Sign Builder Illustrated July 2016

signs in depth

Special: The Art of Dimensional

on the job

Hiring Young Talent at Your Shop

www.signshop.com

Numbe r 253

Number 253 | July 2016

How-To

S ig n B u i l d er I l lu str ated

Outdoor Sign Exposure

july 201 6

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July 2016

25 20

39 16

Sign Photos 101

BY ROBERT BLYTH

If your customer’s sign is their image, then a sign maker should have the best images as their sales tools.

20 25

37

A Wide Variety of Wraps

BY LORI SHRIDHARE

Three branches of one company are wrapped up in success.

Covering the Spectrum

BY LORI SHRIDHARE

Creating signage from concept to installation.

30

An Effective Message

BY MIKE ANTONIAK

The challenge to make post-and-panel signs stand out yet fit in.

Sign Builder Illustrated (Print ISSN 895-0555, Digital ISSN 2161-4709) (USPS#0015-805) (Canada Post Cust. #7204564) (Bluechip Int’l, Po Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2, Agreement # 41094515) is published monthly by Simmons-Boardman Publ. Corp, 55 Broad Street, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10004.

Printed in the U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and Additional mailing offices.

Pricing, Qualified individual working in the sign industry may request a free subscription. 12 issues per year. Non-qualified subscriptions Print version, Digital version, Both Print & Digital version: 1 year US/ Mexico/Canada $50.00; foreign $99.00. Single copies are $15.00 ea. Subscriptions must be paid in full in U.S. funds only. Prices are subject to change.

Copyright © Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation 2016. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.

2

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

SBi: IN DIMENSIONS A special section showing off the art of making dimensional signage.

39 45

BY JEFF WOOTEN

The Sign Invitational brings the dreamers.

Sculpting the Landscape

BY JEFF WOOTEN.

A healthcare property welcomes artistic signs and sculptures.

48 51

Quite the Contraption

The Great Sign Rodeo

BY JEFF WOOTEN

A graphics provider gets dimensional and charitable at the same time.

News & Notes Products and project announcements related to dimensional sign making.

For reprint information contact: Arthur Sutley, Publisher (212) 620-7247 or asutley@sbpub.com.

For Subscriptions & Address Changes, please call (800) 895-4389, (847) 763-9686, Fax (847) 763-9544, e-mail signbuilder@halldata.com, or write to: Sign Builder Illustrated, Simmons-Boardman Publ. Corp, PO Box 1172, Skokie, IL 60076-8172 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sign Builder Illustrated, PO Box 1172, Skokie, IL 60076-8172.

Instructional information provided in this magazine should only be performed by skilled crafts people with the proper equipment. The pub­lisher and authors of information provided herein advise all readers to exercise care when engaging in any of the how-to activities pub­lished in the magazine.

Further, the publisher and authors assume no liability for damages or injuries resulting from projects contained herein.

signshop.com

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Agenda

How-To Columns

JULY 2016 July 22-24: Geezer Gathering at the Superfrog’s, a miniLetterheads event hosted

by Butch Anton, takes place at the Frog Farm in Big Cormorant Lake, Minnesota. (superfrog.butch@gmail.com)

8

Dispatches

12

On the Job

Departments

12 On the Job

BY DAVID HICKEY

Getting young people to consider a career in the sign industry.

6

UpFront

8

Dispatches

10

Sign Show

54

SBI Marketplace

Jeff Wooten checks out how the generation gap is closing in the sign industry.

Bringing art out of the galleries into a large format, and a bookseller gets the bright idea to retrofit its sign.

The newest products and services released by sign manufacturers.

Advertisements and announcements from the sign trade.

SIGNS IN DEPTH

Special: The Art of Dimensional

ON THE JOB

www.signshop.com

NU MBER 253

56 Shop Talk

Hiring Young Talent at Your Shop

NUMBER 253 | JULY 2016

HOW-TO

SI GN B U I L DER I L LUSTR ATED

Ashley Bray finds out how a young professional strives to find the right solutions as a people-pleasing problem solver at her shop.

Outdoor Sign Exposure

On the Cover J U LY 2016

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This SAC-ACE “Best in Show” photo shows the effectiveness of an outdoor sign. Photo: Robert Blyth.

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

July 28-30: The Mid South Sign Association’s Annual Meeting & Tradeshow happens at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. (midsouthsignassociation.org)

AUGUST 2016 August 11-13: The sixth annual Tri-State Sign Expo is on track for the Downstream Resort and Casino in Joplin, Missouri. (tristatesign.org)

SEPTEMBER 2016 September 14-16: SGIA Expo 2016 happens at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (sgiaexpo.org) September 15-16: The Virginia Sign Association (VASA) Fall Annual Meeting will be conducted at Acorn Sign Graphics in Richmond, Virginia. (virginiasignassoc.org) September 22-23: NSSA’s New England Sign Expo 2016 will be held at the Twin River Casino Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. (nssasign.org)

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Up FRONT

by jeff wooten

July 2016, Vol. 30, No. 253 Sign Builder Illustrated (ISSN 0895-0555) print, (ISSN 2161-0709) digital is published by Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation 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

Millennial Falcons The younger generation takes flight in sign shops.

Photo: Shutterstock.

S

omehow while I was off listening to Pearl Jam on the oldies radio station and sending out urgent emails through AOL, the Millennial generation (today’s eighteen- to twenty-nine-year-olds) became the most sought-after demographic by advertisers and businesses. In fact, Millennials have surpassed Baby Boomers as the nation’s largest living generation, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.

Notice how the landscape has changed to attract these young people: Anytime, anywhere ondemand access for TV and movies. Cars embedded with voice-to-text features. All-day breakfast at McDonald’s®. That’s right: All. Day. Breakfast.

But is there still a generation gap out there, especially when it comes to young people and their work ethic?

Jackie Dryden, co-author with Bethany Andell of Get Your Head Out of Your Bottom Line: And Build Your Brand on Purpose (www.savagethinking.com) and chief purpose architect of Savage Brands, says Millennials have something of a mixed reputation when it comes to work, and that, instead, they are more interested in finding a purpose to their careers beyond making money.

Dryden suggests employers would actually do well to adapt to the Millennial mindset, especially when identifying what your company stands for and uncovering its purpose, mission, vision, values, and behaviors. “These statements create the foundation for the company’s journey toward improved employee engagement, stronger relationships, and more enduring success,” she says. “When a business is able to engage Millennials, along with all other 6

Sign Builder Illustrated // July

2016

stakeholders, in speaking and acting with one purpose, it begins to propel the company toward meaningful and sustainable success.”

So just how open is the sign industry to attracting Millennial talent? Probably much more than many other industries.

Unless you’re a third, fourth, fifth, and so-on generation sign maker, today’s younger outsiders never seem to think of signage as a career.

Maybe there’s a perception that these wall wraps and sign panels grow themselves?

Each October, the International Sign Association and the National Association of Manufacturers teams up for Sign Manufacturing Day to get the message out about careers in our industry to high school and vocational students. On page 12 (“On the Job”), we even show some of the advantages shop employees themselves can glean from participating.

One of the biggest increases in shop work hires over the past decade would have to be designers, as shops help clients dream up better and more creative signage. With this in mind, have you reached out to art students or computer design classes at your local high school or community college?

This month, Managing Editor Ashley Bray concludes her profiles of select appointees of the ISA and NSSA Elite Members in our “Shop Talk” section. The programs are designed to identify prominent under-thirty-five movers-and-shakers in the industry. We hope her series sharing their viewpoints on technologies, trends, and roles in the sign industry have helped you better understand how your shop can be more inviting and provide a purpose to today’s younger generation.

323 Clifton Street, Suite #7 Greenville, NC 27858 212/620-7244; fax: 212/633-1863 jwooten@sbpub.com managing editor

Ashley Bray

55 Broad Street, 26th Floor New York, NY 10004 212/620-7220; fax: 212/633-1863 abray@sbpub.com contributing writers

Mike Antoniak, Robert Blyth, David Hickey, Mark K. Roberts, Lori Shridhare art

Creative Director Wendy Williams Designers Nicole Cassano, Emily Cocheo production

Corporate Production Director Mary Conyers circulation

Circulation Director Maureen Cooney advertising sales national sales director

Jeff Sutley 212/620-7233; fax: 212/633-1863 jeffsutley@sbpub.com midwest

& west coast sales manager

Heather Bonato

212/620-7225; fax: 212/633-1863 hbonato@sbpub.com marketplace

& buyer’s guide

Amy Lennox

212/620-7221; fax: 212/633-1863 alennox@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 & layouts or hard copy reprints, please call Art Sutley at 212/620-7247 or e-mail asutley@sbpub.com.

