Sign Builder Illustrated February 2019

The How-To Magazine

F ebrua ry 2019 | signs h o p.co m

YO U R D I G ITA L E D ITI O N S P O N S O R

Spectacular PROJECTIONS: SIGN BUILDER

VINYL ON DISPLAY

illustrated

YOUNG SIGN MAKERS: THE NEW CREW

ROSWELL SIGNAGE: ALIEN PYLON COVER

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Contents february

Vol. 33

8

No. 284

How-To Columns

17 19 33

SOLAR POWERED

By Jeff Wooten A green-thinking company renews initiatives.

STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT

By SBi Staff Shining a light fixture on childhood literacy.

A PRESCRIPTION FOR SIGNAGE

By Ashley Bray ASI, Iowa provides new signage for an urgent care facility.

departments

6 8

13 50 52

EDITOR’S COLUMN

Editor Jeff Wooten looks at various ways to attract young talent to the sign industry.

IN THE INDUSTRY

Partnering with artists to repurpose billboards, a spectacular digital projection, graphics transform an interior office, and the latest in 3D printing.

Sign Show

The newest products and services from sign manufacturers.

SBI Marketplace

Advertisements and announcements from the sign trade.

19

Shop Talk

In Living Coral! Sal Sheikh explains how the 2019 Pantone® Color of the Year affects you.

Features

38 2

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February 2019

38 44

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE SIGN KIND

By Jeff Wooten Watching the skies for an alien-inspired pylon sign.

SIGN MAKERS: THE NEW CREW

By SBi Staff Start talking about our generation.

THE ENVIRONMENT FOR GRAPHICS

By Jeff Wooten Environmental graphic design is transforming markets. signshop.com

​Cover Photo: Projection Artworks.

34

WHERE DESIGN M E E T S INNOVATION

Bring your accessible sign solutions IN-HOUSE Increase PROFITABILITY

w w w. n ov a p o l y m e r s.c o m /R O I 2019 SIGN EXPO BOOTH #2317

February 2019, Vol. 33, No. 284 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 55 Broad Street, 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 212-620-7220 abray@sbpub.com Contributing Writers Jordan Bauer, Amber Hamilton, Tori Rivers, Mark Seibert, Justin Shapiro, Sal Sheikh, Lori Shridhare

art

Art Director Nicole D’Antona Graphic Designer Aleza Leinwand

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/Mid-West & West Coast Sales Arthur J. Sutley 212-620-7247 asutley@sbpub.com Associate Publisher/East Coast Sales Jeff Sutley 212-620-7233 jsutley@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.

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Sign Builder Illustrated

February 2019

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EVENT WED.–FRI., APRIL 24–26 PRE-CONFERENCE TUES., APRIL 23

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IT’S YOUR TIME TO BE BOLD. REGISTER NOW. SIGNEXPO.ORG/SIGNBUILDER Use code SIGNBUILDER for a free tradeshow pass.

Editor’s Column

AGENDA

By Jeff Wooten

February 2019 FEBRUARY 20-22:

The Midwest Sign Association Winter Meeting takes place at the Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport in Louisville, Kentucky. (msassn.org)

FEBRUARY 22:

The Mid South Sign Association Presents “Ideas Exchange 2019.”

This event will be occuring at Charles Hampton’s A-1 Signs Inc., in Burns/Dickson, Tennessee. (midsouthsignassociation.org)

March 2019

Young at Work

MARCH 26-29:

Attracting young talent to the sign industry.

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such a universal need that one can easily find a job in any region of the world.”

In addition to the annual Sign Manufacturing Day, which encourages shops to host local high school students for the day, there are other ways to get involved.

“I think being present in high schools, colleges, and trade schools is key,” says Dyar. “National and regional associations, along with sign shops, can partner with schools for internships, scholarships, and work programs that will get the younger generation more involved.”

Of course, once you’ve hired a younger sign professional, it’s important to keep them interested, particularly when a switch of the career can be easily achieved through the swipe of a smartphone screen. Consider nominating them for special recognitions that promote advancement and acknowledgement in the industry.

Tori Rivers of GSG is a member of the younger-skewing ISA and MSSA Elite programs, which she says have been a boon to her career and where she wants to go in the industry. “The sign industry is an attractive career for its continued relevancy; the world will always need signs,” she says. “A career in the sign industry means career growth, sustainability, continuous education, and lifelong friends.”

Jeff Wooten Editor, jwooten@sbpub.com

February 2019

April 2019 APRIL 23-26:

International Sign Expo 2019 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (signexpo.org)

May 2019 MAY 19-23:

LIGHTFAIR International, the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting tradeshow and conference, sets up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (lightfair.com)

June 2019 Photo: Tori Rivers/ISA Elite 2017.

T

his month, we are featuring our second-annual spotlight of some of the talented sign makers under the age of thirty-five years old (“The New Crew,” Page 26). In this story, we profile five such younger sign professionals and have them reveal their takes on the industry.

They also provide their advice on how sign companies can attract young people to join their workforce. There has been a noticeable shift in the sign industry recently to engage Millennials and evenyounger Generation Z. Whether trying to keep fourth- or fifth-generation sign makers interested in the family business or attracting outside new blood, there has been an increased promotion of the variety of sign jobs out there.

“The younger generation wants to know there are opportunities to grow their career if they put in the effort and the hard work,” says Ellen Dyar, business development director at Yorston & Associates. “Informing them of the opportunities the sign industry offers, the excitement of the environment, and the ability to attend industry events and get involved will help them understand that this can be a career and not just a short-term job.”

Amber Hamilton of Gator Sign Company in McComb, Mississippi is one of the young sign makers featured this month. She adds, “Young educated people are taking longer to commit to a career path because they are fearful of wasting time on a profession that may not be for them ultimately. However signs are

Digital Signage Expo 2019 uploads at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (digitalsignageexpo.net)

JUNE 6-7:

The Midwest Sign Association’s Summer Meeting & Golf Midwest Sign Association Summer Meeting & Golf takes place at the Soaring Eagle Casino Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. (msassn.org)

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.

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In The Industry

SIGNAGE Repurposing:

Partnering with Artists

B

rooklyn, New York—Got unused billboard space? The good news is that there’s some art waiting to fill it up.

When art and advertising can co-exist, our cities end up culturally rich and creativity abounds—both within studio spaces and without. Public art, like advertising, needs space to flourish. When art mural spaces are dominated by advertising only, artists feel stifled and everyone suffers.

Enter SaveArtSpace, a 5013c nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve art spaces. To accomplish this goal, the organization rents billboard space and holds open calls for art. It’s a win-win, because with art, nobody loses.

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The genesis of this idea took root in January 2015 when Travis Rix and Justin Aversano were brainstorming about ways they could volunteer for Bushwick Open Studios, a weekend art festival being held that June in Brooklyn that invites artists and galleries in the Bushwick neighborhood to open their doors to showcase new works and the artists behind them.

“Since there is a lot of street art in the neighborhood, we thought of holding an open call for public art in the [area] so we can rent the ad space that unfortunately had taken over the street art mural spaces,” says Aversano. “The purpose of our organization is to provide new and unique opportunities for artists to trans-

February 2019

form advertisement spaces into public art spaces for the local community, by and for the people.”

Since 2015, the SaveArtSpace organization has expanded its reach to other cities throughout the United States.

Since Rix, currently the executive director, and Aversano are already embedded in the art community, they can easily announce open calls for public art.

They also invite community leaders from the art world and nonprofits to act as curators of exhibitions. Once the art is selected, they send the files to the printer of the billboard company from whom they are renting the space.

“All art is accepted, from all ranges, ages, and talents,” says Aversano. “We signshop.com

New Sign Height Study

B

We would love sign companies to sponsor and partner with us so we can acquire more spaces for artists. have had installation art submitted and have been selected for display that make great images for the signage, and even stronger impact in person when you visit the exhibition!”

SaveArtSpace’s current partners are mainly other nonprofit organizations and galleries. However, they welcome partnerships from sign companies and other advertisers who might want to share in their successful vision of promoting art.

“We would love sign companies to sponsor and partner with us so we can acquire more spaces for artists, an endowment to hire new employees, and spread a new light on outdoor advertising to do more then sell us products, but to show signshop.com

us public art,” explains Aversano.

Are we embarking on a future where the boundaries of community art can merge with our marketing goals? This next generation of artists and leaders thinks we can.

“This project teaches selflessness, discipline, and compassion towards others,” says Aversano. “The largest lesson from all of this is to always think bigger than yourself.

“Always ask what you want from companies if your intentions are in the right place because, if you simply ask, you can receive.” —Lori Shridhare

ristol, Pennsylvania— The USSC Foundation announces the completion of a new study on freestanding sign height titled Recommended Mounting Heights for Freestanding On-Premise Signs, Philip M. Garvey and M. Jennifer Klena, Garvey & Associates (2018). This research was funded by the USSC Foundation and in part by Foundation for the Advancement of the Sign Industry (FASI).

The new Garvey and Klena study presents a different way of looking at freestanding sign height based on science and the needs of the motorist and a new way of determining the correct height. Instead of focusing on socalled “maximum sign height,” the new USSCF research answers the more appropriate question: What distance from the ground to the bottom of the sign message is needed in order to make the entire sign message visible and legible for motorists?

Garvey and Klena have also developed an app that can be used to easily determine the necessary minimum sign height for any particular location.

Look for the full report release at usscfoundation.org.

To see more of the SaveArtSpace billboards, visit signshop.org.

February 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

9

In The Industry

A Spectacular

Digital Projection

A

tlanta, Georgia—Contra Vision® perforated window film enabled the delivery of an extravagant projection mapping display that has helped put worldfamous The Macallan®’s new distillery in Scotland on the map. Projection mapping is a technology that can turn often irregularly shaped objects into a display surface for video projection. Whole buildings appear animated, and when combined with audio content, the experience is highly engaging.

However, when you project onto any building, windows are often a challenge.

Experienced sign maker Rood Signs was tasked with fitting over 6,996 square feet of Contra Vision’s Campaign White on Black film in 30 percent transparency to the entire glazed surfaces of The Macallan’s new distillery for a projection-

mapped grand opening event.

The Macallan’s new distillery is one of the most creative, ornate, and complex timber structures in the world. A total of 380,000 components went into making up the incredible structure, which sits on the Easter Elchies estate near Craigellachie in Moray.

Camouflaged under a 150,964-square foot roof of turf and meadow flowers to blend in with the rolling hillside, the total cost for the production facility and visitor center was $180 million. A notable building such as this deserves a memorable opening ceremony, and marketing specialists, Genie, produced a week of events for the building’s launch with a spectacular finale delivered for 450 international guests. The evening show included a dramatic unveiling of the distillery with Projection

Artworks futuristic show projected onto the vast building.

The use of Contra Vision also ensured an unobstructed view out was maintained for those inside the building. The polar white color is designed to function perfectly in such projection applications.

Installation was trouble-free, and the show went on brilliantly.

One of the great things about a projection mapping event is that the moment the projectors are turned off, the building is instantly available for its working role. Thanks to the Contra Vision element of the installation, removal of the glazing’s screens was also quick and easy.

Not a trace of the specialist adhesive that’s supplied as standard on the film remains. Memories of the stunning event, however, will endure for years to come.

LED Sign Awards Open

D

anville, Illinois—LED sign manufacturer Watchfire Signs is seeking submissions for its fifth-annual LED Sign Awards, which honor the best use of the digital component of an on-premise sign.

The 2019 Watchfire LED Sign Awards are open to any Watchfire dealer partner and are free to enter. Watchfire will be

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looking for creative ways that sign dealers and end-users are utilizing the digital component of their on-premise signs in 2018.

“Watchfire’s dealer partners do extraordinary work throughout the year to help their customers communicate messages,” said David Warns, vice president for on-premise sales for Watchfire. “We are proud to celebrate the winning sign

February 2019

companies’ capabilities and expertise.”

Deadline for submissions is March 27, 2019 at midnight. The grand prize winner will receive $1,000 and have their winning photo featured on the cover of the 2020 Watchfire’s Dealer Resource Guide. They will also be honored at an event at the 2019 ISA Sign Expo on April 25.

See rules at watchfiresigns.com/signawards. signshop.com

Distillery Shines in Brighter immersion

D

anville, Illinois—The renovated Old Forester Distillery, which serves as both a working distillery and an immersive guest experience, recently got a lighting upgrade.

Focus Lighting worked with Bravura Architects and the experience designers at Imagination to design a seamless integration of lighting principles from retail, hospitality, museum, and industrial design.

The building’s centerpiece is a fortyfour-foot-tall copper column still, and seven-color LED framing projectors from above and RGBA floodlights from below accentuate its vibrant color. As natural light changes through the central atrium’s skylight, LED lighting adjusts

from cool to warm, maintaining a visually pleasing balance.

In the basement level, where 4500-gallon vats hold the bourbon mash, LED track accents light the mash from above, while additional accents mounted one level below allow guests to appreciate the vastness of the tanks through the glass and grate floor.

Circular LED pendants in the cooperage evoke the metal hoops used to bind the barrels’ wooden staves while providing the room with a glowing layer of light.

Several areas were designated as hazardous zones due to the risk of explosive alcohol vapors. Here the lighting team made use of industrial explosion-proof LED floodlights, masking their glare

with custom shrouds made of steel pipe.

In the tasting room (pictured), the team integrated large, circular backlit panels into the ceilings that allow guests to lift their glass to a clean, illuminated 2700-Kelvin background surface so they can clearly see and appreciate the bourbon’s colors and density.

wall graphics transform office space

L

ake St. Louis, Missouri—With the construction of a new corporate office underway, MTM, one of the most experienced and qualified non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) brokers in the U.S., envisioned office walls abundant with beautiful photography of tranquil nature-based settings.

