For years there has been a critical demand within the sign industry for a book on the structural engineering of signs. This comprehensive text more than meets that demand -- it exceeds it. Sign companies, ...
Encore Products (Statesville, NC) is debuting MightyBull™ high-impact, polystyrene facers with a rigid-foam core. Available in 3/16- and ½-in. thicknesses, the substrate is designed for inkjet- or screenprinted exhibit graphics, signage and POP. According to the company, MightyBull provides high ink retention, rapid drying and consistent surface texture.
(800) 873-4868; www.encoreproducts.com
Sihl USA (Chesapeake, VA) is introducing 3394 SyntiART™ textured-polypropylene film for wall-mural, banner-stand and gallery-canvas applications. According to the company, the material replicates canvas without the cost or complex finishing requirements. The film includes proprietary anti-curling technology for installations on retractable banners, and accommodates pressure-sensitive wall adhesives to facilitate a mural installation. The material may be printed with solvent, UV-cure and latex inks.
Saw Trax Mfg. (Woodstock, GA) is presenting improvements to its wheeled shop cart. The 26-in.-wide cart can carry up to 700 lbs., and its pneumatic tires, which measure more than 12 in. in diameter, transport loads across almost any terrain. Also, according to the company, its all-steel construction allows heavy-duty, jobsite use. A brace lock allows more than one sheet to be loeaded at once, and a 5-in.-deep ledge allows additional material handling. Such optional accessories as a pivoting shelf or a storage box are available.
4Ever Products (Newnan, GA) is presenting its aluminum sign frames. The routed frames accommodate 6mm-thick substrates, and fit within posts and rails. The company offers the hardware in sizes up to 4 x 8 ft; they comprise rust-free aluminum posts and top and bottom rails with that have durable, black finishes.
(877) 902-4150; www.4everproducts.com
The sign industry has been frequently forced to fight for its place at the table. During World War II, shops had to sacrifice manpower and materials to the war effort. During the 1970’s energy crisis, John Lamb and other industry stalwarts gave compelling testimony before Congress to ensure that signage wasn’t scapegoated as creating an undue strain on energy consumption. Thanks to their efforts, the industry wasn't subjected to austere regulations. The American Planning Assn.
Gopher Sign Co. (St. Paul, MN) is presenting Duralite™ photographic-quality, outdoor signage. Its production process integrates its proprietary Image-Loc™ printing technique, composite materials and organic coatings that produce weather-resistant, scratch-resistant and graffiti-proof signage for exterior wayfinding and exhibit graphics. According to the company, the process is more environmentally friendly than comparable outdoor-sign decoration methods.
Visual Magnetics (Mendon, MA) is announcing that it will now offer 150- or 300-ft.-long rolls of its MagnaMedia® coated, inkjet-printable media. Seven versions (POLYmatte™, 54 in. wide; POLYgloss®, 60 in. wide; POLYeight® 54 in. and POLYeight UV 60 in.; POLYfive™54 in.; and SYNpaper® C, 54 and 60 in.) are sold in 150-ft. lengths, and five versions (Polyeight, 54 in; Polyfive, 54 in.; Canvas™22 60 in.; and Synpaper C, 54 and 60 in.) are available in 300-ft. lengths.
Aurora Graphics (Wichita, KS) is presenting its Wrap Design Studio (WDS) online wrap-design system. The program allows the user to select year, make and model of any vehicle template, then virtually apply the graphics. WDS enables up to seven graphic layers to be applied on the template; each layer may be edited. Graphics, backgrounds and other design elements may be selected from more than 1TB of Aurora Graphics digital artwork.
Screen (USA), Rolling Meadows, IL, has opened a Technical Center for performing printing demonstrations and process testing. The 1,817-sq.-ft. facility is housed within Screen’s software-engineering division in Irvine, CA. It complements the recently expanded Demonstration Center at the Screen corporate headquarters in Rolling Meadows.
Rollersigns USC LLC (Gibsonville, NC) is introducing its collapsible-banner system designed for crowd barriers, queue displays and other portable enclosures. The company fabricates banners and provides the frame system, which includes a cassette system that mounts directly on existing posts and allows tool-free banner changeouts. Its posts comprise cast-iron bases, with alloy posts that attach via the company’s proprietary, retractable system.