Circulation Dept. 800/895-4389

signshop.com

Dispatches

Bringing Art Out of the Galleries Akron, Ohio—The Akron Art Museum in Akron, Ohio is bringing art out of the galleries and into the community with its Inside|Out project. Inside|Out is a community-activated art project that brings high-quality art reproductions from the museum’s collections to local neighborhoods for community members who infrequently visit the museum to enjoy.

The project was pulled off in partner8

ship with Central Graphics, a Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio firm specializing in production and installation of graphics, signs, and wraps for a wide variety of applications.

Aft e r c aref ul p l anni ng , Central Graphics reproduced more than thirty artworks through color matching and p re c i s i o n p ro d u c t i o n . B o t h wa l l mounted and freestanding art reproductions were installed throughout six neighborhoods in streets, parks, and

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

other unexpected outdoor locations around Akron.

The artworks were large format printed and range in size from 30-by-30 inches to 96-by-144 inches, and they included custom framing constructed to the exact measurements.

Choosing the right media was very important as the artwork reproductions are outdoors and exposed to a variety of weather conditions. “In order to mainsignshop.com

A Booksellers' Bright Idea

More than thirty artworks from the Akron Art Museum were reproduced and installed throughout six neighborhoods in streets, parks, and other unexpected outdoor locations around Akron. tain the integrity of the original artwork, we needed to use products that would print well and retain perfect adhesion through the changing seasons,” said Chad Kress, project manager at Central Graphics.

Central Graphics and the museum chose to use Mactac REBEL®, a versatile, high-performance media with durability both indoors and outdoors, along with PERMACOLOR® ColorGard™ LUV oversignshop.com

Nashville, Tennessee—After six years, the original custom neon storefront signage at the Barnes & Noble location in Newnan, Georga had started to burn out, leaving a faded and spotty outdoor sign.

“Neon replacement is expensive and challenging. To make it serviceable, you have to treat each letter like its own system,” said Ben Kerstens, Barnes and Noble’s electrical distributor and quotations and product manager for CED National Accounts.

So Kerstens consulted his team and submitted the sign specifications to Universal Lighting Technologies for an LED solution.

Universal created a plan to install EVERLINE® LED Chains and Drivers, a flexible solution that allows for the creation of continuous lines that even wrap around corners.

At Barnes & Noble, Kerstens had no problem weaving the chains through the sign’s curvy letters, including the B, the S, the O, and the ampersand.

“This job is representative of an LED trend we see happening in the industry,” said Kerstens. “Not only are we providing an aesthetically pleasing product to our customer, but we’re saving them time and money with reduced energy costs and practically zero maintenance.”

laminate, which provides superior protection and color enhancement with fast, efficient results, quick wet-out, and nonsilvering properties.

“The InsideOut art project is a fun idea that opened up the museum to the community,” said Kress. “The commun i t y c o n t i n u e s t o s h a r e p o s i t i ve responses of their run-ins with the artwork in their neighborhood on social media channels.”

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

9

SignSHOW CUTTERS/PLOTTERS You Can “Stand” By Roland DGA’s CAMM-1 GS-24 Cutter Roland DGA’s CAMM-1 GS-24—the company’s most advanced desktop cutter ever—now comes with an included stand.

This gives customers the option of using the GS-24 as a desktop unit or on the cutter’s durable, mobile stand. Featuring a completely redesigned cutting carriage and blade holder, the GS-24 offers increased down force of up to 350 grams for unsurpassed cutting ease, precision, and efficiency. It cuts through vinyl, paint mask, reflective vinyl, twill, heat transfers, sandblast material, and more at speeds of up twenty inches per second. Overlap cutting (up to 10x) also makes the GS-24 ideal for cutting thicker media (such as magnetic materials and card stock). Additional features include a perforated cutting function (for creating ready-for-sale labels and decals), bundled Roland CutStudio software, and a Three-Year Trouble-Free Warranty. rolanddga.com

LED MODULES/TUBES/STRIPS The “Knockout” You’ve Been Waiting For Principal LED is proud to introduce their latest LED lighting solution: The Street Fighter Knockout™. The Knockout has a patent-pending design featuring a unique optic lens with a beam angle that allows you to light a variety of cabinet sizes and depths with less modules and in less time than you ever thought possible. The unique design boasts a coverage of nearly two feet-by-two feet with only one module with spacing of twenty-four inches between each module. The Knockout can run up to eight modules on one power supply with no light loss. In other words, you can cover up to a thirty-two-square-foot area with one power supply and only eight modules with the Knockout! The Knockout comes with the 5&5 Warranty (five-year product, five-year limited labor warranty) and trusted performance ratings. p-led.com

POWER SUPPLIES/TRANSFORMERS New Lighting Products From Allanson Allanson International has released its Multi-Volt RSS Series Wired Electronic Ballasts (pictured), a direct replacement solution for ferromagnetic ballasts. Color-to-color matching of wires eliminates rewiring during replacement and installation of fluorescent ballasts. The small profile ballast allows for greater adaptability for low-profile menu board applications. It has a cold weather start at -20°F, and it is designed for one to two, two to four, and four to six lamp configurations. Multi-volt RSS is available in 208-347 Input Volt varieties. Allanson is also offering its new, compact Neon 4kV Power Supply, with a low profile of 1.4 inches to fit under the tube. Designed with universal mounting holes, the Neon 4kV Power Supply offers powerful results with open circuit, overload, and surge protection. Solid fill provides maximum water resistance. allanson.com

VINYL/VINYL FILMS/SUPPLIES 3M’s Lustrous Sparkle Effects Increase Creative Potential for Installers 3M has announced the addition of five specialty overlaminates to the product line, providing graphic installers and graphic manufacturers with an even wider array of high-quality materials to produce original and stirring wrap installations. The new additions of Frosty Silver, Mystic Silver, Starry Silver, Sunburst Gold, and Ruby Red sparkle join the roster of Wrap Overlaminate Series 8900 that already includes finishes in Brushed and Carbon Fiber. Additionally three new colors have been added to the ever-expanding line of 3M™ Wrap Film Series 1080, bringing it to a total of eighty-six options. The trio of new colors includes Gloss White Gold Sparkle, Gloss Ice Blue, and Gloss Cinder Spark Red. Both Wrap Overlaminate Series 8900, Wrap Film Series 1080, and select Graphic Film Series 180mC are made in sixty-inch-wide rolls and are backed by the 3M™ MCS™ Warranty. 3M.com/graphics

New Prisma! Digital Print Media From DreamScape Prisma! from DreamScape features a multi-color glitter with a scrim-type textured surface. The result is an eye-catching prismatic sparkle. While there is an obvious appearance of colored speckles on the surface, the overall color of the material maintains an optimal white point for ease of printing. In addition, the scrim textured surface provides a very user-friendly look that can complement a wide variety of graphic images. The material is ideal for wall graphics, tradeshow displays, wide format murals, advertising, point-of-purchase displays, and signage. Prisma! is a two-ply product and carries Type II certification for scrubability, tensile, and tear (medium to heavy-duty). This product is Class A fire and smoke rated. The media is available in 54-inch width in 75- and 150-foot rolls, and all are delivered on three-inch heavyduty cores with no production splices. Trial rolls are available for sampling. 973/625-7923; dreamscapewalls.com

10

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

signshop.com

POWER

FO

C

US

ED

HOW-TO: Business Management

By David Hickey

On the Job

W

e talk about how signs positively impact a community with a focus on the strong jobs they bring to a local economy.

Strong businesses equal great job opportunities.

But we often don’t complete the circle. The sign and graphics industry offers great jobs as well.

The annual Sign Manufacturing Day, held the first Friday of each October, provides an opportunity to share that news with high school and community/technical students—as well as their teachers and administrators.

In 2015, Pride Signs in Cambridge, Ontario, joined the thirty-three other companies that opened their doors to students. The company hoped to solve its issue of finding fitters/welders.

“To find anybody with sign experience is next to none,” said Joanne Martin, vice president of human resources at Pride Signs. “It’s important to get the kids engaged from the get-go in high school and start them thinking about a career in this industry. Seeing what we do gets them excited about applying for a job here.”

Sign Manufacturing Day paid off well beyond

making those connections with students. Martin found a powerful association with the local schools that has expanded into tours throughout the year. “The teachers were very impressed with [our presentation],” she said.

Key to that success: engaging their employees, who were excited to tell students how a sign goes from idea to installation. “They were proud of what they had done, and their enthusiasm transferred over to the students and teachers,” said Martin.

