Sign Builder Illustrated September 2016 by Sign Builder Illustrated

cut it out

consumable choices

P-O-P Displays With Character

Today's Digital Printing Trends

www.signshop.com

Number 255 | september 2016

How-To

Vinyl Makes A

Splash

+ Awning Design + EMC Displays

www.osram-americas.com/signage

Light is continuous BackLED Plus Square Lens: supreme uniformity, fewer modules The new BackLED Plus Square Lens contains exclusive technology that delivers a uniform pattern on the face of shallower depth signs. — Available in medium and small sizes with a variety of CCTs and colors — Single board cuttable chain of LED modules with flexible connection cables — IP66 rated to protect against dust, moisture, and condensation in outdoor applications Learn more about BackLED Plus Square Lens at www.osram-americas.com/signage

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Impress

WITH Our New Textiles

Midnight blockout Our customers talk and we listen. As a result, we’re proud to bring you the latest innovation for retail and expo settings: Midnight Blockout. After imaging, this media provides outstanding color consistency, excellent image sharpness and a gorgeous, wide color range. Midnight Blockout’s acrylic black back offers optimal blockout and increased durability. The slight stretch in the media helps to make Midnight Blockout ideal for use with a variety of exhibit frames, retail POP, theatrical displays and banner stands. Request a sample and see the difference for yourself. Call 855.618.4500, visit us at TVFMedia.com or meet up with us at the SGIA Expo. We’ll be in the center of the action in Booth #1885, near Mimaki.

FRONTLIT • BACKLIT • BLOCKOUT • PET • MESH • POLYPROPYLENE • SPECIALTY TEXTILES

SOLVENT PRINTING.

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Introducing the all-new SureColor® S-Series family of sign printers, an innovative line of solvent printers that significantly outperforms anything that has come before them. The industry’s first solvent printer with same-day lamination capabilities – it’s about time. Learn how we beat the clock at epson.com/solventprintingsolved

Another Innovative Business Solution From Epson®. Results based on Epson and Avery internal lamination testing at 6 hours after printing. Your results may vary based on environmental conditions, media type used, ink density, and other factors. For warranty information please refer directly to the media and laminate manufacturer websites. Estimated Purchase price. Please check with an Epson Professional Imaging Authorized Reseller for actual price as dealer prices may vary. EPSON and SureColor are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2016 Epson America, Inc.

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THE ALL-NEW SURECOLOR S-SERIES FAMILY

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September 2016

26 26

Taking the Plunge A sign company provides gold-medal worthy branding for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team.

32 38

Prints of the Year BY JEFF WOOTEN

The latest trends related to digital print technologies and consumables.

SunDance’s Successful Expedition BY GREGORY SHARPLESS

This print shop is staking out its path to wide format excellence.

Sign of the Big Storm BY JEFF WOOTEN

Craft brewing a one-of-a-kind landmark lighthouse sign.

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.

BY ASHLEY BRAY

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

53 58

Get Graphic with Awnings BY PETER PERSZYK

Interesting designs being featured on today’s awnings.

Advancing ADA Sign Design BY LORI SHRIDHARE

New techniques shape the direction of ADA signage.

We’ve Got You Covered BY LORI SHRIDHARE

Bold, yet simple graphics are key to designing EMS vehicles.

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

A wrapping film unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Color Shown: 992 pearl green (gloss)

SIX NEW, NINETEEN TOTAL MESMERIZING COLORS. ORACAL® 970ra Premium Shift Effect Cast

www.orafolamericas.com

Agenda

How-To Columns

SEPTEMBER 2016 September 14-16: SGIA Expo 2016 happens at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (sgiaexpo.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)

Taking it to the Streets

18 Taking it to the Streets BY MARK K. ROBERTS

A face-lift proved to be the solution for an on-premise composite sign.

22 Making Progress BY DAVID HICKEY

The codes and regulatory environment is steadily improving.

Making Progress

Departments 8

UpFront

Dispatches

In time for SGIA Expo ‘16, Jeff Wooten looks at dye sub, laser engraving, and other print adventures. Vinyl branding helps a restaurant promote its authentic Asian cuisine, and Engines for Epilepsy wraps exotic sports cars for a three-day drive-a-thon.

Sign Show

SBI Marketplace

The newest products and services from sign manufacturers. Advertisements and announcements from the sign trade. cut it out

Today's Digital Printing Trends

www.signshop.com

Nu mber 255

68 Shop Talk

Ashley Bray cuts into details about how a new company aims to fill the outsourcing needs of sign shops.

Vinyl Makes A Si gn B u i l der i l luStr ated s ePTe mber 2016

September 25-28: Graph Expo ’16 covering the graphics communication industry will occur at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. (graphexpo.com)

NOVEMBER 2016 NOVember 1-4: The automotive SEMA Show rolls in to the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (semashow.com)

consumable choices

P-O-P Displays With Character

Number 255 | september 2016

How-To

September 23-24: The CONSAC National Sign & Graphics Tradeshow 2016, hosted by the Sign Association of Canada, is taking place at The International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. (sac-ace.ca)

Splash On the Cover + Awning Design + EMC Displays

Vinyl building wraps for USA Swimming transform The Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill in Omaha, Nebraska. Photo: Renze Display.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

DECEMBER 2016 December 1-3: USSC Sign World International is happening at the Atlantic CityConvention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (ussc.org/signworld.php) signshop.com

Leading the way in ADA. Shop over 200 of the industry’s preferred substrates engineered for ADA tactile signage applications in the industry’s most popular colors.

E-mail us at samples@rowmark.com today for our Introduction to ADA Sign-Making brochure!

F E AT U R E D P R O D U C T S ColorHues™ /// ADA Alternative ® /// Stand-offs AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR

Find your Authorized Rowmark Distributor

rowmark.com 877.rowmark

Up FRONT

by jeff wooten

September 2016, Vol. 30, No. 255 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

Imagine Imaging Dye sub, laser engraving, and other graphic adventures.

Photo: gamut media/roland Versacamm® vs-640i.

his month’s imaging-oriented 2016 SGIA Expo (September 14-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada) will be showcasing the latest technologies, products, and applications related to digital printing and finishing, signs, decals, vehicle graphics, fine art, etc. If there are two top-of-the-list keywords for these fields, I figure they’d have to be “growth” and “expansion.” Soft signage remains a big selling point in today’s conversation about digital printing. At SGIA Expo, The Garment Zone returns this year, and attendees will find the firstever Garment Decorator’s Conference being hosted on-site as well. And on page 32 of this month’s issue, you’ll find an article explaining how dye sublimation technology is being used in our industry (“Prints of the Year”). One misconception out there is considering dye sublimation solely related to soft media; according to experts, hard substrates are also a great sublimation choice—floating or flush-tothe-wall panels, murals, architectural elements, P-O-P signage, sandwich boards and signs with dry-erase capabilities, functional signs (restrooms, directions, etc.), and so much more. When it comes to growing your business through dye sublimation technology with existing or new customers, experts advise to think creatively and talk to your client to determine what they need but might not know to ask about. “Every organization, big or small, has a need for interior signage—from cafes and offices to schools, hospitals, government agencies, nonprofits, and beyond,” says Robin Kavanagh, marketing director at media and consumables provider Sawgrass (sawgrassink.com). “Your chal-

lenge is to find creative ways to provide solutions to existing and potential customers. “Talk with your customers to better understand their circumstances and needs; step into their shoes. Do some market research and find out what your competition is offering, and then figure out how you can fulfill these needs better.” Of course, imaging and customer expansion aren’t the exclusive domains of print technology. Take JohnHenry Ruggieri, owner of newly rebranded SunDance in Orlando, Florida, a company that has evolved from fine art to wide format (“SunDance’s Successful Expedition,” page 38). His investment in a laser engraver has led to items like custom wine boxes and a push towards Business-to-Consumer (B2C) marketing. “We had initially discussed other products like pillowcases (because of our finishing and sewing capabilities), but the wine box was the first realized product we had in our hands,” JohnHenry tells writer Gregory Sharpless. “Now we’ve developed and made many other products, priced them, and built the infrastructure to be able to take orders for them.” Finally there are two corrections we need to make concerning last month’s issue. In the feature “Commit to Channel Letters” (page 30), it was incorrectly stated that Direct Sign Wholesale operates AccuBend equipment. They have upgraded all of their machines and are now operating only Super ChannelBenders and Easy Trimmers from AdamsTech. Also in our Shop Talk column (“Up in the Air,” page 59), we incorrectly stated that Spectrum on Broadway is owned by National Sign & Lighting.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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 David Hickey, Peter Perszyk, Mark Roberts, Gregory Sharpless, Lori Shridhare art

Creative Director Wendy Williams Art Director Nicole Cassano Graphic Designer Aleza Leinwand 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 jsutley@sbpub.com

Mid-West & 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 and layouts or hard copy reprints, please call Art Sutley at 212/620-7247 or e-mail asutley@sbpub.com.

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C R E AT E W I T H O U R

ADA PRODUCTS. Shop over 200 of the industries preferred substrates engineered for ADA tactile signage applications in the industry’s most popular colors. Make your signs compliant with the Raster Braille systems and spheres. Finish your design with a sign frame or stand-offs.

SHOP THE INDUSTRY’S BEST SELECTION OF ADA SIGN-MAKING PRODUCTS AT JOHNSONPLASTICS.COM. 1-800-869-7800 • johnsonplastics.com Offices in Minnesota, Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas

Dispatches A variety of wall and window graphics invigorated the look of B. Bim Asian Eatery in Chicago.