To make MTM’s dream a reality, they hired a talented photographer, Alfredo Diez, and contacted the experts at Artmill.com to ensure only the best-of-the-

signshop.com

best for the printing and mounting of the new office artwork.

Founded on years of experience in gallery art mounting, Artmill.com is a professional quality art printing/mounting company known for its craftsmanship guarantee that promises only the best products and materials for printing and mounting processes.

For years, Artmill.com has relied on Mactac® for its adhesive mounting needs. So when the MTM job came in, it was a no-brainer. The company

printed the photographic images with a water-based Epson® inkjet printer and used Mactac’s PERMACOLOR® PermaTrans® PUV2100 mounting film to face-mount the images to a Tru Vue acrylic surface. They then back-mounted those images to Dibond® aluminum composite sheeting.

PermaTrans® PUV2100 is an optically clear, two-sided coated film designed for face- and back-mounting transparencies to glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, Plexiglas®, and other clear or transparent substrates.

A clear polyester release liner protects each side of the film, permits complete visual inspection of the product, promotes easy liner removal, and provides a distortion-free adhesive surface.

PUV2100 can be used wherever superior clarity and smoothness are required, even over UV inkjet prints.

“The adhesive mounting aspect is a big part of the process,” explains Nolan Neeley, marketing manager at Artmill. com. “And we are able to offer a guarantee because we stand by the products we use.

“We have worked with Mactac for a long time now, and we [thoroughly] know and trust the company’s materials and performance.”

February 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

11

In The Industry 3D Bar of the Future

3D Printing: Weta Workshop

Reaps Benefits

L

od, Israel—Massivit 3D, a provider of large format 3D printing technology, has announced that five-time Academy Award®winning design studio and manufacturing facility, Weta Workshop, has installed a Massivit 1800 3D Printing Solution at its Wellington, New Zealand-based premises. The company is recognized for its work on blockbuster films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Avatar, King Kong, and Blade Runner 2049. The installation was made possible

by Massivit 3D’s local Australian and New Zealand distributor, Stick on Signs.

Massivit 3D’s proprietary Gel Dispensing Printing (GDP) technology leverages Massivit 3D’s unique, instantlycuring printing gel, Dimengel, to quickly and cost-effectively produce lightweight, hollow, 3D-printed models up to 5.8 feet high with geometric freedom.

Richard Taylor, Weta Workshop cofounder, CEO, and creative director, says, “We manufacture super-sized, hyper-realistic human figures, creatures, vehicles, and other huge props for film and television and have always been on the search for technology that can produce large parts at a high speed. For fifteen years, we have dreamed of a day when a printer would provide super-large scale, speed,

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and build strength at low print costs, in equal measure. The Massivit 1800 has delivered this for us.

“Our team has been able to redefine what is creatively possible for our largescale manufacturing projects. It is a powerful and versatile machine that has transformed the way we work.”

Pietro Marson, workshop operations analyst at Weta Workshop, says the company’s manufacturing teams have until now deployed a range of technologies for their fabrication processes, including CNC routers, industrial robots, and smaller 3D printers. Many of these technologies have presented limitations when it comes to manufacturing bigger props. “We’re often required to create [26.2- or 29.5-foot] sculptures and mannequins, which means we need to print multiple parts and then manually fit them together,” he says. “This is both time-consuming and expensive.”

Weta Workshop expects to be able to save thousands of dollars by printing larger components. The Massivit 1800’s print volume has proven particularly useful for one of the company’s latest projects, which requires large-scale molds. Producing these molds with CNC technology would have been challenging due to their size and the inability of CNC routers to create complex, deep intrusions.

February 2019

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Photo (bottom): Kimberly White/Getty Images for Bulleit Frontier Whiskey.

O

akland, California— Bulleit Frontier Whiskey’s Frontier Works platform, a series of projects and collaborations with modern cultural creators, recently unveiled Frontier Work: The Bulleit 3D Printed Frontier.

The Bulleit 3D Printed Frontier came to life around a 30-foot-longby-14-foot-high 3D-printed bar designed by the architecture and design practice FAR frohn&rojas and fabricated by Machine Histories.

To create the bar, the FAR team studied Bulleit’s label. Instead of a traditional drawing, FAR based its design on an algorithmic script that defines the geometry of the piece through a series of digital data sets.

The bar ’s copper surface was inspired by Bulleit’s amber color.

Taking the bar from design to production was a unique challenge due to the intricacies of the fine lattice structures that are inherent to 3D printing. FAR and Bulleit collaborated to design and redesign the lattice structure more than a dozen different ways to allow for varying densities in different areas of the bar to maximize visual impact, but still cater to the needs of bartenders.

Machine Histories, a design and fabrication studio, 3D-printed the bar, which took over 2,000 hours, not including the hundreds of hours invested in design and engineering.

The bar is printed from glass-filled nylon using selective laser sintering and includes 3,000 3D-printed components, 1,700 struts, and over 1,300 nodes. The bar was finalized in a little over three months.

Sign Show STANDOFFS

LETTERS/LOGOS

Gyford Introduces Custom Engraved Designer Standoff Caps

Improve Your Installation Experience with Gemini’s New Perfect Pattern

Gyford Standoff Systems is proud to introduce custom laser engraving of their popular standoff caps. The company’s laser-engraved standoffs are perfect for featuring your logo or a custom design of your choice and can provide an added splash of style to your next installation. Gyford’s team will take your provided design file and engrave it directly on their color anodized or stainless steel standoff caps. Turn your company logo, a corporate motif, or a fun element into a promotional display. Laser engraving is available on cap diameters to 3/4-inch to 2 inches. Choose from a selection of twelve anodized finishes or further customize your design with a color from the entire RAL palette for powder coating options. Standoffs are designed to mount signage and panels at a fixed distance from virtually any surface. Gyford’s design support staff can help you bring your designs to life®. Learn how custom engraving can enhance your next project. (775) 829-7272; standoffsystems.com/designer-series-caps

Gemini has launched its new a n d i m p rove d mounting patterns for flat-cut metal signage.

Perfect Pattern™ is computergenerated and calibrated to the company’s production equipment, assuring exact hole locations and interchangeability. In addition, the pattern is printed on Tyvek®, making it resistant to tears and the weather. Gemini’s partners are able to pre-order patterns ahead of time to allow for pre-work on-site for large scope installations. The printed legend with instructions is an easy guide to a perfect installation, every time. Center line alignment guarantees patterns are aligned with horizontal and vertical lines from the center (making installation more reliable), while a stud sizing guide provides recommendations for proper drill bits (depending on determined stud size).

Dimples are drilled into the back of the product to help identify proper top/bottom orientation, while also indicating the line a character belongs to as well as differentiating similarsize letters that will have different stud placements. Identical letters are interchangeable. GeminiSignProducts.com

ADHESIVES/TAPES Drytac Reveals a New Advertising Product That is Perfect for Food Environments Drytac has announced the global availability of the ArmourPrint Emerytex and AmourGrab combination counter mat solution.

ArmourPrint Emerytex is a clear, heavy-duty, slip-resistant monomeric 15-mil PVC film with a matte pebble textured finish on one side and a smooth printable surface on the other. It has been approved by the FDA for incidental food contact, making it ideal for advertising applications in hospitality and retail environments.

ArmourGrab is an 8-mil, co-extruded, white anti-slip film coated with a heavy-coat weight. It has a permanent, pressure-sensitive clear acrylic adhesive. Used together, the two products create a food-safe counter mat solution ideal for eye-catching P-O-P advertising. Thanks to the slip-resistant qualities of both ArmourPrint Emerytex and ArmourGrab, these products can also be used for applications such as placemats and mouse pads.

Their UV protection also enables outdoor use, while a moisture barrier protects the printed image and aids hygiene. No white ink is needed to create vivid, distinctive counter mats as the white ArmourGrab backs the ArmourPrint Emerytex to eliminate the extra cost of printing with white. drytac.com

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February 2019

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13

Sign Show DYE-SUBLIMATION

EVENT DISPLAYS

Mutoh America Launches New Dye-Sublimation Ink, DH-21

Showdown Displays' 2019 Product Catalog Contains Only Proposition 65-approvied Products

The new DH-21 dye-sublimation ink from Mutoh America, Inc., has been manufactured for select Dye-Sublimation ValueJet printers (1624WX, 1638WX, 1938WX, and 1948WX) and is a cost-effective, high-load performance ink designed to achieve high-density colors with less ink consumption while providing superior color rendition with reduced metamerism. Its fast-drying formula enables printing on thin and light papers while minimizing transfer times. Avaialbe in four-color CMYK, Mutoh’s DH-21 dye-sublimation ink features high transferability (achieve high performance with less ink consumption), amazing color retention that provides consistent colors under various lighting conditions, versatile media usage (print on various media thicknesses while using less ink and less transfer time, all while retaining vibrant colors), and an eighteen-month shelf life. mutoh.com

Showdown Displays, a Nor th Amercian supplier of portable, lightweight visual communication and event displays, has announced that their brand-new 2019 Product Guide catalog now contains only California Proposition 65-approved products.

Proposition 65 requires manufacturers and sellers to provide warnings to California-based consumers about any potential exposure to chemicals that have been identified by the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.

Products that have not passed testing for these chemicals must include a prominent warning. Showdown Displays has gone the extra step to ensure that not a single item in their 2019 catalog will require such a warning label. “Our commitment to our distributor partners is second to none, and we've removed every concern over whether or not a product can be sold in the state of California without a warning label," explained Kevin Walsh, president of Showdown Displays. "Using the Showdown Displays 2019 Product Guide means you don't have to worry about Proposition 65. It's that easy.” For more information about California Proposition 65 and what it entails, visit p65Warnings.ca.gov. showdowndisplays.com

DIGITAL PRINTING EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES New Software Helps Simplify Workflow, Layout, and Color Management for imagePROGRAF PRO Series Printers Canon U.S.A., Inc., has announced the launch of the Professional Print & Layout (PPL) software for the imagePROGRAF PRO large format series of inkjet printers. The PPL software simplifies functions essential for photo printing, and it can be accessed as a plug-in from such software programs as Canon Digital Photo Professional, Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe® Lightroom, or as a stand-alone program. The intuitive interface allows for quick and easy navigation of printer, layout, and color management settings to help improve productivity. The easy, drag-anddrop method allows users to input images directly into template layouts, providing photographers with more freedom to effortlessly create and visualize final print jobs. Create and save custom template designs to easily use previously reliable printing and color settings. Minimize media waste with the nesting capability that lays out images in predetermined templates meant to help reduce white space and, in turn, potentially result in cost savings. The Professional Print & Layout software is compatible with imagePROGRAF PRO Series printers and is available as a free download. usa.canon.com

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February 2019

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Sign Show FABRICS

ROUTERS/ENGRAVERS

Fisher Textiles Announces the F7 Certified Fabric Line Specially Designed for Digital Print

CO2 Laser Optics for Cutting and Etching Signs

F7 Certified Fabrics, the newest digital print fabric line from Fisher Textiles, undergo a comprehensive manufacturing process to ensure reliability and consistency on every roll.

The lineup of F7 Certified Fabrics includes soft knit, heavy knit, stretch, and flag fabrics to accommodate a wide range of applications. F7 Certified Fabrics are made with a multichemical treatment process dialed-in for thorough and consistent application to facilitate outstanding print quality and control of ink migration. These fabrics have a color purity system with a verified white point on every lot.

Specialized manufacturing equipment ensures 100 percent accurate digital defect scanning and fabric form balancing for consistent weight and construction. These fabrics have an FR softening agent that aids in a softer hand and meets the fire retardancy standards NFPA 701 and DIN 4102. Rolls are wrapped in protective, durable packaging and shipped on custom-sized pallets for ultimate handling protection.

(800) 554-8886; fishertextiles.com

A line of OEM-compatible replacement CO2 laser optics that come in several configurations for cutting and etching metal, plastic, or wood signs is now available from Laser Research Optics of Providence, Rhode Island.

Laser Research ZnSe Optics fo r S i g n - M a k i n g La s e rs include configurations for 300W to 500W metal cutting lasers and others for engraving lasers with focal lengths from 2.0 inches to 7.5 inches in 0.5-inch increments for applications requiring clean, sharp, detailed edges. These CO2 optics are available in 1.0-inchand 1.5-inch-diameter sizes for working with metal, plastic, or wood. In stock for twenty-four-hour shipment for use as field replacement optics, Laser Research ZnSe Optics for SignMaking Lasers are optimized for 10.6 microns and conform to ISO-10110 specifications for optical elements. Silicon turning mirrors with better than 99.5 percent reflectance and singleor dual-band coatings are also offered. Laser Research ZnSe Optics for Sign-Making Lasers are priced according to size and quantity, and price quotations are available upon request. (888) 239-5545; laserresearch.net

SIGN SUBSTRATES Celtec PVC Product Line is Designed to Reduce Manual Touch Points in the Finishing Stage Celtec signboard from Vycom is a premium PVC material that improves throughput in finishing, enabling print service providers to consistently and confidently produce high-value wide format display graphics applications that demand the highest quality sign materials. At the core of the Celtec line is its high-density construction ideal for a variety of fabrication processes (including digital and screen printing, plus knife- and die-cutting and thermoforming). Consistent craftsmanship in manufacturing ensures print service providers always receive sheets with dependable quality.

