Traditional signage undergoing resurgence

As more businesses look to stand out from the crowd and create their own unique identity, there has been an increased demand for signs that have a more traditional look and feel.

One of the growing trends in the signage industry is signs that combine both old and new, such as modern fonts mixed with old fashioned artwork. This enables businesses to do something different from other brands, without taking away the relevance of their offering for the modern consumer. This growth has even eclipsed the recession and the ensuing downturn on Britain’s high streets.

These modern signs with a traditional twist create a feeling of quality, that many brands are crying out for. They may look like their older counterparts, but they come without any of the issues that beset previous models. Today’s signs still use modern production methods and materials, providing a product that’s resistant to both rust and rot. This makes them more durable than traditional materials, such as wood and metal.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company we work closely with all our customers to create signs to their exact specifications. Our highly skilled manufacturers can work with both modern and traditional methods, to create the best solution.

For example, in this photograph we used the traditional skills of hand painting to replicate the look of a traditional pub, whilst using modern lighting for best effect.

Warning to sign makers following prosecution

The British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) has issued a warning to sign makers over essential maintenance, following a successful prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The prosecution follows an incident five years ago, where a 12m x 3m wooden sign was blown down in strong winds. The structure had become decayed and landed on a pedestrian, causing serious brain injuries. The HSE brought the case against both the owner of the building and the sign maker. The Executive’s case centred on the lack of maintenance of the sign, which was installed over 3 metres above the ground and had been in place for nine years. They both received a heavy fine and were ordered to pay costs.

After the case, the BSGA warned sign makers that maintenance was an essential element of their commitment. The BSGA has drafted an additional clause for the British Standard that covers sign making and installation. This will refer to sign maintenance and has been approved in principle by the BSI.

Here at Sussex Signs we have a strong commitment to health and safety and strive to ensure that all our installations meet current standards and guidelines.

Encouraging signs for shop front scheme

A project to regenerate an area of Glasgow has seen interest from almost 100 retailers.

As part of the Action Barras Calton (ABC) plan to improve the East End area of Glasgow, shop owners were invited to submit applications for funding. The £400,000 council fund has received applications from over 90 local businesses, all of whom are committed to regenerating the immediate area.

The money is part of an overall investment of £3.5 million from the council, which will be increased by outside funding. Successful applicants can use the fund to install new signage and carry out other improvements to the shop front, all of which are intended to generate more customers.

There has been so much local interest and support for the project that the council will hold an open day in December. At the event people will have the opportunity to meet with those involved.

Work on the new store fronts will begin in the New Year, once the money has been allocated. This project is part of a wider scheme to improve the facilities in the local area and encourage more people to visit. Other plans include the creation of an urban green space and the installation of public artwork. The Sussex Sign Company welcomes this initiative as new signage is always a very good way to generate increased footfall and subsequently new business.

How adhesive technology is shaping the sign industry

Gone are the days when professional signs were let down by the quality of the adhesive. The technology behind the products has now advanced so significantly that sign makers can guarantee a high quality finish every time.

The industry is demanding targeted solutions for individual signage styles, rather than a one size fits all approach, which is never going to be as effective. Manufacturers now have a series of adhesives that have been specifically created for different signage formats. This allows them to create a product that will work with each individual type of material and environment.

There is now an adhesive that will work in virtually every scenario. For example, you can use an adhesive that will hold in wet or humid conditions or a temporary solution that leaves no residue. There are high strength products that can withstand heavy loads and bond instantly to wood, brick, metal or plastic. With so many choices, there really isn’t a reason for using an incorrect product.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company we’re committed to using the right adhesive solution for each sign created for our customers. This way, we can guarantee it will last as long as needed.