The students were especially excited in hearing how some of Pride’s leaders had started on the shop floor. “They can see that there’s meaningful work for them and opportunities to advance in the sign and graphics industry,” said Martin.

Participating in the day also connected Pride Signs with the local workforce board, a nonprofit that works to anticipate workplace needs and proactively solve issues in the community. This sort of relationship with governmental agencies and community groups is important to the work that our industry does.

In fact, the International Sign Association (ISA)

all photos: pride signs.

Getting young people to consider a career in the sign industry.

12

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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Join us for the next evolution of Sign World International — debuting December 1-3 in Atlantic City, NJ. Your business will find more opportunities to grow, insights from keynote speaker Mike Wolfe of History Channels’ American Pickers, plus deeper and more relevant information-packed educational sessions, and exhibitors to interact with. Also new this year: exclusive opportunities for small businesses to make connections with national companies.

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CHOOSE THE RIGHT PARTNER

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AdamsTech sells superior equipment for building channel letters and backs it up with the best service, support and most innovative technologies available in the industry. This is not only true, it’s truly too good to pass up.

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has made great strides in connecting with planners, who determine whether or not signs get built. We have also begun to reach economic development experts, finding common ground in building strong businesses.

Now Sign Manufacturing Day provides a way to reach another arm of government—those in the workforce arena. That may mean a local school system, a community board, or perhaps a regional or statewide consortium of technical schools.

Working with local leaders helps us tell the story of the ways that the sign and graphics industry improves the communities in which we work and live.

One of the most important ways is through good jobs. A 2014 study conducted by Ernst & Young for ISA found that direct and indirect employee compensation generated $11 billion in the U.S. alone. An ISA study in 2015 found that many of the skilled jobs in the sign and graphics industry paid better than the same skilled job in another industry— and that raises were somewhat higher.

This is the kind of story that sign and graphics companies can tell during Sign Manufacturing Day and throughout the year.

“It’s great not only for the students, but also for your employees,” said Martin. “They get a chance to show off what they’ve been doing. We have a lot of very enthusiastic people here, a great culture. They were able to transfer that to the students and get them excited about signs and how they are made.”

As an industry, we have a lot to be excited about. It’s time we start sharing that more freely.

It is up to each of us to help community leaders understand the many ways that the sign and graphics industry makes a positive impact, leading to a stronger business environment and community.

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

David Hickey is vice president, Government Affairs, at ISA. If your company is interested in learning more about Sign Manufacturing Day, email workforce@ signs.org or attend a free webinar at 2 p.m. EDT July 21 (signs.org/webinars). signshop.com

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

all photos: robert blyth.

Every sign manufacturer should have the largest, most complete photo library possible. signshop.com

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

101

Sign Photos

If your customer’s sign is their image, then a sign maker should have the best images as their sales tools.

S

ign manufacturers need to have the largest, most complete picture portfolio of their successes to provide customers with visual examples of their capabilities. These photos need to be top-quality, large files without grain or flaws and have unmatched sharpness to show the quality of the work.

Every picture of a display, sign, or pylon should tell its own particular story— as individual as the customers that purchased it.

Getting Started What would you want to avoid when taking pictures of a display or pylons?

My number-one piece of advice here is to avoid using a smartphone at all costs, as they are limited in capability and fixed aperture.

The explosion of smartphones with integrated cameras provides owners with a simplistic camera, and the ability to take photos anywhere they are—since almost everyone always carries their smartphone with them.

All too often, sign makers will com-

signshop.com

plete an install of a sign and then take out their smartphones and begin snapping photos, trying to capture a job partially completed.

Most smartphones have two-megapixel sensors, digital zoom, fixed apertures, variable ISO sensibility, etc. But they capture highly compressed, fair to vivid, and often rather unclear photos.

A small digital camera is far better at taking proper pictures then any smartphone’s camera.

(Note: If the display is being sent a far distance and installed by contractors, consider hiring a local photographer instead of using the installers’ smartphone pictures. Many amateur photographers can be found easily on the Internet and are extremely cost effective.)

Taking Photos of Signs Now that you’re equipped with your digital camera, there are still some rules you’re going to need to take into account to make sure you get the best possible photo to add to your library.

Avoid, as much as possible, all the visual pollution around the sign. Try to

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

17

Avoid visual pollution around the sign. Clean backgrounds will emphasize the pylon, telling a better story about the work.

Fast shutter speeds (far left) will help avoid showing EMC scan lines (above) in your photo.

situate yourself where the sign is isolated in your photo. Be aware of the background and any distractions from the pylon or sign. Cleaner backgrounds will emphasize the pylon, telling a better story about the work.

Never take the picture in direct sunlight, as this will cause harsh lighting and wash out the colors. Try taking early morning (predawn) or later day (dusk) 18

photos to get the best lighting. Most often, light rain or overcast days will provide the truest of colors.

Finally, unless you’re documenting a particularly hard install, always avoid having installers or install vehicles in the picture.

If your pylon includes an electronic message center, then you’ll need to take into consideration the proper setting on the

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

camera, in order to avoid seeing scan lines.

To achieve this, there are two schools of thought: (1.) For static images, slow shutter speeds of 1/15, 1/8, or 1/4 on a tripod are the best. These speeds will allow enough display scan refreshes that they’ll appear “full.”

(2.) If you’re shooting moving animations or videos, then you will need to use extremely fast shutter speeds to catch the display between a scan refresh. Most displays usually refresh at 60 hertz, running 24+ frames per second; therefore you’ll have 1/500 or 1/1000 of a second to capture a good image of screen movement. signshop.com

When shooting a sign, always position the camera at the minimum effective viewing distance of the electronic message center (dependant on what pitch the sign is). This is stated as the minimum distance from the display where no individual pixels appear while all white is showing.

You can also shoot an interesting perspective on the sign or get a creative shot from the top of a boom truck.

Also try shooting from a distance, using a zoom lens to blur the background by using wide-open apertures. You also might want to get dynamic motion on the screen (especially if this is a vehicle wrap) to tell a story and show interest in and around the sign.

Always shoot in your camera’s lowest ISO setting in conjunction with a tripod. This will ensure the smallest grain (photo elements in light sensitivity) in the photo.

Consider using long exposure times (five, ten, or fifteen seconds), which can be taken at night with very small aperture settings providing the greatest depth of field and true sharpness.

If at all possible, wait a few days before photographing a site. The ground will have settled and the landscaping will be complete.

Shooting in your camera’s lowest ISO setting will ensure the smallest grain in the photo (above).

Failure to do so can result in unattractive, blurry photos (right).

Post-Processing If your camera allows, always shoot in RAW over JPEG and post-process each photo afterwards (adjust settings of image) to provide the best possible shot of the sign.

Use Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, or other similar post-processing software to properly develop from RAW and obtain the right exposures and colors.

Use creative digital filters in postprocessing to isolate the electronic message centers and enhance the overall clarity.

Robert Blyth is a Senior Technical advisor with Optec Displays Inc., based in Montreal Qc, Canada. He has worked within the sign industry in the field of LED displays for over fifteen years. Blyth has been an amateur photographer for the past thirty years, and he took the winning photos for SAC-ACE’s “Best in Show” in both 2014 and 2015. signshop.com

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

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Ve h i c l e G r a p h i c s / B y L o r i S h r i d h a r e / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

A Wide Variety of Wraps

Simplicity is key when designing wraps.

T

KO Graphix in Plainfield, Indiana started as a specialist in large format and fleet graphics with additional work in OEM, P-O-P, and fulfillment programs. But over the past few years, the company has formed two additional off-shoots: TKO Signs (which is devoted to signage design, fabrication, and installation) and TKO Marketing Solutions (which focuses on promotional products and marketing services).

“One reason for the growth is our dedication to helping fleets,” says Randy Clark, director of communications for TKO Graphix. “Now we offer not only fleet graphics but signage and promotional products as well. Our customers

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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find it easier to work with one provider rather than several.

“Along those lines, we have maintenance facilities where a customer can receive preventive maintenance, sandblasting, paint, graphic removal, and new graphics all at one location.”

TKO’s 50,000-square-foot facility houses their design, screen and digital printing, finishing, plotter, shipping, installation, and customer service departments, served by over 200 employees who work for all three companies.

Their de-identification and installation company SCS Fleet Services sits on forty-seven acres with six service bays, allowing for retrofitting and parking of hundreds of trailers.

all photos: tko graphix.

Tools of the Trade Keeping up in one area of business enhances all three. TKO Graphix enjoys experimenting with new materials as they’re developed.

