.

“Combining these capabilities with the newest version of ISAAC, an integrated scheduling and automation control platform created by Smart Monkeys, gives this iconic installation many more years of delight to travelers.”

The nickname “Time Tower” comes from some of the original content pieces featuring evocative visuals inspired by a virtual clock tower (or clock face) shown near the top of the displays. While the content itself has remained the same, the RealMotion server has greatly increased what the operator can do with that content, in terms of making changes.

“The Time Tower is a complicated piece of visual technology, consisting of both 6mm and 10mm LED displays with non-traditional aspect ratios,” says Platt.

“This contributes to the challenge for content creators. Through RealMotion’s visual rendering system, we’ve simplified the delivery format and made the whole process less obtrusive.

“These tools will decrease the cost and effort to produce content in these nontraditional formats.”

hicago, Illinois — The New York City office of design firm Vocon recently used 143 linear feet of iLight Plexineon LED fixtures to unify four floors for the Chicago office of a leading global consulting firm, including playful nods to various Chicago icons and bringing a “cool factor” into the spaces.

Inspired by the look of iconic neon signs in the Windy City, Vocon used Plexineon LED to recreate p a r t of t h e C h i c a g o s k y l i n e mounted onto a brick veneer wall.

Another Plexineon sign installed onto a lacquer panel recreated the client’s logo.

Plexineon fixtures were also used to create a very high level of detail on an illuminated world map mounted onto wood. Plexineon was curved to outline all seven continents in a high level of detail.

Frequently included in “Best Places to Work” lists, the firm appreciated the unique role that an intentionally designed space can play in helping to attract and retain talent.

“The signs were so easy to install and seamless,” said Sara Crus Lass, senior project designer at Vocon.

“They looked beautiful.”

To see more photos, please visit http://bit.ly/2XHL7sW.

signshop.com

Sign Show DIGITAL PRINTING EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES Epson SureColor T5470M Wide Format Solution Delivers Enhanced Collaboration and Workflow

AWNINGS & VINYL-COATED FABRICS Trivantage’s ShadeCast Enables Custom Branding Opportunities with Peace of Mind Trivantage®, a national one-stop shop for fabrics, hardware, and accessories, has announced the availability of ShadeCast™, a highly versatile shade fabric designed for motorsport canopies, decorative indoor awnings, banners, and more. Engineered with a durable coating on both sides, the woven polyester shade fabric on three-inch cores features exceptional digital printing capability. Four simplistic tones (Black, Sandpiper, Blue, and Bright White) act as a backdrop to showcase stand-out logos or graphics on its smooth surface. ShadeCast material can be sewn or heatsealed. The water-repellent, UV- and fade-resistant, and mold- and mildew-resistant fabric ensures an easy-to-clean experience that is ideal for canopies and indoor awnings. In addition, the eight-ounce fabric brings peace of mind by meeting strict fire-retardant standards, including CSFM Title 19, NFPA-701, and CPAI-84. It also carries a three-year limited warranty. trivantage.com

The new SureColor® T5470M is a new thirty-six-inch printer and integrated scanner from Epson that offers a fast multifunction solution for printing, sharing, saving technical documents, and managing blueprints, charts, posters, and more. Leveraging Epson’s PrecisionCore® MicroTFP® printhead technology with Precision Droplet Control for crystalclear images, precise lines, and crisp text, the SureColor T5470M produces outstanding image quality with industryleading reliability. The integrated scanner supports multipage scanning and scan-to-USB drive functions. Nextgeneration UltraChrome® XD2 archival pigment ink delivers vibrant, durable prints. The SureColor T5470M offers a sleek, space-saving design that comes equipped with a variety of usability features, including an intuitive 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen and high-capacity replacement ink cartridges.

The SureColor T5470M also offers versatile print options (such as easy printing from tablets and smartphones) for enhanced flexibility. The SureColor T5470M will be available through Epson Authorized Professional Imaging Resellers beginning in September 2019. epson.com/surecolor-tseries-plotters

SERVICE TRUCKS/CRANES TC600 Series Boom Truck-mounted Crane Broadens Manitex Straight-mast Product Line with 60-ton Series Supporting the industry’s growing need for high-capacity machines, Manitex International, Inc., is pleased to introduce the newest model in the next generation TC-series lineup. The new TC600 features a base rating of 60 tons and a maximum main boom height of 141 feet (and a 194-foot maximum height when equipped with an optional jib), expanding the company’s heavy-crane product offerings. The TC600 incorporates a four-section boom and offsettable lattice style jib utilizing high-strength steel and components providing high strength-to-weight ratio for increased capacities at long radius. The TC600 includes a spacious, high-visibility cab and the advanced hydraulics of the Manitex TC line of lift solutions with increased lifting capabilities. Featuring a removable counter-weight system and uniquely designed trapezoid subframe, the TC600 provides added stability and precision control. The TC600 will be on display at the International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE) in Louisville, Kentucky in early October, and deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2019. (877) 314-3390; manitex.com

signshop.com

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

9

Sign Show SIGN blanks/panels Vycom Celtec Premium Signboard Line Expanded to Include Thicker Materials The Celtec® line of premium signboard solutions from Vycom Corp., is now available in 32 mm (1.25-inch) and 38 mm (1.5-inch) extruded gauges.

These thicker gauge additions make this product family the most complete in range of thicknesses—from 1 mm to 38 mm—for extruded PVC sheets available from a single manufacturer. Celtec thicker gauge material can be screen or digitally printed, routed, painted, or varnished and is an ideal substrate for indoor or outdoor signage in high-traffic areas where durability is key. This material offers high durability with a premium print surface that is more weather-, impact-, and insect-resistant than wood and will not warp, cut, or split (thereby reducing replacement costs).

It is easier to fabricate than using multiple laminated or glued sheets and is more durable than high-density urethane (HDU) materials commonly used in outdoor signage. Celtec thicker gauge material is a great fit for indoor applications where a thicker material is desired and ideal for outdoor applications such as monument or wayfinding signage . Matched installation components (including posts, wraps, and caps) are available. It can be used wherever a more substantial material is required (such as cut letters for offset letters or cut signage). vycomplastics.com

GEMINI ILLUMINATED SOLUTIONS

Brighter by Design.

Fabricated Raise your visibility with a smart portfolio of illuminated letters and logo solutions. From brilliant stopping power, to precise sophistication, to endless creative possibilities, we have a product to fit any type of project.

For the highest quality in lighted dimensional signage, turn to Gemini.

Learn more at GeminiSignProducts.com/Illuminated

10

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

signshop.com

Sign Show VINYL/VINYL FILMS Avery Dennison Launches Five New Vibrant Supreme Wrapping Film Colors Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has announced the premier of its Spring 2019 Color Collection, which includes five new, vibrant, metallic color options for the company’s Supreme Wrapping™ Film line. Gloss metallic-finish color options within the new color line include Passion Red and Fun Purple, and satin metallic-finish options include Hope Green, Energetic Yellow (pictured), and Wave Blue. Avery Dennison also announced the release of a new online color visualization tool in partnership with xix3D that allows vehicle wrap installers to customize the look of various virtual vehicle makes and models with more than 130 colors from the company’s Supreme Wrapping Film and Conform Chrome Series—including those in the Spring 2019 Color Collection. The tool allows installers to better showcase a concept in a more intuitive and realistic way, enabling individuals to view colors on the vehicle from all angles.

This tool is accessible at graphics.averydennison.com/carvisualizer. graphics.averydennison.com

signshop.com

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

11

a

How To

IDENTITY SIGNage By ADAM BROWN

The Bar is Set

T

he Milwaukee Bar Association has served Milwaukee’s legal community, as well as the public, for over 160 years. A recent capital campaign conducted by the association was dedicated to creating an entirely new space for its members at its downtown Milwaukee location, in a site that was formerly The Granadier Restaurant and Lounge. Their goal was to “create a new facility to serve the next generation of legal professionals.”

My company, Sign Effectz, Inc., is delighted to have helped out with this need. We had done work at the association’s previous location, providing a donor recognition wall as well as removing signage when they moved. Because of our background, our team of sign designers, fabricators, and installers were a good choice for this new project, which would include a unique blade sign, branded windows, an interior logo sign, and a new donor recognition wall.

12

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

According to Sign Effectz Account Manager Josh Brown, getting involved before any work on the new space had begun was critical and influenced the site survey. “The site’s interior was completely stripped bare, just a concrete floor and windows painted pitch black, when the association’s director brought me in to share their vision for the new facility,” he says.

We carefully reviewed their interior design concepts, which had evolved through the early stages of the project, as well as their brand guidelines that would align us with their specific brand identity requirements (the necessary selections for color scheme, font, etc.)

From there, Designer Adrian Esguerra developed the exterior sign design.

Blade Sign Given the association’s corner location in a well-traveled part of downtown, a unique four-sided blade sign was the

perfect choice for providing visibility from just about every direction.

Due to neglect and/or disuse, a good portion of the existing exterior sign frame was corroded and worn out.

There were a number of missing pieces, the electrical hardware was fried, and its sockets were melted.

“It was evident that the previous sign had electrical fires, maybe due to old technology, or lack of maintenance, or maybe even a lack of adherence to code,” says Josh. “Regardless a good maintenance program will keep a sign from falling into disrepair.

“Signage is such an important contributor to advertising and good visibility. We can’t stress it enough—servicing helps protect the signage investment.”

Determining the ideal panel layout played an important role in getting the blade sign right, so we took extra time with the client on this part of the project.

“What’s interesting is that you get twice signshop.com

All Photos: Sign Effectz.

New sign package for legal association enhances their visibility.

How To IDENTITY SIGNage

By ADAM BROWN

Donor recognition wall.

Internal logo sign using clear acrylic with second surface vinyl graphics.

Branded windows.

as much square footage as a two-sided blade sign as well as visibility in a fourway intersection,” says Josh. “This is important because the association is located on one corner of a well-traveled intersection downtown. It’s essentially two, twosided blade signs. For some communities, it’s four times the normal square footage of a one-sided blade sign.”

Branded Windows One of the primary design challenges on this project involved removing the blackened windows and creating a welcoming environment by flooding the space with natural light.

It turns out the solution was good oldfashioned elbow grease! The general contractor’s crew manually removed black paint from fourteen very large windows using our recommended approach.

When the windows were completely 14

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

restored, our guys applied the bar association’s vinyl logo using application fluid, a squeegee, and painter’s tape. Frosted vinyl was chosen for the association’s logo to give it a professional etched look at a budget friendly price.

To determine the proper positioning of the logo on the windows and doors, we calculated average height and placed the logos at eye level. We proportionally increased the logo size from the center point and ensured they weren’t cramming the edges of the doors and windows.

Interior Logo The original plan was to use the same frosted vinyl on a big piece of glass to showcase the logo inside the office space.