Dishing About

Vinyl Graphics

Stow, Ohio—When it comes to the restaurant business, one’s food is most important, but presentation and atmosphere also play a huge role in the overall success of an establishment. That’s why when B. Bim Asian Eatery in Chicago, Illinois wanted to invigorate the look of their restaurant in a way that truly reflected the authentic Asian cuisine served to customers, they leaned on Graphic Alliance, Inc., a full10

service Chicago marketing firm, to provide the solution—unique wall and window graphics that would not only draw in guests but also create an atmosphere complementing their menu offerings. Because the food service industry never sleeps, timing was of the essence for this particular venue. Graphic Alliance specializes in graphic design, Web design, digital marketing,

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

large format printing, and vehicle wraps. Their varied expertise came in handy as there were many applications to cover, and the company worked to find the best combination of solutions for each graphic. MACtac® Rebel™ multi-print media and ColorGard LUV digital PS overlaminates were utilized to house the entire B. Bim menu on a wall of the restaurant. MACtac® ROODLE™ was chosen for the high-impact wall mural featuring signshop.com

Driving Awareness St. Paul, Minnesota—Wrapped Ferraris and Lamborghinis were part of the twenty-plus car fleet that journeyed from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, California as part of Engines for Epilepsy, a three-day drive-a-thon organized by car enthusiasts Rallye California in partnership with The Epilepsy Foundation. Participants drove from June 2-5, stopping at several Children’s Hospitals to showcase their luxury vehicles to kids along the way. The event raised more than $15,000 for The Epilepsy Foundation. 3M sponsored the event by providing 3M™ Wrap Film Series 1080 vehicle graphics to the participating cars in an effort to boost awareness of the cause. This intersection of autos, vehicle graphics, and philanthropy embodies the Rallye California motto of “bringing the car culture together for a greater cause." “Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases in the United States, but it is also one of the most underfunded,” said Tsubasa Michishita, spokesperson for Rallye California. “Thanks to sponsors like 3M and their wrap products, we were able to increase awareness and donations for The Epilepsy Foundation."

the Chicago skyline because it features a removable adhesive and offers borderless production. With its comformability and durability for rough wall surfaces, 2.1-mil MACtac RoughRap™ white gloss high-performance vinyl, combined with PermaColor® RAYZor™ overlaminate, expanded the opportunities for B. Bim to display its messaging throughout the restaurant’s interior brick walls. signshop.com

Finally MACtac WindowView™ Cling film was used to showcase B. Bim’s menu items on the exterior windows to appeal to potential customers passing by on the city sidewalks. “B. Bim couldn’t be happier with the end results,” said Eric Grossman of Graphic Alliance. “The final product was even better than our sample proofs. “This process went so well that we plan to use it for future restaurant projects.” September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

SignSHOW A D H E S I V E S / TA P E S Essentra Introduces New Finger Lift Tapes for Nine Tape Families Double-sided Finger Lift tapes from Essentra Specialty Tapes feature a dry edge liner distributed evenly on both sides beyond the width of the adhesive strip. The extended liner allows for quick and easy removal. Six of their trusted core products are now in Finger Lift format: Duraco® Red (double-sided film tape with a see-through red liner that facilitates precise positioning of the tape to the bonded surface); Dubl Kote® (double-sided foam tape with a permanent, rubber-based adhesive); DK Film® (double-sided tape with a polyester (PET) film carrier and a permanent, rubberbased adhesive); DK Film® Acrylic (PET film carrier with a permanent, acrylic-based adhesive on both sides); DK Film® Hi-Tack Acrylic (permanent, hi-tack, acrylic-based adhesive double-coated on polyester film); Duraco® Gold (white PVC film carrier double-coated with a permanent, acrylic-based adhesive); and Box Closure (new double-sided film tape product line with a permanent rubber-based adhesive). essentraspecialtytapes.com/Finger-Lift-Tapes

D I G I TA L P R I N T I N G E Q U I PM E N T/ S U P P L I E S 4over Acquires ASAP Printing Corporation, Expands National Footprint 4over, the trusted outsource print provider of over forty thousand industry professionals, recently acquired ASAP Printing Corporation as a new subsidiary. This acquisition expands 4over’s network to sixteen locations in North America, enhancing the company's local market presence. “ASAP’s reputation for excellent service and quality are recognized in the market and will complement the 4over brand and strategy going forward,” says 4over CEO Zarik Megerdichian. “The acquisition also means that we will now have a presence in the southeast and mountain states, strengthening our delivery network more than ever before.” By combining resources with ASAP, 4over continues to lead the industry in print order fulfillment across North America while quickly forging ahead toward becoming a global enterprise. 4over.com; SGIA Booth #441

PANTONE Color Libraries are now Included with Mimaki’s RasterLink6 Version 5 RIP Software Mimaki USA has released RasterLink6 version 5.0 RIP software, which drives the entire range of Mimaki inkjet printers including roll-based and flatbed, eco-solvent, latex, UV-LED, solvent UV, and dedicated textile solutions. This version includes the PANTONE®+ Solid Coated and PANTONE®+ Solid Uncoated color libraries. PANTONE spot colors in design files are automatically detected and converted to the most accurate CMYK build. The Adobe® Illustrator®compatible DIC color collection and Mimaki original color collections (including metallic) have been added to the preset library as well. Also included is the ability to create FOTOBA cut marks directly within the RasterLink6 operation window. This new functionality streamlines production by allowing operators to create cropmarks while in the RIP without the need for additional design software. These marks can be used with FOTOBA cutters for post-print finishing and also support copying, layout arrangement, and tiling. mimakiusa.com/RL6; SGIA Booth #1961

See Roland TrueVIS VG and SG Series Wide Format Printer/Cutters in Action at SGIA Expo ’16 Ideal for producing vehicle graphics, banners, decals, apparel heat transfers, and more, the new Roland TrueVis™ VG wide format printer/cutter series includes sixty-four- and fifty-four-inch models. Both models incorporate four newly designed FlexFire™ printheads (ensuring precision droplet placement in three sizes and a 25 percent wider print swath compared to previous Roland models). Meanwhile Roland’s TrueVIS™ SG series wide format printer/cutters (pictured) allow you to print and automatically contour-cut with ease and precision. Both the 54-inch SG-540 and 30-inch SG-300 feature two newly-developed FlexFire™ printheads. All TrueVIS VG and SG Series feature improved integrated contour cutting, a Bluetooth-enabled Roland DG Mobile Panel, and GREENGUARD Gold certified TrueVIS INK. At SGIA Expo ’16, Roland DGA will also be showing how their VersaUV LEF benchtop flatbed printers print directly on a vast array of substrates and three-dimensional objects up to 3.94 inches thick. rolanddga.com; SGIA Booth #2661

LIGHTING EQUIPMENT Keystone Introduces Direct Drive HID Replacement LED Lamps Keystone Technologies has expanded its line of LED lamps with DirectDrive LED Replacement Lamps for HID applications. The new HID LED lamps provide exceptional light output and efficiency with lumens per watt as high as 140. Wattage options range from 20 to 100 watts to replace conventional HID lamps up to 400W. The higher wattage lamps are designed with Keystone’s innovative SmartCool technology. A thermal sensor in the lamp activates during extreme high-temperature conditions. Power to the lamp is then reduced by up to 20 percent to cool the lamp and maintain lamp life. Once the sensor reaches an acceptable temperature, the lamp gradually returns to full light output. The HID LED Replacements are built with DirectDrive technology, which means installers bypass the ballast and connect line voltage directly to the sockets. KeystoneTech.com

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

signshop.com

True colors.

Customer-first. Family-owned.

From our family and independent providers to you. Made True. Integrity. A handshake. A promise. It’s choosing to do what’s right for our customers first. When you’re a family-owned and operated business like us, that decision is honored every day. A common value shared by our independent partners – the providers you already know and trust. Together, we know your reputation and success is linked to the quality, consistency, performance and fair price of our products. And that’s where true colors matter. Duets by Gemini. Engraving, ADA and architectural sign substrates.

Duets BY GEMINI

PARTNER NETWORK

DuetsByGemini.com/partners

Available in-stock, nationwide from the industry’s leading independent engraving materials partners

SignSHOW MAGNETS Announcing Lasermag Plastic Laminate Magnet Sheets This Rowmark product is the best magnetic plastic laminate sheet for laser engraving and cutting. The flexibility of these sheets makes them ideal for use as promotional magnets such as repositionable nameplates, business cards, vehicle graphics, and so much more. The size of each UV-stable sheet is 12-by-24-by-.020 inches, and it comes in Black/Gold, Silver/Black, and Gold/Black. laserbits.com

The Next Generation of MagX Printable Magnetic Sheeting MagX offers the next generation of its printable magnetic sheeting. You can see and feel the difference with a substrate that has up to 10 percent greater holding power, a brighter white point that produces brilliant colors, a treated laminate that accepts a wider variety of inks, a back coating that prevents scuffing and blocking, and a surface that is smoother and noticeably more flexible. MagX also offers its new MagX Magnetic Receptive Products. Used in conjunction with MagX Magnetic Sheeting with mounting adhesive, MagX Magnetic Receptive Sheeting produces affordable and changeable graphics for retail environments, promotions, point-of-purchase, tradeshow displays, and museum exhibits, to name a few. magxamerica.com; SGIA Booth #649

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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ROUTERS/ENGR AVERS Trotec’s ProMarker Marking Lasers: As Easy as Printing The ProMarker galvo from Trotec makes high-speed marking as easy as printing. The pre-installed laser software acts like a printer driver, allowing you to send the files from your usual graphics program directly to the laser machine. No importing or converting is necessary. Ideal for marking plastics, metals, and coated materials, the ProMarker creates durable and precise markings that stand up in harsh environments. It is best used for component and part marking, data plates and industrial tags, promotional products and gifts, and jewelry. ProMarker marking lasers are available with three different lenses to accommodate marking areas from 2.75-by-2.75 inches up to 7.1-by-7.1 inches. Depending on your application requirements, you can choose fiber laser systems ranging from 10 to 20 watt. troteclaser.com; SGIA Booth #3339

SIGN SUPPLIERS Grimco Acquires 360 Digital Imaging Solutions, Inc. Wholesale sign supply distributor Grimco Inc., has announced its acquisition of 360 Digital Imaging Solutions, Inc., based in San Diego, California. “Grimco is excited to welcome the employees, customers, and suppliers of 360 Digital Imaging Solutions,” says Grimco Executive Vice President Keith Pittillo. “This acquisition better positions us to assist our customers in Southern California. Our goal is to continue to deliver the great service that 360 Digital Imaging Solutions has always provided, while expanding the product offering to the entire customer base.” 800/542-9941; grimco.com; SGIA Booth #2315 nce the Magnum Difference in Print

able Magne t

Experie

Soar Above the Rest with Magnum Magnetics Printable Magnets

It's Easy to Print Magnets ® • Quality printable magnetic material, made in America

• World-class service, not lip service • Industry leading delivery times • Custom solutions to fit your magnetic printing needs Call us today at 800.258.0991

800.258.0991 800.258.0991 magnummagnetics.com/do magnummagnetics.com sales@magnummagnetics.com sales@magnummagnetics.com

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

SignSHOW SIGN TOOLS KD-1493 Shear Creates a Cleaner Work Environment Than Circular Saws The handheld KD-1493 Fiber-Cement Shear from Kett Tool quickly cuts fiber-cement board, siding, backer, and cement board up to one-half-inch-thick using a center blade design to prevent the messy, potentially harmful airborne dust that is typically produced with circular saws. The KD-1493 features a powerful five-amp pistol grip, 2,500-RPM variable-speed electric motor that easily cuts through fiber-cement board, cement siding, or backer board—all at speeds of up to 43 inches per minute. The tool is lightweight at four-and-a-half pounds and has a cutting radius of ten inches for maximum maneuverability. The rugged shear blades are precision-made in the USA, featuring A-2 tool steel blades for prolonged durability. 513/271-0333; kett-tool.com

Vehicle graphics Avery Dennison Adds New ColorFlow Iridescent Colors for Car Wraps Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has announced the availability of Supreme Wrapping™ Film ColorFlow™ Series. The color-shifting, iridescent films feature the performance and conformability of all Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Films. The ColorFlow Series includes five new colors with a unique satin finish: Rising Sun (Red/Gold), Urban Jungle (Silver/Green), Roaring Thunder (Blue/Red), Fresh Spring (Gold/Silver), and Rushing Riptide (Cyan/Purple). The multi-layer films combine color, texture, and clear protective layers, providing a smooth, paint-like finish. The films also feature patented Avery Dennison Easy Apply RS™ technology, providing high conformability and repositioning capability. With the addition of the ColorFlow Series, the Supreme Wrapping Film portfolio boasts over ninety colors and finishes for car wraps. Samples of Avery Dennison ColorFlow Series are available. graphics.averydennsion.com/colorflow

Produce all your current print/cut work at a higher quality with a shorter turnaround at a lower per print cost with the Mimaki CJV150 Series.

mimakiusa.com/CJV150

16 Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016 Mimaki_CJV150_H_SBI0816.indd 1

signshop.com 7/13/16 9:31 AM

Co-Brand with the Industry Leader or Covert to FASTSIGNS FOR AS LITTLE AS $15K DOWN!