“It seems as if there are new films and materials available every day, especially metallic, purple chrome, and iridescent,” says Clark. “Modern materials, such as gloss overlaminates, are now available with horizontal warranties, which we use for covering hoods and roofs exposed directly to the sun. There are also materials designed to withstand the elements of diverse climates.”

Unlike many large format print shops, TKO Graphix has both a digital and screen department, which allows them to look at every order and analyze the best print solutions for each job. “For example, a large two-color run can be printed more cost effectively on screen,” says Clark, “and those savings are passed on to the customer.”

The team applies the same philosophy to materials. “Using a two-year, warrantied product on a seven-year leased vehicle to cut price is a poor strategy,” says Clark, “and using a seven-year warrantied material on a one-year lease is overkill.”

A tool they recently discovered is knifeless tape, which uses a filament to cut and trim adhesive films, and they frequently work with VCAT (vehicle channel applicator tools) rollers. “We’re always looking for tools to help us deliver a superior product more efficiently,” says Clark.

The company has also begun using signshop.com

TKO Graphix is dedicated to helping fleets. Its 50,000-square-foot facility houses a number of departments and services, and its SCS Fleet Services sits on forty-seven acres with six service bays, allowing for retrofitting and parking of hundreds of trailers.

A recent rebranding project incorporating a cooling system installer’s long-time red, blue, and white color schemes with 1940s-era advertising iconography is just one example of how the designers at TKO Graphix work hard at making an elegant design look simple.

mag straps to hold heat guns in place on the vehicle when not in use. “Doing this saves time, and you always know where your heat gun is,” says Clark.

Finally another timesaving measure they’ve undertaken when embarking on large installations is to use pre-seam panels. “Rather than match panels on the vehicle, we put them together before application,” says Clark.

Many of the company’s “tricks of the trade” also benefit the environment. Clark notes that his company’s newest printers are HP Latex 370s, which use a water-

based ink that doesn’t outgas and is completely odorless.

Their process of removing graphics from vehicles utilizes steam instead of harsh chemicals, which TKO Graphix has found not only harms the environment but also may delaminate and damage the vehicles. “When we’re removing decals from about a hundred trailers at a time, a toxic-free environment is imperative,” says Clark.

Design software tools include the full range of applications available via Adobe Creative Suite. “Illustrator is our go-

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

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The Keys to Vehicle Graphics

An elegant wrap comes together through the juxtaposition of color choices, graphics with images, and that perfect logo. However a great deal of success lies behind advanced graphic design.

Randy Clark of TKO Graphix, details these points with his keys to vehicle graphics design: 1. Start with Accurate Measurements.

“Customers aren’t always aware of the style of their vehicle,” he says. “Get

photos and measure it if you can.

Although templates are available for most vehicles, they don’t always share all the information needed. Sometimes only measuring the vehicle will produce accurate information.

“When working with a template, a key consideration is matching the template to the vehicle. For example, all Ford F150s aren’t alike. There are long beds, short beds, crew cabs, and more.”

2. Think in three dimensions.

“Do you want redundant information on the sides and back, such as your phone number and Web site URL?” he asks. “Does the photo wrap from the

rear of the vehicle to the sides? What will the design look like if the windows are rolled down or the door is opened?

Will the door seams or gas cap fall in the middle of text?”

3. Picture the vehicle on the road.

“Imagine the design travelling on the highway at sixty-five miles per hour,” he says. “How would it look? Design it too busy, and it’s a blur. If the text is too small, no one will be able to read it.

“Simplicity is key when it comes to text on a vehicle graphic. A single call to action and contact information is usually enough.”

4. The customer isn’t always right.

“They should, however, always be treated with respect,” he says. “But if they’re making a vehicle graphics mistake, explain what, why, and how.

“Then always under-promise and over-deliver.”

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to software 90 percent of the time,“ says George Pitney, digital print manager at TKO Graphix. “It’s versatile with vector and raster files and now shares many Photoshop features, which eliminates jumping back and forth.”

For West Coast Tacos, TKO installed a partial wrap with strategically placed decals.

Projects One of the benefits of working out of Plainfield, Indiana is their proximity to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (just a few miles away). Sitting close by, TKO Graphix has had the opportunity to work with race teams in several series.

In 2013, the company had the honor of wrapping the Tony Kanaan Hydroxycut KV Racing Technology Indy car. The design team worked on the graphics using a 3D rendering program to ensure that the wrap could be installed without seams, which is a must-have for cars racing at 200 miles per hour (as the aerodynamics can adversely affect the wrap).

“Living near the racing capital of the world, we’ve seen wraps on cars that have blown off at this speed, so we only use the highest quality adhesive vinyls on racing machines,” says Clark. “The cus-

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tomer’s goal was to win the Indy 500, and ours was to see a perfect wrap coming across the finish line in first place.

“We both got our wish when Tony Kannan won the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500!”

Another project involved Webb Air,

a cooling system installer with a long tradition as a well branded company dating back to 1937, recently decided to rebrand their fleet and apparel with the goal of updating the company’s image without losing their heritage. TKO Graphix was able to engage all three of

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

23

On large installations, TKO Graphix uses pre-seam panels.

WAIT!

its companies here.

To meet the challenge, the design team incorporated some of the motifs of the existing brand using Webb Air’s traditional colors, which are red and blue with white accents. To tie back to the roots of the company, the team chose fonts that one could correlate with 1940s Fort Worth, using line, shape, size, and direction to create excitement and a swing era feel.

“The Webb Air graphics are an excellent example of understanding the culture of an organization and applying it to graphic design,” says Clark. “It’s a great example of old meeting new, both modern and retro.

“The best designers work hard at making a design look simple, and the best designs are elegant in their simplicity.”

Clark emphasizes that simplicity in design is key. “The message always comes first. A beautiful wrap with an undecipherable message doesn’t do its job,” says Clark. “Too often, we see vehicle graphics that are too busy and have too much copy, too many images, and too many colors.”

For a start-up food truck business called West Coast Tacos, TKO Graphix suggested a partial wrap over a full wrap. “He had an old GM box truck that wasn’t in perfect condition,” says Clark. “A full wrap would’ve been out of his budget, never mind the fact that we would’ve been dealing with a twenty-year-old substrate.

“Instead we painted the vehicle black and placed decals strategically on the vehicle.”

This project underlines the company’s intention of always working within the client’s budget requirements, a practice that helps keep the business model nimble.

“Occasionally we lose bids because a competitor has cut their price by using an inferior product,” says Clark. “That method of cost cutting seldom works out well for the customer or provider.”

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P r o j e c t M a n a g e m e n t / By Lo r i S h r i d h a r e / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

The Bubble works closely with its clients and staff to execute signage and outdoor advertising programs.

Covering the Spectrum Creating signage from concept to installation.

all Photos: the bubble.

F

The Bubble transformed the space at the SEA LIFE Aquarium in the LEGOLAND resort with colorful graphics and strategic lighting.

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or sign professionals, there are a range of traditional tasks associated with creating signage that usually starts with manufacturing and ends with installation.

For the full-service company, these services can start much earlier in the process, often leading with design of the creative concepts for the signage program (including logos and graphics) all the way to installation, with project management integrated throughout.

Taking on the whole “kit and caboodle� offers businesses the flexibility to diversify their services and, for clients, the advantage of working with one vendor only.

One Texas agency began as a marketing agency and then added project management soon after.

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

25

A mural for the Haltom City Public Library has versatile media that allows images to be interchanged, creating a continuous display that showcases the city’s past, present, and future.

When creating signage for sports events, The Bubble has learned to be flexible and be ready for change since everything typically happens last minute and deadlines change frequently.

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

The Bubble (bethebubble.com), based in Irving, was founded in June 1999 by Amy and Jeff Naukam. In the beginning, the couple focused on marketing, company branding, and designing graphics for products and services. But they realized their clients had additional needs.

“It became apparent that companies wanted more, so we took the next step, which was project management.”

In 2012, The Bubble invested in equipment to manufacture their own products, instead of relying on suppliers, and became a full-service agency.

Today The Bubble works closely with their clients and staff to execute signage and outdoor advertising programs and has taken on such notable projects as First College Football Playoffs, the Final Four, the World Series, NBA All-Star Games, and the Super Bowl.

What this has led to is a comfortable balance of graphic and sign design work—about 80 percent of their business is sign and graphic programs, with 20 percent dedicated to project management.

Jeff stresses that, in this role, it’s important their work is not perceived as a threat to the client’s internal marketing staff but as a support for their efforts. “Simply put, we chase the path of least resistance, and we pride ourselves on turning on a little pin to remain flexible and timely,” he says. “The sign industry is unique, innovative, and always growing.