Our signage for The Gym Group

mms_img-1740184543 Every now and again we produce a piece of work that we are so proud of we want to tell the world about it. The Sussex Sign Company produce quality signage solutions for many companies, some large and some small, one of our larger clients is Caburn Hope who are a full service marketing agency www.caburnhope.co.uk we have been working with Caburn hope for over three years now and produce the signage for The Gym Group www.thegym.co.uk The Gym Group was founded by John Treharne, a former England squash player, in 2008. Perhaps that’s why they are so focused on proper health and fitness benefits, and less on the luxuries that a small percentage of traditional health club members want.

John has a long and successful history in the gym business. He opened his first health club chain, Dragons Health Clubs, in 1991, building the business to a total of 22 clubs. He floated the company in 1997, and in 2000 he and his investors sold it on. He then spent time lending his expertise to premium gym chain Esporta, before concentrating on the launch of The Gym Group.

The Sussex Sign Company has been responsible for producing all the signage, window graphics and internal displays for The Gym Group under the direction of Caburn Hope for over 19 of their sites across the whole country, from Swansea to Glasgow including many in London. Proving that we really are a nationwide company that can not only deliver on deadlines and produce excellent quality signage but can work with clients to not only meet but exceed there expectations on many levels.

The signage in the photograph consist of a powder internally illuminated aluminium fascia, using clear push through acrylic with translucent vinyl, the illumination is by energy saving LED’s. The main sign is a Flex Face light box illuminated sign system which is ideal for larger outdoor illuminated sign applications such as illuminated outdoor advertising, company outdoor signs and shop front signs. Flex Face light boxes are very robust and durable with a 200mm deep aluminium profile as standard with internal supporting struts fixed to the back panel to create the rear tray of the light box. The internal illumination of the light box in this instance is produced using energy saving LEDs.

The Flex Face light box is so called because it features a flexible PVC banner fascia which is stretched across the front of light box to create what is essentially like a skin on a drum. The PVC banner ‘skin’ is specifically manufactured for backlit applications to allow for the light to pass through and illuminate the banner graphic from edge to edge.

As well as standard square and rectangular, Flex Face illuminated signs can be formed in many shapes and sizes including circular and irregular shapes and even large illuminated letters to create completely bespoke large format illuminated signs

The two very large signs to the left and right of the flex face sign are Aluminium composite sheet this has a polyethylene core sandwiched between two aluminium skins and is a rigid, lightweight product available in a wide range of colours and finishes. The colour of this particular sheet was white. The smooth and extremely flat surface of aluminium composite readily accepts screen and digital print inks as well as vinyl lamination. Coupled with dimensional stability, aluminium composite sheet is notable for its limited rate of expansion and contraction even under extremes of temperature. Subsequently, the product is equally suitable for outdoor as well as indoor applications. This is why we choose aluminium composite this for this application.

The Sussex Sign Company is proud to be working with Caburn Hope and in turn The Gym Group. For more information on how The Sussex Sign Company can help you with your next large brand role out please contact norman@sussexsigns or telephone 01273 424900

Multi-application laminator launched by Atlantic

At the recent FESPA 2013 exhibition, national supplier, Atlantic, showcased the new NEOLT Shield 1650 laminator. This extremely versatile machine offers sign companies a laminator that can be used for a wide range of applications, including car wrapping.

As a low value investment, it’s the perfect addition to a sign business and offers the ability to upgrade as required. The machine is quick and simple to use and doesn’t call for a specialist operator or extensive training. It just needs to be plugged in, allowed to come to the correct temperature and then it can be used straight away. With its low power requirements, this is an extremely energy efficient machine.

The Shield laminator takes less time to prepare and set-up, improving efficiency within a business. There are no issues with using different types of media, as all the adjustments are done automatically. The basic model uses a cold lamination process. However, there’s the ability to add on heated rollers if required. A vertical online exit cutting unit can also be fitted, to further improve productivity levels.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we’re committed to investing in the latest technological advances, in order to provide our customers with the quality that they’ve come to expect.

Falling sign narrowly misses pedestrian

An engineer in Brent, North West London, avoided injury on Sunday when a large shop sign fell just inches from his feet.

