Green Oak Signs

20/02/2012

Completed install off Green Oak post signs for Somerset County Council, for Weddon Cross business units. These signs were made from printed di-bond panels with a European Oak frame.

LEDS

When it comes to LEDs, signmakers should consider a more collaborative approach.

I thought it would be appropriate to consider partnerships this month, as it seems to be a topical subject, especially after the recent General Election!
With so many different lighting applications in the sign business, it’s certainly not a case of one LED fits all. There are many different LED solutions, some of which are designed for internal use, some for external use and some for use in small and narrow areas, such as channel letters, plus a few that are more suitable for use in areas that require a large amount of illumination.
So how do you select the most appropriate option? Do you trawl the net and hope to stumble across a supplier whose product is readily available in the UK? And if so, how can you ensure that it is properly tried and tested?? You should also consider that when you do find a potential solution that looks promising, you’ll need a sample to try in a mock-up or prototype of your sign or display, which is much easier said than done! Many signmakers have had bad experiences with LEDs, either finding themselves with products that have not met the claims of the suppliers, or getting little or poor back up and support.

Quite understandably, these experiences have left them reluctant to use LEDs and they have reverted to the more traditional tired and
tested methods. But as Dave and Nick have demonstrated, a more collaborative approach often works wonders. For signmakers. This might translate into working more closely with material suppliers, many of who now have dedicated Product Managers for LED lighting, who are well trained and knowledgeable and can thus be a valuable resource. Not only can they suggest a wide range of solutions; they can also help by supplying energy saving data, technical specifications and installation advice and assistance.

For example, Robert Horne Group is just one of the suppliers who have recognised the growing market opportunity for LEDs within the sign sector and now has a dedicated team to support its LED portfolio. What’s more, it offers LEDs that are suitable for both channel letter illumination and for larger signs, as a replacement for fluorescent tubes. Of course, LEDs also need a few other components to make them work efficiently and reliably, such as the right cables, connectors and power supplies. But the beauty of working with a good supplier is that you will probably be able to place a single purchase order for a complete kit of parts, which, if they are in stock, will turn up the next day!

Anti-graffiti film launched by Neschen

Solvoclear Easy Protect launched by Neschen is what they claim to be its best anti-graffiti film yet. Solvoclear Easy Protect, it is a low-priced, general purpose anti-graffiti film which is able to retain its glossy appearance even after having been surface cleaned several times.
Solvoclear Easy Protect is ideally suited for indoor and outdoor use with traditional photo prints, inkjet and digital print media including paper, polyester and vinyl.

It is manufactured from OPP (oriented polypropylene), an environmentally-friendly material composed of only carbon and hydrogen, with a high gloss finish. It has a siliconised white backing paper and a clear solvent acrylic adhesive on one side and delivers high UV protection.

Sarah Janes, Managing Director of Neschen UK, says: "This new protective film is easy to handle and extremely well priced but what sets it head and shoulders above anything else manufactured so far is that it is highly resistant to a large number of detergents and solvents and, importantly, stays glossy after cleaning. It does not become matt as other films do."

Correctly applied, Neschen's Solvoclear Easy Protect has an expected life span of several years.

Laminaid TF Clips - New secure fixing keeps signs where they should be

Twin fluted plastic board is hugely popular with sign makers, especially for short term and event signage, but it is a notoriously problematic material to mount securely on a supporting upright.
That is, until now. A solution has just been launched that provides a secure fixing method to ensure signs and notices remain in the correct position and looking good.

LAMINAID™ TF Clips are two piece plastic clips which, when locked together through the top and bottom of a twin-flute sign, provides secure damage-free mounting and ideal display positioning.

The transparent front plate has two self-penetrating spikes which are pressed through the board and lock into the back plate securely. The back plate incorporates two sprung and two rigid feet for maximum grip to prevent the sign from slipping down or blowing round and out of vision.

The flexible link between the sign and the tight mounting point allows the sign to spill wind, thus reducing resistance. Multiple fixing methods enable attachment of the sign to any surface such as poles, rails, chain-link, or even flat fences and walls.

Pat Lennard, Managing Director of Wyzrds, the creator of Laminaid TF explains: "Laminaid TF was invented to solve the twin-flute mounting dilemma, and we're expecting it to rapidly become one of those 'How did we ever manage before?' accessories. It does the job brilliantly and saves time, as well as providing an extra profit centre to the sign trade in these hard times. This innovative gadget is physically small but offers huge benefits to both signmakers and their clients.

"For the first time, the functions of fixing and display are separated and the requirements of each are met successfully, without compromising either.

"We're all familiar with the sight of limp and battered signs hanging from cable-ties through ragged holes bored in the corrugated plastic. Their effectiveness is seriously reduced by their fixing, which can result in a disappointed client and loss of trade for the signmaker, but now with Laminaid TF Clips, there is a solution."

Laminaid TF can be secured with a cable tie (as pictured) or a variety of fixings including a screw or nail through the centre of the clip into a fence or wall where ties cannot be used. As an alternative to cable ties, twist wire for strength, rubber bands for one day events, or even cotton twine for economy, can all be used.

One of the first companies to order the new Laminaid TF Clips was AA Signs.

Andrew Banyard, General Manager of AA Signs, says " We reuse the majority of signs we produce and the new clip has provided us with a better way of fixing signs, giving a more professional and hopefully longer lasting product. We have recently completed a test event for next year's Olympic games with the new clip which proved really successful. From our perspective this is a great new product which is perfect for our application."