“It’s just really cool to see how many things can be done with the products available today. Possibilities are limitless.”

This creative “can-do” mentality is often the drive behind expanding from a sign shop to a full agency.

“While there’s a traditional method of creating signage from pre-designed elements, our company creates and manages all the components of a sign or graphic project,” says Amy. “By adding design skills that are traditionally offered by a creative agency, we can often make recommendations at the onset by brainstorming a creative solution together with the client.”

From there, the steps of a sign project include design, manufacturing, installation, OSHA compliance, sponsorship, revenue generation, ordinance compliance, permitting, media coverage, contract negotiation, SWOT, and budget, among other areas. signshop.com

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While it’s prohibitive for most sign companies to manufacture all components in one shop, The Bubble has worked out this process by partnering with national suppliers to allow all the work to come together in one location— on time and within budget.

With their proximity to the DallasFort Worth area, The Bubble works with several sports clients but also has active clientele across the U.S. in entertainment, events, colleges, and retail.

“Sporting events are an interesting animal,” says Amy. “Typically everything is last minute, and yet planning has started months to years in advance.

Flexibility and focus is required to make sure everything is perfect.”

Jeff agrees. “Be flexible and be ready for change,” he says. “There are lots of people involved, lots of people to approve items, and lots of opinions. Be ready to be firm, while being understanding. This is where design and project management skills come into play.”

However when it comes to sports content, it’s easy to grab the attention of fans, especially in sports-dominated southern states. Featuring star athletes in signage is the way to draw the crowds, according to Jeff.

“We’ve had to stand guard while doing installs because there are those unfortunate circumstances where fans are really interested in looking at items 28

while they’re still on the truck, and we don’t want temptation to get the best of them and then later find out they’ve been taken,” he says. “Yes, they are cool signs, but ultimately for everybody to view, so make sure the items stay put until installation.”

This past April, The Bubble embarked on a project for the WWE’s WrestleMania 32, which was held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Working with the Arlington Convention Visitor’s Bureau, the company led everything from the project management and creative design to the printing and installation of 179 street banner signs in and around the major attractions of the Entertainment District.

In working on such a large and complex project, there were several lessons learned.

“Again, flexibility,” says Amy. “The client missed multiple deadlines and even delayed production twice after approval. Over nine million impressions were reached during the duration of the program.”

Another project capitalized on the large crowds attracted to theme parks.

For the SEA LIFE Aquarium at the LEGOLAND resort in Grapevine, Texas, The Bubble was asked to touch up wall graphics and to transform the space to promote new attractions.

The project included the production and installation of multiple wall cover-

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

ings, which incorporated over 7,500 square feet of 3M 180cv3 vinyl and 3M 8520 matte laminate materials.

“We’ve learned over the course of our business life that customers like to pick at things while waiting in line, which means guaranteed business,” says Jeff.

Striking a balance between the private and public sector helps to diversify product offerings and marketing efforts to a range of audiences. An added benefit is giving back to the community.

One such project was an art mural memorial The Bubble created for Haltom City Public Library located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The library requested a memorial to honor long-time Haltom City residents and public library supporters Janie and Travis Royal for their leadership and service.

“Working closely with the library, we proposed creating a state-of-the-art mural that would not only pay homage to the Royals, but would also be a visual representation of Haltom City’s history,” says Amy. The mural is displayed inside the library and has versatile media that allows images to be interchanged, creating a continuous display that showcases the city’s past, present, and future.

“It’s fun to come up with creative solutions for clients, and it’s even more satisfying when the project honors the life of good people in the community,” says signshop.com

Jeff. “Not to mention, we also helped create a sense of pride in the history of this DFW suburb.”

For The Bubble, utilizing the right software for project management is key to offering this service. To that end, they turn to teamwork to help manage customers, vendors, and contractors.

“If it’s a smaller project, we use our Web portal to share files, documentation, and status updates on projects,” says Amy. “There’s a saying, ‘Failure to plan, plan to fail,’ which for us, means that communication is key to every success or failure.”

Some final tips that speak from strong project management experience: “Be flexible and be ready for change,” says Jeff. “There are lots of people involved, lots of people to approve items, and lots of opinions. Be ready to be firm, while being understanding. This is where design and project management skills come into play.”

Noting that the company is small and doesn’t take on large projects (or every project, for that matter), Jeff stresses their commitment to ensuring that every project yields the same level of excellence.

“Everyone works together, but it’s the job of the project manager to make sure everyone has their role and schedule outlined,” he advises. “Overcommunicate, document, and never assume.” signshop.com

The Bubble’s work on the SEA LIFE Aquarium at the LEGOLAND resort included the production and installation of multiple wall coverings, which incorporated over 7,500 square feet of 3M vinyl and laminate materials.

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

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P o s t - a n d - P a n e l s / By M i k e A nto n i a k / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

An Effective Message

W

hen it’s time to bid on an outdoor post-and-panel sign project, the good news is that sign shops today have almost unlimited resources.

But the initial challenge can be designing these types of signs so that they blend in with their surroundings yet stand out and still get their message across to pedestrians and motorists.

The beauty of today’s post-and-panel solutions, says Stewart Curtis, president

of sign wholesaler Component Signage Inc. (componentsignage.com), is that they allow designers almost unlimited creative options.

“They don’t necessarily have to be two square posts and a rectangular/ square panel in between them,” he says.

A variety of post designs, panel shapes and sizes, frame configurations, and colors can all be combined for a uniquely effective, custom-designed look.

When a client wants something more

These posts are fluted and have decorative bases and ball finials.

The panel is a custom shape and has changeable tenant panels that are held on by stand-offs.

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

distinctive than a square post-and-panel, Curtis recommends, “Just adding a simple design flare, like a radius curve, to the top of the cabinet can change the look and have your customer sold.”

The aftermarket components to customize a post-and-panel sign are nearly endless. “Decorative bases and ball finials for posts are design elements that can give the sign a more ornate look,” says Curtis. “And you can consider adding custom-shaped panels that are held on by stand-offs.

“And with CNC technology constantly improving and becoming more affordable, the cost for custom-shaped panels also becomes more cost-effective.”

Tim Sterk, president of custom sign provider Extreme Graffix (extremegraffix.com) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, recently found an opportunity to add custom elements to a standard square cabinet used as a post-and-panel system.

His shop was hired to provide directional signage for the facilities of their client Feeding America.

He selected custom, rounded legs to make the post-and-panels more distinctive, then topped them with wheat sheaves taken from the organization’s logo. These were cut from Sintra® and installed at the top of each post for added dimension. “The idea was to keep the same feel all the way through, whether we’re using a company’s colors or its logo,” says Sterk.

Sterk partners with wholesale supplier SignComp (signcomp.com) for its post-and-panel systems and customization services to help realize his creative solutions. “Before we order that sign, we always do a rendering,” says Sterk, Continued on page 34

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all photos (unless marked): component signage inc.

The challenge to make post-and-panel signs stand out yet fit in.

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photo: imagefirst.

This wayfinding sign for the city of Des Moines, Iowa, shows how different elements can be combined into a more effective post-and-panel solution.

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July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

31

Continued from page 30 Just adding a simple design flare, like a radius curve, to the top of a panel can favorably change the look of your post-and-panel sign.

“and then combine that rendering with a digital photo of where the sign is to be installed for the customer to see.

“This is a way to ensure their satisfaction before incurring costs.”

The design can help sell the client on a post-and-panel as a functional and effective marketing tool, and this process should always begin with the setting.

“We recommend you take a look at the customer’s building and what colors they may already be using,” says Dave Watts, production manager at signs wholesaler ImageFirst (imagefirstsigns. com). “We’re also not limited today in terms of the colors we can put on a sign.”

Pay attention as well to the architecture of the customer’s building or the surrounding buildings. “If the roof has a wave effect, this design element could easily be integrated into the shape of a post-and-panel and helps tie in the signs

An Easier Way to get Your Message Across Advertise In Contact Jeff Sutley (East Coast) at jeffsutley@sbpub.com or 212-620-7233 or Heather Bonato (Midwest, West Coast) at hbonato@sbpub.com or 212-620-7225 or Amy Lennox (Marketplace, Buyer’s Guide) at alennox@sbpub.com or 212-620-7221

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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with the rest of the facility,” says Curtis.

“During site surveys, we also look for ways to keep the company branding consistent in post-and-panels and all their signage,” says Sterk.

Digital print technology makes it possible to combine these creative elements in any variety. “Anything you can create on a computer screen you can now put on a printed panel for use in a postand-panel sign,” says Grady Brown, president of wholesaler iZone imaging (izoneimaging.com). “You can include photos, maps, interpretive text, directions, whatever you want on that sign panel, without restrictions.”

