Speedpro Kingston

Sign and Digital Print - Part 2

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:42:56 EST

INDUSTRIAL & SAFETY

Large industries are always in the market for directional and safety signs. Most industries are always changing signs or they get damaged. The WCB also regulates constant rules of proper updated safety signage. The signs are generally wood or aluminum if they are to be permanent. Temporary signs are generally made out of coroplast. Also the industrial sites require decals of all types and sizes for their company vehicles, safety hard hats and safety directional lumeniscent hazards to name a few.

OFFICE SIGNAGE

In an typical office environment, they have a large sign in the front lobby that lists the companies in their building. Depending on the style, they are often rows of aluminum panels that have been formed or coated and then lettered with vinyl cut lettering. Sometimes they are engraved plastic signage. Most often, the signs on the office doors throughout the building are made of the same matching product to give that polished, professional look.

POINT OF PURCHASE (POP)

Many stores have signs not only outside their stores but inside their locations advertising their latest specials or itemthat are big sellers. Examples are Mike's Milk or any other convenient store. POP can be banners or plastic signs placed anywhere in the view of the potenitial customer. Point of Purchase signs can also be in the form of floor graphics. A decal is placed on the floor and covered with a thick laminate. They can be used anywhere for example mall entrances, walls, big box stores, sidewalks, to convenience stores.

SANDWICH BOARDS (A-Frames)

Typically made out of MDO, PVC or another type of plastic, their size is 3ft H x 2ft W though they can be made larger. Meant to go outside on sidewalks so they are constructed to withstand the elements. Another option of the A-frame is metal, and the frame is made so you can interchange and slide a sheet of coroplast or PVC at a moments notice. Recently, Kingston has changed their bylaws restricting A-frames to particular sizes, so make sure that you aware of the regulations for your area.

PYLON & POLE SIGNS

Some signcans are between poles or others are freestanding structure, these are called Pylon signs. Some are mounted on a single pole and these are known as Polesigns. Varies examples are at the big box stores or at various commerical retail stores.

NON LIT FASCIA SIGNS

Some store front signage is not backlit. Generally this is in areas that are semi-industrial areas where there is little night-time traffic or heritage areas where the bylaws prohibit them.

WINDOW GRAPHICS

It is vinyl applied to the windows, the vinyl can be cut or printed. Depending on impression you're looking for, frosted vinyl creates an etched glass look. Another idea, Window Perf can also be printed on, so for those inside can see out and people outside have a harder time looking into the building or window. It is installed on the outside of the window.

WALL GRAPHICS

This is graphics that are applied on the inside or the outside walls of a building. Traditionally this was done with paint, but the top manufacturers have developed a vinyl specifically for short term wall graphics. In historic downtown Kingston, there are many ideas for outdoor wall graphics for our four seasons, or advertising a prominent event occurring in the near future. If this idea is too big, then another option is mounting a frame to the wall and installing a large banner sign.

tags: Sign and Digital Print, graphics, window perf,

Sign and Digital Print

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:11:39 EST

BILLBOARDS

Make smaller billboards from several sheets of MDO and apply a printed adhesive to the face. You can also make them by using regular plywood and stapling a banner to the face. Then the next step is a matter of digging holes for the posts, attaching the MDO sheets to the posts, lifting up the sign and cementing the post into the holes and then bracing them from behind.

DEVELOPMENT SIGNAGE

When a new development is being proposed, the municipality requires the developer to post a sign explaining to the public what is being proposed if there is rezoning involved. After the approval, a sign may go up telling the public the name of the development and/or the developer, contractor or the designer. At times, several signs are required to convey this information depending on the scope of the property.

HOARDING

It is for construction sites that consist of sheets of substrate (usually MDO or aluminum composite sheets) attached side by side to the perimeter fence around the site. Another method is attaching a mesh banner to the chain link fencing. This purpose of the signage is to advertise the development that is being built.

tags: Sign and Digital Print

Substrates - Part 3

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:59:57 EST

METAL ALUMINUM This is a substrate used for road and safety signage. They are light and very durable and their outdoor life expectancy is 10 years or more. Most highway signs should be reflective so they would either have a coat of white reflective vinyl or reflective lettering on them. Avoid putting reflective lettering on a reflective background.

METAL/PLASTIC Some substrates are made from plastic (either solid or a hard corrugation) that has been covered on both sides with aluminum. This combination makes the sign light, strong and durable.

METAL/WOOD Some subrates are made from wood covered with aluminum on both sides. This makes it stronger an ordinary aluminum sign and more resistant to the elements than an ordinary MDO sign.

MIRTEC/VISTA Formed aluminum signage made for office signs. The aluminum has edges that clip onto plastic holders that have been attached to doors or door frames for example.

VINYL BANNERS Banners are typically made of a plastic vinyl material. They have a grain similiar to cloth and they come in different weights. The heavier the banner the more durable it is for outside. The banners are generally only used on one side and are translucent. If you need the message on both sides (like a street banner) you will require the banner to be double sided and opaque.

MDO (MEDIUM DENSITY OVERLAY) This is a plywood signboard that has been coated with a laminate to produce a smooth surface. These signs are used most commonly in development and large highway signs.

MAGNETICS This is removable signage to go on vehicles or another metal surface. Avoid making the magnetics too big or they can fall off if they are going on a moving vehicle.

SHOWCARD Also known as Bristol Board, which is a thin cardboard used for temporary displays.

tags: Types of Substrates

Substrates - Part 2

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:56:24 EST

THIN PLASTIC

Styrene Also known as polystrene. This is a light flexible plastic that is suitable for indoor displays. It can be rolled up and stored making it ideal for Tradeshow signage. It is very durable, but has a short exterior life expectancy so it is not recommended for outdoor use.

ABS ABS is a more expensive alternative to ordinary polystyrene. People in the Tradeshow industry will generally prefer this material because it can more abuse.

PETG & Thin Lexan PETG and Lexan can also be produced as thin as styrene and unlike styrene, which is white, Lexan is semi clear. Used a lot for tradeshow signage.

Translucent Plastic - Acrylic Also known as Plexiglas though this is a brand name. This is great for interior and exterior use where the customer wants a classier look. Because it is translucent it is also used for backlit sign cans. It will easily last 10 years indoors.

Polycarbonate Also known as Lexan (common brand name) has similiar uses as Acrylic but it is 50 times harder to break. It is used for storefront signage in areas where there is a lot of vandalism. This material can be easily scratched and is more expensive than regular acrylic.

tags: Types of Substrates

Substrates

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:52:04 EST

PLASTIC

Generally these are the most economical substrates. There are a variety of substrates to use depending on the application. Some are more dursable than others.

COROPLAST

This is the most economical of all sign substrates. Coroplast does not resist the elements well so it is not suitable for long term out side use. The edges tend to look worn after some time. It is suitable for temporary use outside such as on construction sites (where looks aren't important) or real estate lawn signs. It can be used for temporary POP and in store signage.

PVC SIGNS

PVC is a rigid substrate but it can be bent with heat or thermoformed quite easily. It can be used for both indoor and outdoor signage but can warp in direct sunlight. Coloured boards will tend to fade over time depending on their exposure to direct sunlight.

FOAMCORE

This substrate consists of a light but rigid sheet of polystyrene foam covered on both sides by either styrene, PVC, Aluminum or kraft paper. Because it is light it is good for POP displays, mounting photographs and making dimenional lettering. Generally it is for indoor use.

tags: Types of Substrates