“FASTSIGNS made the whole idea of new product opportunities and new solutions come alive for our current clients. It was also a good fit because it brought a lot of new resources that we really didn’t have available to us before…training, research, new product support, operational support.” Dick Helmey, Owner of truecolor GRAPHICS and FASTSIGNS Co-Brand Franchisee

Be sure to visit us at our upcoming shows! SGIA, Booth 2983 & GRAPHEXPO, Booth 2757 Text “Convert Now” or “Co-Brand with Us” to 214-273-1715 to learn more! For information on our Co-Brand and Conversion Programs: www.fastsigns.com Mark Jameson 214-346-5679 mark.jameson@fastsigns.com

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More Than A Brand, It’s A Movement! A Grip-Gard® System

EF LV

Vinyl/vinyl films 3M Envision Print Film 48C: A More Sustainable Multi-Use Intermediate Film 3M introduces 3M™ Envision™ Print Film 48C, which combines versatility and greener materials to create a powerhouse intermediate non-PVC film that can be applied to windows, walls, floors, signs, partial vehicle graphics, and more. This new line also includes companion non-PVC intermediate overlaminates: 3M™ Envision™ Gloss Overlaminate 8048G and 3M™ Envision™ Matte Overlaminate 8050M. Film 48C is engineered to create a hassle-free installation and removal process; in fact, it is the only intermediate non-PVC film on the market with 3M™ Controltac™ Technology for slide, tack, and snap-up and 3M™ Comply™ Adhesive for air release. It is inherently more tear-resistant thanks to its high tensile strength, and Film 48C enables fast, clean, and bubble-free removal (even in cold temperatures). Film 48C is also 100 percent printer-compatible—designed for solvent, UV, and latex inkjet printing and UV screen printing. 3M.com/Envision48C; SGIA Booth #2039

Magic Introduces ADHERE6.0 Window Film and HILITE8.0 Backlit Film Coveris™ Advanced Coatings Digital Imaging division has released Magic ADHERE6.0 window film and HILITE8.0 backlit film. ADHERE6.0 (pictured) is a 6-mil ultra-removable, optically clear, polyester window film with a highgloss surface and is ideal for window advertisements and décor. This product is compatible with latex and UV cure printers. ADHERE6.0 is removable, repositionable, and reusable with a silicone adhesive that wets out for easy application and removal; it does not leave residue on surfaces. It is a perfect alternative to vinyl (which is known for being environmentally harmful). HILITE8.0 is an 8.5-mil translucent satin backlit film that is ideal for backlit applications in environments such as restaurants, fitness centers, shopping malls, transit venues, etc. This product is compatible with latex and UV cure printers and is also recyclable. HILITE8.0 features a bright white, anti-glare surface and produces impressive high-resolution prints every time. magicinkjet.com/Envision48C; SGIA Booth #727

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

HOW-TO: INSTALLATION By Mark K. Roberts

Taking it to the Streets

A face-lift proved to be the solution for an on-premise composite sign.

nearby supply company recently called my shop asking us to re-face their onpremise six-panel street sign. They noticed that the faces were weathered, and they thought this would be the ideal opportunity to not only replace them but also insert a new line of copy on both sides of the sign (Photo 1). We used 6mm-thick Econolite composite material for the new panels. Econolite has a corrugated plastic core with one side featuring a painted white aluminum surface. Econolite provides a smooth, durable surface that does not flake, peel, or crack under harsh weather conditions. Vinyl letters bond securely to the panels; there is no warping or twisting. In our shop, we applied 2-mil, high-performance ORAFOL vinyl to the panels with the

new copy in blue and black and then a horizontal yellow line under the name â&#x20AC;&#x153;Morrisonâ&#x20AC;? (Photo 1). After unloading the panels from our truck at the job site, we began laying out the six new Econolte faces along the fence line (Photo 2). It was then time to start the de-facing of the weathered six panel sign. We began this process by backing out the screws holding the faces in place. We removed one panel at a time and retired them to the sign graveyard for a well deserved rest. After inspecting the framework for strength and stability, we began installing three each of the four-by-eight Econolite panels on one side (Photo 3). Aligning the sign panels correctly was a critical operation here (Photo 4).

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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The fasteners holding this sign are 3/8-inch TEK screws, which were installed with a cordless drill and an able-bodied assistant (Photos 4 and 6). Each panel was installed in about fifteen minutes to both sides and without any scratches or damaged vinyl at all! The sides of the eight-foot Econolite panels were secured to the internal steel frame with more 3/8-inch TEK screws, which completed the sign faces installation. For the custom look, we enclosed the left and right sides to make this new sign a â&#x20AC;&#x153;deluxe modelâ&#x20AC;? (Photo 5). Finally we repainted the sign poles and loaded up the truck, leaving behind a very happy client. Mark Roberts is the owner of The InterSign Group in Houston, Texas. He is a thirty-eight-year sign veteran and still loves his job!

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Making Progress

hen Columbus, Ohio started grappling with electronic message centers, it began by making small tweaks to its graphics regulations before launching an overhaul of the entire code. When it came time to draft the code, planners wanted to include a brightness limit—down to the testing method. Lisa Russell, a planner with the city in charge of the code revisions, worked with a committee that included a community group leader who was an architect specializing in lighting and representatives from the sign and graphics industry. “When we started exploring brightness, it appeared the footcandle method was the way to go,” said Russell. “However some group members wanted us to explore the luminance method. The International Sign Association (ISA) believed so strongly that the luminance method was problematic that they brought a demonstration to us.” Representatives from ISA took the committee members to a sign to demonstrate how the two

measurement methods would work in the field. “They showed us that with the luminance method you’d have to get up in the lift, raise it, and shine the nit gun at the sign,” said Russell. “With the footcandle meter, you can stand on the ground.” Russell helped the group to see that the “members of the professional sign and graphics industry are not the same as end-users of signs, such as an owner of a carryout who wants to draw attention to his shop over others.” To date, more than 250 jurisdictions have adopted the ISA-recommended brightness levels in some form. It’s this sort of collaborative work environment that is starting to turn the tide of sign code challenges. Each year, as part of its ISA State of the Industry survey, ISA asks sign and graphics company professionals how the codes and regulatory environment are at the state and local levels. In 2013, when we first asked this question, 9 percent felt things were improving while 39 percent felt they were worsening. In 2016, 31 percent

photo: shutterstock/Olexandr Taranukhin.

The codes and regulatory environment is steadily improving.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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felt improvement compared to 23 percent who felt worsening. That’s a remarkable turnaround in just a few short years. In many ways, we’ve faced increasing challenges—such as a South Carolina requirement that would have forced sign and graphics companies to be licensed in concrete and structural framing. It was an onerous and unnecessary constraint on sign and graphics companies working in that state. ISA, Southern States Sign Association, and their members were able to successfully argue against the need for such licensing. The legislature passed a bill—signed by the governor—exempting the sign and graphics industry from this requirement. We’ve also faced communities that want to issue blanket moratoriums on all types of new signs (a business killer) or that have laborious permitting processes that delay new business openings. And yet, we’re making progress. Just as we did in South Carolina, we find that when we bring together ISA, its local Affiliated Association, and expertise with local sign and graphics company representatives— who are also voters and constituents—we make a much stronger case. We also find that, when we work on an issue for the long haul, we’re much more likely to ultimately see success.

The South Carolina issue stretched on over many months and required numerous visits by ISA staff and would likely not have been successful without the continued input of South Carolina sign and graphics company leaders who were there every step of the way. And there’s one more key element to the success we’re seeing—a growing body of research into issues related to the sign and graphics industry. Thanks to the work of The Signage Foundation, ISA can show the economic value of signs to communities, offer guidance on regulations of temporary signs and compliance with last year’s Supreme Court ruling, and prove that EMCs do not increase traffic accidents. These are just some of the research projects that ISA uses on a regular basis in working with communities. As you’ll see from the Columbus example, when we, as an industry, work collaboratively with local communities, it often proves successful. And it’s clear from the ISA State of the Industry survey that more sign and graphics companies are positively benefiting. Is your community discussing sign code changes or enacting a long and burdensome permitting process? Contact ISA at signhelp@signs.org.

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TAKING the PLUNGE

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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all Photos: renze display.

A sign company provides goldmedal worthy branding for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team.

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wimming is one of the most popular Olympic sports. So when the Omaha Sports Commission found out it had won the opportunity to host the Olympic Swimming Trials—the selection meet for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team competing at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro—they jumped at the opportunity to make a splash with branding and graphics. The Omaha Sports Commission in Omaha, Nebraska turned to Renze Display to fabricate and install graphics at The Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill. The event bar is in one of the area’s oldest historic buildings, and it served as the USA Swimming House, which was the social hub during the Trials. Renze Display (renze.com) is historic in its own right as it has over 120 years of experience, dating back to 1895 when founder Gus Renze repainted and refashioned Mardi Gras floats for the unique Renze’s Electric Night Parades in Omaha. Today the sign company specializes in exhibits and displays, branded environments, event and large format graphics, and point-of-purchase solutions. The same innovation from over one hundred years ago was on display for this project, which called for banners, stair risers, wall and window graphics, a variety of interior signs like elevator and directional signs, and a large mural on The Old Mattress Factory. USA Swimming had some ideas for the various types of signage and branding, and they provided Renze with logo files, PMS colors, and a library of highresolution images to choose from. Renze’s art department used the images to put together some PDF proofs. They even went as far as to take photographs of The Old Mattress Factory and then work up a PDF proof of some of the images superimposed onto the wall for the client to approve. The final design of the wall mural on The Old Mattress Factory featured four photographs of swimmers that Renze blended together across the wall. Renze found itself in a race of its own as it got to work on the fabrication and installation of the signage. The College World Series was going on at the same time, so Renze and USA Swimming had

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

paint that it might bring with it was completely communicated up front.” A three-person team of installers applied the vinyl to the brick via the dry installation method. They used a heat gun to set the vinyl into the brick and a 460SJ Telescopic Boom Lift from JLG to reach up the wall. Like the relay races in swimming, Renze didn’t complete the printing all at once but instead worked in legs. They printed all of the vinyl for the first image

Vinyl graphics were also applied to stair risers and interior walls.

