TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month’s SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
The world's largest neon advertising sign covers how many square feet?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] Digital Printing vs. The Old School
This month, the Hot Topic looks at the ever-expanding world of digital printing. As one of the fastest-growing segments of the sign industry, will digital printing bring the demise of the “old school” ways of hand-painting, screen printing, and
other “analog” technologies? Or can the two co-exist?
SBI Update recently spoke with Michael Robertson, president and CEO of SGIA (Specialty Graphic Imaging Association), to get his point of view on the flourishing digital print market and its role in the sign industry.
While contemplating the coexistence of digital and analog technologies, Robertson explains how the
digital world has become so successful, how it actually nourishes other technologies in the market, and what his organization is doing to help its member companies move forward and build upon the expanding digital marketplace.
“Digital printing is redefining the marketplace, but it’s particularly redefining the marketplace for the sign company because they deal so much with shorter runs and smaller run quantities.
Digital gives you such a wide spectrum of color and opportunity
and media today--especially with the flatbeds--that it’s opened up a lot of doors in the short run market. So, for the sign industry, it’s been a huge opportunity to expand their products to their client base and improve their capability.
That being said, there’s still a great opportunity for other technologies to work into the marketplace. At SGIA, we very much see the marketplace being ‘multi-technology,’ and not ‘single-technology.’ Even in short runs, we see examples of screen
printing being used in conjunction with digital imaging to create a product that could not be created by either one of the technologies alone. For example, I know of companies that are doing signage or display-type work where the color image is digitally printed, but a lot of the type is applied with screen printing because of small point sizes being used and the fonts that they're looking for. So it’s combining those two technologies, and it gives them a competitive advantage over someone that
doesn’t have both those technologies.
In addition, we’re seeing a lot of companies using both analog and digital technologies to expand their run length capabilities. They're using digital, up to a point (depending on which digital technology they have), for their run counts. Then beyond that, they switch to an analog technology to expand that run count.
We’re seeing digital dramatically change the front-end management of analog technologies. So we’re seeing direct-to-plate, for
example, in lithography, and direct-to-screen in screen printing, which is lowering the minimum that they can be competitive on. So their bringing that window down, while digital is getting faster and more effective at longer runs and pushing the window up. So we’re seeing more overlap there than before.
We definitely see room for both technologies. In fact, a few of our key manufacturers of screen printing equipment that we kind of keep an eye on have seen a recent bump in sales of
large scale screen printing equipment because some of these bigger companies are getting bigger orders—a bigger piece of the sign graphic pie, if you will—and need the added production capabilities.
There are a couple of big things that we see coming on the horizon. One is we see technologies that are going to dramatically increase the speed of digital printing. We’re well less than fiver years away from seeing full scale production digital printing equipment that will rival anything in
speed today. And that’s huge.
The other thing we see on the horizon is dynamic display. If you examine printing, whether it’s analog or digital or dynamic display, OLED, or a plasma screen, you’re managing an image and distributing an image for output. So that output might go to paint, it might go to digital imaging, it might go to an OLED. And our members at SGIA are very focused on helping them add these technologies so they can offer their clients the full scope. We see that next wave
of technology opening up a lot of new avenues potentially.
SGIA is a very dynamic organization. Our members are the leaders using digital technologies in a wide range of markets. So we’re not limited to one vertical market. So it creates a community of give-and-take where everybody learns from each other and moves forward. So we’re dedicated to maintaining that dynamic learning atmosphere that we feel is so important for our members to maximize not only the technologies, but to maximize
the market out there, to understand the market out there, expand their marketplace, and be successful. So we feel like we’re very much on the right track of helping our members make the right decision to move their businesses forward.”
Do the small paint shops and screen printers see such a rosy horizon? Do they feel the need to adopt some digital technologies to survive? Is the printing business becoming a one-horse town, with the digital market a thundering Clydesdale? Find out next
month, when we hear the other side of the story, from an analog point of view.
Roland Establishes New Strategic Business Units
Roland DGA Corporation of Irving, California, recently announced of three additional strategic business units (SBUs) specifically designed to better serve the company’s
growing customer base in the sign, vehicle graphics, and broader graphics arts markets.
The SBUs—Color Products, Supplies & Accessories, Technical & Customer Services—focus on three areas of the inkjet business in which Roland envisions much future activity.