Celtec Vivid WhiteŽ signboard includes a bright white point that delivers vibrant colors and highlights cooler tones to produce stunning images. It is an excellent fit for applications where color reproduction is essential (such as point-of-purchase displays) or where meeting customer brand-color needs are crucial. Celtec Ultra WhiteŽ solid PVC material offers a high-gloss finish and is designed for outdoor applications where UV resistance and impact strength are critical. Its highdensity construction ensures clean edges after cutting or routing, eliminating the time-consuming step of manual deburring. The substrate’s surface promotes superior ink adhesion, reducing chipping or cracking after cutting that can lead to substrate and ink waste and ensuring an increased yield of sellable prints. vycomplastics.com

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Sign Show MODULAR DISPLAYS New Additions and Enhancements to Orbus’s Popular Display Products Orbus Exhibit & Display Group® is excited to announce the introduction of over thirty new innovative displays and enhancements to over forty of the company’s popular display products. This adds to Orbus’s already vast line of portable and modular displays featured in the 2019 Edition of The Exhibitors’ Handbook®. Among the new additions are three new retractable banner options—Mosquito Arctic, Orient Organic, and Rollup banner stands. Orbus has also expanded its line of Formulate Essential banners, adding three new sizes to choose from. New releases and improvements in both the popular Hopup Backlit and Backlit Embrace lines feature superior, patented lighting and frame enhancements to offer the best in collapsible backlit solutions. The Formulate® Master exhibit line now offers five-, eight-, and ten-foot backlit displays, as well as eight-, ten-, and twelve-foot backlit towers for use in all types of interior environments.

The Hybrid Pro Modular line of extrusion-based exhibits now includes twelve new, sleek, and modern exhibit kits. Shelving, lighting, and modular elements make these displays stand out with 10-foot Inline, 20-foot Inline, and 20-by-20-foot Island kit options to choose from. theexhibitorshandbook.com/new-products

Affordable plaques are easy to order, ship quickly and are guaranteed for life.

MADE-TO-ORDER. MADE TRUE.™

FAST. SIMPLE. VALUE.

Gemini made-to-order plaques are sometimes available in days, not weeks.

We make custom, ready-to-install aluminum and bronze plaques that ship quickly. With online wholesale pricing and ordering, plus the industry’s shortest production lead times, our high-quality, high-value plaques are affordable for your customers and profitable for you. From start to finish, Gemini makes plaques fast, simple, and affordable.

Learn more, request a free sample and plaques catalog at: GeminiSignProducts.com/FastPlaques US: 877-877-2922 | Canada: 800-265-0426 ©2019 Gemini Incorporated

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How To

SUSTAINABILITY

By JEFF WOOTEN

Solar Powered A green-thinking company renews initiatives.

Photo: Sign Pro.

T

his past November, Sign Pro, a full-service sign company based in Plantsville, Connecticut, welcomed state officials, town leaders, local business owners, and the press to a special ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the installation of 890 solar panels onto the roof of their four-year-old building. The array of panels, which can generate 293 kilowatts, is providing power to the entire facility at a much lower cost than before.

Sign Pro Owner Pete Rappoccio is a vocal proponent for sustainability and renewable energy, and he wanted to demonstrate to the invited guests the importance of energy conservation today.

The solar-powered panels and components were procured from a Connecticut company who guarantees its product and labor for thirty years. They financed the purchase of these panels through Greenworks Lending and Connecticut’s C-PACE program. They used signshop.com

no upfront money and are instead repaying the job over fifteen years as a special tax assessment on the project.

Electrical power was costing them about $5,200 a month. Since some federal laws and benefits were going to be changing at the end of 2018, Rappoccio knew the time was right to incorporate solar panels onto the roof of the new building.

“These panels will provide the company a significant up-front tax incentive,” says Rappoccio. “At the end of the month, the projection is a 35 to 40 percent in surplus overage, and that would be in reimbursement from our local power company. So instead of paying for your power directly to your electrical provider, you’re repaying back the loan through reimbursements and the savings you realize in utilities (for the same dollar value).

“Our roof is warrantied for thirty years, so the return on investment would start after ten years.”

Sign Pro’s history involves growth and thinking about the future. Rappoccio started the company thirty years ago out of a bedroom in his parents’ home.

“I worked for a construction company painting cranes, trucks, trailers, dumpsters, etc., and needing them lettered once painted, I started the sign business for work at night,” he says.

Two years later, while still working full time and going to college, he moved the business into a 200-square-foot garage with no running water. Eventually he was able to focus solely on signs, bringing four people onboard and expanding to a 3,500-square-foot shop and then an 11,000-square-foot building. Today their facility is 40,000 square feet filled with state-of-the-art equipment. They have sixty-three full-time employees (including facility maintenance and custodial staff who keep the facility immaculate).

Rappoccio has always been adamant about lean management, procedures,

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How To SUSTAINABILITY

By JEFF WOOTEN

safety, and sustainability, and it was this philosophy that influenced the architectural style of their new facility.

Since Rappoccio was designing the new building with flow and lean management practices in mind, he decided on a 1/2-inch pitched roofline versus a gable end or a flat roof. “The building is placed in the center of a three-acre parcel and entirely paved, therefore no full sunlight exposure with no trees shadowing the solar panels,” he says, noting that thoughts of implementing solar panels down the road also played a role. “A grid system was placed on the standing seam of the roof first, and all the solar panels were then clipped and fastened to the roof panels with no penetrations into the roof panels.”

Installation of all the solar panels took forty-five days, then inspections and final switch-over completed the process.

They have experienced no difficulty since flipping the switch to solar. They are using 1500-amp, three-phase electrical service and are powering a wide range of production equipment—HP 3200, 850, and 750 wide format printers; a Zünd flatbed production cutter; two MultiCam CNC machines; six welders; and a thirty-five-foot spray booth. They are running everything fourteen hours a day and are experiencing no hiccups.

“Nothing feels different,” says Rappoccio. “There are no flickering lights, brown outs, or what you may think. You also don’t have to worry when it comes to adding another piece of equipment to the production equipment line.”

Today Sign Pro is one of the biggest companies in New England generating this much power at such little cost.

The statistics show they are giving back enough power equivalent to what

1,340 houses generate. The amount that is saved power-wise is reinvested back into the company—either through investing in employees and training and creating more jobs. Due to their energy savings, they’re looking into adding a second shift of manufacturing.

Sign Pro’s green efforts don’t stop at solar panels. They’re currently finishing their next phase of sustainability— switching out their HiBay T5 fluorescent lamps in their warehouse with IBG 24L and L/B T8 LED lighting. They’ve increased the number of light and footcandles in their fabrication shop, warehouse, and installation bay. They also recycle all their aluminum, steel, polycarbonate, and acrylic materials.

To read more about how Sign Pro is living up to its “ExceedingYour Expectactions” tagline, visit https://bit.ly/2S6P6LY.

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: liftinfo@stamm-mfg.com

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How To LIGHTING

By sbi staff

Star Light, Star Bright Shining a light fixture on childhood literacy.

All Photos: iLight.

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here’s a famous philosophy that promotes reading as one of the fundamentals of life, especially when it comes to building literacy among children at an early age.

With that in mind, you can point toward a recent shining starlight installation inside one library that can be considered as one of the fundamentals of lighting design, especially when it comes to the utilization of advances in LED illumination technology.

Venture inside the Williamson Road Library in Roanoke, Virginia, and you’ll find, suspended above from the ceiling in an area where young children sit together for story time, an oversized star custom-created through the use of LED lighting fixtures. This shining piece serves as a symbol of how the city of Roanoke is looking out for its children.

This installation was part of a project undertaken by the city of Roanoke, Virginia in an effort to renovate all of its

signshop.com

branch libraries. This citywide initiative was an endeavor to not only accommodate the growing demand for their public library system but also an opportunity to update some of these facilities as well.

Located amongst the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke has been honored with a record seven All-America City awards for an ongoing, community-wide effort to help its young children master the ability to read. The program, called “Star City Reads,” aims to ensure that every child is able to read proficiently by the end of third grade—a benchmark time in a child’s life that has proven critical for paving the path to future academic success.

Roanoke has long been known as the “Star City.” Overlooking the city on a nearby mountaintop is an almost ninetyfoot star-shaped structure that was installed in 1949. Outlined in blue neon tubing, the “Roanoke Star” is a landmark that’s visible for miles around—serving as

a symbol of Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

Tasked with designing the $3.8 million expansion of the Williamson Road branch, Enteros Design, PC (enterosdesigns.com) of Petersburg, Virginia brainstormed ideas on how to incorporate the “Star City” theme inside the new children’s area that was in the middle of construction. Their idea was to create a star-shaped lighting feature that would be embedded into the new ceiling somehow.

Their design team came up with a star that measures twelve feet in diameter composed entirely of bright, straight lines of light. They decided on using white iLight Plexineon LED fixtures from iLight to assemble this piece. “It was painless to make our design a reality because Plexineon could be configured so easily,” says Thomas R. Freeman Jr., RA at Enteros Design, PC. “We could create the shape and size we wanted [using Plexineon].”

The team of Enteros designers con-

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How To LIGHTING

By sbi staff

tacted iLight and sent them drawings of what they were looking for to construct the ceiling-mounted star. In turn, iLight fabricated the pieces to the lengths they specified and shipped them back.

However there was still an obstacle to overcome so that the end-result wouldn’t be a falling star. “The ceiling has varying elevations, so the star had to engage the ceiling at varying heights,” says Freeman.

iLight representatives devised a custom suspension mount for the fixture to overcome the challenge that the ceiling presented. “The solution was to use aircraft cable in different lengths, so that the fixture would hang evenly, despite the ceiling variations,” says Freeman.

“There’s really nothing more to it than just fixture mounts and aircraft cable.”

The ballast containing the driver for the interior star is concealed inside adja-

cent Acoustic Ceiling Tile (ACT).

Ascent Engineering, a well-established consulting engineering firm also based in Roanoke, handled the ladder-aided installation of the illuminating icon.

After the one-year-long renovation, the library reopened to much fanfare and with nearly twice as much square footage as before. The children’s space— which opens to a new enclosed children’s garden—is one of the most popular areas in the building, and this shining star is proving quite the lighted attraction.

Freeman says the bright, neon-like LED star exceeded everyone’s expectations. “It’s a nice accent light that provides just the right amount of illumination. It does stand out,” he says. “The library has been pleased with [the end-result].”

Note: Portions of this article appeared in a previously written case study.

www.SignsByBenchmark.com 800-658-3444

Wholesale Foam-Core Sign Manufacturer

Monuments Bases Pole Covers Integrated EMC Projecting Pylons and much more •

•

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Watch how it’s made at www.SignsByBenchmark.com/signs/media/video 20

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SIGN BUILDER

ILLUSTRATED

Photo: Digital Place Solutions/NanoLumens.

See Our Listing On Page 24

BUYER’S GUIDE AT-A-GLANCE

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 55 Broad Street, 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 212-620-7220 abray@sbpub.com

art Art Director Nicole D’Antona Graphic Designer Aleza Leinwand

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

advertising sales Publisher/Mid-West & West Coast Sales Arthur J. Sutley 212-620-7247 asutley@sbpub.com Associate Publisher /East Coast Sales Jeff Sutley 212-620-7233 jsutley@sbpub.com

Converging on the Right Products

I

think that the cover of our exclusive Buyer’s Guide At-A-Glance subliminally speaks volumes about the state-of-thesign-shop these days: For these owners, it’s always about buying the appropriate materials, equipment, and tools that will not only aid their production departments but also, at the same time, boost their bottom line.

If you’ve been paying attention to our editors and industry reports, then you know how convergence is a really hot topic now. An increasing number of sign shops of all different sizes are gravitating more toward taking on full-service duties and expanding their offerings into outside-the-norm fields. After all, no one wants to lose a customer by telling them that they can’t do something for them; so if this convergence philosophy helps you gain a foothold into a profitable new market, it’s so much the better!

It’s amazing to witness how sign shops have evolved and are continuing to evolve.

Seeing dye-sublimated fabrics next to CNC routers on production floors is becoming more the norm than the exception. Vinyl graphics specialists can now apply their talents to complement or decorate dynamic electronic digital signage. Dimensional sign makers can now incorporate peel-and-stick LED lighting into their monument and architectural

letter projects.

The sky’s the limit—and our Buyer’s Guide At-A-Glance will help put your shop reach another stratosphere!

Over the course of the following pages, you’ll find contact information for manufacturers and suppliers that is organized alphabetically by company name and product categories ranging from ADA to Inkjets and from Lighting to Wholesalers (as well as everything else in between).

I also invite you to check out our redesigned Product Portal featured on our Web site, where you can receive free information straight from participating manufacturers and suppliers.

It really is an exciting time to be a sign maker, as our modern-day frontier of what can be produced knows no boundaries. Our Buyer’s Guide At-A-Glance will help you continue success in the territories you already service as well as the territories you’d like to explore.

ART SUTLEY Publisher, asutley@sbpub.com

Sign Builder Illustrated welcomes all comments, questions and suggestions about the Buyer's Guide.

Write us: Sign Builder Illustrated, 55 Broad Street, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10004 or FAX: (212) 633-1863. Email address: signbuilder@sbpub.com

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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.

AXYZ International - Los Angeles 2910 E La Palma Ave Unit A Anaheim, CA 92806 Phone: 714 974-6200 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com

Phone: 305 887-7500 Fax: 305 887-2300 E-mail: sales@awt-gpi.com Web Site: www.awt-gpi.com

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

4321 N Knox Ave Chicago, IL 60641 Phone: 773 777-7100 Fax: 773 777-0909 E-mail: sales@awtworldtrade.com Web Site: www.awt-gpi.com Michael Green, Pres Bryan Green, National Sales Mgr

A.W.T. World Trade, Inc. is the world leader in the screen printing equipment industry, combining stateof-the-art engineering expertise with outstanding customer service to provide quality, consistency, & value to screen printers for more than 40 years. Designed for maximum productivity & engineered for years of reliable performance, A.W.T.’s complete line of screen printing equipment, accessories, parts & supplies delivers unrivaled convenience while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy & image quality.