We always feel like we’re the frosting on the cake. Branding just adds those things that make people smile.

to plan accordingly for what brand elements could be put up when. “There are some rules about promoting two different events in the same area, so we had to follow those rules to make sure that the one branding didn’t go up too soon,” says Doug Buchanan, owner/president of Renze. “They gave us a pass on the big mural just because of the logistics of getting it up.” One reason Renze was allowed to put up the large mural before the College World Series started was because it didn’t have any specific USA Swimming branding on it. Another reason was that the College World Series would have a large event set up outside The Old Mattress Factory, which meant Renze installers wouldn’t have access to the wall until it was too late. “So we had a four-day window to 28

get that up,” says Buchanan. “We were basically running a little bit of just-intime production by the time everything got approved.” Renze printed out 3,000 square feet (over eighteen times the length of an Olympic-sized swimming pool!) of FLEXcon’s FLEXmark® BILBRD™ vinyl with a FLEXcon matte overlaminate using a 104-inch HP Latex 280 printer for the wall mural. The printing took about forty hours to complete. Prior to installing the vinyl on the outside of The Old Mattress Factory, Renze installers prepped the brick wall. “We washed it, hosed it down, and then had to scrape it a bit,” says Buchanan. “The wall is going to need to be painted afterwards, and the owner of the building was completely aware of that. “Once the film comes down, any loose

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

of four on the building and then gave it to the installers to apply to the wall. “As our team was installing that one, we were continuing to print, so the next morning we’d be ready for the next one and so on,” explains Buchanan. It took about twenty-four man-hours to complete the mural installation. Railing banners also decorated the front and side stairway of the bar and grill. The banners were created using a mesh banner material from Ultraflex printed on a Seiko solvent printer. Because of the rules about promoting more than one event, the “USA Swimming House” banner didn’t go up until the day before the Trials started. The interior branding work wasn’t completed until a few days before the Trials started as well. The inside of The Old Mattress Factory featured wrapped stair risers leading up to a wall graphic of a young boy jumping into a pool— both of which were printed on FLEXcon vinyl. Originally USA Swimming wanted the stair graphics to run as a full sheet across the step and up the riser. Even though the stairs were safe in and of themselves, Renze didn’t want to run the vinyl all the way across them due to the condition they were in and the age signshop.com

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

Athletes signed one of the many dimensional “Swim” signs.

of the building. “Any time you do floor graphics, you’ve always got to be really careful about whether or not you’re going to create a hazard,” says Buchanan. The change didn’t affect the intended impression of the branded staircase, and USA Swimming loved the results. In addition to all of the branding Renze provided at The Old Mattress

Factory, they also created twenty-four dimensional signs spelling out “Swim.” These signs were placed downtown at businesses that sponsored the Trials and in other locations around the city. There was even a sign in the arena where the Trials took place that all the athletes signed. To fabricate the double-sided signs, Renze used 3mm black Alupanel, which

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they cut into shape on their MultiCam router. They chose to use black Alupanel for the optical illusion it created of a solid sign, despite the two sides of the letters being three-and-a-half inches apart with just an open, plywood framework. “We wanted the inside and the back of those letters to be black,” says Buchanan. “They’re just simply black twoby-fours that screw those letters together to create an interior frame. “And because of the fact that everything’s black, from a distance, as you drive past those signs and as you view them, they appear to be a solid letter.” The front of the black panels were covered with ORAFOL ORAJET® 3651RA vinyl film with a 5-mil, non-glare overlaminate, which was printed on a Seiko solvent printer. Renze could have just flatbed-printed the sign panels, but the way in which the sign was assembled prevented them from doing so. “First we had to fabricate the actual letter panel itself, and then we had to assemble them,” says Buchanan. “The way we did that was we countersunk

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Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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The wall mural took about forty hours to print and twenty-four hours to install.

screws through the panel and into the Alupanel base up a little bit is so we two-by-four framework. And then those could have some heavy bolts that thread screw holes were covered with a body up into the two-by-fours to support the letters,” says Buchanan. putty and sanded smooth. This base keeps the letters anchored, “Then we appliqued the vinyl over the face of it so you couldn’t see the fasteners.” prevents wind loads from blowing it The bases of the Swim signs are made over, and provides a raised perimeter so from 6mm white Alupanel with a 3/4- that the bolts don’t touch the ground. The sign also has room to sit flat on inch PVC base below that. “The reason that we lifted 1that 6mm 8-8-16_hfpg-SBI-epilog-OTL.pdf 8/8/2016 10:58:15the AM ground.

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When the entire project was finished, Renze was pleased to see the way the community reacted to all of their gold medal-worthy branding work—both in person and on the posts and pictures shared to social media. “We always feel like we’re the frosting on the cake,” says Buchanan. “Branding just adds those things that make people smile. It’s a lot of fun.”

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

D i g it a l P r i nt i n g / By J E F F WO OT E N / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Prints of the Year The latest trends related to digital print technologies and consumables.

s digital print technology continues to evolve, graphics providers and sign makers need to keep abreast of some of the latest trends in this field that will help them grow their client base and boost their profits even further. Sign Builder Illustrated recently spoke with several manufacturers and suppliers about several of these hot topics. 32

Consumables. Competitive pressure is driving down the cost barrier to entry for using white ink, leading to growth in backlit printing. “While backlit printing can feasibly be done without white ink, it’s significantly more difficult to get right, especially when going for ‘day/night’ applications that look good with or without backlight-

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

ing,” says Chris Wysong, senior manager, Product Marketing-Print Production Business Group, Wide Format & Finishing at Ricoh, technology advancements (ricoh.com). “In corporate environments, consistent logo colors are vital and, as such, equipment with more than just CMYK allowing these colors to be accurately reproduced is a must have!” signshop.com

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all Photos: sawgrass.

Flatbed printers. Printing directly to rigid materials continues to be popular. “Removing the laminating step saves considerable time,” says Wysong. “Although there is considerable investment in both purchase price and space (these machines are big!), the ROI can be seen very quickly. This is due to the time savings as well as new business that would have traditionally been out of reach— such as industrial applications and wrapping objects like phone cases.” “Printing directly on items made of wood, glass, plastic, ceramic, and metal makes it simple to customize literally thousands of items at a minimal cost per square foot,” agrees Daniel Valade, product manager, Color Products, at Roland DGA (rolanddga.com). Customization/Personalization. Speaking of customization, demand remains strong from both print providers and their customers for these types of graphics. From wraps and decals to customized apparel and interior décor, personalized products are becoming more popular—a trend expected to continue for years to come within both commercial and consumer markets. “Hotels, retail, airports, and residential housing are just a few of the areas in which we’re seeing increased demand,” says Valade. “The potential for wallcoverings alone is huge, especially among architects, graphic designers, restaurant chains, interior designers, and businesses in small and large office spaces. “We’re also seeing increased demand for wall decals, window blinds, upholstery, and flooring that extends to all customers within these consumer and commercial markets.” To keep up with rapidly increasing customer demand, a lot of PSPs are using UV-LED printers and UV-curable inks to transform everyday objects (table tops, metal lunch pails, leather notebooks, cell phone cases, key chains, and more) into extraordinary personalized items. There’s been an increased demand for specialty materials, like various types of heat transfer vinyl (HTV) for customizing apparel. “We’re seeing HTV that can be printed signshop.com

on eco-solvent printers and applied to cotton, polyester, Lycra®/spandex, leather, and poly/cotton blends,” says Valade. Latex. Quick turnaround is becoming the norm in large format printing, which is leading to interest in latex technologies. “Everyone wants their jobs yesterday,” says Wysong. “Latex can dry nearly instantly and requires low-drying temperature, which helps customers meet this demand for quick turnarounds.” He says technology advancements, especially in curing processes and adhe-

sion capabilities, have made latex inks considerably more viable in the wide format space. “In wide format, customers’ price points are based on quality, eye-catching output, first and foremost,” says Wysong. Retail/P-O-P. For retail/P-O-P projects, many retailers are looking to grab customers’ attention by transcending the traditional flyer, instead leveraging five-color technology to print on dark substrates that really pop or using creative window clings to grab passersby’s attention. Continued on page 36

A customer will more likely pay for a sublimated menu featuring a design created for their business as opposed to something generic.

Demand for customized printed products is leading to offerings such as table top graphics that are ideal for clients like restaurants. September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

Opportunities in 3D Printing

Sign Builder: Can you give us a quick overview of 3D printing? Avner Israeli: Despite grabbing headlines among certain mainstream media in recent times, the technology has actually been around for about thirty years. Today it’s firmly established among the world’s foremost manufacturers across key sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and medical, as well as a plethora of others. Within these sectors, 3D printing continues to make an impact, primarily for prototyping and short-run manufacturing

but also increasingly for end-use parts and production line tooling. Is it only now becoming an overnight success? Not exactly. 3D printing has evolved steadily over that period, widening the segments and markets it serves; but in recent times, it has really made a name for itself as a technology to revolutionize the way in which things are made. This can be attributed largely to much greater print speeds and ever-increasingly advanced materials. This, coupled with progress in 3D modeling tools and other developments, is what enables it to serve different needs. As 3D printing is an additive process, it creates a very efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. Likewise, for the traditional printing

industry, 3D printing has the flexibility, speed, and price point to unlock new, creative opportunities and drive profitable growth for users. The printing industry remains a difficult environment in which to operate, and the need for higher impact output than the next provider will be a perpetual goal. This is familiar ground for large format print providers, so the ability to differentiate your offering and enhance your applications gamut to customers will always stand you in good stead in the quest to maintain customers and win new ones. Doesn’t the 3D opportunity just make the next investment decision for large format print providers that bit harder? I think it depends on the aspirations and strategic objectives of the individual business. A good number of your readers are already running successful, profitable companies, having found their “niche” offering to respective clients. That said, leaving one’s comfort zone to explore and add new applications to your offering and “future-proof” business is always healthy and helps retain competitive edge. To some extent, the 2D large format opportunity has already reached its peak, insofar as print speeds and output quality, as well as the range of projects that are achievable. As a technology that has only just arrived in the graphic arts sector, the time is ripe to seize the day and take the lead by differentiating your service capabilities and adding a new dimension to your business.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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Photo: massivit 3d.

