GDI Trade Signs has identified an increased call from customers for bespoke illuminated letters as a way of standing out amongst the competition
Shining bright
No matter where you look or what materials you are working with, the message is the same: development is alive and well in the sign industry. Whether it is the evolution of printing technology to add that extra sparkle to finished projects, or the creation of a new LED technology to enhance retail store applications, manufacturers and suppliers alike are catering for our every need.
The message is the same from the sign lettering market, with new and innovative projects taking place throughout the UK. This demand is only set to continue, as businesses look to stand out from the competition and find ways of attracting more customers through their doors. Sign lettering is something that can help in this area, with the technology involved in the sector providing colourful and eye-catching displays that can help reel in even the most money-conscious consumers.
The Sign Group has reacted to a demand for illuminated lettering with its new product, LED Light Shapes
With this in mind, how are some of the UK’s sign lettering companies using the added bonus of new materials to help both their own fortunes and those of their customers? What do they have on offer to help add that extra bit of spark to sign lettering projects?
Signs of demand
Impact 3D Signs is one company that is enjoying life in this sector. The firm offers a full trade sign service, manufacturing built-up lettering in stainless steel, aluminium, brass, and acrylic—in addition to a full flat cut service in all materials, along with folded aperture cut bespoke illum-inated light boxes and pan signs, and chemical etching.
Managing director at the firm, Kevin Washbourne, explains that Impact 3D Signs is currently experiencing great demand for its varying services. Such requests have allowed the company to identify a number of ongoing, prof-itable trends in the sector—enabling it to plan for future projects and potential demand.
Retailers are desperate to stand out from their competition and signage is an obvious vehicle with which to achieve a visual distinction”
“We have a really full order book, supplying all of our services to a wide range of sign companies nationwide. There are just not enough hours in the week at times,” explains Washbourne.
He goes on to say: “We have found a big demand in built-up metal and acrylic lettering lately—more so the acrylic, which seems to be really coming back in vogue. We also currently have a high demand for installing LED lights into built-up lettering.”
With this demand inevitably placing more pressure on the company’s existing machinery, Washbourne explains that Impact 3D Signs is in the middle of constructing a new strategy to cope. Part of this plan is to purchase new production equipment, in order to allow the firm to take on more work and enjoy the financial benefits of doing so.
Built-up acrylic lettering is one area of the sign letter sector that Impact 3D Signs has seen significant interest in
“We are currently looking at the option of purchasing a new 3m guillotine and, having just visited Sign and Digital UK, we are also looking at purchasing an automated built-up letter making machine,” explains Washbourne, concluding: “This will enable Impact 3D Signs to offer a quicker turn around.”
Support and prosper
The Sign Group is another firm to have noticed an upsurge in demand for sign lettering services. The company offers trade supply of bespoke signage, including flat cuts, built ups, signtrays, print services, and CNC work. Prod-uction manager, Graham Hoole, explains that recent demand from customers has allowed the firm to identify several trends in the sector that will stand them in good stead moving forward.
“Our customers are much more keen to try illuminated letters, where they may have been scared to delve into that side of it before,” he explains, adding: “It’s working for them, as they see how easy and straight forward it is—with a little guidance—and gives them added confidence when speaking to clients on options for new work.”
This is an example of built-up brushed stainless letters with a stroked width of 12mm, raised on small zinc-plated locators
In terms of expanding the sector further, Hoole says it is critical that newer, smaller sign companies are educated properly about the ease of fitting all types of signage letters, and the benefits this can offer them and their customers. This way, more companies will opt to take up this type of signage and, in turn, boost the vibrancy of the sector.
Hoole goes on to say that The Sign Group is keen to assist in any way it can. Having recently launched a new website to help customers see what services they can access, the firm also has a trade-only LED website that was launched late last year to supply sign LEDs.
“Companies who buy from the site have the confidence of knowing that the LEDS available are exactly the same as we use in our own workshop,” Hoole explains.
