Sticking the sign industry together

There is something of a buzz in the sign industry over Signlink Live because it will be dedicated to literally the nuts and bolts of the industry, rather than purely a wide-format show. Mark Bartlett of Signbox says: “The concept and focus of the show on core sign-making products and services means it will give me the chance to source a huge number of new potential suppliers under one roof.” David Allen of Allen Signs notes: “There has not been
a show on this scale dedicated to sign fabrication and its supply chain for a long time, and it will be great to be immersed in an exhibition dedicated solely to this sector.”

The pitch of the show at Telford International Centre on October 11th to 13th, is that it is all about the nuts and bolts of the sign-making industry, which means fixtures and fittings will be to the fore. Items such as adhesives, brackets, bungee assemblies, eyelets, fence fixings, letter fasteners, locators, pop rivers and nuts, posts and clips, screws, channels, snap caps, and tapes. Since signs were first invented in classical times, fixtures were needed.

Screws and bolts began to appear in the 16th century, while various natural glues and tapes were used from the earliest of hunter gatherers and were made from animal as well as plant and tree products, and were no doubt used in sign-making by the middle ages.



Many sign-makers will have most fixture and fitting systems in stock but it is worth shopping around to ensure you get the best selection and advice. One firm that covers most bases is Innova Solutions in Lancashire. Linda Barrowclough of the firm says: “We supply the products that literally glue the sign industry together—any material that bonds products, we stock it. Anything from high strength bonding tapes to structural adhesives and anti-slip tapes, which is the safety side of the market, to anaerobic adhesives. In addition to that we carry retro reflective tape again for the safety side of sign-making as well as photoluminescence floor markers and also a range of structural adhesives.”


Innova’s main range is its high strength bonding and adhesives but also something else that is just as vital: informed advice. Barrowclough continues: “What we offer as a business is the advice that goes with the products.

So if a sign-maker has a question about what product to use on a job, say they are bonding X to Y, then we can explain which product to use and give instructions on how to bond and the best practice involved. It is where we feel we add value to a business. We are prepared to talk advice through and recommend a tape that we know is industry approved.”

Meeting demand

Glasgow-based I-Spi Trade began life in the sign-making business but switched to supplying fixtures and fittings to sign-makers when they spotted a gap in the market. Sean Ferrie of the company comments: “We started our trade business because I-Spi had to deal with extortionate prices for some sign fixings that were necessary for jobs, and so we wanted to bring in a range which would be cost-effective and attractive to help companies out. In fact we often give away sign fixings to companies if they just want one or two, as we know they will be back to place bigger orders down the line.”



Like Innova Solutions, I-Spi offers expert advice due to the complexities of the products. Ferrie notes: “We try to prevent problems with fixings before they happen by finding out exactly what they are going to be used for and the kind of weight and conditions they are going to endure. We can then advise them on which fixing is best for them. This saves both of us time and money.”


Each product often has specific properties which make them ideal for certain jobs, as Ferrie says: “An important thing for sign-makers to take note of is that for using sign fixings outside we suggest they do not use aluminium, just because it is not as weather resistant as other options, and also that they use exactly the right hole size for the fixings. These two things often lead to failures quite quickly down the line.”


James Carpenter of Doro Tape agrees with the importance of advice over application. He comments: “We understand the importance of getting things right first time. Sounds pretty easy, right? But in an industry that works to very tight deadlines, it is even more important to maintain that attention to detail and we are proud of the reputation that we have built up over the 25 years of supplying the industry.

“We stock a huge array of self-adhesive vinyl and films for sign-making, large-format digital printing, and stencil masking, as well as heat activated adhesive films for garment decoration and a wide range of double-sided tapes. We are particularly well known for supplying speciality self-adhesive films such as metallised and dichroic films, glass manifestation films, as well as printable materials for wall, floor, and window graphics.”



He says informed professional advice gives Doro Tape added value, as the firm’s years of experience can be passed on to customers who seek a particular solution in fitting a sign rather than blindly ordering adhesives and film over the internet. Carpenter believes getting the right product for the job will ensure a client will be satisfied with the final job.
 
Integral part

Carpenter’s view is shared by Paul Farrant of F K Moore, Ramsgate, which supplies fixtures and fittings to several industries including sign-makers, and increasingly to those sign-makers designing LED signage. He comments: “The most common problem we have is people not really understanding the application, size, and style of fittings, and trying to cut corners based on price. I would say a common mistake to avoid at all costs is skimping on something like sign fittings, as they are integral to the overall project life.



“For the few extra pence a good sign fixing might be per letter, it gives a much bigger reward in added value that is given to the customer. If the customer is made aware of the quality of these components it’s even better, as they are going to get brownie points as well. Also, from the maintenance point of view, in five or ten years time when the signage needs re-doing, there is a reason for that customer to come back to that sign-maker again.”

O Factoid: Various natural glues and tapes were used from the earliest of hunter gatherers and were made from animal, plant, and tree products. O

Listening to the various pieces of advice, there seems to be one theme throughout and that is expert knowledge. Fixtures and fittings are some of the least expensive components of the business but they are vital. Quality comes first as without that a sign can literally fall apart. Secondly, taking advice from the suppliers of the products and asking questions over techniques and applications will ultimately keep your signs in place and along with them, happy and repeat customers.

Some common forms of fixtures and fittings

High strength bonding tapes: They offer benefits over mechanical fixings as there are no drilling holes, screw heads, rivets, or welds. Stress is distributed evenly across the bond rather than focused on individual fixings. Allows different materials to expand and contract naturally. Allows the use of thinner, lighter materials, and are faster, easier, and more cost-effective to apply.

Structural adhesives: They have advantages over mechanical or fusion fastening as they are cheaper, reduce component weight, and increase durability. There are aesthetic advantages, with cleaner lines and no protruding nails, rivets, or weld marks. They can be used with substrates from steel, aluminium, and copper, to low surface energy plastics, rubber, glass, wood, and masonry.

Photoluminescent: Commonly used to help improve the safety in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and even on emergency equipment.

Application tapes: They break into those that can be used indoors and those outside. Application tape transfers vinyl graphics from the release liner to the substrate.

Aluminium sign fixings and clamps: Lightweight and easy to fix in place. Weather resistant and can be adjusted on-site to remain rigid and level.

Cable and rod systems: Useful in shops, galleries, point-of-sale, retail, and offices. They are ideal for supporting art panels, easy removable display frames, poster holders, and displays requiring constant changes and updates.

Lockable fixings: Essential to ensure the signage cannot be tampered with or removed. Without convention nuts and bolts to hold the sign in place, specialist keys or tools are required to install them.

Screw covers: Disguise the exposed screw giving a clean finish to the sign.



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