WE CAUGHT UP with Avner Israeli, CEO of Massivit 3D, to hear more about how businesses in the large format/sign sector could potentially benefit from 3D printing. (Note: Massivit 3D offers the Massivit 1800 3D printer, which uses proprietary Gel Dispensing Printing and a unique printing gel, Dimengel.)

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Continued from page 33 “Contour cutting to show off a unique shape often can grab the attention of a distracted buyer. Point-of-purchase displays on unique substrates can empower users to stand out from the advertising clutter we all are initiated with each day,” suggests Wysong. Advancements in UV-LED printing have made it easier for providers to also customize high-end P-O-P displays in shopping malls, restaurants, hotels and hospitals. “These businesses can now

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produce and use highly creative promotional aesthetics, instead of the same old canned, tired patterns,” says Valade. Dye Sublimation. Over the past several years, dye sublimation has made significant progress into the digital print vocabulary. One reason for this is that there are numerous capabilities that are attractive to a sign or graphics business. Dye sublimation technology allows for the application of vivid graphics, rich

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Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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colors, and high-definition photos onto highly durable interior soft and hard signage substrates that won’t peel, crack, or fade over time. “Sublimated signs can withstand a lot of environmental factors, such as extreme heat, cleaning, and touching and still be as perfect as the day they were printed,” says Robin Kavanagh, public relations manager at Sawgrass (sawgrassink.com). Kavanagh finds customers are willing to pay more for sublimated signs because of their superior graphic delivery and durability. “For example, a customer would likely pay more for a sublimated menu featuring a design created specifically for their business and interior décor than they would a simpler, more generic type of menu,” she says. Even more attractive is that now you can sublimate in fluorescent colors to create high-visibility signage. “There’s also an expanded gamut ink that gives sign makers greater color-matching capabilities for logos, brand colors, and PANTONE®,” says Kavanagh. Finally, adding sublimation technology to your shop enables you to offer a wider array of products to your customers. Because you can sublimate onto hundreds of different kinds of products, you can become a one-stop shop for many of their needs. “Say you have a new hotel opening in town, and they come to you for interior and promotional signage,” says Kavanagh. “With sublimation capabilities, you can also offer to make name tags and uniforms for the staff, drinkwear and linens with logos, artwork for the walls and lobby, promotional items, and more.” To get set up, you’ll need a computer with graphics software, a printer designed to work with sublimation inks and transfer paper, and a heat press. “Buy the smallest printer and press that will accommodate the largest product you want to offer,” recommends Kavanagh. Printers can run as small as desktop models with maximum media sizes of 8-1/2-by-14 inches and 13-by-19 inches to mid-level roller printers at twentyfive-, thirty-six-, and forty-two-inch widths to wide format printers at fortyfour inches or wider. “Your heat press should be large enough to accommodate the largest print you can make,” concludes Kavanagh. signshop.com

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SunDance’s Successful Expedition This print shop is staking out its path to wide format excellence.

hat do you do after operating a 50,000-acre game reserve and cattle ranch in Kenya? You buy a fine-art print business in Orlando, of course, and then proceed to turn that company into a successful full-service

print operation complete with wide format digital and finishing services. At least this is what JohnHenry Ruggieri and family have done with SunDance in Orlando, Florida. For them, it’s been all about establishing a printing ecosystem while taming

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

some of the “wilder” beasts in the output jungle.

Cattle Ranching to Print Herding JohnHenry’s father and stepmother purchased the original SunDance company—a fine-art publishing house—in 2006, satisfysignshop.com

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Finishing equipment helps Sundance keep all of its services in-house.

all Photos: sundance.

SunDance offers a variety of products and services, including printing for convention center events.

ing his stepmother’s desire to pursue other opportunities outside of the cattle-ranching business, which his father had been running in Kenya since the mid-1990s. SunDance presented an opportunity for the couple to not only work together but to also create a legacy. Remaining behind in Kenya to run the cattle ranch were JohnHenry and his wife, Sarah— for a while. The firm was producing fine-art prints on offset and digital presses primarily selling these to a corporate clientele. But the addition of a new partner—a seasignshop.com

soned executive with commercial-print expertise—showed the Ruggieri family that there were profits to be made beyond the fine-art market “She helped SunDance get into the commercial-print business,” says JohnHenry. “She was willing to show us the ropes but wanted a definite exit after a few years to take on other projects.” It was such a win-win for both parties that, in 2008, the company split the business—SunDance Graphics (sdgraphics. com), the fine-art publisher and art licensor run by JohnHenry’s step-mother and his wife, and SunDance (sundanceusa. com), headed up by JohnHenry (now managing director) and his father and catering to the commercial marketplace. An additional partner, Brad Taylor, joined the company in 2010 to focus on sales and accounting. “Eventually, we moved into wide format,” says JohnHenry. “Virtually every line of business was growing year-over-year, especially the wide format area. Interestingly there was less head-to-head competition in this space—and potentially more profit than in traditional print models.” And although most of the company’s growth has been organic, it’s taken the acquisition route, too: It acquired a local finishing house in 2014, adding laminating, foil stamping, die cutting, and more to its in-house services. Because of this, lead times and turnaround times have become much shorter. The company realized a 24 percent

CAGR this past year, and just one of the reasons for this success is its staff and employees. “Let’s face it, this is a commodity marketplace,” says JohnHenry. “There are very few barriers to entry; anyone can buy a machine. But we take pride in our people—they’re our biggest asset. We have forty-three employees now, and we have very little turnover. “We work very hard in cross-training and in developing a culture to please the customer and in bringing neat products to market. People who work in the print industry respond to this type of culture.”

Wide Kingdom Sundance has invested heavily in the digital wide format side of the equation. Its wide format equipment runs the gamut: a 126-inch HP Latex 3000 and 98-inch HP Scitex FB700 flatbed (with white ink); a 54-inch Mimaki CJV30130 white and metallic printer (with inline cutting capabilities); a 64-inch Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 eco-solvent printer and Epson 9800 Ultrachrome K3 with aqueous inks; and a 42-inch HP Designjet Z6100 printer/proofer. It bolsters the print side with finishing capabilities in the form of a Zünd L-3000 digital cutter, a 60-inch GBC Pro-Tech Orca I laminator, a Stimpson 488 automatic grommet machine, and more. Also in its arsenal are a laser engraver, a full complement of narrow format digital options and offset press and bindery

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

Freestanding, life-sized character cut-outs are printed and cut from 1/2-inch foam board.

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Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

machinery and tools, a 3-D printer prototype machine, and mailing equipment. Of course, JohnHenry and company continue to keep an eye out for what new equipment might benefit his customers. “Spot UV seems to be making a comeback of late,” he says, “so we’re looking at a printer that will allow us to expand those capabilities.” A few of the company’s recent wide format projects include: Dorm wall wrap for BethuneCookman University: This private Daytona Beach, Florida school wanted a wall wrap that would create an aesthetically pleasing environment for current students and also serve as a “showcase wall” during new-student tours. SunDance designed, printed, and installed a wrap that captured the university’s legacy, history, and core values while retaining its brand integrity. They also included framed art, printed acrylics, and wall decals. Wide format cutouts for EA Sports: To recreate real-world versions of its video-game environments at the annual Orlando Electronic Interactive Entertainment Convention, EA Sports enlisted SunDance to create freestanding, life-sized character cutouts and backdrops from its games. The characters were printed directly onto 1/2-inch foam board using the HP FB700, cut on the Zünd cutter, and installed on Mighty Mounts so they could stand freely. Some of the backdrops were printed on foam board, while others were printed onto fabric. Props and video games tied it all together so that each booth became an extension of game. “Strike Up” ride for Credit Karma: In Southern California, Credit Karma sponsored Cinco de Mayo events that insignshop.com

THE REAL CHOICE FOR GROWTH The new Océ Arizona® 1200 Series is a high-quality printing system with a mission! It has been designed for even greater image quality, versatility and ease of use. New features include a choice of light cyan and light magenta inks for enhanced highlight and quartertone reproduction, enabling you to produce higher quality products and fine art applications with ease.

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This new concept in flatbed technology will allow you to grow your business by producing a broader range of higher-margin custom applications including textile, flooring, wallpaper, stained glass, paneling, furniture, and even ceiling tiles, in addition to the traditional markets such as POP displays and more. Visit booth #1536 at the SGIA Show for the must-see APP ROOM!

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Canon Solutions America, Inc. All rights reserved 2016. All other referenced product names and marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged. © Océ and Océ Arizona are registered trademarks of Océ-Technologies B.V. in the United States and elsewhere. Canon is a registered trademark of Canon Inc. in the United States and elsewhere.

Utilizing its laser engraver, SunDance custom engraves wooden wine boxes.

www.fasi.org

Dedicated to the sign industry

cluded a temporarily installed Strike Up ride complete with the firm’s branding. SunDance produced an original set of graphics output onto 3A Composites Dibond, a 5-by-20-foot banner graphic for the ride’s centerpiece, and a header graphic. Wall acrylics for Teledyne: When its corporate lobby acrylics had become outdated, Teledyne Oil & Gas turned to SunDance to produce new, updated versions. Teledyne provided the files and precise measurements, and SunDance output them in varying sizes onto 1/4inch clear acrylic. To protect the pieces from scratching (and to block light), the job was reverseprinted with white laminate backers using the HP FB700. Brushed silver standoffs were used to wall-hang the acrylics.

Ancillary Products Congratulations to our Sign Industry Trade Associations for their accomplishments! • The International Sign Association’s Sign Expo is the most comprehensive sign-industry tradeshow in the world. Its 2016 show attracted more than 20,000 people and was the largest ISA show ever in Orlando. The show also included 38 educational sessions. • The United States Sign Council, in conjunction with Penn State, has advanced sign-industry research for two decades. Twenty research publications, related to safety, visual acuity, illumination, etc., are available on its website, www.ussc.org. The Foundation for the Advancement of the Sign Industry (FASI) salutes these achievements and pledges to support them and events sponsored by all sign groups.

Wade Swormstedt, Executive Director Email: wade@fasi.org Phone: (513) 701-2197 42

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

SunDance offers several products that exemplify the company’s willingness to expand its offerings, such as: Wall décor: They sell a range of wall-decoration types for indoor or outdoor use in office, industrial, retail, and home environments—on calendered vinyl for short-term and cast vinyl for longer-term applications, with or without overlam. Canvas prints: Its roots in the publishing world and its connection to sister company SunDance Graphics allows the firm to market canvas prints to clients in corporate, industrial, hospitality, and retail markets. Custom wine boxes: Utilizing its laser engraver, SunDance custom engraves wooden wine boxes that can serve as unique promotional or client gifts. The engraver, which boasts a work area of 51-by-35 inches (and 8 inches high), is also used to engrave on plastics, glass, leather, and fabrics. signshop.com

The company installs a wide range of vinyl and foam board wall decorations for industrial and office clients.

