The Power of Trade Signage
In a market squeezed by rising costs and tighter timelines, trade partnerships are becoming a strategic tool for protecting profit and delivering quality at scale. Rob Fletcher finds out more
A good workman never blames his tools, but a good workman should also use the best tools for the job. Here, Rob Fletcher picks out some of the latest and most popular solutions on offer to the sign-making market
There is no doubt that sign-makers are an incredibly talented group of people whose skills are sought after for all manner of applications. However, without the right tools for the job, these can create a whole host of problems for even the most skilled of sign-makers.
For this reason, sign-making businesses, no matter their size or stature, should ensure they have not only the right tools for their employees to use but also high-quality and reliable solutions so that staff can produce the best work possible. Be it applying vinyl to a vehicle or producing a traditional sign, proper investment in specialist tools is crucial.
Speaking with several suppliers of these tools and equipment, we find out more about their latest and most popular solutions.
Up first to offer guidance is LKH Tools, a Nottingham-based CNC machine tools provider and consultancy to the industry. LKH Tools is the UK Distributor for Crown Norge tooling, which, manufactured in Switzerland, use the highest-grade European carbide.
Liam Hodson, tooling and machine consultant at LKH Tools, says the biggest advantages of using quality tooling is the consistency, quality of cut, and tool life which is achieved. He expands: “Our customers know that when one of our tools needs replacing, the next tool will be of the same quality and geometry as the one it replaces.
“Using lower quality tooling can mean differences from one tool to the next. Customers who choose these tools will have to adjust the machine settings for each tool, even though they are supposed to be the same and can then lead to inconsistent cut edges on the material.”
These tools, Hodson says, will often lead to frequent replacement, interruption of the machine production, and possibly even secondary hand finishing once the cut has been completed. Another issue with lower quality tools is the balancing of the tool itself, with Hodson saying an un-balanced tool will create vibration during cutting, creating a poor cut edge, excessive noise, and shortened tool life.
“In extreme cases, this will also damage the machine’s routing spindle bearings, leading to an expensive repair,” he says, adding: “In contrast, our customers have the confidence to simply replace the tool without having to change any machine settings, allowing for a seamless transition from one tool to the next.
“The high-quality tools in our standard range are rated for 24,000RPM and we also have a range of balanced tools for up to 60,000RPM.”
With the variety of materials available to sign-makers, Hodson says the biggest mistake is to simply use the same cutting tool on all of them. He explains that CNC machines now have automatic tool change, which, once set up, can mean that the machine operator is cutting plastics, ACM, MDF, aluminium, and foam PVC, with the correct tool and settings for each material.
So, how can LKH Tools help? In 2018, the MP Superior coated tool was introduced for dry routing aluminium. This tool, Hodson explains, has “revolutionised” the process of cutting aluminium, without the need for coolant or oil during the cutting process.
Factoid: Sign making tools can include knives, squeegees, rulers, and tape dispensers
“These tools have been extremely popular and earlier this year, the available diameters and geometries in this range were increased to allow for the different thicknesses of aluminium,” he says, adding: “They are also the choice tool for routing ACM with our customers.”
Hodson goes on to say the company’s GEN2 acrylic range of tools has also increased to allow for a bigger choice of diameters and cut lengths. This tool, he continues, produces a near-polished edge in a single pass when used on 10mm clear acrylic.
“This has been a very popular choice for the sign-maker and plastic fabricator alike,” Hodson explains, adding: “Our compression tools for woods, plywoods, and MDF are also available in a wider selection to suit thicker materials and with smaller sizes now available with the Superior coating to extend the tool life. These have been extremely popular for sign-makers needing a perfect finish on both sides of laminates and veneers.”
Another specialist in this segment is PLASTGrommet. Head of sales and marketing at the company, Rafa Menéndez, says risking the use of sub-par tools could be the difference between creating exceptional pieces or quality that leads to unsatisfied customers and damage to your reputation.
“For example, when using squeegees for applying vinyl and other signage materials, a low quality non-flexible squeegee could cause marks and scratches on the printed material,” Menéndez says, continuing: “As a result, sign-makers will be left with the time-consuming and costly problem of having to reprint the design to restart the application process. Even worse, the product could cause damage to the surface or object that you are applying the graphics to.”
With this, Menéndez says one common mistake that can occur when using sign-making tools is not using the correct tool for the job, with the use of general purpose tools rather than specialised tools potentially leading to poor quality finished products which may damage the digital print.
Another consideration, Menéndez says, is the way substrates are secured, with some sign companies still using rubber bands or tape on their media rolls which can damage the material, causing wastage. He adds that overlooking safety in sign installations or applications can also be costly.
Menéndez goes on to say working with suppliers like PLASTGrommet ensure sign-makers will be using high quality tools. Among its most popular products is the microfibre Marathon Squeegee, which, listed in its Pro Line, is suitable for wet or dry use and recommended for car wrapping, with its microfibre edge making it perfect for chrome films.