Brown’s company specializes in the production of high-pressure laminate graphic panels in a variety of standard and customizable post-and-panel systems. Clients can download Adobe Illustrator templates for any of its panels, and completed designs are uploaded to the company for rendering as these panels.

They are delivered as a complete kit with posts, frame, and all necessary hardware.

“Since these digitally printed signs can feature graphic details and information

not associated with traditional post-andpanel signage,” says Brown, “applications vary from standard wayfinding signs to trail markers and interpretive signage for historic sites and nature centers.”

Although creativity with post-andpanel signs is unlimited, there are still sensible design limitations. “A lot of crazy fonts and wild graphics don’t apply here,” says Sterk. “Outdoors many postand-panels are used as wayfinding signs.

They need to be eye-catching but also easily legible. And with digitally printed graphics, you can get carried away.

“The key is to deliver the right message in a nice, clear way so that it’s easily understood.”

Sometimes design is important not only in aesthetics but for logistics as well.

“We recently worked on a non-modular post-and-panel sign system for the Cayman Islands Yacht Club,” says Curtis.

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Misplaced your favorite issue of ?

“Since we had to ship it overseas, we used stock extrusions that allow it to be taken apart and go back together easily.”

In the end, an effective design requires more than unleashed creativity; it must also take into account the sign’s practical value and setting.

Watts advises asking your client about the intended use of their sign: Will it be installed to provide information or directions? Is it targeted at employees or someone unfamiliar with the building or grounds? Will it serve pedestrians or motorists?

When all these factors have been considered and combined, a more effective post-and-panel solution is created. Watts cites post-and-panel signs that his company built for the city of Des Moines, Iowa as an example. The city needed a series of signs to direct downtown motorists to available parking.

ImageFirst designed a large panel sign on a single post with a curved top and easily seen “parking” logo. Printed graphics announced the location of area parking garages with companion LED panels alerting motorists where parking is currently available.

“You also have to factor in the planned viewing distance,” says Watts, “and, if they’re motorists, the traffic speed.”

Only when all these factors are weighed can the best solution be designed and built.

WE CAN HELP. Back issues are available.

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Digital print technology makes it possible to include photos, maps, interpretive text, and directions on a sign panel without restrictions.

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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In Dimensions The Art of Dimensional Signs

A supplement to sign builder illustrated

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C HI Y APPLA S1 R G IS D

dimensional: Art | By Jeff Wooten

Quite the

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The Sign Invitational brings the dreamers.

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Manfred Didier of Timber Signs shows off the Rube Goldberg theme in his entry.

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ttendees at last April’s ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando had the opportunity to see art and dimension come to life. The Sign Invitational contest—created by James Dawson, owner/creative director of Synergy Sign & Graphics in Strasburg, Ohio—allowed attendees to view and vote on a number of dimensional signs in an effort to showcase the most creative sign makers in the industry.

Dawson started his shop ten years ago working with small vinyl decals and wraps. He has built up the sculpted dimensional sign aspect of his business by purchasing a MultiCam 1000 Series CNC router and attending some of Imagination Corporation Owner Dan Sawatzky’s famed Sign Magic classes.

Thanks to his creative endeavors in sculpted signs and monuments, he became very good friends with Sawatzky.

Dawson was very eager to start a big contest that would showcase the artistry and creativity that this industry can produce. He approached Sawatzky with the idea and together they napkin-sketched plans to find twenty-five of the best dimensional sign makers and invite them to enter a contest.

Sawatzky knew a lot of possible entrants from his classes, and Dawson knew some from his travels around the country. They even pinpointed some talented artisans that had been featured in the sign magazines. “As you can imagine, getting creative sign makers together was a lot like trying to herd cats,” laughs Dawson. “We really wanted to get twelve to fourteen entries so we figured we’d

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

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dimensional: Art | By Jeff Wooten

invite twenty-five—five wouldn’t be able to come, five would drop out.”

In addition to Sawatzky and Dawson, other entrants in this inaugural contest were: Noella Cotnam (Sign It/Farm Signs); Roger Cox (House of Signs); Manfred Didier (Timber Signs OHG); Doug Haffner (Haffners Fantastic Creations); Nick Hansen (Hansen Signs); Jeff Hartman (Artistic Automation); Stephen Hoey (KDF); Peter Poanessa (Keene Signworx); Tony Rose (Xpressive GraphiX); Peter Sawatzky (Imagination Corporation); Phil and Jeremy VanderKraats (Signs By Van); and JD Winters (Jpro Studios).

Dawson and Sawatzky developed a cohesive theme and build envelope and gave invitees six weeks to decide if they wanted to be in or not.

The theme of the 2016 Sign Invitational was cartoonist Rube Goldberg, famous for his detailed, perpetual motion cartoon illustrations.

“I have an engineering background and always enjoyed his comics,” says Dawson. “I always love the inventor making an impossible invention that you don’t really need.

"So I said if we’re going to do signs and constraints, let’s do Rube Goldberg, and Dan thought it was perfect.”

Entrants could invent anything they wanted as long as it followed a Rube Goldberg theme and were allowed to be as loose with that theme as they wanted.

However there were some constraints.

The build envelope had to be two-footby-two-foot-by-six-foot, and the display had to be placed on a pedestal.

“We wanted people to be creative within the size constraints we gave them instead of people being able to go really big at the sign and throw money at it,” says Dawson. “Size constraints make everybody get real creative with how they build the sign.”

The rules were that the top of the display had to fit inside the bottom.

So if you did a two-foot-by-two-footby-three-foot top, it had to fit inside your two-foot-by-two-foot-by-threefoot base.

40

Peter Poanessa of Keene Signworx pulled out the win with his Acme-Goldberg Autosign machine.

A tiny bug operates part of Signs By Van's entry.

“We did that so everybody could fit their sculpts inside a base for shipping purposes and not have to figure out how they were going to ship their big sculptures to the show,” says Dawson.

The contest was set up at MultiCam’s booth. (Note: MultiCam was one of the

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

event’s sponsors, as well as Coastal Enterprises, SAi EnRoute, and SignCraft.)

Dawson sent entrants details of the contest on November 1 and they had right up until the start of the show April 20 (as long as their shipment arrived on time) to finish their entry. signshop.com

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July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

41

dimensional: Art | By Jeff Wooten

“Everything was amazing,” says Dawson. “I never would’ve dreamed that there were that many creative ways to steer around those rules and build something to fit that theme.

“It was like every single sculpt that was there was the direct reflection of the personality of the guy who built it.”

Peter Poanessa of Keene Signworx showed up with his Acme-Goldberg Autosign machine and pulled out the win after some very close results in the voting.

“One of the requirements was that we couldn't have any moving parts,” says Poanessa, “so that eliminated the need to make anything truly work, which opened up a lot more creative possibilities.”

The genesis behind Poanessa’s entry rests with a joke in his shop about how some of his customers come in and want their custom signs quickly. “Our idea was a proprietary sign-making system

(Right) James Dawson of Synergy Sign & Graphics' entry had an aquatic theme.

(Bottom) A detail from Doug Haffner of Haffner’s Fantastic Creations' entry.

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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dimensional: Art | By Jeff Wooten

featuring pipes and valves and other stuff that we had figured out," he says.

"We would take your order, put raw ingredients in the top, and have the sign come out the other end of the building.”

He incorporated a lot of things into the

1930s Steampunk-inspired design that are “near and dear” to his heart that he had experience with—sign parts, bicycle parts, boat parts, etc. “I used to own a micro-brewery, so we added a little beer tap on the front of the control panel,” he says.

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44

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

It took four months to build his Autosign entry. “It was fun to do something that was totally creative, with no customer directive or budget to deal with," he says.

"It was, ‘Go off and do whatever you can dream up,’ which isn't something you normally encounter in a sign shop.”

Thanks to the success of this year’s event, Dawson and Sawatzky have already plotted out details for the second annual Sign Invitational, which will once again take place at the ISA Sign Expo next April. The show will be in Las Vegas so the theme of the build is “sign magic.”

“You have to use the word “sign” or the word “magic” or both in your sculpt,” says Dawson.

Even better, they’re opening up the possibility for more entrants—even you!—if you can pass muster.

If interested, visit thesigninvitational.com and click the “Apply” button on the homepage. Enter your name, email address, and phone number and attach three portfolio pieces.

These will all be reviewed before the invites are sent out in September.

There are no limitations to tools or substrates, and unlike this year’s event, motion will be allowed for the purpose of audience interaction.