Convention center printing: Because of SunDance’s mix of wide and narrow format capabilities, it can offer exhibiting companies at the nearby Orange County Convention Center (less than five miles away) everything from booth and sign printing to catalogs, show dailies, and even convention badges—all at the last minute.

Green Core Values SunDance has not neglected its “green” roots, which reach back to JohnHenry’s father’s deep involvement with conservation in Kenya as well as pursuing a PhD in Wildlife Ecology. The company continues to emphasize sustainability and makes it “part of the company’s ongoing mentality, one of [their] core values.” + The shop was the first commercial offset print operation in the state of Florida to receive certification through the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), and it’s also been FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council). + Whenever possible, it uses materials derived from renewable resources or with low environmental impact, taking into account recycling and recovery efforts. + It uses low-VOC solvents and vegetable-based inks and recycles all of its paper waste (and plates). + It tracks its usage of raw materials, making a concerted effort to reduce consumption over time. “We care about the next generation and what effect this industry can have on the environment,” says JohnHenry. Gregory Sharpless has covered digital printing since its inception; he is the former Editor of The Big Picture and Digital Output magazines. signshop.com

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

I d e n t i t y S i g n / B y C A R Y N M E LT O N & J E F F W O O T E N / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Sign of thebig storm Craft brewing a one-of-a-kind landmark lighthouse sign.

ig Storm Brewing Co. (Big Storm) began in 2012 in Tampa Bay, Florida, to fill a void in the local craft beer marketâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;approachable beer, made with spirit, authenticity, and quality. From the quintessential beer nerd to the novice beer drinker, the company has earned the reputation for being exceptionally drinkable. 44

Big Storm is a true craft pioneer using locally sourced ingredients like wild flower honey to lend a subtle sweetness. Their award-winning suds are named after the common summer storms along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Big Storm is committed to growing the brand in Florida, specifically the Tampa Bay area.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

Consumer demand meant expansion, so this past spring, Big Storm completed construction on a state-of-theart, 16,000-square-foot brewery and tap room with a thirty-barrel production system in a converted warehouse in Clearwater, Florida. To visually identify and brand this new facility, Founder Mike Bishop, signshop.com

Photos (this page, opposite): whiteline creative, llc.

CEO Jonathan Golden, and Principals father and son Leo J. Govoni and son Leo “LJ” Govoni knew they needed signage that was just as outstanding and unique as their beers. Continuing with their commitment to authentic and local, they turned to forty-seven-year-old national sign manufacturer Thomas Sign & Awning Company, Inc., also of Clearwater, Florida, to design, manufacture, and install an on-premise identity sign for the new site. The company has built quite a reputation as a custom signage provider for lots of unique projects such as LEGOLAND® theme park, Walt Disney World® resorts, and the largest North American-built sundial in St. Petersburg, Florida. Big Storm contacted Kevin Hunsicker, long-time executive sales director at Thomas Sign & Awning, to lead the project. “We had a vision of what the sign should look like,” comments Golden. “Then it was just a matter of finding the right company that could implement and manufacture our idea.” The original idea proposed by Thomas Sign & Awning was a giant beer mug, but the Big Storm team knew that a custom pylon resembling a New England-style lighthouse amidst a brewing storm (to play off the company’s name) would make a more noticeable addition to the surrounding landscape and even become a landmark, particularly in the light industrial neighborhood where the brewery is housed. “We’re located off a six-lane street, where traffic is passing by at forty to fifty miles per hour,” says Golden. “It was very compelling to have something [there] that would be different for people’s normal daily routine yet be easily recognizable and identifiable. “We’re not anywhere near a beach or jetty that would have a lighthouse. So that juxtaposition and contrast of the area and the lighthouse make it stand out even more.” The Thomas Sign & Awning art department picked an image of a lighthouse out of the Northeast corridor coastline, imported it into CorelDRAW®, and designed from there. To complete the comprehensive design, they also incorporated an electronic message center (EMC) and their main identity around that theme. The cabinet, resembling the lighthouse, is round aluminum with a base signshop.com

The twenty-five-foottall lighthouse sign comes with LED lighting and an EMC.

We’re not anywhere near a beach or jetty that would have a lighthouse. So that juxtaposition and contrast make it stand out even more. width of eight feet tapering to four feet and an overall height of twenty-five feet, which required special zoning approval. “I do a lot of work with the local municipality,” says Hunsicker, “and they had never dealt with a lighthouse design before. So we did a lot of back-and-forth with them to avoid variances. We worked directly with the building department to ensure they would be very pleased with the end result.” The “Big Storm Brewing Co.” graphics are a double-faced, pan-formed, em-

bossed sign face. The “brewing storm” was depicted by two channel letter-style, face-lit LED lightning bolts measuring 18-by-48 inches. The entire lighthouse was painted using AkzoNobel acrylic-polyurethane paints. Polycarbonate railing and translucent plastic windows with 3M vinyl applied over them were added design elements. Thomas Sign & Awning placed LED modules from HanleyLED behind the windows. “The windows light up on the side of the lighthouse, the main identity

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

of Big Storm, the lighting bolts, and the EMCs,” says Hunsicker. (Note: LED uplighting around the base illuminates the column as well.) To grab the center attraction, a 5-by-10-foot double-faced electronic display by California-based OPTEC Displays, Inc.® with a 10MM, RGB full-motion video board was added and tied to the main frames. The electronic display features products and promotions—especially their craft beers—to wait-out any storm. From day one, Thomas Sign & Awning always included an EMC as part of their package to Big Storm. They provided designs with a general square footage template, and then as things got more serious, they brought Optec in to do a demo. “I showed them 4-by-8-foot 10mm and 16mm models on my demo trailer, so they could visually [judge] both resolutions,” says Shawn Klinger, southeast regional sales manager at Optec Displays. “Once they saw the clarity of the 10mm to the 16mm, they selected the tighter pitch option.” It may look like the EMC has been

added onto the lighthouse structure, but truth be told, it is completely enclosed with all the tiles and power supplies. Optec manufactured the LED display and shipped it to Thomas Sign & Awn-

To grab center attention, a double-faced, 10 mm electronic display was added onto the lighthouse sign.

ing in a single enclosure cabinet. The sign company then nailed it to the bracket system they created. It has the proper ventilation necessary to keep the sign running long into the future. Big Storm, who’s Oktoberfest beer won Florida’s state-wide competition for

“Best Beer in Florida,” is taking existing marketing promotions, creating imagery for it in Photoshop, and using Media Editor Pro Suite to schedule the content for the EMC and update it. “Customers in both the brewery and casino industries are very point-of-purchase-driven, so as a result, they like having content, layout, and delivery fully at their control and are well prepared to do so,” says Klinger. “They were basically able to take existing marketing promotions and Web site backgrounds and reformat them for the display. “The [Big Storm] marketing department really invests in ensuring not only that it looks good but also that the looping content works well. They’re very proactive in making sure the colors lay out and transition and work to the brand presentation that they want done.” An automated light sensor on the display adjusts its brightness based on the ambient light readings and falls within national standards. “Sometimes people make a decision based on profit and money, and in

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Big Storm repurposes marketing promotions for the EMC content.

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Photo: robert blyth, optec dispays, inc.

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

this instance, Big Storm made a decision based on their brand clarity,” says Klinger. “The brewery is so driven in knowing what their brand is, and from a consistency level, they wanted to see the products’ colors and clarity levels that were offered. “It’s not a cookie-cutter sign that many businesses opt to do.” Since Thomas Sign & Awning is located in close proximity to Big Storm’s new facility, they designed the sign with anchor bolts and completely fabricated the structure in their shop. Because of this, they built a steel cage support structure around the twenty-five-foottall lighthouse so they could load it on their large trailer and transport it early in the morning to minimize any traffic congestion, since it was technically classified over height and over width. The 3-by-12-foot deep auger foundation with rebar includes base plates and anchor bolts. With two of Thomas’ sixtyfive-foot Elliott cranes on site, workers were able to lift and set the lighthouse all in one day. There may be a “Big Storm Brewing,”

but this lighthouse isn’t going anywhere. It’s able to withstand any storm since the structure was engineered to 165 milesper-hour wind load. “We even had to do an internal engineering analysis for the

Sometimes people make a decision based on profit and money, and in this instance, Big Storm made a decision based on their brand clarity.

local building department,” says Hunsicker, “so that, in case the sheet metal shears off, there would be interior wind deflection engineering done.” Golden is grateful his company hasn’t

had a chance yet to test out its hurricanepreparedness. “We do have these raging Armageddon-type thunderstorms in Florida in the summer that last twenty minutes and then the sky is clear,” he says. “So far, the sign has withstood all of those storms.” After the lighthouse sign was set up, Big Storm tackled landscaping. “After going through thousands of questions during the build and install of the sign, figuring out what plants we were going to put around it wasn’t high on our priority list,” laughs Golden. However working with the engineer and landscaper, he soon found that adding sand-colored ivory white stones around the lighthouse brought another interesting dimension to it, almost like it was at the beach. “The landscaping on that little strip of land really helped the sign,” says Golden. The lighthouse is proving so popular that people are having their pictures taken standing in front of it. “Thomas Sign & Awning was able to take our idea and create this iconic landmark,” says Golden, “and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

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Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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Photo: robert blyth, optec displays, inc.

An automated light sensor on the display adjusts its brightness based on the ambient light readings.

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

EXPERIENCE THE EVOLUTION OF

THE SIGN INDUSTRY’S LARGEST BUYING SHOW! We challenged ourselves to make Sign World more relevant, more interactive, more beneficial to your bottom line. Join us in Atlantic City and experience all that’s new for 2016.

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WORK SMARTER AND MORE PROFITABLY with insights gleaned from Sign World’s all-new seminar lineup for 2016. We’ve tapped some of the industry’s best minds to share the tools, processes, practices and opportunities that spell success in today’s sign marketplace. Topics include:

ADA SIGNS – COMPLIANCE, MATERIALS, WAYFINDING

HOW TO ESTIMATE AND PRICE SIGNS

NAVIGATING AWAY FROM PRICE

Mike Santos, Nova Polymers

Dan Hale, QRS Sign, Inc.

Dave Fellman, Fellman Associates

SKETCHUP MODELING FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

MANAGING CONSISTENT COLOR OUTPUT ON YOUR DIGITAL PRINTER

HIRING, MANAGING & MOTIVATING TO THE OPTIMUM SIGN SALES DNA

Keith Davis, KRD Design

Mark Maynard, Onyx Graphics

Dave Fellman, Fellman Associates

HOW TO USE USSC RESEARCH INFORMATION IN YOUR SIGN BUSINESS

WORKING WITH SIGN ENGINEERS

DIGITAL SIGNAGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIGN SHOPS

Louis Cortina, PE, Michael Brady Engineering Inc.

