Anatomy of a Sign

N A T I O N A L

817-573-1888

888-652-SIGN

Anatomy of a Sign

GENERAL

All sign fabrication and installation work by this sign company is in accordance with the highest standards in the sign design industry. Materials are new stock items that do not contain defects which would impair strength, endurance, and aesthetics. We are a sign maker with proven dedication to excellence in all that we do.

ARTWORK / ENGINEERING / PATTERNS

All sign design, artwork, engineering, and prototypes are provided by a trained graphic designer using completely computerized systems to insure exact dimensions of blueprint for building. All signs are drawn to scale in ratio to the size of the building and the square footage allowed by the city.

FABRICATED CABINET CONSTRUCTION

In most cases, .063, .040 or .080 aluminum panels are fabricated and installed over primed steel framework for new signs. Smaller cabinets typically have full-length aluminum for internal accessibility. Larger cabinets are provided with hinged access doors to allow servicemen to gain entrance for needed repairs. Internal raceways are aluminum. Internal surfaces are coated with high gloss white enamel paint to insure maximum light reflection. Specialty sign surfaces are fabricated with eighth inch to two inch aluminum.

FLUORESCENT LIGHTING

All internally illuminated displays using fluorescent lighting feature 800MA High Output lamps powered by rapid start electronic ballasts matched to lamp requirements. All components are UL labeled and all wiring is enclosed in approved raceways. All Signs have master on-off switch.

NEON

Neon is carefully sized (stroke/mm) to fit the lighting requirements of a particular display. All engineering is by computer and each neon unit is numbered for easy replacement or repair. Transformers meeting UL2161 specifications are loaded transformer manufacturer.

SIGN FACES

High impact polycarbonate faces,( i.e. Lexan, Plexiglas with high impact UV protection) are used on all smaller size cabinet signs. Hanging bars are installed at the top of each face to help insure that the face will remain straight and distortion free. Larger faces are fabricated using Cooley Bright flexible substrate material and the necessary clip mounting system built into the aluminum extrusion cabinet.

INDIVIDUAL LETTERS

Smaller letter projects are fabricated using factory pre-finished aluminum or custom painted returns and are constructed on computerized letter forming equipment. Letter backs and faces are carefully matched and are fabricated on computerized routing machines. All interior surfaces are coated white to insure even light distribution. Faces are chemically bonded to color pigmented retainers sized to match the copy. Larger letters are fabricated from sheet aluminum with .090 backs and .063 returns with internal stiffeners as needed.

DRAIN HOLES

All exterior individual letters and cabinets have required number of weep holes of appropriate size and spacing to allow the exit of any water that enters the sign.

RACEWAYS

All wiring raceways are constructed of aluminum screw lids for easy access to panels. Drain holes are included with all exterior letter sets.

DIGITAL PRINTING

All of our digital prints are printed on the highest quality true solvent digital printer. The solvents etch into the media for longer lasting vibrant prints. Then the print has to (gas off) evaporate the solvent and leave behind the pigment for 24-72 hours. Lastly print is laminated to seal the pigment and protect against uv rays.

FACE GRAPHICS

Faces are graphics with 3M vinyl computer generated vinyl copy and background with colors and details as per client's approval of artwork.

PAINT

All coatings placed on metal and plastic surfaces are formulated for the surface material on which they are applied and recommended by the manufacturer. All coatings are evenly applied without pinholes, scratches, orange peeling, dirt, application marks, dry look, and other imperfections. Southern Sign Service uses the PPG Mathews Premium paint that has computerized color match and mix system (providing polyurethane coatings for metal applications or powder coatings depending upon the in-field application and the type of construction used.)

UL LABEL

Southern Signs is an authorized Underwriters Laboratory manufacturing facility. All lighted signs manufactured are UL Labeled and approved, and are subject to random inspection by an Underwriters Laboratory Officer.