PRODUCTS: Digital Imaging - UV Curing Systems; Dryers; Drying and Storage Racks; Heat Transfer - Equipment; Ink Screen Printing; Ink - UV Curable; Neon - Vacuum Pumps; Pad Printing - Equipment; Printers - Flat Bed; Routers - Vacuum Tables; Safety Equipment; Screen Printing - Equipment/Accessories; Screen Printing - Exposure Units; Screen Printing - Flash Dryers; Screen Printing - Floodbars; Screen Printing - Pallets; Screen Printing - Presses - Manual; Screen Printing - Scoop Coater; Screen Printing - Screen Cleaning - Biodegradable Cleaners; Screen Printing - Screen Cleaning - Equipment; Screen Printing Screen Washers; Screen Printing - Squeegees; Screen Printing Supplies; Screen Printing - Tensioning Table; Screen Printing - UV Curing Systems; Screens - Drying Cabinet Additional Offices: A.W.T. World Trade - Florida 8984 NW 105 Way Medley, FL 33178 signshop.com

AXYZ International - Tampa 1911 N US 301 Ste 200 Tampa, FL 33619 Phone: 813 620-3105 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com

AXYZ International Inc.

5324 S Service Rd Burlington, ON CAN, L7L 5H5 Phone: 905 634-4940 Toll Free: 800 361-3408 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com

AXYZ International - Atlanta 1865 Corporate Dr Ste 225 Norcross, GA 30093 Phone: 678 381-2300 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com

AXYZ International is a leading global manufacturer of CNC router, waterjet, and knife cutting systems.

Our machines are capable of cutting nearly any material imaginable and are utilized in a broad range of industries and applications, including sign making and digital finishing.

Founded in 1990, AXYZ International has over 25 years of experience and offers a global network of sales and service locations that spans 5 countries.

PRODUCTS: Cutters/Plotters - Blades/Knives; Cutters/Plotters - Foam Cutters; Cutters/Plotters - Rotary; Cutters/ Plotters - Routers; Cutters/Plotters - Software; Dimensional Signs - Routers/Engravers; Engraving Machines; Engraving - Tools; Routers - Accessories; Routers - Bits; Routers - CNC; Routers - Software; Routers - Vacuum Tables; Saws - Panel; Software - 3-D; Software - CAD; Software - CAM; Tools - Cutting; Tools - Panel Saws; Vinyl - CNC Tooling; Vinyl - Tools; Waterjet Machines CAD Routers; Waterjet Machines Cutting Equipment Additional Offices: AXYZ International - Calgary 401 - 4615 - 112 Ave SE Calgary, AB CAN, T2C 5C5 Phone: 403 236-4464 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com

AXYX International - New Jersey 24 World’s Fair Dr Ste D Somerset, NJ 08873 Phone: 732 469-1720 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com AXYZ International - Cincinnati 2844 E Kemper Rd Cincinnati, OH 45241 Phone: 513 771-7444 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com AXYZ International - Montreal 1305 Boulevard Dagenais Ouest Laval, QC CAN, H7L 5Z9 Phone: 450 624-9898 E-mail: enquiries@axyz.com Web Site: www.axyz.com

CrystalTek

1016 Windward Ridge Pkwy Alpharetta, GA 30005 Phone: 770 643-8501 Toll Free: 866 485-5202 Fax: 770 643-8820 E-mail: info@crystaltek.us.com Web Site: www.crystaltek.us.com Amanda Walker, Sales Mgr At CrystalTek™, we manufacture and distribute an environmental line of non-toxic, biodegradable products that work. Our signage product line

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COMPANIES includes a variety of specialized products designed to remove multiple types of vinyl safely.

PRODUCTS: Adhesives - Remover; Chemicals/ Solutions - Environmental; Chemicals/ Solutions - Vinyl; Chemicals/Solutions - Wrap Application/Removal; Vinyl Removal Tool

www.dsavisualdisplays.com Connie Macias, Sales Mgr PRODUCTS: LED - Illumination; Outdoor Signs Menu Boards; Signage - Directory Illuminated

EstiMate Software Corp

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

DSA Phototech

16961 Central Ave Carson, CA 90746 Phone: 310 537-5000 Toll Free: 800 327-3723 Fax: 310 537-7060 E-mail: sales@dsaphototech.com Web Site: 24

Sign Builder Illustrated

1959 N Peace Haven Rd #334 Winston-Salem, NC 27106-4850 Phone: 888 304-3300 Fax: 866 764-4887 E-mail: customerservice@ estimatesoftware.com Web Site: www.EstiMateSoftware. com Nancy Peterson, VP of Ops PRODUCTS: Software - Estimating/Pricing

FASTENation, Inc. HQ

120 Brighton Rd Unit 2 Clifton, NJ 07012-1666 Phone: 800 876-9922 Fax: 800 758-5424 E-mail: cmetten@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 in-stock product selection available nationwide, FASTENation Inc. can easily convert, fabricate & manufacture to any customer specification.

2019 Buyer’s Guide

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

Howard Industries

6400 Howard Dr Fairview, PA 16415 Phone: 814 833-7000 Toll Free: 800 458-0591 Fax: 814 838-0011 E-mail: sales@howardindustries.com Web Site: www.howardindustries.com Bill Freeman, VP of Architectural Sales Steve Main, Sales Rep PRODUCTS: ADA - Raster Braille w/Applied Lettering; Aluminum - Extrusions; Architectural Signs; Braille; Dimensional Signs - Acrylic; Dimensional Signs - Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Channel Letters; Dimensional Signs - Extrusions; Dimensional Signs - Monuments; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Electric Signs - Custom; Electric Signs - General; Extrusions - Aluminum; Letters - Aluminum; Letters - Channel; Letters - Laser Cut; Monuments; Sign signshop.com

COMPANIES Cabinets - Extrusions; Sign Cabinets - Illuminated; Sign Cabinets - Kits; Signage - Directory - Illuminated; Signage - Directory - NonIlluminated; Signs - ADA; Signs Dimensional; Signs - Illuminated; Signs - Kits; Signs - Systems; Wholesalers Additional Offices: Design Stone Signs by Howard Industries 6400 Howard Dr Fairview, PA 16415 Phone: 877 463-7000 Fax: 814 835-6908 E-mail: billf@designstonesigns.com Web Site: www.designstonesigns.com

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: customerservice@ image1impact.com Web Site: www.image1impact.com Frank De Leone, Pres Dave Harris, VP / GM Manufacturer and supplier of the highest quality sign mounting, installation, & banner hanging systems. We also provide safety tools, cutting equipment, panel saws, banner finishing tools and installer tools; everything to make your job faster, safer and easier. Visit our website to learn more or to become an authorized dealer.

PRODUCTS: Adhesives - Tapes; Banners - Display Systems; Banners - General Supplies; Banners - Grommet Machines; Banners - Grommets; Banners - Mounting Hardware; Banners - Pole Brackets; Banners - Track Kits; Chemicals/Solutions - Wrap Application/Removal; Cutters/ Trimmers - Manual; Drying and Storage Racks; Exhibit Booths Portable; Exhibit Booths - Tabletop signshop.com

Displays; Grommets; Installation Hardware; Masking Materials - Tape; Neon - Training - Videos; Safety Rulers; Sign Hanging Hardware; Sign Stands; Signs - Frames - A-Frame Sandwich Boards; Slitting Equipment; Tape - Foam; Tools - Cutting; Vinyl Application Solutions; Vinyl - Racks; Vinyl - Removal Tool; Vinyl - Tools

Bases; Magnetic - Blanks; Magnetic - Rolls; Magnetic - Sheet; Magnetic - Stock; Sign Blanks - Magnetic; Sign Hanging Hardware; Sign Holders

Nekoosa

Magnum Magnetics Corp

801 Masonic Park Rd Marietta, OH 45750 Phone: 740 373-7770 Toll Free: 800 258-0991 Fax: 740 373-2880 E-mail: sales@magmag.com Web Site: www.magnummagnetics.com Neil Hawkins, Sales & Svc Mgr Magnum Magnetics provides highquality flexible magnetic sheet, strip and custom profiles made in the USA at competitive prices and supported by superior customer service. We offer a variety of direct-printable magnetic media to work on most popular commercial printers, including digital, inkjet, and offset presses. It's Easy to Print MagnetsÂŽ!

PRODUCTS: Magnetic - Rolls; Magnetic - Sheet; Magnetic - Stock

841 Market St Nekoosa, WI 54457 Phone: 800 826-4886 E-mail: marketing@nekoosa.com Web Site: www.nekoosa.com Dennis Barbaro, VP PRODUCTS: Banners - Polyester; Digital Imaging Inkjet; Digital Imaging - Large Format; Digital Imaging - Media; Digital Imaging - Overlaminates; Digital Imaging - Wide Format; Film - Clear; Film - Polycarbonate; Film - Polyester; Film - Pressure Sensitive; Film Printable; Film - Window Graphics; Floor Graphics; Magnetic - Sheet; Paper - Synthetic; Plastics - Acrylic; Plastics - Polycarbonate; Plastics Polyester; Plastics - Polypropylene; Substrates - Printable; Tape Application Additional Offices: 1650 Corporate Rd W Lakewood, NJ 08701 6 Ingersoll Rd South Plainsfield, NJ 07080 4855-D W Harmon Ave Las Vegas, NV 89103

Master Magnetics, Inc.

747 S Gilbert St Castle Rock, CO 80104 Phone: 800 525-3536 E-mail: flexsales@magnetsource.com Web Site: www.magnetsource.com Melissa Thompson, Sales Mgr

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

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

PRODUCTS: Badges; Banners - General Supplies; Channel Letters - Tools; Fasteners; Magnetic - Assemblies; Magnetic -

13856 Bettencourt St Cerritos, CA 90703 Phone: 562 777-1810 Toll Free: 800 821-4264 Fax: 562 777-1811 E-mail: nciusa@nikkalite.com Web Site: www.nikkalite.com George Tamayori

PRODUCTS: Banners - Vinyl; Car - Car-Top Signs; Car - Decals; Car - License Plates; Film - Clear; Film - Pressure Sensitive; Film - Printable; Film - Reflective; Film

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

25

COMPANIES - Vinyl; Fluorescent - Films; Letters Vinyl Additional Offices: Nippon Carbide Industries 3740 N Josey St Ste 210E Carrolton, TX 75007 Phone: 972 394-3800 Fax: 972 394-3801 E-mail: cbond@nikkalite.com Web Site: www.nikkalite.com

Nova Polymers, Inc

PO Box 1305 Fairfield, NJ 07007 Phone: 888 484-6682 E-mail: info@novapolymers.com Web Site: www.novapolymers.com Dave Miller, Managing Dir Bob Greenberger, Dir of Sales PRODUCTS: ADA - Photopolymer Signage; Adhesives - Tapes; Architectural Signs; Associations; Braille; Consultants - ADA; Consultants - Marketing; Dimensional Signs - Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Equipment Leasing; 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

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control

10108 Industrial Dr Pineville, NC 28134 Phone: 704 376-8111 Toll Free: 800 779-7947 Fax: 704 376-1990 E-mail: frank@ornamentalpost.com Web Site: www.ornamentalpost.com John Iyoob, Pres Frank Iyoob, Sales Mgr 26

Sign Builder Illustrated

We offer wholesale custom sign fabrication, Slat Signs Systems, Post & Panel Systems, Box Signs, Decorative Traffic Control, Wayfinding Signs, Banner Frames & Arms, Hanging Brackets, Sign Holders, Routed PVC & HDU, Poles, Bases, Finials, Fabrication from your drawings, and much, much more. Be sure to see our catalog at www.ornamentalpost.com PRODUCTS: Aluminum - Blanks; Aluminum Castings; Architectural Signs; Banners - Mounting Hardware; Banners Pole Brackets; Castings - Aluminum; Dimensional Signs - Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Carved; Dimensional Signs - HDU; Dimensional Signs - Monuments; Dimensional Signs - Ornamental; Dimensional Signs - Routers/Engravers; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Finials - General; Finials - Ornamental; Frames - Large Format; Frames - Real Estate; Letters - Aluminum; Letters - PVC; MetalFabricating Equipment - Custom Metal Fabrication; Monuments; Outdoor Signs - Poles; Poles Sign; Poles - Traffic; Sign Blanks Aluminum; Sign Cabinets - Extrusions; Sign Cabinets - Kits; Sign Companies & Contractors; Sign Frames; Sign Hanging Hardware; Sign Holders; Sign Panels; Sign Stands; Signage - Directory - Non-Illuminated; Signs - Carved; Signs - Dimensional; Signs Kits; Signs - Systems; Signs - Traffic

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

Signs By Benchmark

401 Pheasant Ridge Dr Watertown, SD 57201 Phone: 605 886-8084 Toll Free: 800 658-3444 Fax: 605 886-8099 E-mail: signinfo@benchmarkfom.com Web Site: www.signsbybenchmark.com Craig Wien, Sales PRODUCTS: Architectural Signs; Dimensional Signs - Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Carved; Dimensional Signs - Monuments; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Monuments; Outdoor Signs - Sculptures; Plastics - Polystyrene; Sign Blanks - Exterior Panel; Sign Blanks - Foam; Sign Blanks - Polystyrene; Signage - Letters; Signs - Dimensional

Techno CNC Systems

Quality Manufacturing Inc

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

2019 Buyer’s Guide

29 Trade Zone Dr Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 Phone: 631 648-7481 E-mail: technosales@technocnc.com Web Site: www.technocnc.com Techno CNC Systems: CNC routers for all small and large production companies and budgets. Techno routers produce ultra smooth edge finish in all plastics. Multiple sizes and configurations available for all plastic routing applications, including nested-based sheet processing, and trimming. Make sure to request a FREE quote online or learn more about the vast product offerings at www. technocnc.com.