“Roland has earned a reputation for excellence in engineering, service, and support,” said Roland Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Goward. “The new organizational structure better reflects this market
position. We are very enthusiastic about the new organization and about the future growth opportunities for each of these business units.”
Roland has formed a new senior management team to manage the SBUs. Brian McLeod was named managing director of the Color Products Division; Barry Johnston managing director of Supplies & Accessories Division; and Ron Ball managing director of the Technical & Customer Services Division.
The three new SBUs were created following the
recent formation of Roland’s Advanced Solutions Division (ASD), which focuses on the company’s vinyl cutting, engraving, and 3D solutions, and is managed by Gerald Hiller.
Jury Rules Against Avery in Patent Lawsuit
After hearing all pertinent evidence of a patent infringement lawsuit, the jury in a Minnesota U.S. District Court last month ruled against Avery Dennison Corporation, claiming
Avery violated a 3M-held patent through sales of a particular marking film.
According to a press release, on December 22, 2005, the jury returned a verdict in favor of 3M, the St. Paul, Minnesota-based technology company, finding that Avery infringed upon United States Patent No. 5,897,930, which relates to release liners used in the manufacture and sale of pressure sensitive adhesives for large format graphics. By selling its EZ Series Fleet Marking Film, Avery violated 3M’s
patent.
The patented 3M technology is used in the manufacture of product that allows graphics to be applied more quickly and consistently, reducing wrinkles and bubbles throughout the application process.
Following the jury’s verdict against Avery, 3M will seek a permanent injunction through the court, prohibiting further manufacture and sales of the Avery product. Damages to be awarded 3m as a result of Avery’s patent infringement will also be determined at future court date.
Permlight Joins California Lighting Technology Center
As the state of California continues to lead the country into what many believe is the coming “LED Era” for conversationalist personal and commercial lighting,
Permlight Products makes a significant and symbolic leap in the public sector, becoming an affiliate member of the California Lighting Technology Center (CLTC) at the University of California, Davis.
Permlight develops advanced thermally managed residential LED lighting products used in recessed cans, under-cabinet lighting, pathway and stairwell lighting, outdoor decorative lighting, and advanced lighting and energy control systems.
“We believe that the CLTC labs, training
facilities and connections to both energy providers and builders that want to adopt environmentally friendly technologies will pave the road to homes in the near future that will consume almost 1/8th of the power required to light existing homes,” said Permlight President and CEO Manuel Lynch.
The CLTC, established through a joint effort of the California Energy Commission and UC Davis, conducts cooperative and independent activities with lighting manufacturers, electrical utilities, and
design and engineering professionals. For its part, Permlight will sponsor a UC Davis design class that involves students in the design of “next generation lighting” for home and commercial applications using advanced LED systems.
“The industry sponsorship and collaboration in a design class is a particularly exciting opportunity for the students in enhancing their understanding of advanced technology and on how designs actually get manufactured and enter the marketplace,” said Michael
Siminovitch, director of the California Lighting Technology Center. “Cooperation with Permlight as a class sponsor enhances the educational content and brings real world experience into the classroom, addressing real world issues of efficiency and sustainability.”
Advance Corporation Celebrates 65 Years
Advance Corporation, of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, this year proudly celebrates 65 years in business. Founded in 1941 by William Lorenz as a manufacturer of flexographic products,
Advance has enjoyed continued growth since, and now encompasses three divisions.
One of these is the Braille-Tac Division, producing architecturally designed interior/exterior way-finding sign systems and standard and custom ADA compliant signs. The division manufactures signs to specifications provided by designers, architects, builders, and sign companies.
Congratulations to Advance on 65 years, and many more! SBI Update wishes such success for all in the sign biz.
Walgreens to Introduce New Compact Logo
In an effort to improve visibility for its customers, Walgreen Co. recently confirmed plans to roll out a new, more compact logo as a complement to its current familiar signage at
stores across the country.
Executives at the drugstore giant said the new logo will appear mostly at new stores and is not designed to replace the existing Wallgreens logo (large cursive W inside a mortar and pestle) or tagline (“The Pharmacy America Trusts”). The new logo will put a red “W” inside a white mortar and pestle, allowing for easier placement of the sign by reducing the overall width and giving store owners a better chance of compliance with local signage laws or
restrictions.