Mike Kilian, Mvix

Rick Crawford, Mercer Sign Consultants

CUSTOM LETTERING EFFECTS IN CORELDRAW

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Your Direct Source for Sign Information 3 Easy Steps

Receive vital product and service information from manufacturers and distributors by completing the adjacent card or visiting www.signshop.com/infodirect

1. Choose up to 10 categories of interest and check off on card. 2. Select up to 28 suppliers and record InfoDirect # on card. 3. Mail card to start getting info! Page

InfoDirect #

3A Composites USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Mimaki USA, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

4Ever Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Mutoh America, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

3M Commercial Graphics . . . . . . . . 17

4over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3

Nixalite of America Inc. . . . . . . . . . 66

4over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

AdamsTech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Nova Polymers.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ASAP Printing Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

AkzoNobel Coatings . . . . . . . . . TAB B

OKI Data Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions. . 16

Alpina Manufacturing LLC. . . . . . . . 67

Orafol Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Colex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Alpina Manufacturing LLC. . . . . . . . 67

Orbus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Coveris Advanced Coatings. . . . . . . 17

A.R.K. Ramos.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Orbus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Digital Imaging Solutions. . . . . . . . 15

Biesse America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Orbus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Essentra Specialty Tapes. . . . . . . . 12

Brooklyn Hardware, LLC. . . . . . . . . 66

Ornamental Post, Panel & Traffic. . 66

Grimco, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

CAB Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Osram GmbH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2

Kett Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Canon Solutions America, Inc.. . . . 41

Outwater Plastics Industries . . . . . 24

Keystone Technologies. . . . . . . . . . 12

Clarke Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Rowmark, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

LaserBits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

DreamScape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Rowmark, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . Outsert

MagX America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Duxbury Systems, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 66

Sign Bracket Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Mimaki USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Echod Graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Signs365. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4

Roland DGA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Epilog Laser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Small Balls, Inc. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Rowmark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Epson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Southern Stud Weld, Inc. . . . . . . . . 67

Trotec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

FASI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Stamm Manufacturing.. . . . . . . . . . 47

FASTENation, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Stimpson Company, Inc.. . . . . . . . . 30

FastSigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TAB A

Stouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Fisher Textiles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Top Value Fabrics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Gemini, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Trotec Laser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Hartlauer Bits Inc... . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Universal Laser Systems . . . . . . . . 29

International Sign Association. . . . 57

US LED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

J. Freeman Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

USSC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36A-L

Johnson Plastics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

USSC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50-51

Laguna Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Vista System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Lidco Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Wilkie Mfg., LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Magnum Magnetics Corp.. . . . . . . . 15

Master Magnetics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Matthews Paint Company. . . . . . . . 23

InfoDirect #

Company

Sign Builder Illustrated // September January 2014 2016

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Awnings / By PETER PERSZYK ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Get Graphic with Awnings Interesting designs being featured on todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s awnings.

e are seeing more awnings being put up that are very distinctive in design and execution. Years ago, the secret trick was to get a permit for an awning (something easy to do) then install one that just happened to have text or graphics sewn into it. Voila! You now also have a sign! signshop.com

The idea now is to simplify the sign and use the lightweight tube frame construction of an awning to span open areas. So not only do you have something that protects against the local weather and meets local requirements, but you also have something that creates architectural components and hosts graphics. Graphics are a central item to many

awning designs. In the past, fabrics were touted as the key; available materials had stripes and interesting colors. But the inclusion of digital printing his long surpassed the era of sewingonly construction. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a look at some examples of interesting designs and graphics featured on awnings today:

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

Photo 1. Framed complex aluminum tubular frames are the workhorse of many an awning skeleton, yet it’s one item that’s missing from this example. Visibly framed with a mix of rounds and squares, this layout is nicely understated. Notice the symmetry—the corner flanges that double as the return attachment point and the vertical flanges attached midway up. It’s interesting how they attach to the frame and to 54

the building. This awning is a lesson in obstruction avoidance and was crafted—not just built and installed. There’s also repetition, which appears to be a simple function in awning design and installation. The breaks, in some cases, are simply patterned after the sections of the building they’re mounted to. But notice how we up the ante with the nice mounting style. The three

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

square frame panels are so taut, one may be forgiven for thinking they’re made of something other than fabric. Photo 2. The matte tone finish featured on several of these awnings creates a bit of elegance. So too does the clean fit and finish of the flat surface tensioned like a drumhead. Once again, repetition is visible in this example—but here it’s the logo that’s signshop.com

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being repeated to drive home the point of where you are and why you’re there. There are a combination of colors and shapes that meld together in harmony and make this plain building special. The white copy on a black background also provides a nice contrast. Photo 3. This example hits all the classic awning hallmarks: the tubular aluminum frame, the angle coming down off the building, and the vertical drop at the end with some block text on it. What sets this awning apart is the textural pattern running across the upper burgundy area and the large logo on the central section. It looks and functions like an awning but acts like a sign. This is especially true at night, with those downlights added in the dark cornice above. This establishment is on the corner of the block. It has ten sections, only three of which are shown in the photo. The combination of these awnings above the plate glass windows completes the architecture. Photo 4. The egg-shaped end protrusions look unworldly compared to other awning designs. Here the lighting is off the surface (cleanly installed and focused) and features 56

the same-colored paint as the mounts. The lamps have a curvaceous bend and are angled to point the lighting onto the central feature element. I started to think that repetition was the only way awnings are installed these days, but in reality, my focus appears drawn to the uniqueness that some visuals provide. Here the row of canvases, all in a straight line, are part of the appeal. Photo 5. The layout of a very long sign is often hard to get right—unless there is graphic repetition. Design with flexibility but be sure to measure twice and cut once. Notice that the awnings here are bright and colorful compared to the stone and steel property behind them. With the frame featuring a very box-like shape, the blue covering wraps smoothly onto the sides. This clean look is one of the big plusses of an awning over a sign cabinet. And it should be easier to make and install several smaller, complete units (shown here) than it is to attempt one extremely long awning. Plus smaller awnings allow for obstruction avoidance. Photo 6. This image has been cropped to show a single awning. Although it re-

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

peats in the real world, the focus is on the interaction of the awning with the building and its window and frame. The upper panel is set into the top, curved to match exactly as it should be. It juts slightly out into the air so that it doesn’t exceed the keystone decoration above it. The face is flat and not very awning-like; however it still functions as a sign face. Below the top awning, the top curve of the window emulates like a reflection in the fully exposed cross brace of another awning. The mounts and the lighting frost the cake nicely, with the “SAQ” signature and logo set as white copy on a burgundy background making a very appealing contrast. Photo 7. Here is a sign maker’s delight— a thinking client who has a sign, a set of channel letters, window graphics, custom neon, and a crazy-shaped awning! This wonderful blue wall wing has an aberrant look—all points and valleys. There are no curves or angular lines; nothing is level. The underpinning is topped with a splayed gaggle of spotlights for a cool, blue nighttime glow. It’s weird, and it’s an awning! signshop.com

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A DA / B y Lo r i s h r i d h a r e / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Think out-of-the-box as to what types of interior signage will complement the overall environment.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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Advancing ADA

Sign Design

New techniques shape the direction of ADA signage.

all Photos: encompass sign systems.

hen the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed twenty-six years ago, the first goal was functionality in accordance with the guidelines issued in 1991 and effective in 1992. Over two decades later, functionality has merged with design aesthetics to create dynamic and elegant signage that both serves its purpose to guide the disabled and also to identify and brand the environment. To review some of the basics, the SEGD 2012 ADA White Paper Update, which aims to help sign shops meet the Standards for Accessible Design’s updated 2010 guidelines, states, “All signs are required to have a non-glare finish, and both Raised and Visual Characters are required to contrast with their background, either dark-against-light or light-against-

New materials, unique texturing, and creative techniques are being combined to produce sign packages that help companies extend their brand.

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dark, unless separate Raised and Visual Characters are provided.” Specifically the document notes that, while contrast requirements are not outlined in the standards, “good contrast between characters and pictograms is extremely important for accessibility and legibility,” with a recommended 70 percent contrast. When it comes to graphics, the guidelines state that the pictograms on a sign must be located within a six-inch vertical space: “Nothing else (characters, Braille, etc.) can be present within the space with the pictogram. All characters and text should be located directly underneath the pictogram.” And as a reminder on location guidelines: “Signs identifying a ‘permanent’ room or space must be mounted on the wall next to the door, on the latch (‘strike’) side so that the sign’s location

relative to the door hardware is predictable for a blind or severely visually disabled person.” Only signs identifying permanent rooms and spaces are required to utilize Raised Characters and Braille, and the guidelines acknowledge in their FAQs the confusion over what constitutes a “permanent” room. One rule of thumb according to the guidelines: “A temporary room is one that exists for seven days or less.” (Note: Even if a building already has ADA signs in place, they must be updated to abide by the latest ADA guidelines whenever significant renovations take place.) As the landscape for ADA design expands, companies are working with new techniques to create this signage. “New-age thermoforming, or compression molding, is a manufacturing

Which Tactile Signs are Buildings Required to Have? Every public building must have a certain set of tactile signs in place that comply with the ADA guidelines. While ADA guidelines are relatively easy to follow, the penalties for breaking them can amount to fines and litigation. To reduce these risks, designers should make sure they fully understand what signs are required to be posted in all commercial buildings.

The ADA defines a commercial building as a facility used as, or designed or constructed for use as, a place of public accommodation. These can include: + Hotels + Schools & campuses + Restaurants & bars + Corporate offices + Manufacturing plants & warehouses + Municipal buildings

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

process relatively new to the ADA sign industry,” says Phil Quattrocchi, president of Minnesota-based wholesaler Encompass Sign Systems. “It yields the most durable ADA signs ever made. “Thermoformed signs are unique and very appealing to the owners of sign companies and their customers because they are durable, single-piece signs that are exterior-rated and highly-brandable.”

Only a few dozen manufacturers have cleared the high barrier of entry by investing heavily in thermoforming ADA interior signs. “Since the process is still largely unknown to many in the sign industry, only the early adopters have had a chance to develop a series of ‘best practices,’” says Quattrocchi. “The good news is that the process of generating a single sign is

An ADA Signage specialist since the early 1990s, CAB Signs produces photopolymer and applique signs for companies with premium quality and outstanding lead time.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

simpler and less costly than traditional methods, yet the design options are virtually unlimited.” One advantage to some of the new design options is the ability to embed dimensional pieces such as keys, leaves, fabrics, bamboo, and decorative aluminum into the ADA signage, thereby allowing clients to incorporate their brand stylings, colors, and logos in unprecedented ways. One example that Quattrocchi points out is a children’s museum located in the Upper Midwest that recently incorporated a themed element—a series of maple leaves—that was embedded in each of their ADA and directional signs throughout their environment. When it comes to materials used for ADA signage, Quattrocchi has seen that solid-surface Corian® and Avonite® are in high demand. “Natural wood grain texturing is also growing in popularity,” he says. “The unprecedented combination of these design-rich materials and contemporary techniques represent an exciting future in the world of sign making.” Encompass Sign Systems encourages sign makers to have their customers think outside-the-box as to what types of interior signage will complement their overall environment. “The goal is to collectively create a high-impact, interior signage package that will make their environment more pleasing to their employees and their customers,” says Quattrocchi. “What are the stylings of their brand, and how can we accentuate those stylings throughout signshop.com

ADA Signs that Must Always be Displayed In general, there are a few tactile signs that every commercial building must have, including: + Signs inside stairwells that identify the floor, stair, and exit levels + Signs by every elevator + Signs that identify restrooms (and accessible restrooms) + Signs identifying any permanent rooms Note: Permanent rooms are those that do not change function. These rooms must be identified by a sign with the room’s name (kitchens, closets, etc.). Any temporary rooms (offices, classrooms, etc.) that do not serve a permanent function can be identified with a number.