However, as the interior design developed, frost on interior glass can look flat.

In order to give it a dimensional feel, we instead went with clear acrylic featuring

vinyl surface film and cut-out letters.

Shadows are one of the least expensive, yet effective methods when it comes to creating sign depth. Using 1/4-inchdeep clear acrylic with second surface vinyl graphics offered a glass appearance but on a much more economical scale.

Accompanying 1/4-inch letters created 1/2-inch of depth.

Donor Recognition Wall One of the association’s most important goals was to display the differences between the donors and make the display align aesthetically with the rest of the new interior space.

This created the need for a very special donor recognition wall, which recognizes the various levels of donations that were made to the capital campaign. We were able to achieve this with acrylic letters and a digital display. signshop.com

How To

MANAGEMENT

By JOHN HACKLEY

Maximizing Production Throughput

Three “no-cost” ways to get the most out of your shop talent.

Photo: Shutterstock/Chaay_Tee.

O

ne of the first things I hear from shop owners when they hire me to help them turn their companies around is how proud they are of cross-training their work force and how they have sound production scheduling practices.

I ask myself, then why are they having production issues leading to lack of profit, poor cash flow, late delivery dates, excessive overtime, and rework?

Granted cross-training has its advantages, but it also has disadvantages if the only time you capitalize on effectively utilizing those resources is when the need arises to cover the bases when someone is on vacation or sick. The key is “functional” cross-training.

That aside for the moment, more than likely there are additional forces pushing against your ability to get all you can from your workforce. One is “bad” multitasking in scheduling task assignments.

The biggest mistake made among shop

signshop.com

managers is not realizing the power of correctly balancing shop talent to maximize throughput. Underutilized capacity represents a big opportunity to improve bottom line profits without investments in additional manpower.

What if you could boost future capacity by proactively cross-training and scheduling production task assignments differently to achieve more predictable results with little or no out-of-pocket expense? Read on to learn how.

The goal is having the right worker doing the right task at the right time!

This sounds like a simple enough concept, right? But how do you figure out where and when you will have gaps down the road in your production line and what type of training will help your team fill those gaps efficiently?

For starters, I suggest reading The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt to learn about the Theory of Constraints (TOC). This will open the door into new insights on

how to improve your shop performance and achieve bottom line results.

In this article, I’ll touch base on the TOC concept of multitasking and how it plays a big role in achieving higher levels of production efficiency, and then I’ll move onto cross-training to maximize throughput.

First let’s look at the definitions of TOC versus human multitasking (which most of you do now) and how they relate to achieving higher levels of output.

TOC Multitasking involves stopping work on a task before it is completed in order to start work. Multitasking itself is neither bad nor good. Bad multitasking occurs when switching tasks does not help any project finish earlier.

For example, in a multi-job shop, it is common for resources to be required to switch between tasks on various jobs (or within the same job) in order to show progress. Such multitasking usually extends the duration of all jobs and, thereAugust 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

15

How To MANAGEMENT

By JOHN HACKLEY

Chart 1: Workplace distractions represent lost capacity and dollars to your bottom line.

ample of multitasking is taking phone calls while typing an email and reading a book.

Multitasking can result in time wasted due to human context switching and apparently causing more errors due to insufficient attention.

fore, is bad multitasking.

If, however, a resource is forced to stop a task on one job in order to complete a task that is delaying the critical chain or the most penetrating chain on another job (thereby helping that job to finish earlier), it is usually considered good multitasking.

Human Multitasking is an apparent human ability to perform more than one task or activity at the same time. An ex-

Takeaway #1 Good multitasking allows projects to finish in priority sequence without de-

lay. There are no stops and starts (unless intended), and profits are protected.

Human multitasking has the undesirable effect of increased costs due to interruptions and potential rework errors.

According to Gloria Mark, who studies digital distraction at the University of California, Irvine, it takes an average of about 25 minutes (23 minutes and 15 seconds, to be exact) to return to the original task after an interruption. In other words, that “30 seconds to check Twitter” isn’t just 30 seconds down the drain. It’s 25 minutes and 30 seconds.

Multiple studies confirm distractions don’t just eat up time during the distraction; they derail your mental progress for up to a half-hour afterward (and that’s assuming another distraction doesn’t show up in that half hour). And all these distractions not only hurt productivity, but they also have negative emotional effects.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. What

Mactac® ColorGard ® LUV Overlaminating Films:

“The Best Just Got Better” ColorGard LUV films are available in a variety of surface finishes, including the LUV8000 Gloss Series, LUV8100 Matte Series and LUV8200 Lustre Series.

Mactac’s ColorGard LUV overlaminates now feature: • Longer outdoor durability, ranging from 5-7 years.

• Clearer facestock for genuine image color consistency.

• Built-in UV protection.

• Smoother liner for faster wet-out.

The only overlaminate film preferred by distributors, graphic designers and end-users alike!

Request a sample or call for more information.

866-622-8223 Photos Courtesy of Icon Digital

16

Sign Builder Illustrated

mactac.com/graphics

August 2019

signshop.com

How To

MANAGEMENT about the person interrupting and the person before him or her they were probably distracting as well? Regardless of the chain of events, let’s dig a little deeper to find out how much it’s really costing.

Make an estimate on how many distractions occur during an average workday, week, and year. Now take that number and multiply it by 25. That’s how many minutes of concentration you’re losing. Now multiply by the number of workers and then multiply by your shop rate (see Chart 1).

It’s pretty obvious how big a deal this is. That money and time represents capacity lost forever and dollars your bottom-line won’t benefit from.

Takeaway #2 Minimize distractions that cause production interruptions, stops, and restarts as much as possible.

I’ll bet you’re wondering what this all

By JOHN HACKLEY

Chart 2: This chart enables you to find what your workers are already trained to do and the gaps to consider for training in each department.

has to do with functional cross-training to maximize throughput. Well it will all make sense as you read on.

In functional cross-training, the operative words are “functional” and “throughput.” “Functional” means

adding capability and exploiting it, and “throughput” means getting more work out the door.

To maximize throughput, managers need to get the most out of their system before they can get the most out of their

Quickly and easily adapt to change.

DigiMaxx EnGage ®

™

is an ideal solution for changing messages in a demanding retail environment. Print directly to the magnetic receptive media and lay on a preprinted magnetic base for price, message, or image changes.

change in your world.

MagnumMagnetics.com/engage 800.258.0991 | sales@magnummagnetics.com

signshop.com

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

17

How To MANAGEMENT

By JOHN HACKLEY Business managers that are not receptive to change will have a hard time breaking away from practiced norms. In their case, the tutelage is interesting but not a game changer.

For those of you who want to make lots of money and compete at the highest level, three great ways to unlocking employee talents are: good multitasking, no distractions, and functional cross-training.

team. Then it can be determined what specific cross-training will facilitate the ability to do even more work.

Assuming you’re there now and ready to start training, you’ll need to determine the who’s and what’s. It’s as easy as plotting out a chart (see Chart 2) that lists the task work required to produce your products (listed across the top), with your workers (listed down the side), and marking an X to identify what they are already trained to do if assigned.

Then find the gaps and color the cells representing areas to consider for training in each department!

Takeaway #3 Use functional cross-training to increase your shop’s capacity to do more work!

To wrap things up, what I’ve described to you thus far are fundamental concepts. The work in earnest must be taken on by a dedicated leadership team with experience.

John Hackley is CEO of Oculus Business Coaching and brings over thirty-five years of experience in small manufacturing business experience. Oculus Business Coaching provides consultation and coaching programs designed to help shop owners enjoy more life and more profit! For more information, call (510) 7606959 or visit oculuscoaching.net.

VISIT

www.signshop.com

18

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

signshop.com SBI_VisitSignShopAd_Options.indd 1

12/13/16 3:20 PM

Photo: Tinkering Monkey.

SIGN BUILDER BUYER’S GUIDE I L L U S TAT-A-GLANCE RATED

COMPANIES The following companies are arranged alphabetically. These companies provide a variety of services or manufacture/supply sign making equipment, supplies, and/or finished signs.

- Dimensional; Signs - Etched; Wholesalers

A.R.K. RAMOS ARCHITECTURAL SIGNAGE

1321 S Walker Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73109 Phone: 405 235-5505 Toll Free: 800 725-7266 Fax: 405 232-8516 E-mail: customerservice@ arkramos.com Web Site: www.arkramos.com Courtney Ramos-Fincher, Pres Brendan Ramos, VP A.R.K. Ramos is family-owned business specializing in cast plaques & letters. We offer aluminum, brass, bronze & stainless steel plaques in both etched and cast metals. We manufacture a wide variety of metal letters including cast letters, cut letters & reverse channel letters in aluminum, brass, bronze and stainless steel. Our Oklahoma City facility ships nationwide. Each job is manufactured to exacting standards, checked & doublechecked for accuracy and then shipped to your facility.

PRODUCTS: Aluminum - Castings; Architectural Signs; Bronze; Castings - Aluminum; Castings - Bronze; Dimensional Signs Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Channel Letters; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Electronic Messaging - Channel Letters; LED - LED Channel Letters; Letters Aluminum; Letters - Brass; Letters Bronze; Letters - Channel; Letters - General; Letters - Metal; Letters - Painted; Letters - Stainless Steel; Outdoor Signs - Bronze; Plaques; Signage - Letters; Signs - Acid Etched; Signs - ADA; Signs signshop.com

CAB SIGNS, INC.

38 Livonia Ave Brooklyn, NY 11212 Toll Free: 800 394-1690 Fax: 718 385-1187 E-mail: sales@cabsignsinc.com Web Site: www.cabsignsinc.com Chris Bayer Jordan Metz CAB Signs is the leader in ADA, Engraved, & Printed Signs. As A Nova Polymers Preferred Fabricator, that ensures Photopolymer from CAB Signs meets the manufacturing requirements of the material supplier. On engraving, we work on various materials.

Our capabilities are high as we routers, numerous rotary engravers & lasers, as well as many digital printers.

PRODUCTS: ADA - Photopolymer Signage; ADA - Raster Braille w/Applied Lettering; ADA - Thermoforming; Badges; Braille; Engraving Laser; Engraving - Nameplates; Engraving - Rotary; Engraving - Wholesale; Signs - ADA; Signs Screen Printed; Wholesalers

CHEMICAL CONCEPTS

410 Pike Rd Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006

Toll Free: 800 220-1966 Fax: 215 357-2754 E-mail: lydia.zelle@chemicalconcepts.com Web Site: www.chemicalconcepts.com Craig Zelle, Sales Mgr Andrew Morris, National Sales Mgr Chemical Concepts provides engineered solutions involving adhesives, sealants, tapes, & specialty fasteners. We work with manufacturers, fabricators, engineers & business owners to solve design challenges, & improve outcomes both in terms of process improvement and product performance. Businesses look to Chemical Concepts when: Traditional methods of fastening such as welding, rivets, screws, bolts, cannot be used. Motivated to improve processes, decrease cycle times and cut labor costs.