Further support
And this drive to aid the industry further is also reflected in the firm’s product portfolio, which is constantly evolving. This year’s Sign and Digital UK saw The Sign Group launch LED Light Shapes and shadow built-ups, which proved very popular at the show and have already led to quotes for and discussions with clients.
We have found a big demand in built-up metal and acrylic lettering lately—more so the acrylic built-up, which seems to be really coming back in to vogue”
LED Light Shapes are a step up from LED light-sheet products, in that they allow sign-makers to specify what the firm describes as ‘any shape or design within reason’. Hoole says the system is equivalent in cost to an illuminated built-up letter system and is designed to address a fast-growing demand for slick, attractive, and modern signage.
“The key to sign-makers success is that their customers (the chippy on the high street, the small shop, or the chain of estate agents) can attract their own customers into the business, by looking professional and modern,” he enthuses, adding: “To do this they need branding that is attractive, high-impact, and most importantly, different from the run of the mill.
“We have created LED Light Shapes so that our sign-maker customers have something different from tra-ditional illuminated built-up letters to offer their customers when pitching for work.
Impact 3D Signs says its has identified a number of trends in the sign lettering sector, including a call for LED technology in signage
“Our LED Light Shape system is completely waterproof and is ideal for sign fascias as an alternative to built-up letters and light boxes. There is also an interior version of the new system for applications such as window displays and exhibition stands.”
The system can also reportedly be reversed for halo-illumination, and is capable of fulfilling all the applications of a traditional light-sheet product.
Our customers are much more keen on trying illuminated letters, where they may have been scared to delve into that side of it before”
Hoole is keen to stress that the innovation will not stop here: “We are always looking to develop existing technology in innovative ways. This new system is a big deal for us though, as we are the only company who can currently create such a quirky, aesth-etically pleasing, and in-demand product.”
Illuminated future
GDI Trade Signs is another firm to have noticed an increasing need from customers to differentiate them-
selves, with illuminated signage also proving to be one of its most popular services. The Heathfield-
based company manufactures bespoke built-up letters, logos, and signs, using stainless steel, aluminium
brass, copper, bronze, and acrylic—also incorporating the neon and LED illumination techniques that are proving increasingly attractive.
“Everybody is looking for something different. Retailers are desperate to stand out from their competition and signage is an obvious vehicle with which to achieve a visual distinction,” explains director, Colin Pestell.
GDI Trade Signs has identified a bright future for the sign lettering market, as more retailers turn to the technology as a way of attracting more business
GDI’s illuminated rimless letters are amongst the products attracting the most interest, while its Gditrax system for mounting illuminated letters on to glass shop-fronts is also creating excitement. Exposed LED lamps—which create a ‘fairground’ style—are high on the wish lists of many customers, with the distressed, rusty look much sought-after.
“The Gditrax system is being used on a number of high street brands. It is also very popular with individual retailers,” explains Pestell, adding: “There are also some good imitations available now, but there’s no point in being greedy—there is a lot of work to go around.”
And with work in plentiful supply, Pestell says that GDI is keen to assist sign-makers in any way it can with their individual projects—helping to ensure the continuing success of such companies, and the sector as a whole.
“There are a couple of products originally developed for specific projects that we have since made available to sign-makers in general. Firstly, a low-cost curved monolith in aluminium composite material. Secondly, non-fixed LED illuminated letters with touch contact, not hard wired—ideally suited to retailers’ sales and special offer promotions,” he explains.
GDI Trade Signs also constructs letters using a variety of materials and illumination techniques, such as neon and LED
The message seems clear from the sign lettering sector; demand is high and is set to remain so. With competition for business in the UK as fierce as ever, more retailers are starting to turn to the technology as a way of standing out from competition. With so much positivity coming from all corners of the sign lettering market, this is one sector that spells success, in what should be a bright future for all those involved.
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