Signs That Do Not Need to be ADA-compliant There are certain interior and exterior signs that do not need to follow ADA guidelines, including: + Building addresses + Directories + Parking signs + Temporary signs (any signs that will be removed in less than seven days after installation) + Tactile sign specifications

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their environment? “A key mission of our design team is to help our clients understand the vast possibilities that now exist in the design of an interior sign package. Through these newly developed sign-making capabilities, we aim to create experiential environments for our clients and their customers in any industry.” One of the challenges sign companies face is ensuring the durability and longevity of ADA signage in unmonitored environments. Signs placed in schools, notes Quattrocchi, are subject to immediate vandalism, ultimately reflecting poorly on the sign company that provided them. “Combining new technologies, unique materials, and creative techniques enables a new-age solution for these challenging environments,” he says. Quattrocchi points out that virtually indestructible raised text can be achieved by inlaying each acrylic letter and then fusing it under heat and pressure to a clear acrylic substrate. “Placing all logos and pictograms on the subsurface of the clear acrylic sign and then back painting with the school color prevents damage to these key elements,” he says. In working with an ADA or identity sign manufacturer, Quattrocchi recommends looking for some key characteristics in your search: + As customer needs are varied, select a manufacturer with a diverse line of identity and ADA signage products. + Consider the new-age capabilities featured in thermoforming products. + Go with a company that is versed in the present and future ADA regulations; the company can then offer guidance on color contrasts, stroke widths, and which signs are required to feature Grade II Braille. Working with the above advice, sign companies can ensure that both function and aesthetics are integrated into their ADA signage programs. “An organization’s brand is vitally important to their work environment and their interior sign package must reflect that,” says Quattrocchi. “Unique texturing and new techniques are being combined to produce compelling sign packages that help companies effectively extend their brand throughout their work environments.”

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

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

We’ve Got You Covered Bold, yet simple graphics are key to designing EMS Vehicles.

ith a bountiful supply of diverse models—from SUVs to sedans to motorcycles—identifying an emergency services vehicle is critical in ensuring public safety. And while graphics that stand out are imperative, a design created for police, fire, and rescue employ a different set of standards than an advertising wrap on a vehicle. Elegant and streamlined graphics, along with traditional, regular fonts (not scripted), would be appropriate for EMS vehicle graphics. In so many words, “dramatic” would 62

not work for this industry. Post Falls, Idaho-based CW Wraps & Marketing (cwwraps.com) sees its share of projects for both vehicle graphics intended for marketing and those dedicated to emergency vehicles. Offering a range of full marketing services including branding, marketing, and signage products, the company works with both professional clients and also private clients just looking for some vinyl customization in their life— whether through re-skinning their boat or wrapping their RV, ATV, truck, golf carts, and even furniture.

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

CEO Sam Carlino says that the trend he currently sees in traditional marketing wraps is “busy” graphics with high readability and boldness. “[However with] emergency vehicle wrapping, readability is also important,” he says. “So instead of bold and busy, a clean, streamlined appearance is better.” Carlino notes that it’s critical for emergency vehicle graphics to stand out in a sea of wrapped vehicles advertising their respective companies, a strategy that he summarizes as “countering busy with conservative.” signshop.com

all Photos: cw wraps & Marketing.

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Although the final product may be more conservative than traditional marketing, the team at CW Wraps & Marketing still sits down with the client to discuss the look and feel of the graphics they are envisioning for their fleet. “Civil service is typically straightforward; they know what they want, but they still need professionals to turn their ideas into reality,” says Carlino. With five full-time designers and onsite eco-friendly printers, lamination machines, and plotters, the team takes on projects for city, county, and state agencies—including the quality control process that comes with working for such high-stakes clientele. “Public safety graphics typically incorporate reflective vinyl, which costs more but has obvious advantages on these types of vehicles, especially the fact that it provides more safety for cars on duty at night,” says Carlino. And thanks to new products, his company is able to do more with reflective vinyl than ever before. “With advances in reflective vinyl technology, we have the ability to install more creative and complex reflective vinyl,” says Carlino. “This includes the ability to print on reflective as well, giving the client better branding and creative abilities.” For municipalities with limited budgets, the company offers a partial wrap that includes all the effective elements of larger wraps. As with most design agencies, CW Wraps & Marketing provides a full layout and proof of each vehicle and template to ensure that every aspect of the design created is accurate. “Logos, slogans, and messaging are clarified and reviewed with the client to make sure that the client is pleased,” says Carlino. “If necessary, printed proofs and even a sample installation on a vehicle is provided to ensure all sizing, color, and location are done to exact specifications.” In their home base of Kootenai County, CW Wraps & Marketing recently embarked on a project to unify the local fire departments under one brand. As the county’s central emergency signshop.com

CW Wraps & Marketing sees its share of projects for both vehicle graphics dedicated to emergency vehicles (above) and those intended for marketing (below).

services are managed by the fire department and each of the departments are run as local units, the goal was to create a new logo and branding that would integrate and compliment both the EMS and fire service. The new branding also had to satisfy each of the multiple fire personnel involved

since they rotate vehicles and share these units. “Being proud of their individual units, each fire department wanted to have their mark on all of the fifteen ambulances,” says Carlino. “Obviously we couldn’t put their individual logos large as we’d need to peel and reap-

September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

CW Wraps & Marketing designed a treatment that allowed each unit’s logo to be minimized above the Maltese cross and caduceus.

ply new ones each time the ambulance would go to a different unit.” The company instead designed a treatment that allowed each unit’s logo to be minimized above the popular symbol for fire departments—the Maltese cross and caduceus. “This is an emblem they all stood behind,” says Carlino. “The result was clean, effective, and pleasing to all the agencies involved. This entire process was a large project, and took almost six months to finalize from design, production, and installation.” Another interesting project adopted the “bold” inherent in public safety and applied it to the world of truck design. For Power Products Unlimited (Diesel Power Products and Offroad Power Products), CW Wraps & Marketing created a new design to increase awareness and allow the client to stand out from the crowd for the 2015 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, a large annual auto event. “We sat down and went over a few designs and reviewed the various types of vinyl and laminate material we could use to develop a unique wrap,” says 64

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

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Carlino. “We developed a strategy to use different finishes, as well as reflective vinyl, and print to create stunning graphics that can’t be missed.” By incorporating various techniques, finishes, and reflective vinyl, vehicle graphics become distinctive without being too loud or dramatic. Carlino underscores the key to successful advertising wraps is to look beyond the obvious. “Bold graphics certainly help, but the real advantage to vinyl wrap advertising is the placement,” he says. “Most vehicles we wrap for a business will be used on their fleet to commute between jobs or park outside jobs. This provides a constant flow of impressions, and keeps their company top of mind in many cases.” Another key element to consider is readability.

Elegant and streamlined graphics—along with traditional, regular fonts—are best when designing graphics for EMS vehicles.

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Need advice? “Being a moving target most of the time, quickly readable is the ultimate goal,” says Carlino. “Proper use of fonts, color, and proper design are key. Bold, yet simple typically creates an easy impression that can be recalled faster.” Looking ahead to the future of vehicle wrapping—both on a local and national level—Carlino believes wraps are here to stay. “Affordability and increasingly efficient material production and technological advancements has mobile advertising high on the list of advertising options for a company,” he says, “and that’s not even taking into account the personal/private sector that is always leaning towards personal expression and customization.”

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

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September 2016 // Sign Builder Illustrated

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City Custom Cut

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or many shops, bottlenecks in workflow can come in the fabrication stage and slow down an entire project.To alleviate the crunch, shops often outsource portions of a job they don’t have the capabilities to complete or that another company can do faster. City Custom Cut (citycustomcut.com) aims to fill the outsourcing needs of sign shops. The newly formed LLC is a sister business of the sign company City Neon, which Sign Builder Illustrated has covered in its pages before (“Educated Wayfinding,” March 2016, and “Serving Up Neon,” November 2015). “This business is to help keep other companies lean by outsourcing segments of their operations that they find to be difficult because of cost, quality of equipment, or workforce production,” says Chris Atkins, vice president of City Neon. “We have each product broken down into specific stages to allow for customers to take over the completion of the products at whichever stage they are comfortable with.” The company specializes in aluminum work, including sign cabinets, snap frames, wall frames, raceways, and cutting tubing and angle. The seed of the idea for the company actually came from City Neon’s interest in purchasing an elumatec® Saw. City Neon realized that the exceptional efficiency of the saw would be better served in a separate processing facility that could handle lots of jobs. Thanks to help from investors, the City Custom Cut processing facility was born about a quarter of a

mile from City Neon. The new facility requires minimum employees as one person can run the saw as long as the instructions are followed. “That saw almost halves, if not cuts by 60 to 70 percent, our time on the cut versus using our miter saw,” says Atkins. In fact, City Custom Cut is currently working on a project that requires the company to cut $30,000 worth of extrusion. “It’s a perfect job for the elumatec saw as we are reducing the cutting time from three weeks to three days,” says Nick Parsons, operations manager of City Custom Cut. In addition to the elumatec saw, the facility includes a paint booth spraying Matthews Paint, and a wrapping machine that allows for easier packaging and the ability to keep a high volume of extrusions on the racks. There are also a number of mini forklifts, work benches, and open space to grow into. City Custom Cut also offers an EZ Kit™, which provides the pieces and instructions to build a lighted cabinet. The kit comes in three different depths starting at four-by-eight and under, and it includes a mandatory list of materials and an optional list so that users can customize the cabinets. The EZ Kit will be distributed through N. Glantz & Son. City Custom Cut’s goal is to build relationships and help customers succeed. “If you can improve production for somebody else, it’s only going to make that perception of your company better,” says Parsons, “and we feel that everyone will benefit.”

Sign Builder Illustrated // September 2016

all Photos: city custom cut.

A new company aims to fill the outsourcing needs of sign shops.

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