Seeking superior customer service, support, logistics, product freshness, product assortment and product availabilityIn search of the latest and greatest advancements in adhesive technology.

PRODUCTS: Adhesives - Foam; Adhesives - High Strength; Adhesives Laminating; Adhesives - Pressure Sensitive; Adhesives - Remover; Adhesives - Solvent Cements; Adhesives - Structural; Adhesives - Tapes; Distributor - PA; LED LED Channel Letters; Maintenance - Adhesives; Maintenance - Coatings; Maintenance - Refinishing; Maintenance Service; Masking Materials - Tape; Metal-Fabricating Equipment - Channel Letters; Tape - Foam; Tape - Hook & Loop; Tape Maskant; Tape - Striping; Tape - Transfer

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

21

COMPANIES Mark Smith, Owner Nancy Peterson, VP of Ops

CUSTOM FOAM FABRICATORS

125 Cecil Ct Fayetteville, GA 30214 Phone: 770 631-4086 Toll Free: 866 412-3626 Fax: 770 631-4048 E-mail: sales@ customfoamfabricators.com Web Site: www. customfoamfabricators.com Kristin Babb Chris Babb

Custom Foam Fabricators is a leading manufacturer of impact resistant, maintenance free foamcore signs, wall mounted sign panels, columns, column caps and architectural accents. We are wholesale to the sign industry only.

PRODUCTS: Architectural Signs; Dimensional Signs - Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Carved; Dimensional Signs - General; Dimensional Signs - Monuments; Dimensional Signs - Ornamental; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Letters Foam; Outdoor Signs - 3-D; Sign Blanks - Foam; Sign Blanks Polystyrene; Signs - Carved; Signs - Dimensional; Wholesalers

ESTIMATE SOFTWARE CORP

1959 N Peace Haven Rd #334 Winston-Salem, NC 27106 Phone: 828 633-4248 Toll Free: 888 304-3300 Fax: 866 764-4887 E-mail: nancy@ estimatesoftware.com Web Site: www.

EstiMateSoftware.com

22

Sign Builder Illustrated

PRODUCTS: Embroidery - Software; Software - Estimating/Pricing

Masking Materials - Spray; Masking Materials - Tape; Pad Printing - Equipment; Straps - Cable Management; Tape Foam; Tape - Hook & Loop; Tape - Transfer; Tools - Cutting; Vinyl - Application Solutions; Welding Equipment Additional Offices:

FASTENATION, INC. HQ

120 Brighton Rd Unit 2 Clifton, NJ 07012-1666 Phone: 800 876-9922 Fax: 800 758-5424 E-mail: sales@fastenation.com Web Site: www.fastenation.com Todd Young, Sr Sales Rep Corey Williamson, Sr Sales Rep FASTENation, Inc. is the premier manufacturer, converter, & global distributor of fasteners from Velcro USA Inc., 3M™, Glue Dots® International, SilverTape®, & FASTENfoam® Adhesive Backed Foam Tapes. Servicing more than 50 countries for nearly two decades, FASTENation, Inc. provides innovative ways to fasten products together for many industries. Offering the largest instock product selection available nationwide, FASTENation Inc. can easily convert, fabricate, & manufacture to any customer specification.

PRODUCTS: Adhesives - Foam; Adhesives - High Strength; Adhesives Laminating; Adhesives - Pressure Sensitive; Adhesives - Structural; Adhesives - Tapes; Adhesives - Transfers; Anchors/Fasteners; Banners - Grommets; Banners Hem Reinforcing Tape; Cutters/ Plotters - Rotary; Distributor - NJ; Fasteners; Grommets; Heat Transfer - Equipment; Maintenance - Adhesives;

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Fastenation, Inc. - Sales / Mktg Office 234 Seven Farms Dr Ste 213 Daniel Island, SC 29492 Phone: 843 606-9600 Fax: 843 606-9633 E-mail: cmettan@fastenation. com Web Site: www.fastenation. com

FLEXCON COMPANY, INC

1 FLEXcon Industrial Park Spencer, MA 01562-2642 Phone: 508 885-8214 Fax: 508 885-8476 E-mail: jjoyce@flexcon.com Web Site: www.flexcon.com Bekie Berg, Prod Mgr Jodi Sawyer, Market Dev Mgr What makes FLEXcon unique is our relentless pursuit of the right coated & laminated film or adhesive for each & every application. Our aim is high with a goal of achieving a better business result for you, not just delivering a better product. We believe that new possibilities for you to win exist everywhere - big & small, and it’s our purpose to help you find them & make the most of them.

PRODUCTS: Adhesives - Pressure Sensitive; Car - Car-Top Signs; Car Decals; Digital Imaging - Media; Digital Imaging - Overlaminates; Film - Clear; Film - Laminating; signshop.com

COMPANIES Film - Laser; Film - Perforated; Film - Photoluminescent; Film Polycarbonate; Film - Polyester; Film - Pressure Activated; Film - Pressure Sensitive; Film - Printable; Film - Reflective; Film - Thermal; Film - Vinyl; Film - Window Graphics; Floor Graphics; Fluorescent - Films; Inkjet Equipment - Media; Outdoor Signs - Billboards; Outdoor Signs - Bus Shelter Graphics; Pressure Sensitive Film; Solvent Ink Jet Media; Tape Transfer; Vinyl - Film/Media; Vinyl - PVC Laminated Polyester; Vinyl Graphics

IMAGEONE IMPACT

29962 Ave De Las Banderas Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 Phone: 949 709-7788 Toll Free: 800 818-0222 Fax: 949 709-7790 E-mail: frank@image1impact.com Web Site: www.image1impact.com Frank De Leone, Pres Everything to make your job faster safer and easier, Sign Mounting Hardware, Banner Mounting Hardware, Adhesive Products, Media Racks Grommets & Machines, Shop Tools & Supplies, Vehicle Wrap tools, Cutting Tools & Supplies.

PRODUCTS: Adhesives - Tapes; Banners - General Supplies; Banners Grommet Machines; Banners - Grommets; Banners - Hem Reinforcing Tape; Banners Mounting Hardware; Banners - Pole Brackets; Flags - Pole Brackets; Sign Hanging Hardware;

signshop.com

Tape - Hook & Loop; Vinyl - Racks; Vinyl - Removal Tool; Vinyl - Tools

MASTER MAGNETICS, INC.

1211 Atchison Ct Castle Rock, CO 80109 Phone: 303 688-3966 Toll Free: 800 525-3536 Fax: 303 688-5303 Web Site: www.magnetsource.com Jeff Calomino, Magnetic Solutions Sales Mgr Mike Gertz, Mktg Mgr

Film - Inkjet; Film - Thermal; Heat Transfer - Heat Press Machines; Ink - UV Curable; Inkjet Equipment - Printers; Leasing and Finance; Metal-Fabricating Equipment Shears; Plastics - Photopolymer Material; Printers - Inkjet; Screen Printing - Equipment/Accessories; Screens - Nylon Mesh Fabric; Signs - ADA; Software - ADA/ Braille; Software - RIP

QUALITY MANUFACTURING INC

Master Magnetics, Inc. features a robust line of magnetic assemblies, flexible magnetic & magnetic receptive sheeting, & strip in a range of thicknesses & laminates.

PRODUCTS: Magnetic - Assemblies; Magnetic - Bases; Magnetic - Rolls; Magnetic - Sheet; Magnetic Stock; Sign Holders

NOVA POLYMERS, INC

8 Evans St Fairfield, NJ 07004 Phone: 888 484-6682 E-mail: info@novapolymers.com Web Site: www.novapolymers.com Dave Miller, Managing Dir Brad Sorrow, National Sales Exec PRODUCTS: ADA - Photopolymer Signage; Adhesives - Tapes; Architectural Signs; Associations; Braille; Consultants - ADA; Consultants - Marketing; Dimensional Signs Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Equipment Leasing;

969 La Bore Industrial Ct St. Paul, MN 55110-5114 Phone: 651 484-5473 Toll Free: 800 243-5473 Fax: 651 483-1101 E-mail: qualitymfg@ qualitymanufacturing.com Web Site: www. qualitymanufacturing.com John Hoffman, VP

Quality Manufacturing, Inc. specializing in pan faces (Q.M.I.).

Is your one stop wholesale sign supplier. Complete signs of all types. Channel Letters, White Pan Faces, Decorated Pan Faces, Custom 3D Faces. Special shape pan embossed faces, Hemispheres, Domes, Prisms & more. Call us Today PRODUCTS: Dimensional Signs - Acrylic; Extrusions - Aluminum; LED - Illumination; LED - LED Architectural Lighting; Letters - Plastic; Outdoor Signs - 3-D; Plastics - Acrylic; Plastics Polycarbonate; Sign Blanks Plastic; Sign Cabinets - Extrusions; Sign Cabinets - Illuminated; Sign Faces - Pan

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

23

COMPANIES

ROLAND DGA

15363 Barranca Pkwy Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: 949 727-2100 E-mail: mgabrus@rolanddga.com Web Site: www.rolanddga.com Yadira Cepeda, Mgr-Sales Dev Roland DGA is a leading provider of innovative, versatile and reliable digital imaging devices that optimize ease-of-use and productivity. The company offers advanced eco-solvent largeformat printers and printer/cutters for sign and graphics production, innovative UV flatbed printers for product customization, and state-of-the-art dye-sublimation printers for soft signage and textile applications. Roland’s value-packed TrueVIS SG series eco-solvent printer/cutters offer sign shops outstanding image quality, efficiency and reliability at an affordable price.