“This means that if you’re going to put a hand-crank on there, the person walking up to the sculpt has to work it themselves,” says Dawson. “You can’t sit there and run it for them.”

Voting will also change next year. In addition to ISA attendee ballots, there will be a text-to-vote option.

One thing Dawson hopes won’t change in 2017 is the networking aspect of the contest.

“The best part was that we were all able to meet some of the top sign makers in the world, share ideas, and build lifelong friendships,” says Dawson. “There’s this whole group of awesomely creative sign sculptors. We’re using routers and plasma tables and 3D printers. And the materials have changed so much.

“I think we’re headed into a pretty awesome time period for the sign industry, as far as carved and sculpted signs.” signshop.com

dimensional: Environmental | By Jeff Wooten

Sculpting the Landscape

A healthcare property welcomes artistic signs & sculptures.

all Photos: selbert perkins design.

C

NP Signs & Graphics (cnpsigns. com), a full-service shop located in San Diego, California, has long been producing traditional-type signs for corporate and hospital clients (Jack in the Box, In-N-Out, Kaiser, Scripps, etc.), and over the past few years, has branched out into more custom signage and art/designbased projects.

“We’ve been doing a lot with architectural features lately,” says Seth McCarter, project manager at CNP Signs & Graphics. (Note: McCarter’s great-great grandfather Ward Taylor, and great-grandfather, Guy Taylor, started CNP seventy-plus years ago).

The sign company was hired to provide a combination of traditional signage and custom work at the new critically acclaimed Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley Medical Center in California.

This medical center is located in a desert region ninety minutes north

signshop.com

of Los Angeles. Its campus features a 136,000-square-foot, LEED-Platinum medical office; landscaped gardens; playgrounds; an amphitheater, etc.

What makes this complex unique is that it uses a super-scaled, “branded” public art program co-developed by noted design firms Selbert Perkins of Los Angeles and ex;it of Philadelphia to tell the surrounding community’s story. Selbert Perkins crafted an engaging monumental art project for the site exterior, based on focus group and community feedback gathered by ex;it.

Two things Antelope Valley is famous for are butterflies and poppies. So you’ll find a twenty-five-foot-tall, uplighted aluminum mesh butterfly sculpture welcoming visitors, as well as sculpted aluminum poppies throughout the campus. The butterfly and poppy theme is also featured on five- to sixteen-foot-tall perforated

3M vinyl graphics installed on the wavy 220-foot-wide-by-42-foot-tall blue-green glass portion of the medical center façade and again on the building’s oversized green fin. Three large-scale, sculpted alu-

Antelope Valley is known for butterflies and poppies, a motif found throughout the Kaiser Permanente campus.

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

45

dimensional: Environmental | By Jeff Wooten

minum pinwheels on the property reflect the area’s reputation for winds.

CNP Signs & Graphics was brought on board by their Kaiser Account Rep Terry Dilgard, Selbert Perkins Account Reps Nick Nutter and Ron Breen, and the facility’s wayfinding provider SKA Design of Pasadena, California. The initial scope of work was contracted through McCarthy Construction of Newport, California.

The company provided twelve traditional-type signs: A 20-foot-3-inch frontilluminated aluminum entrance monument; a 13-foot-10-inch double-face, illuminated directional sign; a 9-foot-3inch double-face, illuminated directional sign; an 8-foot-1-1/4-inch-by-30-foot-11inch ground sign; a 6-1/2-foot double-face directory sign; 36-inch LED-lit channel letters; two sets of 24-inch address numerals; two sets of 1-foot-5-inch FCO letters; 1-foot-3-1/4-inch FCO letters; and an

Vinyl butterflies and poppies can be found on the building’s oversized green fin.

oversized window vinyl logo.

The double-face sign cabinets feature push-thru copy and first-surface translucent vinyl. Low-voltage white 6500k LED lighting was used for all the backlit portions of the signage project.

Construction had just begun on the main building when McCarter met with Eric Alvarez of McCarthy Construction to get the patterns and coordinate the backing support of the channel letters.

The initial push for this project concerned finishing all the traditional signage first. Selbert Perkins then sent CNP their design drawings to work on engineering and detailing plans.

CNP Weld Foreman Walt Stamp and Sheet Metal Foreman Roy Tallman fabricated all the sculptures in-shop. Then McCarter coordinated with Mike Sullaway from Sullaway Engineering about material thickness and footing details to

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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ensure they were structurally sound.

A lot of aluminum was used, so manufacturing involved sheet metal fabrication and welding. A CNC router was used on several pieces, while some patterns were saw-cut. “There was a lot of hand-forming too,” adds McCarter.

McCarter facilitated coordination efforts between his shop and Selbert Perkins Designer Will Ayers. “There were no challenges during production,” he says. “[Ayers] had a firm understanding of the build process and communicated his directives.”

Installation ran smoothly. CNP consolidated as many trips to the site as possible, to make everything cost effective.

McCarter cites the router-cut acrylic butterflies hanging in the main reception area as an interesting challenge. “We had to work out balancing all the interior hanging butterflies from the brackets to make sure that they sat appropriately,” he

Twenty-five-pound acrylic butterflies were ceilingmounted using b-line brackets and aircraft cable.

explains. “We made an attachment out of bent rods so that we could slide them into place and slightly rotate them and reposition them at an angle.”

CNP used b-line brackets and aircraft cable to hang the butterflies. To avoid having to penetrate (and possibly damage) the ceiling tiles themselves, Alvarez instead added this provision into the

ceiling contractors’ portion of the work.

Then all CNP had to do was come in and hang the butterflies from the cables.

McCarter states that this project was all about teamwork to achieve the designers’ and owners’ visions. “I’ve never seen a hospital that could transform a typically sterile environment into an eye-opening and imaginative scene,” he says.

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July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

47

dimensional: Branding | By Jeff Wooten

The Great Sign A graphics provider gets dimensional and charitable at the same time.

P

roviding graphics can encompass more than printing onto vinyl—it can involve the cutting of thicker materials as well.

For example, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo held every March in Texas is not only the largest indoor rodeo in the world but it's also one of the city's biggest charity events, with yearly pledges to youth education of about $26 million.

In fact, it has raised over $400 million since its beginning in 1932.

The new die-cut silhouettes feature updated imagery.

48

This year, SpeedPro Imaging Sugarland Owner Kirby Ducayet was awarded the opportunity to provide a variety of signage and wall murals for the three-week event.

Kirby had long desired to gravitate toward a career that spoke more to his artistic side, so last year, he and his son opened up their franchise location in Houston where they’ve successfully produced large/grand format graphics.

“Our primary clients are mostly corporate and small businesses,” says Kirby.

In addition to his son, there are three other employees—a designer, a designer/ fabricator, and his marketing manager (who also happens to be Kirby’s ex-wife!).

In fact, it was the efforts of said ex-wife that snared the opportunity for Kirby to get his foot in the door with the Rodeo. “She's been involved with the rodeo for the past ten years and knew some contacts over there. I’m glad I hired her,” he laughs.

Rodeo officials wanted to replace twenty-five die-cut silhouettes of various

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

characters, as well as a hanging four-foot-diameter vinyl-decorated medallion for the Committeemens Club area. All had been used for many years, and all had seen better days.

The silhouettes are hung from the ceiling while lights shine onto them from the floor, in turn amplifying their size. “We took photographs of their old two-inch-thick foamboard silhouettes—a calf roper, a chuck wagon, a small calf, etc.—and imported them into design software as vectors. We had to do a lot of hand-tracing with a mouse,” says Kirby. “But fortunately, Rodeo officials allowed to modify these designs to reflect a style that’s more current. And we did.”

Since this is a volunteer-oriented organization, Kirby recognized upfront that they were on a strict budget, so he mapped out his substrates and materials accordingly.

SpeedPro Imaging Sugarland exported the vectorized images to their CNC router and cut them out from half-inch signshop.com

all Photos: speedpro imaging sugarland.

Rodeo

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dimensional: Branding | By Jeff Wooten

poster board stock.

The Committeemens Club badge was router-cut from the same poster board material while the full-color name and emblem were output onto 3M 180-IJC vinyl. “We laminated them for protection,” says Kirby.

They hung the silhouettes and badge with a 100-pound clear truss-head nylon to accommodate their size. “We don’t want anything coming down on their own,” says Kirby.

Attesting to their graphics specialties, SpeedPro Image Sugarland also printed and installed a 10-by-12-foot wall mural that featured a countryside scene of a barn with a flag of Texas painted onto it.