PRODUCTS: Cutters/Plotters - Routers; Cutters/ Plotters - Software; Dimensional Signs - Routers/Engravers; Engraving signshop.com

COMPANIES - Conventional; Engraving - Laser; Engraving - Machines; Engraving - Rotary; Engraving - Tools; Laser Shop Services; Metal-Fabricating Equipment - Custom Metal Fabrication; Neon - Controllers - with software; Outdoor Signs - Heavy Equipment; Rotators; Routers Accessories; Routers - Bits; Routers CNC; Routers - Conventional; Routers - Laser; Routers - Software; Routers - Vacuum Tables; Safety Equipment; Software - CAD; Software - CAM; Software - Engraving; Software Routing

Vantage LED USA

1930 S Vineyard Ave Ontario, CA 91761 Phone: 888 595-3956 Toll Free: 888 595-3956 Fax: 888 595-3959 E-mail: dealers@vantageled.com Web Site: www.vantageled.com Josie Salitrero, National Sales Mgr A unified team disrupting a multibillion dollar digital signage industry by designing & delivering innovative LED displays driven by revolutionary 100% cloud-based software backed by real human support, strong resources, amazing relationships, & smart business. 7 year parts warranty, 7 year onsite service, custom content creation, automated Amber alerts, IS09001 Certified, & more. With Your Life, Make An Impact.

PRODUCTS: Billboards; Consultants - Digital Signage; Electronic Messaging - LCD; Electronic Messaging - LED; Electronic Messaging - Scrolling Price Displays; Electronic Messaging - Time/ Temperature; Electronic Messaging - Video Billboards; LED - Electronic Signs; LED - Gas Price Changers; LED - Hospitality Price Changers; LED - Networked Messaging Systems; LED - Video; LED - Video Billboards; Message Boards - LED Illuminated; Message Boards - Systems; Outdoor Signs - Billboards; Scoreboards; Signage - Electronic; Signs - LED; Signs - Scrolling; Traffic Signs

signshop.com

Vision Engraving & Routing Systems

17621 N Black Canyon Hwy Phoenix, AZ 85023 Phone: 602 439-0600 Toll Free: 888 637-1737 Fax: 602 391-2288 E-mail: sales@visionengravers.com Web Site: www.visionengravers.com Mike Colcord, Acct Exec Leslie Calhoun, Acct Exec

Proudly made in the USA, Vision Engraving & Routing Systems is an industry leader in manufacturing affordable, quality made engravers and CNC routers. Offering small desktop machines and larger size systems, Vision has a machine to fit your budget. Make ADA signs, dimensional letters, print-to-cut, directional signage, and more!

Contact Vision today for a free, live, online sign making demo, so you will know a Vision is right for your needs.

PRODUCTS: Cutters/Plotters - Routers; Engraving - 3-D; Engraving - Conventional; Engraving - Machines; Engraving Materials; Engraving - Nameplates; Engraving - Rotary; Engraving - Tools; Routers - Accessories; Routers - Bits; Routers - CNC; Routers - Software; Routers - Vacuum Tables; Software ADA/Braille; Software - CAD

World Wide Sign Systems Inc

446 N Cecil St PO Box 338 Bonduel, WI 54107 Phone: 715 758-2146 Toll Free: 800 874-3334 Fax: 715 758-8508 E-mail: hvandewerken@wwsign.com Web Site: www.wwsign.com

Wholesale-only manufacturer of illuminated and non-illuminated custom architectural signage, fabricated sign cabinets, extruded sign cabinets, routed aluminum faces, routed push-thru faces, pylons, pole covers, channel letters, reverse channel letters, custom channel letters and logos, trim-less channel letters, vacuum formed and flex faces, post and panel signage, flat cutouts, flange and backer panels with manufacturing locations in Bonduel & Shawano, WI; Atlanta, GA; and Carson City, NV. PRODUCTS: Dimensional Signs - Acrylic; Dimensional Signs - Architectural; Dimensional Signs - Channel Letters; Dimensional Signs - Extrusions; Dimensional Signs - HDU; Dimensional Signs - Monuments; Dimensional Signs - Ornamental; Dimensional Signs - Wholesale; Electronic Messaging - Channel Letters; Electronic Messaging - LED; Letters - Channel; Letters - Metal; Letters - Painted; Letters - Plastic; Letters PVC; Letters - Vinyl Faced Acrylic; Sign Cabinets - Extrusions; Sign Cabinets - Illuminated; Sign Companies & Contractors; Sign Faces - Dividers; Sign Faces - Flexible Face; Sign Faces - Pan; Signs - Dimensional; Wholesalers Additional Offices: World Wide Sign Systems, Inc. Southern Region 2765 Bankers Industrial Dr Unit A Atlanta, GA 30360 Phone: 770 326-6242 Fax: 770 209-0634 E-mail: mmcmahon@wwsign.com Web Site: www.wwsign.com World Wide Sign Systems, Inc. Western Region 5071 Sigstrom Dr Carson City, NV 89706 Phone: 775 885-2015 Fax: 775 885-2000 E-mail: sheyd@wwsign.com Web Site: www.wwsign.com The Channel Letter Factory 53545 E Richmond St Shawano, WI 54166 Phone: 715 524-3669 E-mail: dkrone@wwsign.com Web Site: www.wwsign.com

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

27

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.

ADA - Photopolymer Signage

Nova Polymers, Inc.

p 26

ADA - Raster Braille w/ Applied Lettering

Howard Industries

Adhesives - Foam

FASTENation, Inc.

Banners - Display Systems

p 24 p 24

Adhesives - High Strength

FASTENation, Inc.

Adhesives - Laminating

FASTENation, Inc.

Adhesives - Pressure Sensitive

FASTENation, Inc.

p 24 p 24

p 24

Adhesives - Remover

CrystalTek

p 23

Adhesives - Structural

FASTENation, Inc.

Adhesives - Tapes

FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact Nova Polymers, Inc

p 24 p 24 p 25 p 26

Adhesives - Transfers

FASTENation, Inc.

p 24

Aluminum - Blanks

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Aluminum - Castings

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Aluminum - Extrusions

Howard Industries

p 24

Anchors/Fasteners FASTENation, Inc.

p 24

Architectural Signs

Custom Foam Fabricators Howard Industries Nova Polymers, Inc. Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control Signs By Benchmark

Associations

Nova Polymers, Inc. 28

Sign Builder Illustrated

Badges

Master Magnetics, Inc.

p 24 p 24 p 26 p 26 p 26 p 26

ImageOne Impact

p 25 p 25

Banners - General Supplies

ImageOne Impact Master Magnetics, Inc.

p 25 p 25

Banners - Grommet Machines

ImageOne Impact

Banners - Grommets

FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact

p 25

p 24 p 25

Castings - Aluminum

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Channel Letters - Tools

Master Magnetics, Inc.

Chemicals/Solutions Environmental

CrystalTek

Banners - Mounting Hardware

Nova Polymers, Inc.

ImageOne Impact p 25 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Banners - Pole Brackets

ImageOne Impact p 25 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Banners - Polyester

Nekoosa

Banners - Track Kits

ImageOne Impact

Billboards

Vantage LED USA

Braille

Howard Industries Nova Polymers, Inc.

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Consultants - Digital Signage

Vantage LED USA

Consultants - Marketing

Nova Polymers, Inc.

p 27 p 26

Cutters/Plotters - Blades/ Knives Cutters/Plotters - Foam Cutters

p 23

AXYZ International Inc.

p 23

Cutters/Plotters - Rotary

p 25

AXYZ International Inc.

p 27

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

p 24 p 26

p 25

p 25

p 23

Cutters/Plotters - Routers

Cutters/Plotters - Software

AXYZ International Inc. Techno CNC Systems

p 23 p 26

Cutters/Trimmers - Manual

ImageOne Impact

p 25

Digital Imaging - Inkjet

Nekoosa

p 25

Digital Imaging - Large Format

Car - License Plates

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

p 26

p 25

Car - Decals

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

Consultants - ADA

AXYZ International Inc.

Car - Car-Top Signs

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

p 23 p 25

p 25

Banners - Vinyl

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

p 23

Chemicals/Solutions - Wrap Application/Removal

CrystalTek ImageOne Impact

p 24

p 23

Chemicals/Solutions - Vinyl

CrystalTek

Banners - Hem Reinforcing Tape

FASTENation, Inc.

p 25

p 25

Nekoosa

p 25

signshop.com

PRODUCTS Digital Imaging - Media

Nekoosa

Digital Imaging Overlaminates

Nekoosa

p 25

p 25

Digital Imaging - UV Curing Systems

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

p 23

Digital Imaging - Wide Format

Nekoosa

p 25

Dimensional Signs - Acrylic

Howard Industries Quality Manufacturing Inc. World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Dimensional Signs Architectural

Custom Foam Fabricators Howard Industries Nova Polymers, Inc. Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control Signs By Benchmark World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 26 p 27

p 24 p 24 p 26 p 26 p 26 p 27

Dimensional Signs - Carved

Custom Foam Fabricators p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26 Signs By Benchmark p 26

Dimensional Signs - Channel Letters

Howard Industries World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Dimensional Signs Extrusions

Howard Industries World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 27

Custom Foam Fabricators p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic p 26 Control World Wide Sign Systems Inc. p 27

Dimensional Signs - Routers/ Engravers

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic p 26 Control Techno CNC Systems p 26

Dimensional Signs - Wholesale

Custom Foam Fabricators Howard Industries Nova Polymers, Inc. Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control Signs By Benchmark World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Dryers

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Electric Signs - Custom

Howard Industries

Electric Signs - General

Howard Industries

Electronic Messaging Channel Letters

World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 27

Dimensional Signs - HDU

Electronic Messaging Scrolling Price Displays

p 24

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26 World Wide Sign Systems Inc. p 27

Vantage LED USA

Dimensional Signs Monuments

Vantage LED USA

Custom Foam Fabricators Howard Industries Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control Signs By Benchmark World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 24 p 26 p 26 p 27

Vantage LED USA

Engraving - Nameplates

Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

Engraving - Rotary

p 23

Nova Polymers, Inc.

Engraving - Tools

Equipment Leasing Exhibit Booths - Portable

p 23 p 25

ImageOne Impact

p 24

ImageOne Impact

p 24

Howard Industries Quality Manufacturing Inc.

p 27

FASTENation, Inc. Master Magnetics, Inc.

Exhibit Booths - Tabletop Displays Extrusions - Aluminum

Fasteners

p 27 p 27 p 27

Film - Clear

Nekoosa Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

Film - Inkjet

Nova Polymers, Inc. p 27

Film - Polycarbonate

Nekoosa

Film - Polyester

p 27

Nekoosa

p 27

Nekoosa Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

Film - Pressure Sensitive

Engraving - 3-D

Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

Engraving - Conventional

Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

signshop.com

Engraving - Materials

Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

Electronic Messaging - Time/ Temperature Electronic Messaging Video Billboards

Engraving - Machines

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 p 26 Techno CNC Systems Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

p 26 p 26 p 27

Electronic Messaging - LED

Vantage LED USA World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 26

Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

Electronic Messaging - LCD

Vantage LED USA

Techno CNC Systems

p 24 p 24 p 26

Drying and Storage Racks

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The ImageOne Impact

Dimensional Signs - General

Custom Foam Fabricators

Engraving - Laser

Dimensional Signs Ornamental

Film - Printable

Nekoosa Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

p 26 p 25

p 25 p 24 p 26 p 24 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 26 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 25

29

PRODUCTS Film - Reflective

LED - Gas Price Changers

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

p 25

Film - Thermal

Nova Polymers, Inc.

Vantage LED USA

p 25

DSA Phototech Quality Manufacturing Inc.

p 25

LED - LED Architectural Lighting

LED - Illumination

Film - Window Graphics

Nekoosa

Finials - General

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Finials - Ornamental

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Floor Graphics

Nekoosa

Master Magnetics, Inc.

p 27

Magnum Magnetics Corp Master Magnetics, Inc.

LED - Video

Vantage LED USA

LED - Video Billboards

Magnum Magnetics Corp Master Magnetics, Inc. Nekoosa

p 26

Magnum Magnetics Corp Master Magnetics, Inc.

p 27

FASTENation, Inc.

p 27

FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact

p 25

Frames - Real Estate

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Grommets

ImageOne Impact

p 25

Heat Transfer - Equipment

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

p 23

Heat Transfer - Heat Press Machines

Nova Polymers, Inc.

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Ink - UV Curable

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The Nova Polymers, Inc.

p 23 p 23 p 26

Inkjet Equipment - Printers

Nova Polymers, Inc.

p 26

Installation - Hardware

ImageOne Impact

Laser Shop Services

Techno CNC Systems

p 25 p 26

Leasing and Finance

Nova Polymers, Inc.

p 26

LED - Electronic Signs

Letters - Foam

Custom Foam Fabricators

Letters - Laser Cut

Howard Industries

Letters - Metal

World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Letters - Painted

p 26

Ink - Screen Printing

Letters - Channel

p 27

World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Letters - Plastic

Quality Manufacturing Inc. World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 27 p 24 p 24 p 27 p 27 p 26 p 27

Letters - PVC

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26 World Wide Sign Systems Inc. p 27

p 25

Letters - Vinyl Faced Acrylic

World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Magnetic - Assemblies

Master Magnetics, Inc.

Magnetic - Bases

Master Magnetics, Inc.

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Masking Materials - Spray Masking Materials - Tape

Message Boards - LED Illuminated

Vantage LED USA

Message Boards - Systems

Vantage LED USA

p 27

p 25

p 25 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 25 p 24 p 24 p 24 p 25

p 27 p 27

Metal-Fabricating Equipment - Custom Metal Fabrication

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26 p 26 Techno CNC Systems

Metal-Fabricating Equipment - Shears Nova Polymers, Inc.

p 26

Monuments

Howard Industries p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic p 26 Control Signs By Benchmark p 26

Neon - Controllers - with software

Techno CNC Systems

p 26

Neon - Training - Videos

ImageOne Impact

Letters - Vinyl

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

Maintenance - Adhesives

FASTENation, Inc.