Walgreens Chairman and CEO David Bernauer said the new logo will appear on reader boards in front of new stores and also on bags and other company-branded materials and ad campaigns. Due to cost, the company will not replace the existing logo and signage at its more than 5,000 stores nationwide.
New Appointments
Eastman Kodak Company 's Graphic Communication Group (GCG), based in Rochester, New York, is establishing a new Greater China Region, and has named Haixiang Shen chairman and executive director as part of the company’s growth
strategy for China and Asia. Prior to joining Kodak, Mr. Shen was president of China Printing (Group) Corporation.
Meetings and Events
FEBRUARY
February 9 - 11: The Western Sign Show, a Western States Sign Council and ISA event, will be held in San Diego, California. For more information, call 703/836-4013 or visit www.signs.org.
MARCH
March 10 - 12: Sasekalahewata Letterheads, an event devoted to gold leafing, glue chipping, pinstriping, glass etching, airbrushing, and sandblasting, will be hosted by Fred’s Sign Company, Inc., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For additional details, call 405/235-8696 or e-mail
FREDSSIGNCO@aol.com.
APRIL
April 5 -8: ISA International Sign Expo 2006. Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida. www.signexpo.org.
Sponsored Links
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M2 Lighting Solutions, LLC -- NEW epoxy-encapsulated UL recognized LED channel letter lighting system that will stay bright even in your most challenging conditions.
www.M2Lighting.com
This Month's Trivia Answer:
54,175 square feet.
According to Guinness, it was constructed on December 18, 1999, on Tsing Yi Island, New Territories, Hong Kong, and contains over 800,000 neon bulbs.
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For in-depth coverage of these topics and other sign industry topics, check out
www.signshop.com
ATTENTION SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the February 2006 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Vehicle Graphic Adhesives
Architectural Wayfinding Signage
Fiber Optics
Gold Leaf
LED Message Centers
Cranes and
Service Equipment
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the March 2006 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Awnings
Digitally Printed Floor Graphics
Gold Leaf
Architectural LED
Neon Channel Letters / Sign Cabinets
Paints
Fabrication Tools
Contact your ad sales representative to reserve your space today!
As we shape SBI Update into the premeire
e-newsletter for
the sign industry, we encourage our readers to send us feedback on what you like, what you'd like to see, and any other comments you might have. To do so, send an e-mail to Associate Editor Chris Ytuarte at cytuarte@sbpub.com.
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© 2005 Simmons-Boardman Publishing
345 Hudson St., 12th Floor • New York, NY 10014
212-620-7200
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Sheffield Plastics Inc, a Division of Bayer Material Science, manufacturers extruded polycarbonate sheet or reels known as Makrolon¨ SL for the sign industry. Sheffield Plastics produces VIVAK HT, a proprietary copolymer for indoor or outdoor signage, and has a full line of "None Tougher / None Clearer" signage products to meet the most demanding specifications. Visit our Web site by clicking on our
logo above or www.sheffieldplastics.com.
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Diversify your business with a laser engraving and cutting system from Epilog. Engrave and cut acrylic, cloth, plastics, wood, and more. Systems start at $9,995 and are as easy to use as a printer. For a free CD demo and samples created with a laser, visit us online at www.epiloglaser.com
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Sixty Years of Explosive Growth
ISA is proud to announce the 60th anniversary of the ISA Sign Expo, taking place in Orlando, Florida on April 5-8, 2006. The Expo offers hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe, displaying innovative sign products. To learn more about the Expo, click on our logo above, or here: www.signexpo.org.
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At Digital Media Warehouse, we know the wide format industry. Our customers range from production houses with multiple HP DesignJet 5500's to enterprising individuals with a vinyl cutter in their garage. Whatever your situation, contact us, and you'll be making great big prints
and great big profits in no time. Click on the Digital Media Warehouse logo above to go to the Web site, or www.digitalmediawarehouse.com.
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Sign Builder Illustrated:
The How-to Book Vol. 1
Learn secrets to fabricating neon, illuminating with LED, sandblasting signs, applying paints, cutting and printing vinyl and more in this 288-page, full-color reprinting of Sign Builder Illustrated’s how-to articles. To visit the How-to Book Web site, click on the image above.
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Three New Roland Biz
Units