Fifty four-year-old Saaed Ibrahim, who is currently recovering from being hit by a bus earlier this year, described hearing a “loud crash” when the sign fell behind him. Mr Ibrahim had been walking with a relative along Willesden High Road when the incident occurred.

Mr Ibrahim commented: “We could have been injured or killed. I can’t believe this has happened.”

The bus-company engineer added that the sign may not have been secured properly.

He said: “I looked at the sign and could see no damage to the woodwork; however, there were only a few screws holding up the sign. It measures around 12′ x 3′ and is 5′ thick, so the screws were not secure enough.”

With the festive period having just gone, the incident serves as a timely reminder for shop owners to make sure that their indoor and outdoor signs are installed correctly.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we manufacture many kinds of signage, including large fascia signs. Our installers can also ensure that signs are fitted securely and in compliance with all relevant safety regulations, under our maintenance service.

“Tacky” signage unwelcome in Edinburgh

Renowned for their sense of style and culture, the people of Edinburgh seem keen to ensure that their city maintains its exquisite Baronial architecture. So much so, in fact, that a number of residents have complained to Edinburgh City Council over the appearance of a “garish” shop sign on Princes Street.

The sign belongs to American Candy World, which opened earlier this month. Importing the finest confectionery from across the Atlantic, American Candy World is meant to be brash and eye-catching. But some people feel that its stars-and-stripes fascia sign, complete with big, bold lettering, is a little out of character for the area.

Chris Paton tweeted: “Were they really allowed to put up such a garish sign in the middle of Princes Street? It’s horrible.”

On Facebook, Maureen Connolly wrote: “Just as I thought Princes Street could not get any tackier. Words fail me.”

Edinburgh City Council has promised to investigate the complaints. Meanwhile, Graham Birse, director of Edinburgh Napier business school, urged councillors to open talks with the owners of American Candy World.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we are able to create signage that stands out, but which never looks out of place.

Road sign misspellings irk Gloucester resident

Proving that adventure can be found outside London and the Home Counties, a man from Abbeydale, Gloucester, has spent the past thirteen years collecting evidence of misspelt road signs. Though irritated by the mistakes, he is not unamused.

Fifty two-year-old Mark Ellis said: “It is irritating because [the spelling of road signs] should be right. Spotting [misspelt signs] has kept me amused. Whichever way you look at it, it is sloppy workmanship and there could be more out there.

“It’s quite funny really. It shows we’re all human.”

Mr Ellis cited several examples to support his claim: Coney Hill Road is sometimes shown as Coneyhill Road; Blake Hill Way also appears as Blakehill Way; and Wheatway is displayed both with and without the definite article! As if that were not enough, the full stop in “St. James'” is missing from one sign.

A spokesperson for Gloucester Civic Trust, responded by arguing that though consistency is desirable, motorists should not “end up getting lost because of signs like this.”

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we feel that signs should always be spelled correctly, which is why we pull out all the stops (not literally) to proof-read our work.

New guidelines on A-boards ‘disadvantage’ vintage-shop owner

The owner of Sally’s Vintage Chic, which is located on Summerland Place in Minehead, has expressed her frustration over new guidelines on A-boards.

Proprietor, Sally Mclean, had been using an advertising board to attract customers to her small high-street shop until she was instructed to remove it.

Ms Mclean said: “I received a letter a few weeks ago from the Highways Agency, telling me that I needed to remove my advert board by early November. I completely understand the health and safety aspects, and I don’t want to cause an accident, but they should have gone a better way about it.”

The shop owner added that measures implemented by West Somerset Council to improve signage for local stores, have had little impact on her business.

“They might benefit other businesses, but not mine,” she insisted. “The signage isn’t appropriate, there’s too much information… the worst thing is [that a no-entry sign] blocks the view of my shop.”

A spokesperson for West Somerset Council claimed shop owners are only asked to remove A-boards if initial requests to relocate them to a “more reasonable position” are ignored.

Here at The Sussex Sign Company, we implore shop owners who have been disadvantaged by the new guidelines on A-boards to consider alternative forms of signage.