PRODUCTS: Cutters/Plotters - Large Format; Cutters/Plotters - MultiSubstrate; Cutters/Plotters Software; Digital Imaging - Dye Sublimation; Digital Imaging - Hardware; Digital Imaging Inkjet; Digital Imaging - Label Printers; Digital Imaging - Large Format; Digital Imaging - Media; Digital Imaging - Software; Digital Imaging - UV Curing Systems; Digital Imaging - Vehicle Graphics; Digital Imaging - Wide Format; Engraving - Tools; Fabric - Inkjet & Digital Printing; Film Inkjet; Heat Transfer - Equipment; Ink - Digital Imaging; Ink Solvent Based; Ink - UV Curable; Inkjet Equipment - Media; Inkjet Equipment - Printers; Manufacturers & Suppliers; Paper - Digital Imaging; Printers - Flat Bed; Printers - Inkjet; Printers 24

Sign Builder Illustrated

Wide Format; Software - Digital Imaging; Software - Engraving; Software - RIP; Sublimation Transfer - Dyes; Sublimation Transfer - Equipment

SOUTHERN STUD WELD

15603 W Hardy Rd #355 Houston, TX 77290 Phone: 713 691-0897 Toll Free: 800 929-0296 Fax: 713 691-3699 E-mail: cwebbn@studweld.com Web Site: www.studweld.com Don Pelham, Tech Sales Houston William Miranda, Tech Sales Dallas PRODUCTS: Anchors/Fasteners; Banners Mounting Hardware; Channel Letters - Mounting Clips; Fasteners; Installation - Hardware; Sign Hanging Hardware; Welding - Weld Studs Additional Offices: Southern Stud Weld, Inc. 3645 Conflans Irving, TX 75061 Phone: 972 790-3339 Fax: 972 313-0864 E-mail: Lhaynes@studweld.com Web Site: www.studweld.com

STIMPSON

1515 SW 13th Ct Pompano Beach, FL 33069 Phone: 954 946-3500 Toll Free: 877 765-0748 Fax: 954 545-7440 E-mail: customer_service@ stimpson.com Web Site: www.stimpson.com Keith Gentilin, Dir of Sales & Mktg

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Cheryl Mazzamarro, Customer Support Mgr Stimpson, founded in 1852, is the leading U.S.-based manufacturer and supplier of grommets & washers, eyelets, snap sets, hole plugs, and attaching machinery.

As an ISO: 9001:2015 certified company, Stimpson provides expert customer service, with complete commercial grade fastening solutions under one roof. This allows our customers to single-source all their fasteners, saving them both time and money. Customers depend on our near-zero defect rate and industry-leading, on-time delivery.

PRODUCTS: Banners - Grommet Machines; Banners - Grommets; Banners Mounting Hardware; Grommets

WILKIE MFG LLC

2640 NW 2nd St PO Box 82067 (73148) Oklahoma City, OK 73107 Phone: 405 235-0920 Fax: 405 236-3324 E-mail: sales@wilkiemfg.com Web Site: www.wilkiemfg.com Darrel Wilkerson, Pres Bryan Wilkerson, VP PRODUCTS: Aerial Equipment; Aerial Work Platforms; Cranes; Trucks - Bucket; Trucks - Crane

signshop.com

COMPANIES

YJ INC. - NATIONWIDE SIGN ENGINEERING

PO Box 802050 Santa Clarita, CA 91380 Phone: 661 259-0700 Toll Free: 877 600-0700 Fax: 661 259-0900 E-mail: quote@yjinc.com Web Site: www.yjinc.com Yousif Jacob, Pres Janet Sanchez, Mktg Spec

YJ Inc. is a Continent-wide Sign Engineering firm with responsive, accessible & proactive problem solving engineers.

Our exceptionally fast 1-2 day turnaround & competitive pricing distinguishes us from other Sign

signshop.com

Engineering companies. We are licensed in 50 states, Washington D.C., & nine Canadian Provinces.

Our team has combined 52+ years of structural engineering experience with 20+ years of focused experience in sign engineering. For a quote email your drawings to quote@yjinc.com.

PRODUCTS: Aluminum - Extrusions; Anchors/ Fasteners; Architectural Signs; Associations; Awnings - General; Banners - Pole Brackets; Billboards; Consultants - Engineering; Consultants General; Dimensional Signs Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Awnings; Dimensional Signs - Channel Letters; Dimensional Signs - General; Dimensional Signs - Monuments; Dimensional Signs - Rotating; Electric Signs Custom; Electric Signs - General;

Electronic Messaging - Channel Letters; Flagpoles; Glass Signs; Graphic Design; LED - Electronic Signs; Letters - Aluminum; Letters - Channel; Letters - Stainless Steel; Letters - Wood; Light Poles; Logo Design; Message Boards - LED Illuminated; Monuments; Outdoor Signs - Banners; Outdoor Signs - Billboards; Outdoor Signs - Bus Shelter Graphics; Outdoor Signs - Exhibit Frames; Outdoor Signs - Flags; Outdoor Signs - Menu Boards; Outdoor Signs Poles; Outdoor Signs - Sculptures; Outdoor Signs - Trivision; Poles Flag; Poles - Readerboard; Poles Sign; Poles - Traffic; Poles - Wood; Post & Panel; Sign Blanks - Foam; Sign Blanks - Stainless Steel; Sign Blanks - Wood; Sign Frames; Sign Service

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

25

Smartphone, Tablet, Laptop?

Our on-the-go news products have you covered!

Sign-up for SBI Update to receive the latest sign product news and visit signshop.com for all the how-to content to tackle any sign job.

fb.com/SBIMag

@SBIMag

linkd.in/SBIMag

PRODUCTS The following section is devoted entirely to Sign Products/Services and the companies that offer them. The products are arranged alphabetically and many appear more than once in the section.

For example, LED signs may appear alphabetically under LED or under Electronic Messaging. This format makes it easy to find products. Short product descriptions are provided to assist in making purchasing decisions. Companies in bold indicate display advertisers.

AERIAL EQUIPMENT

ADA - PHOTOPOLYMER SIGNAGE CAB Signs, Inc. Nova Polymers, Inc

Wilkie Mfg LLC p 21 p 23

ADA - RASTER BRAILLE W/ APPLIED LETTERING CAB Signs, Inc.

p 21

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 21

ALUMINUM - EXTRUSIONS

ADHESIVES - FOAM Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc.

p 21 p 22

ADHESIVES - HIGH STRENGTH Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc.

p 21 p 22

ADHESIVES - LAMINATING Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc.

p 21 p 22

ADHESIVES - PRESSURE SENSITIVE Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc. FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 21 p 22 p 22

ADHESIVES - REMOVER Chemical Concepts

p 21

ADHESIVES - SOLVENT CEMENTS Chemical Concepts

p 21

ADHESIVES - STRUCTURAL Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc.

p 21 p 22

ADHESIVES - TAPES Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact Nova Polymers, Inc

28

Sign Builder Illustrated

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 24

FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact Stimpson

p 21

p 25

ANCHORS/FASTENERS FASTENation, Inc. Southern Stud Weld YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 22 p 24 p 25

ARCHITECTURAL SIGNS A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage Custom Foam Fabricators Nova Polymers, Inc YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 21 p 22 p 23

Nova Polymers, Inc YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

BADGES CAB Signs, Inc.

p 22

ImageOne Impact

BANNERS - POLE BRACKETS ImageOne Impact YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 23 p 25

BILLBOARDS YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25 p 21 p 23

BRONZE A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 21

CAR - CAR-TOP SIGNS FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

CAR - DECALS FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 23

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 22

CASTINGS - ALUMINUM

BANNERS - GROMMET MACHINES

2019 Buyer’s Guide

p 23 p 24 p 24

p 21

BANNERS - GENERAL SUPPLIES ImageOne Impact

ImageOne Impact Southern Stud Weld Stimpson

p 23

p 25

p 22 p 23

BANNERS - MOUNTING HARDWARE

BRAILLE

AWNINGS - GENERAL YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact

CAB Signs, Inc. Nova Polymers, Inc

p 25

p 22 p 23 p 24

BANNERS - HEM REINFORCING TAPE

p 25

ASSOCIATIONS

p 21 p 22 p 23 p 23

ADHESIVES - TRANSFERS FASTENation, Inc.

BANNERS - GROMMETS

AERIAL WORK PLATFORMS Wilkie Mfg LLC

p 24

p 24

ALUMINUM - CASTINGS

ADA - THERMOFORMING CAB Signs, Inc.

Stimpson

p 21

CASTINGS - BRONZE p 23

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 21

signshop.com

PRODUCTS CHANNEL LETTERS MOUNTING CLIPS Southern Stud Weld

p 24 p 23

CONSULTANTS - ENGINEERING YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

p 25

CONSULTANTS - MARKETING Nova Polymers, Inc

p 23

CRANES Wilkie Mfg LLC

Roland DGA

Roland DGA

FASTENation, Inc.

p 22

CUTTERS/PLOTTERS SOFTWARE Roland DGA

p 24

p 24

DIGITAL IMAGING HARDWARE

Roland DGA

Roland DGA

p 22 p 24

DIGITAL IMAGING OVERLAMINATES p 22

DIGITAL IMAGING SOFTWARE

p 24

DIGITAL IMAGING - UV CURING SYSTEMS

p 24

Roland DGA

DIGITAL IMAGING - INKJET Roland DGA

FLEXcon Company, Inc Roland DGA

Roland DGA

Roland DGA

DIGITAL IMAGING - LABEL PRINTERS

p 24

p 24

p 24

DIGITAL IMAGING - MEDIA

FLEXcon Company, Inc

Roland DGA

CUTTERS/PLOTTERS - LARGE FORMAT

signshop.com

p 24

DIGITAL IMAGING - DYE SUBLIMATION

CONSULTANTS - GENERAL YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

DIGITAL IMAGING - LARGE FORMAT

CUTTERS/PLOTTERS - ROTARY

CONSULTANTS - ADA Nova Polymers, Inc

CUTTERS/PLOTTERS - MULTISUBSTRATE

p 24

p 24

DIGITAL IMAGING - VEHICLE GRAPHICS p 24

Roland DGA

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

p 24

29

PRODUCTS DIGITAL IMAGING - WIDE FORMAT Roland DGA

Custom Foam Fabricators Nova Polymers, Inc p 24

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS ACRYLIC p 23

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS ARCHITECTURAL A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage Custom Foam Fabricators Nova Polymers, Inc YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 21 p 22 p 23 p 25

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS AWNINGS

p 22

p 25

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS CARVED Custom Foam Fabricators

p 22

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS CHANNEL LETTERS

Chemical Concepts

p 21

ELECTRIC SIGNS - GENERAL YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS ORNAMENTAL p 22

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS ROTATING

p 22 p 21

CAB Signs, Inc.

p 21 p 21 p 24

ENGRAVING - WHOLESALE p 21

EQUIPMENT LEASING Nova Polymers, Inc

p 23

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS WHOLESALE A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 23

p 24

FLEXcon Company, Inc

2019 Buyer’s Guide

p 22

p 22 p 24

p 22 p 22

FILM - PRESSURE SENSITIVE FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

FILM - PRINTABLE FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

FILM - REFLECTIVE FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

FILM - THERMAL FLEXcon Company, Inc Nova Polymers, Inc

p 22 p 23

FILM - VINYL FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

FILM - WINDOW GRAPHICS p 22

FLAGPOLES p 25

FLAGS - POLE BRACKETS ImageOne Impact

FASTENERS

p 23

FLOOR GRAPHICS FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

FLUORESCENT - FILMS

FILM - CLEAR p 21

FLEXcon Company, Inc

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

FABRIC - INKJET & DIGITAL PRINTING

FASTENation, Inc. Southern Stud Weld

FILM - POLYCARBONATE

FLEXcon Company, Inc

EXTRUSIONS - ALUMINUM

Roland DGA

p 22

FILM - PRESSURE ACTIVATED

Quality Manufacturing Inc

Custom Foam Fabricators

FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 25

ENGRAVING - NAMEPLATES

p 22

FILM - PHOTOLUMINESCENT

FLEXcon Company, Inc

CAB Signs, Inc.

