Signs of the Times - July 2016 - (Page 62)

Horseshoe-Shaped Window Graphics Disasters, definitions, installation tips and the exploration of alchemical concepts. By Darek Johnson I began to see the disaster before it happened. The job was to install a large and intricate reverse-cut vinyl logo on a downtown restaurant window, which would have been simple had it not been lunchtime when we arrived to find four young women dining at a nearby table. Because of their presence, my youthful associate became uncharacteristically "cool," and, with surprising flamboyance, stationed the stepladder at the window, scrambled skyward and fearlessly marked the logo placement points. Once down, he peeled the entire backing from the 2 x 3-ft. logo and, with it in one hand, again climbed the ladder. Astonished, I said, "Uh ... do you want the spray bottle, so you can wet install it? He said, "No, I'm cool. I'll just - Ooops!" His energetic climbing caused part of the exposed vinyl to shift and stick to the window. Then, in a swift move to prevent more bonding, he tugged at the vinyl, which jolted the ladder and caused another 62 SIGNS OF THE TIMES July 2016 piece to bond to the glass. The logo was now on the window, but horseshoe shaped. Also, the skewed ladder action had created a clatter, so the lunchtime women paused to watch. Seeing four sets of curious eyes on him, my now-embarrassed associate suddenly yanked - and ripped and destroyed - the intricately cut logo. A mist coating of water and 2% dishwashing soap - or less élan - would have prevented the disaster. I sometimes receive varying opinions when I define a type of sign, but I claim that particular types of work require clear definitions, and from a signmaker's viewpoint, so we're all speaking the same language. For example, we might agree that the window graphics market is limited (primarily) to retail establishments and only differs from such jobs as wall and truck graphics by the change in the application surface, i.e., sheet rock, metal or glass, however, this definition doesn't include window splash graphics - an analogical process, accomplished by hand, with paint, brushes and rollers. Still, it's a window graphic. Although diverse applications prevail, digitally printed window graphics could be described as the task of creating and applying printed vinyl to an inside or outside window surface, with the different aspects of preparation and installation requiring different proficiencies - the digital printing of specialty media or vinyl installation or removal methods, for example. Water and 2% soap? Vinyl installers' discussions around wet and dry window-graphics installation could easily match those of the blue and red states. Fortunately, the vinyl manufacturers have almost eliminated the application discussion by supplying repositionable vinyl, meaning products that offer a low-tack adhesive that is repositionable until the installer applies direct pressure. Still,

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - July 2016

Signs of the Times - July 2016
Columns & Departments
ST Update
Technology Update
Integrating High-End Effects in Your Design
Vinyl Apps
Strictly Commercial
Lighting Techniques
Moving Message
Technology Review - Computerized Cutters’ Accu-Form
Technology Review - Cyrious software
Design Matters
New Products
Signs that Invite
Horseshoe-Shaped Window Graphics
Driving West
State of the Industry
Returns to Glory
Enter ST’s Vehicle Graphics Contest
Advertising Index
Editorially Speaking

Signs of the Times - July 2016