Sign manufacturing . . . exactly what type of an indication are you needing?

Signage systems are visually driven information and fact systems made up of signs, routes, icons, color coding techniques, images, logos, and other different components. Signage systems are different from alternative methods of information display, as they are ordinarily used to direct people’s passage through the bricks-and-mortar world we all inhabit. The act of following a signage system is called wayfinding, signposting, or waysigning. Good examples would be the road signs alongside the highway, or the signage system that can help you find your way inside a large mall or international airport. Any collection of associated signs are widely known as a signage system.

In a world of multilingual and multicultural travel, signs become increasingly more dependent on images as opposed to words. This is usually the situation in societies where there is a low literacy rate.

Signage systems are utilized in both indoor as well as outdoor advertising. Just for exterior advertising, you will find more than 100 distinct advertising formats. The entire outdoor advertising in 2008 for the United States alone was just about $7 billion in annual revenues. We’re dealing with a very, very large industry. How can I possibly go over all formats? I cannot.

Some of the more established formats are detailed below. These are sign manufacturing formats that are common for interior, exterior, industrial, private, signage systems, as well as one-offs, or custom made signs. Some are obviously only for exterior purposes.

Billboards . . .

A billboard is a large outdoor advertising structure typically situated in very high traffic areas. They are meant to present your advertising to drivers more so than the normal public. The information is large and often times amusing or humorous. Most often, an advertiser will not construct these signs, but rather lease them.

Banners . . .

A banner sign is a flag or fabric displaying a , company logo, slogan, or message. They’re generally fabricated for commercial use on a vinyl or plastic material. In recent years they have expanded in size because of the increased access and technology of ultra-wide format printing. A banner is usually viewed as a temporary sign.

Digital LED, LCD, or Plasma Signs . . .

A digital sign comes in many formats. They’re typically an information sign that can be modified on a frequent basis. They are normally stand alone applications that are controlled and changed with computer software. Network applications are available. This kind of sign is not a part of the sign manufacturing process unless of course it is a component of a larger system.

LED’s are sometimes designed into the various kinds of lighted signage.

Channel Lettering . . .

Aluminum is the most frequent material used for sign manufacturing of channel letters because it will not rust. This aluminum channel is the basis for the shape of the letter. The sides of the channel letter are also typically made of aluminum creating a container the contour of the letter. The letter container is normally painted and equipped for any illumination components. LED s, or neon gas tubes are often the illumination source when lighted. A trim capped edge is installed on a translucent plastic face that’s been cut to the same shape as the letter. This edge gives the letter face a nice finished look as well as an easy method of fastening the face on the letter shaped container.

Built Up and Flat Lettering

Manufacturing signs using built up or flat lettering are generally a less expensive option. A built up letter generally is hollow inside, similar to channel lettering. It is produced using a fabricated technique that simulates a very thick letter, and it is constructed all from the same material. This gives it a solid, non hollow look. If it is made out of stainless steel, it’ll look like a solid stainless steel letter. Flat letters can be manufactured in lots of different ways, and out of many different materials. prevalent and cost effective method is to waterjet cut the letters out of the desired material. Some materials will have to be powder coated or painted, where other materials such as brushed stainless, aluminum, or brass, or many of the various kinds of plastics will not need a secondary process. Because of the material expense to cut thick letters with a waterjet, a thin sheet of marine grade brushed metal is usually glued to a polyurethane backing, and then waterjet cut. Injection molded letters are also readily available, but normally lessen your font options.

Neon signs . . .

Sign Manufacturing of neon lights, when processed correctly, earn the “long life” award for lighted signs. They can be expected to continue many years, or even many decades. A great neon sign maker changes in time from a good craftsman to a fantastic artist. Making the glass tubing requires so much custom work, that they would not end up being economical if they didn’t last for a very long time. The single biggest reason for their longevity is the fact that they do not have a wire filament as do fluorescent tubes.

The gas, neon, glows bright red or reddish orange whenever lit. To get a wide range of additional colors, the gas, argon, is combined with a drop of mercury. The droplet of mercury vaporizes. This mercury vapor produces an ultraviolet light that creates the numerous color options, which UV sensitive phosphors have already been coated on the inside of the tube. Helium may also be put into the argon gas for installations in cold locations.

The continuous bent tubing won’t appear to be unique letters if it’s totally lighted unless the eye is tricked. Block out paint is used to paint the areas of the tube that must not glow. A person’s eye does not notice the block out paint when the neon light is lit. To the untrained eye, it looks like individual tubes.

Interior and Exterior Wall Signs . . .

Sign manufacturing regarding wall signs are very “material-type” dependent. Will the sign be made of paper, plastic, wood, glass, stone, or metal? The sign manufacturing course of action depends upon the material type being used. Will the sign be screen printed, etched, sandblasted, engraved, or cut out? Will the letters of the sign function as the positive image or the negative image? Will they be separately built-up letters? Will they be channel letters?

Vehicle Wraps and Truck Lettering . . .

Wrap advertising is the sign manufacturing practice of completely or partially wrapping a vehicle in an advertisement, essentially creating a mobile billboard. In days gone by, the vehicle was painted, but in today’s world we use vinyl lettering and/or large vinyl sheets. Vinyl instead of paint can make it a lot easier and less expensive to change or remove. Obviously, large, flat areas are less difficult to wrap than small curved surfaces. Total vehicle wraps demand a lot of skill and experience. Partial wraps are not nearly as difficult.

Murals . . .

Murals are similar to vehicle wraps. The use of ultra-wide format printers have taken hand-painted wall art of the last 10 years and brought them into the digital age. Hand-painted signage is a fading art in the commercial signage arena.

Signage in one form or another is centuries old. However, present day sign manufacturing incorporates numerous technologies and processes unavailable a hundred years ago.

For custom cut waterjet signs, contact Dennis Darger at Wet Jet Precision at www.my-waterjet-cutting-service.com , or call (888) 707-5077.