Custom Foam Fabricators YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 22

FILM - POLYESTER

p 25

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS MONUMENTS

p 22

p 21

CAB Signs, Inc.

p 25

FLEXcon Company, Inc

FLEXcon Company, Inc

EMBROIDERY - SOFTWARE

CAB Signs, Inc. Roland DGA

p 22

FILM - LASER FILM - PERFORATED

p 25

p 21

p 22

FILM - LAMINATING

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

ENGRAVING - ROTARY

Custom Foam Fabricators YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 23 p 24

FLEXcon Company, Inc

ENGRAVING - LASER

DIMENSIONAL SIGNS GENERAL

Nova Polymers, Inc Roland DGA

ELECTRIC SIGNS - CUSTOM

EstiMate Software Corp

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

FILM - INKJET

FLEXcon Company, Inc

DISTRIBUTOR - PA

ELECTRONIC MESSAGING CHANNEL LETTERS

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

Sign Builder Illustrated

DISTRIBUTOR - NJ FASTENation, Inc.

Quality Manufacturing Inc

30

p 22 p 23

p 22

FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

signshop.com

PRODUCTS GLASS SIGNS YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

GRAPHIC DESIGN YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25 p 22 p 24

HEAT TRANSFER - EQUIPMENT FASTENation, Inc. Roland DGA

LOGO DESIGN

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage Chemical Concepts

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 22 p 24

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

Nova Polymers, Inc

p 23

LETTERS - CHANNEL

p 24

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

INK - SOLVENT BASED Roland DGA

p 24

INK - UV CURABLE Nova Polymers, Inc Roland DGA

INKJET EQUIPMENT - MEDIA FLEXcon Company, Inc Roland DGA

p 22 p 24

INKJET EQUIPMENT PRINTERS Nova Polymers, Inc Roland DGA

p 23 p 24

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

Southern Stud Weld

Quality Manufacturing Inc

Nova Polymers, Inc

LED - ELECTRONIC SIGNS YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

LED - ILLUMINATION Quality Manufacturing Inc

p 23

LED - LED ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING Quality Manufacturing Inc signshop.com

p 23

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

Master Magnetics, Inc.

p 25

Chemical Concepts

p 22

p 23 p 23 p 21 p 22

MAINTENANCE - COATINGS p 21

MAINTENANCE - REFINISHING Chemical Concepts

p 21

MAINTENANCE - SERVICE p 21

Chemical Concepts

p 21

p 21

MESSAGE BOARDS - LED ILLUMINATED

p 23

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

p 22

MASKING MATERIALS - TAPE Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc.

p 21

p 21

MASKING MATERIALS - SPRAY FASTENation, Inc.

p 21 p 22

p 25

METAL-FABRICATING EQUIPMENT - CHANNEL LETTERS Chemical Concepts

p 21

METAL-FABRICATING EQUIPMENT - SHEARS p 25

Nova Polymers, Inc

p 23

MONUMENTS

LIGHT POLES YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 23

MAGNETIC - SHEET Master Magnetics, Inc.

p 21

LETTERS - WOOD YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

MAGNETIC - ROLLS

Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc.

LETTERS - STAINLESS STEEL p 23

p 23

MAINTENANCE - ADHESIVES

LETTERS - PAINTED

LETTERS - PLASTIC

LEASING AND FINANCE

p 21

LETTERS - METAL A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

Master Magnetics, Inc.

MAGNETIC - STOCK

LETTERS - GENERAL

INSTALLATION - HARDWARE p 24

p 21

p 23

MAGNETIC - BASES

Master Magnetics, Inc.

LETTERS - FOAM Custom Foam Fabricators

p 23 p 24

p 25

LETTERS - BRONZE A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

INK - DIGITAL IMAGING

p 21

p 25

MAGNETIC - ASSEMBLIES Master Magnetics, Inc.

LETTERS - BRASS A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

HEAT TRANSFER - HEAT PRESS MACHINES

Roland DGA

p 21 p 21

LETTERS - ALUMINUM

GROMMETS FASTENation, Inc. Stimpson

LED - LED CHANNEL LETTERS

p 25

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

p 25 31

PRODUCTS OUTDOOR SIGNS - 3-D Custom Foam Fabricators Quality Manufacturing Inc

PLASTICS - ACRYLIC p 22 p 23

Quality Manufacturing Inc

p 23

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

SIGN BLANKS - PLASTIC

OUTDOOR SIGNS - BANNERS

PLASTICS - PHOTOPOLYMER MATERIAL

Quality Manufacturing Inc

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

Nova Polymers, Inc

SIGN BLANKS - POLYSTYRENE

p 25

OUTDOOR SIGNS BILLBOARDS FLEXcon Company, Inc YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 22 p 25

PLASTICS - POLYCARBONATE

Custom Foam Fabricators

Quality Manufacturing Inc

SIGN BLANKS - STAINLESS STEEL

POLES - READERBOARD

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

OUTDOOR SIGNS - BUS SHELTER GRAPHICS FLEXcon Company, Inc YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

OUTDOOR SIGNS - EXHIBIT FRAMES

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

OUTDOOR SIGNS - FLAGS

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

OUTDOOR SIGNS - MENU BOARDS

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering FLEXcon Company, Inc Roland DGA

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

PRINTERS - INKJET

p 25

OUTDOOR SIGNS SCULPTURES p 25

OUTDOOR SIGNS - TRIVISION YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

PAD PRINTING - EQUIPMENT FASTENation, Inc.

p 22

PLAQUES A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage Sign Builder Illustrated

Nova Polymers, Inc Roland DGA Roland DGA

Quality Manufacturing Inc

p 25

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

Custom Foam Fabricators

2019 Buyer’s Guide

p 23

p 25

SIGN HANGING HARDWARE p 25

ImageOne Impact Southern Stud Weld

p 23 p 24

SIGN HOLDERS p 22

Master Magnetics, Inc.

p 24

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 23

SIGN SERVICE

p 23 p 24 p 24

p 23

p 25

SIGNAGE - LETTERS A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 21

SIGNS - ACID ETCHED A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 21

SIGNS - ADA

p 23

A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage CAB Signs, Inc. Nova Polymers, Inc

p 22

Custom Foam Fabricators

SIGN BLANKS - FOAM p 21

p 23

SIGN FRAMES

SCREENS - NYLON MESH FABRIC Nova Polymers, Inc

p 23

SIGN FACES - PAN

p 25

SCREEN PRINTING EQUIPMENT/ACCESSORIES Nova Polymers, Inc

p 25

SIGN CABINETS - ILLUMINATED Quality Manufacturing Inc

PRINTERS - WIDE FORMAT

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

32

p 25

PRINTERS - FLAT BED

OUTDOOR SIGNS - POLES

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering Quality Manufacturing Inc

PRESSURE SENSITIVE FILM p 25

p 25

SIGN CABINETS - EXTRUSIONS

POST & PANEL p 25

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

POLES - TRAFFIC YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 22

SIGN BLANKS - WOOD

POLES - WOOD

p 25

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 25

POLES - SIGN p 22

YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

p 23

POLES - FLAG YJ Inc. - Nationwide Sign Engineering

OUTDOOR SIGNS - BRONZE p 21

p 23

p 23

p 21 p 21 p 23

SIGNS - CARVED p 22

signshop.com

PRODUCTS SIGNS - DIMENSIONAL A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage Custom Foam Fabricators

TAPE - STRIPING p 21 p 22

SIGNS - ETCHED A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage

p 21

Chemical Concepts

TAPE - TRANSFER Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc. FLEXcon Company, Inc

CAB Signs, Inc.

p 21

FASTENation, Inc.

SOFTWARE - ADA/BRAILLE

TRUCKS - BUCKET

Nova Polymers, Inc

Wilkie Mfg LLC

p 23

SOFTWARE - DIGITAL IMAGING p 24 p 24

p 23 p 24

SOLVENT INK JET MEDIA FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

p 24

p 24

signshop.com

FLEXcon Company, Inc

p 22

VINYL - RACKS

ImageOne Impact

ImageOne Impact

p 23

p 23

p 23

p 21

p 22

WELDING - WELD STUDS Southern Stud Weld

p 21 p 22 p 23

p 22

WELDING - EQUIPMENT FASTENation, Inc.

p 21 p 22

TAPE - MASKANT Chemical Concepts

VINYL - PVC LAMINATED POLYESTER

FLEXcon Company, Inc

TAPE - HOOK & LOOP Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact

p 22

VINYL GRAPHICS

TAPE - FOAM Chemical Concepts FASTENation, Inc.

FLEXcon Company, Inc

VINYL - TOOLS

SUBLIMATION TRANSFER EQUIPMENT Roland DGA

p 22

VINYL - REMOVAL TOOL p 22

SUBLIMATION TRANSFER DYES Roland DGA

p 24

VINYL - APPLICATION SOLUTIONS

ImageOne Impact

STRAPS - CABLE MANAGEMENT FASTENation, Inc.

p 24

VINYL - FILM/MEDIA p 22

SOFTWARE - RIP Nova Polymers, Inc Roland DGA

Wilkie Mfg LLC

FASTENation, Inc.

SOFTWARE - ESTIMATING/ PRICING EstiMate Software Corp

p 22

TRUCKS - CRANE

SOFTWARE - ENGRAVING Roland DGA

p 21 p 22 p 22

TOOLS - CUTTING

SIGNS - SCREEN PRINTED

Roland DGA

p 21

p 24

WHOLESALERS A.R.K. Ramos Architectural Signage CAB Signs, Inc. Custom Foam Fabricators

p 21 p 21 p 22 2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

33

How To SALES

By JIM HINGST

Who Are You? Defining your unique selling proposition.

Photo: Shutterstock/ Gustavo Frazao.

W

hy should anyone choose your sign shop rather than your competitors’ shops? If you can’t articulate your company’s unique product differential, you’re leaving your chances for success, well, up to chance.

Perhaps your prospects walk through your door because they see your shop while driving past it? Or maybe your company was listed in an Internet search?

Possibly someone mentioned your shop in passing? If so, these are hardly worldshaking marketing advantages.

In a competitive sales situation, you are often relegated to selling price without a unique selling proposition (USP). Without a product differential, your products and services are no better than commodities. This makes realizing healthy profit margins difficult if not impossible.