Letters - Aluminum

Howard Industries World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Magnetic - Stock

p 27

Howard Industries p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Magnetic - Sheet

p 24 p 26

LED - Networked Messaging Systems

Vantage LED USA

p 25

Magnetic - Rolls

Vantage LED USA

Frames - Large Format

Sign Builder Illustrated

Quality Manufacturing Inc

Magnetic - Blanks

p 27

p 25

Fluorescent - Films

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

30

LED - Hospitality Price Changers

p 26

Film - Vinyl

Nippon Carbide Industries (USA) Inc.

Vantage LED USA

Vantage LED USA

Neon - Vacuum Pumps

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Outdoor Signs - 3-D

Custom Foam Fabricators Quality Manufacturing Inc.

p 25 p 23 p 24 p 26

Outdoor Signs - Billboards

Vantage LED USA

p 27

p 25 signshop.com

PRODUCTS Outdoor Signs - Heavy Equipment

Techno CNC Systems

Outdoor Signs - Menu Boards

DSA Phototech

Routers - CNC

p 26

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

Routers - Conventional

p 24

Techno CNC Systems

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Techno CNC Systems

Outdoor Signs - Sculptures

Outdoor Signs - Poles

Signs By Benchmark

Pad Printing - Equipment

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Paper - Synthetic

Nekoosa

Plastics - Acrylic

Nekoosa Quality Manufacturing Inc.

Plastics - Photopolymer Material

Nova Polymers, Inc.

Plastics - Polycarbonate

Nekoosa Quality Manufacturing Inc.

Plastics - Polyester

Nekoosa

Plastics - Polypropylene

Nekoosa

Plastics - Polystyrene

Signs By Benchmark

p 26

p 23 p 25 p 25 p 26

p 26 p 25 p 26 p 25

p 26

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Routers - Vacuum Tables

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Routers - Laser

Routers - Software

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The p 23 AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

ImageOne Impact AXYZ International Inc.

Nova Polymers, Inc.

Rotators

Techno CNC Systems

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Routers - Bits

signshop.com

p 23

Screen Printing - Flash Dryers

p 23

Screen Printing - Floodbars

p 23

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

p 26

Screen Printing - Presses Manual

p 23

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

p 23

Screen Printing - Scoop Coater

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Screen Printing - Screen Cleaning - Biodegradable Cleaners

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

p 23

Screen Printing - UV Curing Systems

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

p 23 p 23

Screens - Nylon Mesh Fabric

p 26

Sign Blanks - Aluminum

Signs By Benchmark

p 23

Routers - Accessories

Screen Printing - Tensioning Table

p 27

p 23 p 26

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

p 23

p 23

Screen Printing - Exposure Units

p 26

p 23

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Screen Printing - Equipment/ Accessories

Screen Printing - Pallets

p 23

Sign Blanks - Exterior Panel

Scoreboards

Vantage LED USA

Printers - Flat Bed Printers - Inkjet

p 25

Saws - Panel

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

Screen Printing - Supplies

Nova Polymers, Inc.

Safety Rulers

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26 A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

p 23 p 26

p 23

Screen Printing - Squeegees

Screens - Drying Cabinet

Safety Equipment

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The Techno CNC Systems

p 26

Poles - Traffic

Screen Printing - Screen Washers

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The Nova Polymers, Inc.

Poles - Sign

A.W.T. World Trade Group, The

p 26

p 25

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Screen Printing - Screen Cleaning - Equipment

Sign Blanks - Foam

Custom Foam Fabricators Signs By Benchmark

Sign Blanks - Magnetic

Master Magnetics, Inc.

Sign Blanks - Plastic

Quality Manufacturing Inc.

Sign Blanks - Polystyrene

Custom Foam Fabricators Signs By Benchmark

p 26

p 24 p 26 p 25 p 26 p 24 p 26

Sign Cabinets - Extrusions

Howard Industries Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control Quality Manufacturing Inc. World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 26 p 26 p 27

Sign Cabinets - Illuminated

p 23

Howard Industries Quality Manufacturing Inc. World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 26 p 27

p 23

Howard Industries p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Sign Cabinets - Kits

2019 Buyer’s Guide

Sign Builder Illustrated

31

PRODUCTS Sign Companies & Contractors

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26 World Wide Sign Systems Inc. p 27

Sign Faces - Dividers

World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Sign Faces - Flexible Face

World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 27 p 27

Signs - Frames - A-Frame Sandwich Boards

ImageOne Impact

Sign Faces - Pan

Quality Manufacturing Inc. World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 26 p 27

Sign Frames

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Sign Hanging Hardware

ImageOne Impact p 25 Master Magnetics, Inc. p 25 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Sign Holders

Master Magnetics, Inc. p 25 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Sign Panels

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Sign Stands

ImageOne Impact p 25 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Signage - Directory Illuminated

DSA Phototech Howard Industries

p 24 p 24

Howard Industries p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

Signage - Electronic Signage - Letters

Signs By Benchmark

Signs - ADA

Howard Industries Nova Polymers, Inc.

Signs - Carved

Sign Builder Illustrated

FASTENation, Inc.

p 26 p 26 p 27

Nekoosa

p 25

FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact

Tape - Application

Nekoosa

p 24

Tape - Hook & Loop

Howard Industries p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

AXYZ International Inc.

Signs - Traffic

Vantage LED USA

Slitting Equipment

FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact

Signs - Systems

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26 ImageOne Impact

Software - 3-D

p 25

Vinyl - Application Solutions

p 23

AXYZ International Inc. p 23 Techno CNC Systems p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27 p 23 p 26 p 26

Software - Estimating/Pricing Software - RIP

Nova Polymers, Inc.

Software - Routing

Techno CNC Systems

2019 Buyer’s Guide

p 24

p 24

Vinyl - Racks

Software - CAD

EstiMate Software Corp

p 24 p 25

Vinyl - CNC Tooling

CrystalTek ImageOne Impact

Techno CNC Systems

p 27

AXYZ International Inc.

Nova Polymers, Inc. p 26 Vision Engraving & Routing Systems p 27

Software - Engraving

p 23

Traffic Signs

ImageOne Impact

p 26

p 23 p 24 p 25

Tools - Panel Saws

Software - ADA/Braille

Software - CAM

p 24

Tools - Cutting

p 27

Vantage LED USA

p 24

Tape - Transfer

AXYZ International Inc. FASTENation, Inc. ImageOne Impact

Signs - Scrolling

p 24

Tape - Maskant

FASTENation, Inc. p 27

p 24 p 25

FASTENation, Inc.

Signs - LED

p 25

Vinyl - Removal Tool

Vinyl - Tools

AXYZ International Inc. ImageOne Impact

p 26

p 23 p 25 p 23 p 25

Waterjet Machines - CAD Routers

AXYZ International Inc.

p 23

Waterjet Machines - Cutting Equipment

AXYZ International Inc.

p 23

Welding - Equipment

FASTENation, Inc. p 26

p 25 p 25

Tape - Foam

FASTENation, Inc.

Vantage LED USA

p 24

Substrates - Printable

Howard Industries p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

AXYZ International Inc. Techno CNC Systems

p 24 p 26

Straps - Cable Management

p 24 p 24

Signs - Kits

p 27

Custom Foam Fabricators p 24 Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control p 26

32

Signs - Illuminated

Howard Industries

AXYZ International Inc.

Signage - Directory - NonIlluminated

Vantage LED USA

Signs - Dimensional

Custom Foam Fabricators Howard Industries Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic Control Signs By Benchmark World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

Wholesalers

Custom Foam Fabricators Howard Industries World Wide Sign Systems Inc.

p 24 p 24 p 24 p 27

signshop.com

How To

​Sign Systems

By Ashley Bray

A Prescription for Signage ASI provides new signage for an urgent care facility.

Photo: ASI.

O

SF Urgo is an urgent care facility with locations throughout Illinois. The facilities are part of OSF HealthCare, a faithbased, thirteen-hospital healthcare system.

The word “Urgo” is derived from “Urgent Care on the Go” and reflects OSF’s mission to create an environment that is personalized, convenient, and quick.

OSF Urgo needed a vibrant, modern sign package that reflected its unique approach to healthcare. The facility reached out to ASI, Illinois (asisignagelatimergroup. com) based on its existing relationship and project history with the company and asked them to develop a signage standard.

The sign package called for eighteen to twenty interior and exterior sign types (from ADA signs to identity signs to wall graphics) to be placed in fifteen locations.

The exterior signage included face-lit channel letters fabricated from 4.5-inch deep aluminum channel letter coil stock with white translucent acrylic faces (7328) signshop.com

and one-inch trim cap. The letter faces have a painted dual film applied to them so that they appear as the branded colored graphics during the day and illuminate white at night. The channel letters were installed on a pan/raceway backer.

“Our sign design is inspired by the interior design concepts developed by OSF and their architect, Architectural Design Group in Peoria, Illinois,” said Tom Wilcoxen, sales consultant at ASI, Illinois. “Typically, healthcare interior signage colors are more neutral in color to help them blend into the interior design decor. This signage has very vibrant colors that help to make them pop.”

The signage was fabricated in-house at ASI’s Grinnell, Iowa production facility.

The digital print graphics were made from ASI’s LTV series vinyl graphics. ASI’s LPP Series flat-cut acrylic dimensional letters were also used. The graphics were printed on Mimaki JFX 200 and JVC 300 printers.

Other interior signs were made from InTac™ Eco signs fabricated from TorZo

Striata Fusion 360 Sapphire backers.

“You do need to apply metal backers to the Torzo material because it will begin to curl over time,” said Wilcoxen. “The Torzo is purchased in sheets, and Maxfield Millwork typically cuts all of the backers for all the planned, upcoming orders at once.”

All of the fabrication was completed in less than four weeks. Separate exterior and interior installation crews installed the signs. “Because there is a planned schedule for all of the new locations that are opening, there is consistency from project to project,” said Wilcoxen. “This overall consistency has really made each project operate like a well-oiled machine.”

OSF Urgo was pleased with the final results. “We wanted the environment to reflect the unique and modern urgent care experience we were creating,” said Jennifer Towery, director of Creative Services for OSF HealthCare. “With ASI’s help, the ‘wow’ starts even before the patient walks in the door.”

February 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

33

Feature PYLON SIGN Name

By JEFF Author WOOTEN

Close Encounters

Sign Kind of the

34

Sign Builder Illustrated

February 2019

signshop.com

Watching the skies for an alien-inspired pylon sign.

Photo: Persona, Inc.

B

ack in July of 1947, newspapers initially reported that a crashed flying saucer had been recovered near Roswell, New Mexico. While the explanations regarding what really happened back then have changed over the years, one thing that hasn’t changed is that this city of 48,000-plus remains a mecca for UFO enthusiasts and believers to this day.

And while today’s Roswell citizens and visitors probably won’t find smoking gun evidence of actual “little green men,” they can look up and see proof of a giant one!

This oversized green alien stands in the parking lot of a brand-new Dunkin’Baskin Robbins restaurant that opened up on North Main Street this past December. The alien, made of foam with interior steel poles and plates in strategic places, measures twenty-and-a-half feet tall. Add in faux-stonework and the internally illuminated LED store sign cabinet it holds in its hands, and the entire display arrives at a total of twenty-six feet tall.

This structure is the brainchild of Murad Fazal, one of the managing partners of Fazal Development Network, LLC (a franchisee of Dunkin’-Baskin Robbins in Chicago and throughout New Mexico).

Fazal wanted some type of landmark equipped with longevity that would attract attention and photo opportunities at their soon-to-open Roswell location.

“We have earned a reputation for quality workmanship and superb customer service throughout our almost four decades in the sign industry,” says Mike Peterson, president of Persona.

“We believe this is due to our mission to wow our customers with excellent project management, quality products, and value-engineering services.”

This entire alien piece was drawn up from scratch. Fazal sent Persona several reference photos he’d come across, while Persona’s sales team and graphics department collaborated to research alien descriptions and existing landmarks so that the pylon sculpture would maintain the general theme surrounding Roswell.

“We wanted to design a one-of-a-kind

Sign Encounters of the First Kind: Take Us to Your Designer!

Taking the area’s “intergalactic” history into account, Fazal contacted national sign company Persona, Inc., back in November of 2017, asking them to incorporate an “alien” theme into a pylon sign for this new location. As an approved signage vendor for Dunkin’ Brands, Persona had worked with Fazal’s firm over the years on various projects throughout New Mexico. With corporate headquarters in Watertown, South Dakota, as well as four other centralized manufacturing locations, Persona has grown leaps and bounds since its founding back in 1980 into one of the largest signage and lighting companies in the U.S.

creature, while maintaining a common figure that restaurant customers would relate to,” says Peterson.

Taking inspiration from those concepts, the Persona graphics department used computer software to shape and define the alien, as well as detail the lines and contours of the surrounding space rock.

The end-result is that Fazal chose to incorporate the alien as a pylon pole cover appearing to hold a Dunkin’-Baskin Robbins sign above its head.

signshop.com

we opted to sculpt the entire body of the alien by hand. doing so gave the piece a less manufactured look.

Sign Encounters of the Second Kind: We Come in “Pieces!”

There are a lot of (inter)stellar ingredients that make up the DNA of this alien—an internal steel pipe and tube

structure; aluminum extrusions, aluminum angle, a polycarbonate face, and LED electrical components for the sign cabinet; and foam.

It was this last substrate that led Persona to “make contact” with wholesale foam-core provider Signs By Benchmark, also of Watertown. “They wanted to see if it was even feasible to build something like this and what changes would be needed to make everything work,” says Jamie Kakacek, senior designer at Signs By Benchmark.

Persona has partnered with Signs by Benchmark on several previous projects.

