Signs of the Times - June 2020 - 32

Security Signs (Portland, OR) removed and fully restored
their hometown's iconic, revolving Franz Bakery bread
loaf sign in March, its first facelift after almost 40 years.
The display measures 8 x 25 ft. and the restoration
included a full LED retrofit, new acrylic skin and graphics.
of their logos," Poyant said. Security Signs reported customers
seeking a "small form factor" - thinner cabinets and letters
that maintain clean lighting and high legibility.
To add to the list of contemporary client demands,
Mandeville Sign observed that the sign design process is
still often the last to be addressed in a construction project
and starts much later than needed to meet production
and installation timelines. Security Signs corroborated
that finding, adding that electric sign projects are regularly
developed while sites are being built.
On a smaller scale, Poyant stated that "the clean lines
of trim-less channel letter construction appeal to retail,
university, healthcare and corporate markets for a clean,
upscale look that is viewed close-up in both interior and
exterior environments." In addition, Poyant often incorporates dual-color vinyl technology that allows a daytime
color for maximum contrast and readability, which can
be backlit with stationary LEDs or color-changing LEDs
for a completely different nighttime impact.
32

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

JUNE 2020

LEADING MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCTS
Trim-less channel letters have already been mentioned.
Mandeville Sign also stated that LEDs procured from many
sources are essential to custom electric signs. Security
Signs mentioned cabinet LEDs, retrofit LED systems and
programmable LED options as products that help achieve
creative lighting solutions and small form factors.
Poyant has chosen products from several color-changing
LED companies, but, "We have worked most closely with
Bitro," they said. "On our latest project, they provided
terrific, on-site technology and programming support."
Poyant relies on 3M perforated vinyl as its preferred dualcolor film. "And Miratec is our go-to for high-end, translucent
digital printing, especially when the customer wants the
same PMS color for day and nighttime viewing." Steel Art
has also been a long-time partner for Poyant when it comes
to "creative, high-quality finishes and unique lighting for
channel letters and logos, especially when the tolerances
are tight and the configuration is small in size."
Security Signs applauded the "variety of subscriptionbased CRM and project-management software systems that
are easier to implement and evolve, versus products that
require a large upfront investment and implementation,"
adding that "we have been using Smartsheet for project
tracking through sales and delivery cycles."
ANTICIPATING THE NEXT THREE YEARS
Today, a broader, more diverse range of clients means
emphasis on creativity is more important than ever.
"Developing new methods and ideas to building electric
displays," are in the offing, as are thinner components.
Mandeville Sign anticipates more signs with trim-less
letters, stencil-cut aluminum faces recessed with push-
Signs of the Times - June 2020

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