The end-result is an updated appearance for the cut signage, and the opportunity to do additional print and dimensional work for the Rodeo (and other committees) in the future.

The committee badge was cut from half-inch poster board stock.

“We feel extremely privileged because it’s probably the largest event that goes on in the Houston area,” says Kirby.

This was Kirby’s first time working for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, but it wasn't his first experience with char-

ity work. Kirby has worked with other local charities, including providing NeoNatal helmets for infants with under-developed skulls.

“We donate 5 percent of our annual profits to charitable events,” says Kirby.

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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Dimensional: News & Notes The latest product and project announcements related to dimensional sign making.

Drytac Launches DES-1 Automated Edge Finishing System

Newly introduced to the market is the DES-1 Automated Edge Finishing System from Drytac®, an easy-to-use, continuous feed system that performs both shaping and foil application in a single pass. The DES-1 is the professional choice for midto high-volume plaquing operations and allows operators of different skill levels to produce high-quality plaques in virtually no time.

The machine can be set up in thirty seconds for substrates of varying thick-

nesses, such as medium-density fiber board (MDF) and hardboard (Masonite®).

With the DES-1, plaquing is truly effortless—it trims and bevels mounted substrates and applies a thermal set decorative edge foil to complete the finished piece. Any spent foil rewinds for easy disposal.

Noteworthy features of the machine include a combination cutting assembly, heated foil applicator wheel, an adjustable support rail, in-feed and out-feed support for oversized pieces, infrared thermocouple to monitor for consistent heat, and fine-tune adjustment to compensate for saw chatter marks on substrates. An optional dust collection system is also available. drytac.com/ des-1-edge-finishing-system-1.html

Biesse Group Demonstrates Cutting-Edge Technology at Encore Event Manufacturers joined Biesse Group on May 12-13 in Charlotte, North Carolina for the Biesse Group Encore Event.

Attendees arrived at the company’s new, 23,000-square-foot, state-of-theart showroom filled with over $3 million of cutting-edge machinery where they were given demonstrations on fabricating and milling solid wood, wood panels, glass cutting and shaping, plastic manufacturing, as well as stone cutting and fabrication.

A broad range of educational seminars were also available where industry professignshop.com

sionals demonstrated techniques to help make manufacturing processes leaner, more productive, and more profitable.

“This new, fully equipped showroom is designed to host custom demonstrations and in-house events like our popular Inside Event, as well as educational events,” said Federico Broccoli, president and CEO of Biesse America and Biesse Canada.

The company invites you to contact them to schedule a tour of their facility and see the latest in innovative technology. 704/357-3131; biesseamerica.com

AXYZ International Releases a CNC Router Systems iBook AXYZ International announces the availability of its first iBook, AXYZ CNC Router Systems. This innovative tool is available for free in the iBook store and on the AXYZ.com Web site. The iBook was created to assist both sales staff and customers in determining the best router for customers’ needs.

A global leader in CNC router manufacturing, AXYZ is the first company in the CNC router market to use this kind of presentation technology. The driving factor behind this endeavor was to ensure that sales staff and customers are equipped with the most up-to-date information on AXYZ’s products.

The interactive iBook provides an overview of all of AXYZ’s CNC router systems. Videos, photos, and detailed written information illustrate the features and benefits of each system, and the iBook includes many examples of finished products.

Currently the AXYZ CNC Router Systems iBook is available in English, with translated versions expected soon. And AXYZ is not stopping there. The company is currently creating additional product and market-specific iBooks to deliver more in-depth information on individual systems and their uses. 800/3613408; axyz.com/us/ibook

July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

51

dimensional: News & Notes

Howard Industries Makes Ordering Facility Signage Easier Than Ever!

The signage experts at Howard Industries have recently designed five Standard Acrylic Sign Series with their customers in mind to simplify the purchasing process.

Each series is comprised of all the sign types needed to furnish a complete interior signage plan.

Simply choose a series design, select your custom colors, and Howard Industries takes care of the rest!

Ordering complete facility signage for your client has never been quite so easy. 800/4580591; howardindustries.com

To see a video of the Desktop MAX in action, visit the ShopBot Web site.

ShopBot Tools Goes to the MAX ShopBot Tools, one of the largest makers of digital fabrication tools in the United States, has introduced the ShopBot Desktop MAX. This hardware piece joins ShopBot’s array of CNC tools used in prototyping and full production for cutting, carving, machining, and milling.

With a tool bed measuring 36-by-24 inches, the Desktop MAX is great for making signs from a variety of materials—wood, MDF, plastics, foams, vinyl,

and aluminum. The tool bed is removable, which enables end-machining processes. It also has two options for beds: an aluminum deck or a plenum with universal hold-down system, which eliminates the need for screws, adhesives, or clamps for holding large sheet goods in place.

Featuring a dual-motor gantry design, the Desktop MAX provides impressive stability and precision.

ShopBotTools.com/Desktop-MAX

Roland DGA: All in the VersaUV LEF Flatbed Family

Roland’s VersaUV LEF benchtop flatbed printers print directly on a vast array of substrates as well as three-dimensional objects up to 3.94-inches-thick, ranging from pens and smartphone covers to signs, awards, giftware, and promotional items. And with the new RotaPrint optional attachement for the LEF-20, you can even print around cylindrical objects like water bottles.

The LEF-12 offers a print area of 12-by11-by-3.94 inches, while the LEF-20 can 52

print on substrates or dimensional objects up to 20-by-13-by-3.94 inches.

The newest model, the LEF-300, features a print area of 30-by-13-by-3.94 inches with four print heads and two UV-LED lamps for faster curing.

All three models come with advanced ECO-UV® inks in CMYK, white, and clear formulations. ECO-UV inks image beautifully and conform around the most complex corners and curves. Clear ink can be layered into gloss or matte finishes for unique embossing and varnishing effects, while white ink can be printed as a spot color or behind CMYK on dark backgrounds and clear materials.

Users get an energy-efficient, ozonefree work environment. And because these systems generate minimal heat, LEF series printers can print directly onto PET, ABS, polycarbonate, TPU, wood, leathers, and other soft materials. rolanddga.com

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

Gravograph Asks You to Consider Your Engraved Outdoor Signage Materials Outdoor signage is subject to all types of extreme conditions.

Gravograph, a company that offers engraving equipment and proprietary engraving software, also manufactures all types of made-in-the-USA plastic engraving materials to give your sign the durability and beauty it deserves.

800/843-7637; gravograph.us

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Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

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July 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

55

“

SHOP TALK

B y A s h l e y B r ay

Starr Gil, ISA Elite Member

The Problem Solver

L

ike many others, Starr Gil came into the sign industry by chance when she was hired as an office manager at a sign company. “Once I took that position, I soon learned that there was the service side of the sign industry and coordinating everyone to go out and do the sign repairs along with customer service,” she says. “I fell in love with it, and it has turned into my career.”

Gil has been at Universal Sign Company in Scott, Louisiana for three years now and has worked her way up to service manager. In her time at the shop, she’s learned a number of things.

“When I joined this industry as a secretary, I didn’t know anything about installation, construction, manufacturing, electricity, and how things work,” Gil says. “Now I have the opportunity to be educated in something I would never have had an interest in.

“I find that having the knowledge that I have and being able to speak to people about these things, it makes them respect me in a different way.”

In addition to learning on the job, Gil has also had the opportunity to learn about leadership and team building through her participation in sign associations like the Mid South Sign Association, where she serves on the membership and education committees. She advises other young people getting started in the industry to take advantage

of associations. “Being involved in associations and working with other people, you get to network, do seminars, and build relationships that you wouldn’t otherwise,” she says.

All of the knowledge and skills Gil has acquired have turned her into the problem solver at her sign company. “What I like most is being given a task that [a colleague is] having a challenge or an issue with and being able to help them help their customer,” says Gil. “I’m the people pleaser.”

Her biggest problem so far, however, isn’t with clients—it’s within her own shop as she strives to find a solution to the generation gap. “It’s a challenge I’m faced with on a daily basis because I’m one of the youngest employees at my company, and I’m hiring employees that are my age or younger,” says Gil. “It’s getting the older generation to be able to work with the new generation and understand them and why they think the way they think. It’s bridging that gap.”

It’s a problem that she and many others in the industry continue to struggle to find a solution to. But one thing’s for certain—Gil hopes to continue to ascend the ranks and lead the sign industry into the future.

“I definitely want to get involved,” she says, “and do everything that I can possibly do to get to the top and run a company.”

56

Sign Builder Illustrated // July 2016

Photos: (top) starr gil; (bottom) Ashley Bray.

A young professional strives to find the right solutions.

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