Discovering and defining your USP is not an easy job. It requires significant soul searching. Unfortunately most shop own-

signshop.com

ers give little thought to how they will differentiate their business from the others.

As a business, what do you stand for that would compel prospective customers to do business with you? As a company, what value do you provide that differentiates you from your competitors?

Once you have decided upon your shop’s USP, develop a plan for delivering your message on your Web site, on social media, and in your advertising (while avoiding tired and trite clichés). If your unique selling proposition centers around the concept that you can dramatically transform a company’s identity, you need to demonstrate that in your messaging.

One way you can do this is to show before and after pictures of a company’s signage, fleet graphics, or interior store graphics. Another way is to develop testimonial stories about your customers, explaining how your shop designed and implemented new identity programs.

To support your marketing claims,

you can present statistics showing how your programs affected your customers’ business by increasing store traffic or by improving sales and profits.

Today you have a number of media channels to help deliver your message.

Many of these platforms are low cost (email marketing, social media, and your Web site, for examples). Stories about satisfied customers are powerful because people believe in the written word. Equally important are the messages that you deliver in video clips, in which a satisfied customer relates his personal story.

The storyline could begin with the customer describing a problem or challenge facing his business. This setup leads to the solution in which the customer explains how the new graphics program was developed and executed.

To conclude this testimonial, the customer describes what impact the program had on the company’s business and the uplifting effect it had on employAugust 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

35

How To SALES

By JIM HINGST

ee attitudes. A testimonial is one type of storytelling device that you can use to support your unique selling proposition.

After defining your USP, you must project what differentiates your shop from others consistently in your corporate imagery and in the messaging in your ad-

36

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

vertising and marketing materials to your target markets, your community, and your employees. Every business is unique in some way. Recognizing what makes your shop special is usually difficult for business owners to realize.

Often an outsider who knows you and

your business well can more easily identify and articulate your differentials better than you can. That’s why you might consider asking a trusted friend for help in defining your USP. Early in my marketing career, I was assigned to create a sales brochure for a plastics molding company. Upon first touring the facility, the manufacturing plant seemed unremarkable at best; in fact, the interior presented a grim picture of a graying, aging industrial setting.

The president of the company, “George,” viewed his plant through very different eyes. He had built his company from the ground up and was proud of his array of various types of compression and injection molding machinery he had collected in his thirty-five years of business.

What George didn’t realize was that his business was more than machines.

All of his competitors had machines too.

After spending time with his employees, they explained what made their company remarkable. It was George himself. When you bought from their company, you bought thirty-five years of George’s experience in engineering and producing difficult jobs that other companies could not.

Instead of spotlighting machinery, we featured George throughout the brochure. After all, he was the company’s USP. If you have a plastics molding problem, call George. His thirty-five years of problem solving experience was why a prospective buyer should buy from George’s shop instead of another.

We used a picture of George on the cover of the brochure. (To keep him happy, his machinery was in the distant background.) As company president, George wore a white shirt and tie, but his sleeves were rolled up as his elbows rested on bags of plastic pellets. The image that he projected was friendly, approachable, and experienced.

The narrative of the brochure supported the theme that George could make the impossible project possible. Here’s my point: If you’re having difficulty defining what makes your shop unique and special, you may not be seeing the forest for the trees. You might need a fresh set of eyes that see you for who you are. signshop.com

WE’RE HERE TO ANSWER THE CALL! Sign Builder Illustrated is the “how-to magazine” of the sign industry. Each issue includes SBI’s signature “how-to” columns and features with detailed, stepby-step instructions covering a wide range of signage.

SBI’s website (signshop.com), newsletters, Buyer’s Guide, and digital edition keep you updated with timely news, recent projects, and upcoming industry events.

SIGN BUILDER

ILLUSTRATED

fb.com/SBIMag

@SBIMag

linkd.in/SBIMag

Feature Namesigns directional

By ASHLEY AuthorBRAY

The Inside

Scoop I

nterior directional signs, which are used to identify and guide, can take on many designs and forms, including freestanding, mounted, and post-and-panels.

“Interior post-and-panels are used for a wide range of applications with some of the more common being wayfinding, informational/directories, tenant identification, point-of-purchase, or simply advertising,” says Stewart Curtis, president, Component Signage, Inc. (CSI). “Types of facilities that tend to utilize these the most are malls/retail, airports, schools/ universities, medical facilities, and large corporate offices.”

Interior directional signs lend them38

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

selves well to large campuses or large corporate buildings where visitors depend on them for wayfinding. “Post-and-panel signs are most frequently used in lobbies and areas with a lot of foot traffic and are versatile enough to be included throughout a facility to direct visitors to various departments or divisions,” says Alex Frederick, marketing supervisor, Orbus Exhibit & Display Group.

These types of signs can also be used to hold literature, as interpretive displays showing information and history in places like museums and for displaying security or safety information.

According to Bill Freeman, vice presi-

dent of Architectural Sales, and Jeffrey Stewart, vice president of Sales for Howard Industries, extruded aluminum, aluminum tubing frames, aluminum panels, and machined steel mounting plates are all commonly used in the creation of interior directional signs.

Curtis agrees. “Interior post-andpanels are most commonly made from extruded aluminum,” he says. “This allows for the best weight-to-strength ratio, along with a modular design [that] allows for changeability and mounting the post-and-panel in various locations.

CSI’s modular interior post-and-panel systems can be fabricated with a weightsignshop.com

when fabricating interior directional signs—especially if they are freestanding versus mounted. “[If] these signs are freestanding, they require a certain durability,” says Frederick. “SignPro Systems, a division of Orbus Exhibit & Display Group®, utilizes a combination of heavy domed steel base plates, thermoformed black laminate tops and bottoms, along with aluminum extrusion accents and edging to give a sleek and modern look for its tower and sign stand displays.”

Photo: Orbus Exhibit & Display Group.

Examining the styles of interior directional signage.

ed base so it freestands or base plates can be welded to the posts for bolting to the ground, wall, or ceiling.

“In addition to aluminum being used, [we] commonly integrates composites into the aluminum structure of the postand-panel,” says Curtis. “This can be done in the case of an illuminated sign where the sign face is acrylic or polycarbonate. Or if a light weight is a goal for the sign, aluminum panels can be substituted with aluminum composite panels. Dimensional graphics can also be achieved with acrylic or PVC composites.”

Orbus also recommends a combination of aluminum and other materials signshop.com

Designs on Display These interior signs allow for creativity in shape and form beyond your typical posts-and-panel.

“The beauty of these wayfinding solutions is that they are built in such a way to let branding shine—the frame visually disappears,” says Frederick. “These are user-friendly and offer easily changed graphics whenever desired. SignPro Systems offers a number of different size and shape solutions to avoid custom building these displays, limiting the cost for the end-users.”

Howard Industries recommends oneto four-sided forms for interior directional signs, depending on the complexities and amount of the interior space available. “Three-sided seem to be the most popular,” say Freeman & Stewart. “Single- and double-sided systems with the attachment of changeable frames have been popular for directories and wayfinding scenarios, allowing for easy updates.”

The ability to easily update information is something sign shops should keep in mind, as the wayfinding and identification info displayed on these signs frequently needs to be changed.

“The best approach is to find a distributor partner that offers a comprehensive three-part system. Each wayfinding display solution includes a frame/postand-panel system, a graphic, and a lens that can quickly and easily be removed for graphic replacements as needed,” says Frederick. “In addition to the wayfinding solutions, SignPro offers a number of sign stands or post-and-panel stands that have simple front-loading graphics to make change-outs a breeze.

Howard Industries works with inserts that are easily changed out. “By using

the HID ‘paper insert’ technology, one can quickly and without special tools change out messages as needed with no disassembly required,” say Freeman & Stewart. “Acrylic signage is also able to be layered to form clear slider windows, allowing paper or other thin printable substrate to be slid in and out.”

CSI says that there are several common modular systems that allow for quick and easy changeouts. “CSI offers multiple systems where the individual panels are easily removed and replaced as the copy needs to change. This keeps the sign looking brand new over time instead of having to try and remove the old copy and use the same panel,” says Curtis.

Another system is a locking directory post-and-panel. “Many times, these are used with a corkboard backing where the media is very easily changed by unpinning the old insert and then pinning on the new information,” says Curtis. “This also allows the end-user to update the information with a normal computer and printer. These can also have a magnetized backer or a ‘paper gripper,’ both of which achieve ease of use for changing out the media. The added benefit with this locking cabinet system is it deters vandalism of the media inside.”

Enhancement Options Shops can also look to dynamic digital signage as an option for easy and nearly endless customization of messaging.

Curtis notes that electronic message centers (EMCs) are being incorporated into interior sign designs more and more.

“EMC units have come a long way and are now smaller and run cooler, which allows them to be integrated into sleeker post-and-panel cabinets,” he says. “As more manufacturers come into the EMC market, not only has the technology greatly increased, but the cost has significantly come down. Because of this, there has been an upward trend to integrate EMC units into post-and-panels, especially in interior applications. With the integration of phone apps and WiFi connectivity, changing the graphics on an EMC has [never] been easier for the end-user.”

Curtis remarks that LED lighting components have also improved interior post-and-panel sign design. “IlluminatAugust 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

39

The first step in determning where your freestanding post-and-panel sign can be placed is putting yourself in the mindset of the visitor and where they can best utilize it.

ed post-and-panels have moved from the thicker and bulkier florescent illuminated cabinets of the past, to thinner cabinets that can be evenly illuminated with LEDs,” he says.

Location! Location! Location!

Aside from sign design, location is extremely important for interior directional signs.

“The first step to determining where wayfinding signage is needed is to put

yourself in the mindset of the visitor or customer and walk in the front door,” recommends Frederick. “There is almost always signage needed in the lobby and by elevators and stairs because these are common junction points for all visitors. Any room throughout a facility that isn’t obvious or there are more than one of generally need signage, such as cafeterias, conference rooms, storage rooms, and business units/departments.”

Interior directional signs allow for multiple placement options. “The beauty of interior post-and-panels is that there are typically more options for where the sign can be mounted. Signs can be freestanding in the middle of a busy walkway, off to the side of a storefront, projecting off the side of a wall, or hanging from a ceiling,” says Curtis. “If a post-and-panel is located in a busy thoroughfare, it is recommended that the sign be bolted to the ground instead of being weighted down because of the obvious hazard of it being knocked over. Signs that back up to a wall

ShopBot. Your path to profitability.

ShopBot manufactures CNC tools that inspire people to turn their ideas into something tangible. When we see signmakers put our tools it reaffirms our commitment to the mission of making digital fabrication technology readily accessible and usable for everyone.