“Being that both of our companies are located in Watertown, it allows a unique opportunity to work together to deliver the custom products that our clients look for,” says Peterson.

Persona assembled the steel internal support structure and provided it to Benchmark so that they could build the alien around it. This support structure was incorporated into the alien’s torso.

Horizontal support sleeves for the steel tubes were imbedded within the arms.

The outline of the shapes was cut using CNC hot wire cutting equipment.

“This gave us a base piece to work with,” says Kakacek. “However, to get the actual shape of the alien, we opted to sculpt the entire body by hand. This [allowed] it a less-manufactured look.”

Signs By Benchmark used one-pound density Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam. “We aged the EPS foam before doing any cutting,” says Kakacek. “This helped eliminate any residual moisture still left in the material.”

While a two- or three-pound density of EPS foam could’ve been used here, Kakacek explains that utilizing a lighter density allowed them to sculpt the parts a little quicker. “And since we were going to be spraying our polyurea coating over the entire structure, we didn’t have to worry so much about getting all our durability from the EPS,” he says.

There were several advantages to using foam to build the alien. “Foam is a very unique medium that allows quite a bit of freedom, especially when it comes

February 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

35

to sculpting,” says Kakacek. “Because we mold the foam that goes into our signs, we can cut parts from blocks as large as eighteen feet tall, which can help eliminate a lot of seams.”

Signs By Benchmark started assembly at the bottom and worked their way up, piece by piece.

Kakacek admits construction was pretty labor intensive on this project.

“Before any assembly came into play, we started rough-shaping the body parts so we could see how it all worked together,” he says. “Going this route also allowed us to keep everything near ground level—making it much easier to work on.”

After assembly, Signs By Benchmark worked on the final shaping of the alien.

“We had to pay close attention to each joint where we married pieces together and make sure we didn’t have any noticeable seam running all the way up the side,” says Kakacek.

The design intent of the surrounding stonework called for it to be a little grit36

Sign Builder Illustrated

tier and more realistic than the alien, so stucco was used here. Meanwhile the entire alien body was coated out of PPG Envirobase paints. “We wanted something that was going to withstand the harsh sun of New Mexico while still being friendly to work with,” says Kakacek.

According to Kakacek, the sheer size of the alien was their biggest concern.

“Initially we thought about building the body in sections so that it would be easier to handle around the shop,” he says.

“During the production phase, everyone agreed that building the body as one piece would provide a better finished product. While it was a little challenging trying to maneuver around the body, it gave us a much better perspective on how everything looked since we could take a step (or twenty) back to see what needed attention.”

Sign Encounters of the Third Kind: One Giant Leap for Alien-kind The foam alien was shipped via a flatbed

February 2019

truck to the Roswell install site in five sections: the head, the torso, the feet, the arms, and the stone base.

“We tried to keep this as shipping friendly as possible, so everything was designed to fit on top of a flatbed,” says Kakacek. “The bottom stone and the arms were going to be over width, so we had to make these detachable for transit.

Upon arrival in Roswell, they were then bolted back on to the main structure.”

Persona contracted Clover Signs of Brazil, Indiana earlier that summer to oversee the later installation of this 2,500-pound alien creation. “Clover Signs has been a valued partner and subcontractor of ours for over fifteen years,” says Peterson.

Clover Signs Owner Andrew Allender started out by installing hotel/motel and high-rise signs for Persona before moving his focus to unique specialty signs for them all over the country. However this was going to be his first alien.

To ensure a smooth installation, Persona supplied Allender with blueprints signshop.com

Photos: (left two) Signs By Benchmark; (right) Persona, Inc.

A boom lift and telehandler were used to connect the sign cabinet to the alien’s head and hands.

and progression photos of the alien as it was being built.

Allender was in frequent contact with Persona and Signs By Benchmark to help them understand, design- and fabricationwise, what he needed for secure mounting later on. It was decided each stage of the support structure would be plate-mounted to the next. “We had to have plenty of access to get to the plate on the bottom.

Everything had to be square and straight,” says Allender, adding that, once the alien was built with the foam around it, then nothing further could be done.

A month before the install, Allender trekked down to the Roswell site to set the pole into the ground that would support the alien structure. “I cut this pole first to make sure the feet would fit to it. This way, the alien could stand there when I put everything together atop it,” he says.

Regarding the actual installation process, the area was first cleared to dig and pour the concrete foundation per engineering requirements.

The arms were bolted to the torso, as the steel support structure was already installed inside of it. Signs By Benchmark supplied shipping legs based on Allender’s request for aid in helping the alien pieces stand up as they were lifted off the ground.

Allender and his three-person install crew used an Elliott boom truck with a 6,000-pound crane on it and a telehandler to pick up the bolted-together alien and set it into place over the pre-existing pole without swinging or getting out of control in the small parking lot area.

The steel pole pylon structure is concealed entirely within the foam alien. To the naked eye, this makes the finished piece appear as if the alien figure is holding the LED-illuminated Dunkin’-Baskin Robbins sign cabinet above its head.

Because of this, Persona provided Signs

By Benchmark with a plate connection and three-inch steel angles to add during construction. The plate connector is hidden atop the alien’s head, and the steel angles were added to the palm of each hand.

Allender’s crew lifted the sign cabinet up and attached it to these connecting spots.

Primary electrical supply for the sign was provided to the base of the display through the concrete foundation. The signshop.com

power supplies are located inside the sign cabinet itself. Secondary wires were then routed to the Dunkin’-Baskin Robbins sign cabinet within the steel structural support through the mounting plate connection.

The install took eleven hours to perform and was completed prior to the store opening the next day.

“One of the things I thought was beneficial was that we cut the pole on-site instead of ahead of time because you never know what the grade and terrain are going to be,” says Allender.

Sign Encounters of the Fourth Kind: First Contact with the Public!

Response to the new alien pole cover provided by the intelligent life behind this project has been out of this world!

Fazal and his company, as well as Dunkin-Baskin Robbins customers and passerby onlookers, have all raved about the newest extra-special, extraterrestrial addition to the Roswell landscape. A

documentary crew even filmed its setup.

“We are excited to have been able to contribute to something that will become a local landmark for the area,” says Peterson. “Unique local attractions appeal to tourists and residents alike.

“We feel the Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins alien will surely become a part of the magical experience people look forward to when visiting the area. We are honored to have been an integral part to bringing the alien to life.”

Kakacek gives credit to his staff at Signs By Benchmark (in particular, Larry Seefeldt, who oversaw the project from start to finish) and the special skillsets they possess. “Without everyone here, you’d just be staring at a very large block of foam,” he says. “This has definitely been a highlight of my time here at Signs By Benchmark and something I hope we can continue to build on.

“After all, how many people out there can say that they’ve helped build a nearly twenty-one-foot-tall alien?”

February 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

37

SPECIAL

By SBI STAFF

Sign Makers: THE NEW CREW Sponsored by Yorston & Associates

his month, we are presenting our recent conversations with some notable sign makers thirty-five years old or younger who are making their mark in the sign industry either through sales, fabrication, installation, and/or management.

This demographic is the future of our industry. These young sign professionals will explain, in their own words, their views on the biggest challenges they’ve encountered in the industry, their opinions on why the sign industry is an attractive career for younger people, and their advice for how shops can recruit this new 38

Sign Builder Illustrated

generation of talent.

“The sign industry offers a vast array of opportunities with large companies that extend beyond what people think or see from the outside. Once you start exploring the industry, there are jobs like graphic design, architecture, marketing, sales, project management, etc.,” says Ellen Dyar, business development director at Yorston & Associates, a leading manufacturer’s rep group in the sign industry. “It’s all about getting your foot in the door and networking because the opportunities are endless. You can go anywhere you want in the industry.”

February 2019

Whether they hail from a family history of sign makers or happened into the field straight out of school, young people are finding a constantly evolving role for them in the sign industry. “The younger generation is up-to-date on technology and growing trends,” says Dyar. “They know how to work fast and smart, which can be a benefit to busy sign shops to make more money.”

Each of our profiles on these young signmakers begins with a brief bio before moving into their views of the industry. And to read even more about their projects and perspectives, be sure to visit signshop.com. signshop.com

Photo (this page): Shutterstock/oneinchpunch.

T

Start talking about our generation.

Tori Rivers Tori Rivers, Event Coordinator GSG Dallas, Texas

Tori is the event coordinator at digital imaging supplier GSG. She is also a member of both the International Sign Association and the Mid-South Sign Association’s Elite programs, which identify promising young sign makers representing the next generation of industry leaders. She cites these recognitions as having been instrumental in her desire to further her career in the sign and visual communications industry. As an inaugural member of the MSSA Elite program, Tori was able to implement a social media program for the association with the goals of promotion, education, and recruitment.

The industry is always expanding and innovating. More than that, what made me want to continue my career in the sign and visual communications industry were the people. The extensive networking opportunities offered through sign associations and tradeshow events

have provided me with relationships all over the country, and even internationally. I have been able to foster connections with industry professionals that go beyond the traditional colleague level— these people are family to me, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without the unparalleled support of my sign family.

I believe the regional associations are invaluable to the industry through their dedication to government relations, education, networking, and scholarships.

The intentional relationships developed through my sign association involvement opened doors for me that would not have otherwise been available, and it all started with the Elite programs. I encourage other young sign professionals to get involved in their regional sign associations and to take advantage of the many resources provided to further professional growth.

When it comes to the sign industry recruiting younger people to join, the first step in recruitment is awareness. If you had asked me before I got started in the field, “Are there people who make signs?” of course I would have said, “yes;” but the sign industry was not something I ever had to think about before I found a job in it.

One great educational awareness opportunity is for sign companies to participate in Sign Manufacturing Day. The International Sign Association has partnered with the National Association of Manufacturers to highlight the diverse career opportunities within our industry, and Sign Manufacturing Day is an easy way to start the conversation!

MICHAEL Seibert, Co-Owner The Sign Bros, Inc. Athens, Georgia

Along with his brother, Justin Seibert, Michael is the co-owner of The Sign Brothers, LLC, a company founded back in what he describes as “beautiful, funky” Athens, Georgia twelve years ago. His shop has grown by constantly developing and adding to their in-house capabilities—evolving from a print-only shop to a professional-grade sign company replete with flatbed and roll-to-roll printing, CNC routing, a dedicated wrap booth, a paint booth, and four bucket trucks.

Primarily I enjoy the mix of creativity and functionality that our industry offers. To be able to design and make something that is useful to another organization is intrinsically rewarding.

There are so many services in our economy, and I think the sign industry finds itself in the unique niche of both service and custom product. It’s great to have your work on display that one can point to and declare, “we made that.”

Our biggest accomplishment to date has been our recent expansion into the Experiential Graphic Design (EGD) arena, where we’ve had the opportunity to design, produce, and install some of our most engaging work. (Note: See page 32 for more details about this field.)

We just finished renovating some space at the University of Georgia (UGA) for its Track & Field team, whose Men’s and Women’s teams won the 2018 Outdoor and Indoor National Championships, respectively. Our EGD package of interior graphics and signage was able to highlight

MICHAEL Seibert signshop.com

February 2019

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Amber Hamilton many of those student-athletes and their accomplishments. This new space for UGA will help to recruit talented athletes to their program for many years to come.

Any business owner should agree that their biggest challenge is recruiting, hiring, and retaining talented people. We are very fortunate to have a highly capable team, but getting to this point has been a big challenge, for sure. When it comes to attracting younger talent to you shop, invite them to be a “maker of things.” In a world full of professions like servers, advisors, and agents, it’s unique to be a maker.

Unfortunately the local sign shop has a reputation for being a bit slack.

Whether it is poor communication, missed deadlines, or inconsistent pricing, I would like to see more professionalism in the industry. As the industry increases the perception of its professionalism, it will recruit a generally more professional workforce.

Amber Hamilton, director of graphic arts and local sales Gator Sign Company McComb, Mississippi

After graduating college, Amber started out in the sign industry as a graphic designer at Gator Sign Company, a full-service company that has developed a national reputation for working on projects that are “too high, too hard, or too heavy for most companies to tackle.”Within six years, she transitioned into the director of graphics arts and supervisor of the local sales division, and she is proud that they have been able to build a great team of young professionals to serve 40

Sign Builder Illustrated

the needs of the community in a way that they never could before.

The sign industry is such a great career for young people because there are so many different areas one can specialize. Examples include (but are certainly not limited to) software creation, graphic design, structural engineering, brand-identity management, raw-material production, illumination development for various applications, sales and marketing, etc.

One of the largest challenges to overcome as a young member of the industry is learning how to be successful in it with little experience. Even though the sign organizations have worked together to create many educational resources for new sign makers, there is not an all-inclusive sign school to teach all the skills/information required to be successful in this field. However, if we listen more and talk less, there is much to be learned from the more experienced members of the trade.

In order to grow the industry as a whole, we need to educate young professionals on the full scope of this everevolving trade. The sign industry is not a small box to be professionally confined within but rather a huge commercial opportunity open to every education level and background.

One of the things I have learned about the sign industry is that not all signs or sign companies are created equally. Two signs can look identical in a rendering and/or in person but be very different in structural quality and functional design.

February 2019

The same is true for sign companies, which may offer the same services but perform those services very differently.

Moving forward, I hope to see more young professionals devote themselves to this trade to continue innovative development across the industry. The more experienced members of the business will not invest their time and money in up-andcoming industry leaders if we cannot first demonstrate dedication and earn respect.

Jordan Bauer, Operations Bauer Sign & Lighting Company New Berlin, Wisconsin

Jordan’s father started Bauer Sign & Lighting Company over thirty-five years ago, allowing him to tag along as young as age ten. Being introduced to the world of sign building at such a young age built a strong platform for the person that Jordan is today. He started out becoming an expert at emptying garbage cans, sweeping the shop, and washing the service trucks. He then moved on to caulking letters, trim capping,

Jordan Bauer signshop.com

The most innovative solutions.