Other solutions included in the Pro Line is the Marathon FLEX microfiber squeegee with the same properties as the Marathon but with higher degrees of flexibility, as well as the GOLD SUPER-Flex squeegee, which has been designed to last longer than the everyday use models and combines flexibility with durability.
“All our squeegees are made in Europe which enables us to offer shorter lead times with no minimum order quantity, while we also offer custom colours and logo printing on them,” Menéndez adds.
Next, Louise Gardner, director of tools supplier Signgeer, explains that sign-making is an art and the finished product needs to be visually impressive. As such, she says enrolling the help of quality tools to fabricate signage will result in enhanced signs both structurally and aesthetically.
“This adds value to your signs in a fraction of the time it would take to do it by hand using non industry specific tools. A good example of this would be our Corner Pro 4 tool for creating perfect radius corners on boards, which offers a multitude of benefits – a simple but aesthetically pleasing way to finish a sign, it reduces the chance of vinyl lifting on the corners as well as removing any sharp corners, from a health and safety perspective.”
Gardner goes on to say investing in quality tools designed for sign-making materials, such as the Corner Pro 4, a consistent radius can be achieved on all corners of a board in less than a minute as opposed to rounding them manually with a file, taking around five minutes with a not so good a finish.
Expanding on this, Gardner offers some other pointers to sign companies: “Using the wrong knife to trim vinyl can also be an expensive mistake – whether you’re cutting boards or more critically, on vehicle paintwork.
“Don’t take the chance of damaging paintwork when you can remove the risk entirely by using industry specific tape such as 3M Knifeless Tape, manufactured to safely cut any type of vinyl without the use of a blade.
“Instead of freehand trimming a cupboard door whilst using architectural wrap films, you can use an inexpensive Trim Wizard Tool for a quick and professional finish.”
Another company weighing in is Vivid Laminating Technologies, with commercial director Lewis Evans saying working with high-quality tools is essential for achieving efficiency and precision in any task, especially when it comes to finishing equipment such as that produced by Vivid.
“UK-manufactured finishing tools are known for their reliability, delivering faster operations and flawless finishes; this level of quality not only ensures the completion of tasks to a high standard but also makes the entire process more cost-effective,” Evans comments.
“By using tools designed for durability and performance, users can save time, reduce material waste, and produce consistent results every time. Consistency is key, especially for businesses striving to maintain a reputation for excellence in their products or services.”
Evans says Vivid recognises this and develops tools for its cutting machines to support customers. Among its latest solutions is the Vivid multipurpose tool, which he bills as a “game-changer”. The tool works seamlessly across all substrates, which Evans says eliminates the need to switch tools during a job, significantly enhancing productivity. It has been designed exclusively for compatibility with the VeloBlade Nexus system.
“With less downtime spent swapping equipment, users can complete more tasks within the same timeframe, ultimately boosting profitability,” he says, adding: “Its ease of use and practicality make it one of the most sought-after products for professionals looking to streamline their operations.”
Also in this market is Sign Trade Supplies, which specialises in aluminium profiles, fixings and components. Head of marketing, Garrick Dartnell says one important product in a sign-maker’s toolkit that is often overlooked in terms of importance, is cleaning products – and this could mean trouble for those who do not pay attention.
“They are the foundation of high quality, durable installations,” Dartnell explains, adding: “Cleaning products have come a long way over the last few years with specific formulations that have been created to suit sign industry challenges.
“Modern cleaning products are engineered for specific tasks, so it is all too easy to apply the wrong solution to an application. This can lead to disastrous outcomes that could damage the sign substrate or vinyl adhesive and lead to them needing to be remade.”
With this, Dartnell goes on to say that it is important for sign-makers and related companies to understand the requirements of the surface or item that they are cleaning and check that the cleaning product they are using is the right one for that job.
“An example we have seen is the use of methylated spirits that have been used extensively for panel preparation before vinyl application,” he says, adding: “This leaves a film residue that reduces the bond strength of the adhesive and the lifespan of the installation.”
According to Dartnell, Sign Trade Supplies offers an extensive range of products for all types of cleaning requirements. He points to Nortex Graphic Solutions in particular, saying that this has been formulated with the signs and graphics industry in mind.
“This exclusive range of cleaning fluids allows a comprehensive variety of substrates to be cleaned to the level necessary to apply self-adhesive materials or create structural bonds with adhesives and tapes,” he explains.
Some examples include Nortex MaxClean Professional Surface Cleaner, which Dartnell says has become an industry favourite for final preparation before applying self-adhesive vinyl and vehicle wrap.
Meanwhile, Nortex IsoproX IPA – not to be confused with an IPA of the beer persuasion – is the highest grade of 99.99% pure isopropanol alcohol and is used throughout the sign, graphics, and print industry as a universal cleaner.
Clearly, investment in quality tools will benefit sign-makers in the long run. No matter what type of applications you are working on, your choice of tools will have a major impact on the success of the final piece.