Appalachian Signs Boone, NC insomnia cookies Dimensions: 38” x 38” Materials: High Density Urethane Foam Tool: ShopBot PRSstandard 96” x 48”

40

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

We make the tools for making the future.

signshop.com

Photo: Orbus Exhibit & Display Group.

to work in innovative ways,

or are in less busy areas can typically be weighted down, which allow for the sign in many cases to be moved around and repositioned easily.

“In the case the sign needs to display wayfinding or other information in a heavy foot traffic area, it can be best to bolt it from the ceiling, which allows the pedestrians to still easily view the sign, but at the same time the sign won’t be in the middle of the walkway.

“If a storefront wants to have their sign viewable from afar, then bolting the post-and-panel to the wall so that it projects outward allows the sign to be seen as the pedestrians make their way towards the store. This effectively gives the store more exposure in places like malls and airports where pedestrians are walking down long corridors.”

Freeman & Stewart recommend freestanding directional signs when ceiling or wall space is not available. “Often areas selected involve reception desk or lobby areas with high ceilings and no adjacent

walls or hallways with more than one intersecting paths, like a four-way intersection,” they say. “Make sure the sign is visible, readable, color coordinated, and does not impede traffic or other messages.”

Sign shops themselves should be aware of traffic when installing these signs. “Be careful with affecting the normal business going on inside the building during installation,” say Freeman & Stewart.

If an install includes loud noises and is in areas where people are working, then it’s best to schedule work for off-hours or when the business is closed.

Also keep in mind any ADA guidelines for non-freestanding signage as well as location constraints so as not to make a sign too large, too small, or in the path of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, etc.

Sign shops should also be mindful of wear and tear that can occur from hightraffic areas. “Although weather is not a factor for indoor post-and-panel longevity, wear and tear can sometimes be worse for those located in areas where they are

touched and bumped up against,” says Curtis. “[Be] conscious of the bottleneck areas and locate the signs in areas where they won’t be bumped into as easily.”

When relocating isn’t an option, look to build the signs from heavier duty materials or outfit them with bump guards.

Get an Edge with our high-efficiency wide-format laser solutions

Photo: Howard Industries.

Scan QR code to watch how our wide-format lasers can produce precise cuts and contours perfectly—the first time and every time. troteclaser.com | trotec-materials.com

signshop.com

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

41

Feature graphics VEHICLE Name

By JEFF Author WOOTEN

Wraps: A Good Cause and Effect

Bus and train wraps help the United Food Bank of Arizona.

H

ungry? So are they!” These words, surrounded by images of families in need and a call for help, are being featured on full wraps for a light transit rail train and a bus in Phoenix, Arizona.

These graphics are part of the seasonlong “Summer of a Million Meals” campaign being put on by the United Food Bank, a statewide, non-profit organization that provides more than 61,000 42

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

meals for children, families, and seniors on a daily basis. Every dollar donated equals five meals.

BPGraphics, a grand format graphics specialist also based in Phoenix, proudly worked on this wrap project in partnership with Phoenix Valley Metro Light Rail. They printed and installed these wraps for the United Food Bank to help them raise awareness. The campaign started this past Memorial Day and is

currently running all the way through to this Labor Day (September 2).

“We are installers for Phoenix Valley Metro Light Rail on their train wraps,” says Ian Scott, owner of BPGraphics. “Last year, we did about just shy of a hundred wraps for them. We were thrilled to be part of a great community cause that we stand behind, and any chance we can be a part of something we believe in is always a bonus.” signshop.com

To learn about United Food Bank

All Photos: BPGraphics.

visit AZMillionMeals.com

United Food Bank designed the images for this wrap campaign and provided these high-quality files to BPGraphics as 600- to 900-dpi PDFs at 1:12 scale.

BPGraphics provided some guidance for wrap design layout. “If somebody wants to wrap a train, we share the templates that we’ve created with the client and their designer. It has all of the safe areas where they can lay their images,” explains Nicholas Spade, marketing signshop.com

manager at BPGraphics. “When they send us a file, we’ll go back through it and see if something doesn’t look right or if it is going to fall on a joint and obstruct its view. We’ll either make the move/change or ask them to do it.”

The bus features the same artwork as the train. “We resized it and moved some things around, since the bus is obviously smaller and a different shape,” says Spade.

There were a lot of companies involved in this awareness-raising campaign, and all the sponsor and partner logos are featured on the wraps. “A lot of people wanted to pitch in to make this campaign successful because of the organization benefitting from it,” says BPGraphics Account Executive Kevin Murphy. “Everything was all donation.”

BPGraphics brought vinyl manufacturer 3M onboard as a partner to make these wraps happen quickly and on budget. “I reached out to 3M because it is such a great cause,” says Murphy.

“They agreed to donate the material it would take to wrap the bus and the train.

We’ve wrapped enough of these trains to know how much material we were going to need for it.”

BPGraphics ended up printing out about 2,000 square feet of self-adhesive 3M vinyl for the two cars of the ninetyone-foot-long train on their HP Scitex 3600 latex printer and 800 square feet for the bus.

The vehicle wraps were performed at the Metro Valley Light Rail and Bus facilities where the vehicles are housed.

This was beneficial since this is a dustfree, climate-controlled environment.

“The area we wrapped in is a general maintenance area, so it’s kept comfortable for their employees to work in while doing repairs,” says Murphy. “It’s not outside in the heat—it’s shaded, has rollup doors, and is air-conditioned.”

Four BPGraphics installers worked as a team to wrap the train and bus.

The dry install took about five hours on the train and eight hours for the bus.

“It usually takes us four or five hours to wrap a train, typically, depending on how many guys we send over there,” says Murphy.

The two train cars were wrapped first and the bus was wrapped a week later.

Each was out on its intended transit route the following day.

When it comes to wrapping a train versus a car or truck, Spade says that the latter forms of transportation are actually more difficult to perform. “[Automotive vehicles] are a little bit more difficult since they have different shapes, curves, and contours,” he says, “whereas a train is pretty much just flat panels.”

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

43

This was a quick turnaround project.

According to Murphy, success on these types of projects always come down to scheduling, which can be a little complicated due to logistics. “We had to figure out when we can get into the facility to install the train and bus wraps,” he says.

“We can only be in there certain days of the week and specifically getting the right bus for the city that bus will be traveling through.”

According to Valley Metro Light Rail officials, this project lined up well with their goal of connecting the community and the lives of Phoenix area residents.

“We have partnered with our contractors to help make the program a success and raise awareness of the great services the United Food Bank provides across our state,” they stated.

The wrapped bus also ended up being the star component of the “Stuff the Bus” event held by United Food Bank in the parking lot of a local Fry’s Grocery on July 13 where donations were placed

44

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

To view traditional and time-lapse videos of these train and bus wrap installs, visit http://vimeo.com/bpgraphics.

inside the vehicle in an effort to fill it up.

According to Murphy, this was a normal wrap project for them—but one that had a little more emotion invested in it.

“This was a little more meaningful to us, and it was something we could get behind and that we were excited to do,” he

says. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the far-reaching [United Food Bank] program in our state.”

The wrapped vehicles have caught the attention of those in the Phoenix area and are a big contribution to the success of this fundraising campaign.

signshop.com

WORLD’S

MIGHTIEST

SIGNAGE MAGAZINE! Sign Builder Illustrated is the “how-to magazine” of the sign industry. Each issue includes SBI’s signature “how-to” columns and features with detailed, step-by-step instructions covering a wide range of signage. SBI’s website (signshop.com), newsletters, Buyer’s Guide, and digital edition keep you updated with timely news, recent projects, and upcoming industry events.

fb.com/SBIMag

@SBIMag

linkd.in/SBIMag

SIGN BUILDER

ILLUSTRATED

CNC ROUTER INSTALLATION

By JEFF BradWOOTEN Burnett

A Hot New

Display

T

he Etowah Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire Department serves the fire and emergency needs of the growing rural community of Etowah, North Carolina (located in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains). Its headquarters is located along an open area of busy Highway 64, a beautiful straightaway stretch of road 46

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

between the towns of Brevard and Hendersonville, North Carolina.

The volunteer fire department protects the entire community with a staff of about eleven paid employees and sixty volunteers who provide firefighting expertise, as well as emergency rescue (including trench, rope, and water rescue). Because the department relies

on volunteers to operate, the organization was looking for a sustainable way to recruit volunteers, while at the same time, also providing important safety information to the community. Their problem was that, for years, they were using only a static, double-faced, sandblasted identity sign mounted to a pole fixated on their premises. signshop.com

Photo: Moss Sign Company.

Volunteer fire department raises its awareness with an EMC install.

The fire department needed something new to get their message(s) out.

The solution they arrived at was a brand-new 16mm Watchfire color digital sign. The new electronic sign would provide visibility and clarity and, unlike the sandblasted sign, enable them to update their messages and recruitment drives in a timely manner and stand out even more.

They were able to pursue this opportunity thanks to a grant the community had received from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

Officials at the Etowah Horse Shoe Fire Department turned to Moss Sign Company of Asheville, North Carolina to install the double-sided 16mm Watchfire sign for them. This twelve-person, UL® manufacturing shop fabricates, installs, and services electrical signs and are currently celebrating their twentyfifth year in business. (Note: Owner Ronnie Moss had worked for another sign company eighteen years prior to that.)

Before advancing any further on this project, Moss made sure to obtain the necessary building permit from Henderson County to set up this digital sign.

“We always handle the permitting process for our customers,” he says, noting that there are no ordinances in the area curbing the use of digital signage.

According to Moss, it was important to study the materials they were going to be working with before mounting these Watchfire digital displays into place. “In this case, the pole holding the sandblasted sign wasn’t a steel pipe or square tubing. It consisted of fourby-four wooden posts stacked together,” he says. “So we had to take weight into consideration.

After removing the sandblasted sign from its perch, Moss Sign Company ended up thru-bolting the two singleface Watchfire displays up against the wooden posts to firmly secure it. “We mounted angle iron on the top and bottom of the signs and drilled four or

Moss Sign Company is also a Watchfire Authorized Vendor, working with electronic signage technologies ever since opening their doors. “When we started up, we worked on flipper signs

the pole consisted of [stacked] fourby-four wooden posts, so we had to take weight into consideration. featuring time-and-temp for banks and credit unions,” says Moss, “and we have watched these evolve into high-resolution displays that are becoming more common nowadays.”

A division of World Industrial Equipment Inc “Designer & Manufacturer of Lift Equipment”

With Over 45 years of experience Stamm Manufacturing’s Heavy Duty Aerial Lifts, have been meeting all your tough Aerial lifts needs. A wide variety of optional features gives Stamm Aerial lifts the ability to customize your aerial equipment needs to your specific requirements. Resolve your aerial lift needs today and put Stamm’s muscle to work!!

LT-62 mounted on F-550 or Dodge 5500 Chassis and Special platform for the sign industry.

Call for Price.

CUSTOM BODY AVAILABLE.