Learn what’s new.

CONTACT US TODAY. www.yorstonandassociates.com

Justin Shapiro routing, and sanding before he was even sixteen years old. He has always been eager to take on new tasks and get his hands dirty– working in fabrication, service, installations, and purchasing.

One of my main focuses has been customer service. I always want to guarantee top-notch service for all of our customers—everyone from a neon repair

walk-in to our vendors we deal with on a daily basis. Ensuring the best customer experience, in addition to achieving the customers’ objectives, is really what I’m aiming for. How can we be better?

One of the challenges that I have faced in my time with the industry would be implementing new technology. As you know, the sign industry is very much reliant on new technologies—constantly looking to improve visibility, reliability, and efficiency. While the advancements have allowed for great improvements for our customers, it also provides its challenges. In order to keep up, we must stay on top of employee education and training, as well as the latest in manufacturing techniques, materials, and machinery.

I would say that the highlight of my career, thus far, has been expanding our capabilities. When we purchased our new facility, we dreamed of one day filling it to capacity. That dream has quickly become a reality, as we now have a full house!

We have grown our team to twenty-

THE

five people, and we are just getting started. We also now have twelve fully loaded service trucks ready for action.

The sign industry is an attractive career for younger people, specifically millennials, because each day on the job is unique. There are so many different hats that can be worn—painter, welder, electrician, accountant, purchasing coordinator, graphic designer, sales representative, and designer (just to name a few).

Justin Shapiro, sales manager ThinkSign Louisville, Kentucky

Justin has worked for ThinkSign, a designer and manufacturer of on-premise LED electronic message center signs, for a year-anda-half now. His favorite project this past year was for a double-face, 5-by-8, 10mm, SMD Electric Message Center in a general shopping center in Edison, New Jersey. He is especially proud that he was able to create a partnership with Valle Signs & Awnings in Copiague, NewYork, to help win that project.

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February 2019

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12/13/16 3:22 PM

Justin also credits his involvement with the Northeast States Sign Association (NSSA) Elite Program for helping him make connections with like-minded sign industry professionals and learn about the other sides of the sign industry outside of EMCs. They say that once you are in the sign industry it is hard to get out, and I can see why. The business opportunities are endless, and the individuals who work in the space are some of the greatest people.

This is a great career for anyone who doesn’t want to sit behind a desk in a nine-to-five corporate America job but is still looking for a career with endless growth opportunities to consider.

The sign industry combines my passion of socialization, building relationships, and closing deals. Advertising is one of the most important industries, and every business has a need for it.

Helping customers get their messages across to their audience in a professional, memorable way using our products

so that their own client bases continue to grow is a fulfilling feeling.

Getting the opportunity to show ThinkSign products to large companies who have had lasting relationships with specific EMC vendors for years is the biggest challenge of my job. I wholeheartedly believe that our products speak for themselves, but some companies have loyalty to organizations whose products they have consistently used in the past with no fault.

Building strong relationships by being persistent, listening to the prospective clients’ needs, showing how my company’s products can exceed these needs, and consistent follow-ups after the meetings, have helped solve these issues and gotten me in the door. Face-to-face interaction is also the best tactic; don’t take “no” personally or as a final answer!

To recruit younger people to join the sign industry, college job fair and targeted career advertisements in magazines and online would be helpful. It is important for young people to recognize that every

organization in any industry with a brickand-mortar location has a need for signage—sports complexes, malls, churches, hotels, etc. It is a combination of marketing through sales, business development by building a client book, and creativity when putting together a pitch.

The right individual just needs to be a hard worker as well as a consistent businessperson.

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February 2019

Sign Builder Illustrated

43

Feature Name EGD

By JEFF Author WOOTEN

The

Environment

Graphics

Environmental graphic design is transforming markets.

A

ccording to research studies, environmental graphic design (EGD) wallcoverings are one of the fastest-growing sectors in the print industry today, yet this should come as no surprise, if you’ve been paying attention. It’s all about the immersion experience for the end-user and their client,

44

Sign Builder Illustrated

and EGD provides this in spades by using vinyl and fabrics to transform interiors into newfound decorative, experiential, and branding opportunities.

After all, what museum wouldn’t want to incorporate historical photographs or scientific artwork onto the walls of select exhibits? What drab corporate office setting couldn’t be enlivened through the use of outdoor scenery inside? What toy store wouldn’t want to transport their customers to some relatable adventure land or space opera galaxy?

Two hot markets for EGD installations

February 2019

in particular that you can step into are healthcare and hospitality. Doctor’s offices and hospitals now look to breathe life into previously cold, sterile experiences thanks to more environmentally friendly inks and vinyl. Hotels and nightclubs are able to make their branded locations their own must-go-to spots on the map. This month, we asked manufacturing experts to provide their advice about these fields.

Healthcare Markets SBi spoke with the following individuals from 3M Commercial Solutions: Marketing Manager Tim Boxeth, Marketing signshop.com

Photo: ASI.

for

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

Why is the healthcare industry a popular choice for environmental graphics?

Gerlach: They help promote a better patient (and even family and friends) and employee experience. The move from a sterile institutional feeling to a more warm, personalized environment can help create an experience that’s conducive to a patient’s health, well-being, and potential recovery.

sometimes requested for those who may have sensitivities to PVC films or are simply seeking a greener solution.

GREENGUARD Gold Certified films offer the opportunity for a graphic that can qualify for LEED credits. GREENGUARD Gold Certification requires that products meet some of the world’s most rigorous, third-party testing stand-

ards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor environments. The Gold Certification includes additional factors to account for sensitive individuals (such as children and the elderly) and helps ensure that a product is acceptable for use in environments like schools and healthcare facilities. UL Environment, a unit of Underwriters Labo-

Photo: ASI.

Manager-Intermediate Films Jonathan Gerlach, and Healthcare & Education Marketing Specialist Ben Oberle.

How are environmental graphics being used in healthcare facilities?

Boxeth: Hospital and long-term care facility refreshes will continue to grow as a focus on the patient experience increases.

Calm patient room décor, infographics for navigation, hospitality-like feel in common areas, and environmentally friendly solutions are examples of how graphics and signage can play a role in healthcare.

Additionally retail health is growing for Millennials. In-store primary care and convenience versus brand are trends leading to the need to create a comfortable environment while promoting brands. Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart Care Clinic are examples of more healthcare moving into retail, which offers more opportunity for graphics.

What types of inks and films are best suited for interior EGD healthcare environments?

Gerlach: Many healthcare environments actively specify non-vinyl solutions, such as 3M™ Envision™ Brand films and overlaminates for interior graphics that are great for walls and other applications. Non-vinyl solutions are

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Photo: Saddler.

ratories, administers the certification.

According to Greenguard.org, the GREENGUARD Gold standard also includes health-based criteria for additional chemicals and also requires lower total VOC emissions levels to ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities. In addition to limiting emissions

of more than 360 VOCs and total chemical emissions, GREENGUARD Gold Certified products must also comply with requirements of the State of California’s Department of Public Health “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,Version 1.1 (2010), also know as

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How can sign shops and print providers get involved with healthcare facilities for EGD projects?

Oberle: There is an extraordinary amount of merger and acquisition activity in healthcare right now. That usually means more graphic opportunities too.

Shop owners and print providers can be proactive in securing those jobs by reaching out to the marketing departments at healthcare facilities and focusing their pitches around the patient.

Hospitals put the patient at the center of their delivery strategy. If shops focus on the patient and how to better communicate the hospital’s brand strategy to the patient, that will go a long way.

Hospitality SBi spoke with Brian McElwaine, marketing manager at Dreamscape®, a manufacturer of textured digital wallcoverings.

Why is the hospitality industry a popular choice for vinyl and/or fabric environmental graphics?

McElwaine: This market requires a durable and attractive substrate that can hold up in high-traffic areas while making a statement of quality/reliability and attractiveness in design.

When compared with less-durable options, commercial-grade vinyls often offer superior flame and smoke classifications, stronger tear and tensile characteristics, higher scuff resistance, and generally provide an economic advantage to the owner because of its long life cycle.

Can you give examples of how EGD is being used in hospitality facilities?

McElwaine: Hotels and restaurants

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use environmental graphics and wraps to help illustrate current promotions that change frequently, yet they are installed in high-traffic areas so the substrate must hold up to a lot of physical contact, while also maintaining an attractive, eye-catching appearance to coincide with brand identity. Permanently repositionable wraps are ideal solutions for these applications.

What types of designs are ideal as EGD here?

McElwaine: It’s totally dependent on the brand, the type of hospitality business (restaurant, hotel/motel, spa, etc.), and the message they’re trying to convey.

For example, a spa may like to use some type of biophilic (nature) graphic; scenes of nature have been proven to provide a sense of relaxation and well being.

What should designers focus on when surveying a hospitality facility or restaurant to come up with appropriate EGD designs and colors?

McElwaine: Pay attention to the brand image (colors, fonts, vibrancy, hues, etc.), level of professionalism versus casual nature of the brand, the target customer base, the message itself, and the images that help communicate it to a relevant audience.

It’s critical for a print service provider to offer design services, as they will often be asked to work on new concepts or modify existing artwork.

What inks and materials are best suited for hospitality environments?

McElwaine: Most hospitality installations will require a TYPE II commercial grade wallcovering, especially in high-traffic areas like corridors and guest rooms.

Historically UV-curable inks have had an edge on durability, but recent advancements have been made in Latex and UV Gel. But the type of ink shouldn’t matter in the end as long as the durability of the surface is properly suited for its environment.

We always recommend a good coating or topcoat to add that extra level of assurance. Products like DreamGuard Protex 3 or Marabu Wall Armor work well with commercial wallcoverings.

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Brent to Step Down as CEO of NCCCO Fairfax, Virginia—Graham Brent will step down as CEO of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) effective July 1 to take up leadership of the recently formed NCCCO Foundation. Brent, who has led the non-profit certification body virtually since the inception of NCCCO certification programs in 1996, will be succeeded as CEO by NCCCO Board member and Immediate Past President Thom Sicklesteel. Sicklesteel is currently General Manager USA of Leavitt Cranes in Tacoma, Washington.

NCCCO President Kerry Hulse said, “NCCCO would not be the organization it is today without the

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leadership and guidance of [Brent].

While his expertise and knowledge will be missed at NCCCO, we are excited about his accepting the CEO position of our newly formed NCCCO Foundation.”

Brent has overseen a thirty-fold increase in candidate volume, steering NCCCO over the past two decades into a market leader that now offers twenty-seven credentials in twelve major certification programs. Since testing began, the organization has administered over 1.2 million written and practical examinations, and issued more than 425,000 ANSI-accredited and OSHAcompliant certifications.

That the number of cranerelated fatalities and injuries had declined as a direct result of this initiative was a validation, Brent said, of the original vision of NCCCO’s founding fathers and a testament to the millions of hours of hard work and expertise donated by industry volunteers.

Brent was equally enthusiastic about the prospects for the NCCCO Foundation that he will lead. “I am thrilled at the opportunity...to focus on initiatives that will contribute to workplace health and safety in new and inspiring ways,” he said, “while allowing NCCCO to continue to pursue its mission of developing effective certification programs.”

February 2019

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51

Shop Talk

By SAL SHEIKH

In Living Coral

How the Pantone Color of the Year affects you.

C

olor is a powerful and important communication tool and one that plays a vitally important role in the world we live in.

It can change thinking, change actions, and cause reactions. It can irritate or soothe your eyes, raise your blood pressure, or suppress your appetite. Color is tied to religious, cultural, and societal influences, and seeing how it’s linked to the real world, it can help designers make informed decisions to appeal to their target audience.

The 2019 Pantone® Color of the Year, 16-1546 Living Coral, evokes a sense of warmth and nurturing. This may sound like pure marketing speak, but it is well known that color can influence one’s perception of goods, services, and emotions.

For example, red is associated with energy, wealth, strength, and power, while yellow is associated with happiness and joy.

Besides the emotion a color may communicate, brands should choose their

corporate colors very carefully, keeping in mind the different printing technologies that will be used to reproduce their marketing collateral. This should be an important part of the consideration process, so as to ensure colors will be consistent across all printed materials. These documents and point-of-purchase graphics could be used for a wide range of applications that, when printed across various print technologies (such as offset, toner, UV, or production inkjet), need to match!

Matching color starts with understanding the importance of the printers’ color gamut.The bigger the printers’ color gamut the better because it can reproduce a wider range of the Pantone spot color library.

The challenge with Pantone Spot colors is that they aren’t made up of a mix of process colors but instead are a pure solid color—much like a can of paint. Pantone spot colors must therefore be simulated by using a mix of CMYK process inks, and the

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.

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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

February 2019

subsequent results may or may not perfectly match their Pantone spot color equivalents. Depending on the printer used and the quality of the printer/media/ink profile (which defines the overall color gamut), some spot colors may be noticeably different when printed using a CMYK formula.

To match results across all printer technologies, print providers must select the lowest common denominator. In other words, they must make all devices conform to the smallest common color gamut of their worst printer. The downside here is that you will lose the strong saturated colors that your large format inkjet printer is capable of producing and instead make it look like a lower gamut device.

Having a color management workflow is equally important. For instance, ONYX Thrive RIP features a licensed Pantone Color Matching Table. This means that a designer can select a Pantone spot color in Adobe® Illustrator® and send it off to the print provider. Once the print provider has configured their ONYX RIP to recognize spot Pantone colors in the incoming print files, the ONYX RIP will automatically detect the color and substitute it with the closest L.A.B. equivalent, thereby providing a close match on the first try. This helps printers save time, money, and resources.

—Sal Sheikh is senior director, BISG Océ Products LFS Marketing & Support, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

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.

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Photo (Top): Shutterstock/Alexei Zatevakhin.

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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.

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