ATR-45 2 man platform boom – Custom built to your specifications.

We have trucks and booms in stock.

Call for details.

The 43’ bucket truck with 11’ service body and new F-550 cab chassis with V-10 gas engine – the last in captivity Truck, boom and body in stock.

HURRY BEFORE IT IS GONE!!!

Financing 4850 Orange Avenue • Fort Pierce, Fl 34947 • (772) 461-6056 Main Plant • 1-800-226-5056 in Florida Available (772) 464-2716 fax • www.stamm-mfg.com • Email: Johnnystm@stamm-mfg.com

signshop.com

August 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

47

five holes into the angle,” he explains.

“Then we got four or five pieces of high-fence thru-rod that goes through and comes out the other side and slipped them over that thru-rod and squeezed them together.”

The sign company used their Elliott crane and a Wilkie boom truck to remove the sandblasted identity sign panel from the post and then hoist the Watchfire displays into place.

Moss says that the installation ended up being very simple (five hours tops), as they had already done hundreds of these types of installations over their history. “There was already some ground lighting out there, and its circuit was sufficient for the new LED signs,” he states.

Watchfire, in turn, provided over-thephone training to the fire department for properly managing content on this display. The department runs a variety of community outreach messages on the

digital sign—including calls for volunteers, notifications about burn events and bans, and the daily RP (Readiness Plan) level from the North Carolina Forest Service. (Note: The RP level corresponds to

The [digital] sign has allowed us to expand our recruitment beyond word of mouth to family and friends. the expected fire danger and the resources needed to be on hand that day.)

“The Watchfire sign has allowed us to expand our volunteer recruitment

beyond word of mouth to family and friends,” said Heather Huggins with the Etowah Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire Department. “We’ve even had older members of our community see the sign and stop in to ask if there was a way they could volunteer.

“People often don’t understand that volunteers do more than fight fires and provide rescue services. We can put anyone to work directing traffic and doing other jobs.”

One of the most frequently asked questions the fire department gets is how they were able to afford their sign.

“Since we [have fielded] so many questions about this, we decided to program a message in our rotation thanking FEMA for the grant that helped provide the funds for our sign,” said Huggins.

(Note: Portions of this article appeared in a previously written press release.)

VISIT

fb.com/SBIMag

@SBIMag

Sign Builder Illustrated

48

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

signshop.com SBI_VisitSignShopAd_Options.indd 3

12/13/16 3:22 PM

STRAIGHT

TO YOUR

INBOX SBI Update, Sign Builder Illustrated’s e-newsletter, delivers the latest hot topics and news from around the sign industry right to your email.

What’s the hot topic this month?

Sign up at www.signshop.com to receive the newsletter and find out! fb.com/SBIMag

@SBIMag

linkd.in/SBIMag

Marketplace NEW CATALOG COMING SPRING 2019

• Designer Traffic Control • Multi-panel SLAT Signs • Wayfinding Systems • Interpretive Displays • Sandblasted Signs • Routed Signs • Retainer Box Sign Kits • Post & Panel Systems • Drop-in Display Systems • Hanging Brackets • Community Reader Boards • Banner Systems • Mailbox Posts

For Advertising Options contact: JEFF SUTLEY (212) 620-7233 ART SUTLEY (212) 620-7247 David Harkey (212) 620-7223

Sign Substrate FSARMEPLEES Custom Sheet Cutting • Custom Bonding • Fast Turnaround

Precision Board Plus HDU

www.PrecisionBoard.com • (800) 845-0745

fb.com/SBIMag

@SBIMag

Sign Builder Illustrated

VISIT

www.signshop.com

50

Sign Builder Illustrated August 2019 SBI_VisitSignShopAd_Options.indd 2

signshop.com 12/13/16 3:21 PM

Product

Portal InfoDirect #

Your Direct Source for Sign Information Receive vital product and service information from manufacturers and distributors by visiting http://signbuilder.hotims.com

COMPANY

URL

PAGE 50

1

Brooklyn Hardware

www.panelclips.com

2

CAB Signs

www.cabsignsinc.com

3

Coastal Enterprises/Precision Board

www.PrecisionBoard.com

50

4

Custom Foam Fabricators

www.CustomFoamFabricators.com

25

5

Duxbury Systems Inc.

www.duxburysystems.com

50

6

Echod Graphics

www.EchodGraphics.com

50

7

FASTENation Inc.

www.fastenation.com

36

8

Gemini Duets

www.duetsbygemini.com/GetTough

10

9

18

11

J. Freeman Inc.

www.jfreeman.com

10

Keystone Technologies

www.KeystoneTech.com

11

LMT Onsrud

www.onsrud.com

44

12

Mactac

www.mactac.com/graphics

16 17

5

13

Magnum Magnetics Corp.

www.MagnumMagnetics.com/engage

14

Nova Polymers

www.novapolymers.com

15

Ornamental Post Panel & Traffic

www.ornamentalpost.com

50

16

Principal LED

www.p-led.com

C2

3

8A-B

17

PRINTING United

www.printingunited.com

18

Quality Manufacturing

www.qualitymanufacturing.com

20

19

ShopBot Tools

www.ShopBotTools.com

40

20

Sign America Inc.

www.signamericainc.com

50

21

Signs365.com

www.signs365.com

34

22

Signs365.com

www.signs365.com

C4

23

Small Balls Inc.

www.brailleballs.com

50

24

Southern Stud Weld

www.studweld.com

48

25

Stamm Manufacturing

www.stamm-mfg.com

47

26

Trotec Laser

www.troteclaser.com

41

27

Ventex Technology

www.ventextech.com

28

Wlkie Mfg LLC

13 C3

www.wilkiemfg.com

COMPANIES IN SIGN SHOW 29

Avery Dennison

www.graphics.averydennison.com

11

30

Epson

www.epson.com

9 9

31

Manitex International

www.manitex.com

32

Trivantage

www.trivantage.com

33

Vycom Corp

www.vycomplastics.com

3 EASY

STEPS

signshop.com

1. Go to our website at, signshop.com

9 10

2. Click on our ProductPortal box on the website

August 2019

3. Request info about advertisers & products

Sign Builder Illustrated

51

Shop Talk

PLANNING | BY DAVID HICKEY, ISA VP GOV’T. AFFAIRS ing to code? Then cite the code and ask for clarification.

If neither of those are the case, appeal.

Be prepared to cite a reason and be sure to include how your sign will enhance the surrounding community as well.

Detail how the property improvements can help revitalize the area or increase incomes or property value (which leads to increased tax revenues). Enhanced readability will contribute to road safety.

Answers to the most commonly asked questions.

E

very year at ISA International Sign Expo, I get to meet with member companies either on the show floor or at the Sign Code Help Desk. The talk inevitably turns to sign code issues that they’re facing—and it’s always interesting to see the commonalities.

No matter the size of the town or the geographic location, a few trends tend to emerge. At ISA International Sign Expo 2019, I collected a list of some of the most commonly asked questions and have provided their answers here.

Q: A community where I do business wants to mandate sign lighting levels.

What should I tell them?

First they need to realize how important effective night-time sign illumination is to their community’s businesses. There is research available that confirms this common-sense notion.

It’s also true that drivers use illuminated signs to find their way safely at night, so communities do not want to mandate sign lighting restrictions that could negatively affect driver safety.

When it comes to traditional, internally illuminated signs, there are too many variables at play that should prevent local officials from imposing lighting restrictions. Even lighting curfews have drawbacks, as it has been proven that lighted signs—even when a business is closed—is a powerful marketing tool.

Q: The sign I was trying to get permitted for my customer was denied by the zoning board of adjustments.

What can I do now?

The first thing is to find out specifically why the sign was denied. Was there an error in the application? If so, correct it.

Did the board deny the sign, even though it is legally permissible accord-

Sign Builder Illustrated (Print ISSN 895-0555, Digital ISSN 2161-4709) (USPS#0015805) (Canada Post Cust. #7204564; Agreement #40612608; IMEX Po Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, Canada) is published monthly by Simmons-Boardman Publ. Corp, 55 Broad St. 26th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Printed in the U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and Additional mailing offices.

Prices are subject to change.

Pricing, Qualified individual working in the sign industry may request a free subscription. Non-qualified subscriptions Print version, Digital version, Both Print & Digital versions: 1 year US/Canada/Mexico $50.00; foreign $99.00.

Single Copies are $15.00 ea. Subscriptions must be paid for in U.S. funds only.

For Subscriptions, & address changes, Please call (US Only) 1-800-553-8878 (CANADA/INTL) 1-319-364-6167, Fax 1-319-364-4278, e-mail signbuilder@ stamats.com, or write to: Sign Builder Illustrated, Simmons-Boardman Publ.

Corp, PO Box 1407, Cedar Rapids, IA. 52406-1407.

52

Sign Builder Illustrated

August 2019

COPYRIGHT © Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation 2019. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced without permission. For reprint information, contact: Arthur Sutley, Publisher (212) 620-7247 or asutley@sbpub.com

To read more questions and problem solving solutions, please visit http://bit.ly/2Smelrp.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sign Builder Illustrated, PO Box 1407, Cedar Rapids, IA. 52406-1407.

Instructional information provided in this magazine should only be performed by skilled crafts people with the proper equipment. The publisher and authors of information provided herein advise all readers to exercise care when engaging in any of the how-to-activities published in the magazine. Further, the publisher and authors assume no liability for damages or injuries resulting from projects contained herein.

signshop.com

Photo: Shutterstock/ RossHelen.

Help! I Need Sign Code Advice!

Q: How can I better track sign codes to make sure that I can get my customers the signs they’re looking for?

Each community does things a little differently, so it’s important to learn how your community makes the public aware of these events. Is it through legal ads in the local newspaper? Make it a point to check them frequently. Do they publish on the town’s Web site? Set up an alert.

Connect with local planners and the board of adjustments so that, when your community is considering sign code changes, they think of you first. It’s an often-thankless job but getting involved on sign code committees can benefit your company for years to come.

For ongoing sign codes, it may not be fun trying to decipher complex and often confusing or contradictory languages, but many communities are working to make their sign codes more user friendly.

All Wilkie equipment is designed for the Sign and Lighting industry with almost 50 years experience

BIG SERVICE, SMALLER PACKAGE Non CDL truck set up 2 man power level power rotate basket standard Basket mounted jib winch that stores behind basket when not in use Easy to use controls at base and basket Mainline winch rated at 1000 pounds fully extended Full 360 degree working radius Independently controlled out and down hydraulic outriggers (no under body counter balance weight) Wide range of bed and storage box options to fit your needs 3500 pound carrying capacity on a 19,500 GVW truck

WILKIE MFG. L.L.C 2640 NW 2nd Street Oklahoma City, OK 73107

www.wilkiemfg.com 405-235-0920