TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month’s SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
By 2009, digital signage is expected to generate how much revenue worldwide?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] Serving on a Sign Ordinance Committee [PART 1]
This month, the USSC (United States Sign Council) drops in to inform SBI Update readers on the importance of partaking in the governing of our sign community, with Part 1 of a special report on best practices for sign ordinance committee participation:
So you are appointed to a sign ordinance committee...
Congratulations! You have now become a member of a select group in your community who have been brought together to either create new or modify existing law. Sign ordinances are part of the broad spectrum of zoning law, which, by its very nature, is designed to restrict the rights of property owners in the use of their property, presumably to serve the greater needs of the community. Sign ordinances are especially complex applications of this principle of zoning law, because they restrict the right to free speech or expression, guaranteed by the first amendment to the U.S. constitution.
Thus, in crafting a sign ordinance, careful consideration must be given not only to the desires of the municipality for a visually pleasant and safe landscape, but just as importantly, to the guaranteed free speech rights of any individual or business who wishes to present a message within the landscape by means of a sign. That's why sign ordinances are among the most complex of zoning law documents, and why the responsibility to achieve a balance between the individual and social rights involved should not be taken lightly. That's also why no sign ordinance should be adopted without the application of verifiable scientific fact.
Essentially, a sign ordinance is designed to control and or restrict the use of signs, both on-premise and off premise. In the overwhelming majority of cases, municipalities exercise this control for two principal reasons, which are the presumed promotion of aesthetics and traffic safety. Although there is still some lingering question concerning the exercise of this municipal power over the ability of a citizen freely to display a message on his or her premises, the courts in the U.S. have consistently upheld the right of a municipality to control the use of commercial signs based on what are called time, place, and manner restrictions. These restrictions are, for the most part, just as they imply, affording a municipality the ability to control the time a sign is displayed, the location in which it is placed, and the manner in which its display of messages is presented, notably its size and height.
The content of a sign, or its message, on the other hand, is generally exempt from regulation since a number of courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have ruled that exercising control over the message content of a sign is an unconstitutional violation of free speech. Nonetheless, sign ordinance writers frequently attempt to exercise content control as well as time, place, and manner restraints, and constant vigilance is necessary to monitor these attempts and to challenge them as unconstitutional abridgements of free speech.
Time, Place, Manner Restrictions
In actual practice, the time of display is seldom used as a restriction, except in the case of temporary or changeable and/or animated signs in which a time frame for display of a message may be imposed. Placement of signs, on the other hand, is commonly restricted by a sign ordinance, and involves setback restrictions, special restrictions for sight line visibility, and placement of signs on buildings and roofs. The manner of display as well, principally the size and height of signs as well as limitations on the amount of display surfaces of signs, is almost always a part of every sign ordinance, and it is these restrictions which impose the greatest impact on the use of signs in the environment in which they are placed.
On-Premise, Off-Premise: The Differences
Although the courts have rather steadfastly upheld the principle that the regulation of individual signs cannot be based on the content of their messages, there is one broad area of distinction in which content plays a significant role in sign control. That area involves the distinction between on-premise and off-premise signs, also referred to as billboards or outdoor advertising signs. On-premise signs are generally defined as signs whose messages relate solely to activities conducted on the premises on which the sign is located. Off-premise signs are generally defined as signs whose messages may not necessarily relate to activities conducted at the location of the sign. Although somewhat artificial, since a sign is either a sign or it isn't a sign, this distinction has been upheld by the courts to a fairly universal degree, even though it is essentially based on the nature or content of the messages displayed.
Most sign ordinances follow this distinction, and create different regulations for the two types of signs. This is generally acceptable, especially since off-premise signs are subject not only to local regulation, but are also subject to regulation under the federal highway beautification law, and to various parts of state law, as well.
The Sign Ordinance Committee
Along with yourself, it is likely that the Sign Ordinance Committee will be composed of a number of people from the municipality comprising different backgrounds and areas of interest. It is also likely that the other members of the committee will have little knowledge of the manner in which signs function as critical roadside identity, wayfinding, and advertising devices. Although this may seem unfortunate, it does give you the opportunity to emerge as the only knowledgeable sign expert in the group—provided, of course, that you are willing to do your homework! (USSC Standards and other related studies etc.)
The committee may also use the advisory services of professional planner, usually a member of the American Planning Association (APA), who either works directly for the municipality or is under contract to provide planning services. Planners, who are trained in zoning and land use, of which sign control is but a small part, may not be completely informed on the current issues relating to signs, but because of their professional advisory standing, their views may be accepted as credible, even though they may not reflect current scientific evidence and fact.
It is important to challenge any views, from the planner as well as from committee members, which do not conform to the now accepted USSC research relating to signs and traffic safety. This research, incidentally, has also now become a significant part of the guidance offered its members by the American Planning Association through its signature sign ordinance publication, Street Graphics and The Law, and obtainable on the APA Web site, www.planning.org.
Check in with next month's edition of SBI Update for Part 2 of Serving on a Sign Ordinance Committee.
Pacific Cascade's Magnetic Gorilla PostŪ Parking SolutionCelebrates Five Years with Adams
Pacific Cascade's Gorilla PostŪ system can be found holding its ground in the cities of Sacramento, Miami, Houston, Seattle and Portland; outside of hotels, theme parks and convention centers; and on university campuses, office complexes, transportation concourses and more. Enabling parking enforcement of reserved single spaces, the semi-permanent magnetic post system is strong, flexible and can be installed—or removed—by one person in under five seconds.
Weighing just eight pounds, the Gorilla Post is easy to carry and place into service. Once in place, it has 380-psi vertical lift resistance making it virtually impossible to remove without the special post-pulling tool. Standing 48-inches high and made of durable polyethylene, the posts are visible from street-level, and return upright even after a 15 mph impact. The secret is its six-inch Neodymium magnetic base and 3/16-inch thin plate that couples to the street or sidewalk, holding the post in place.
"Larger cities are removing existing parking meters and replacing them with multi-space meters. When using multi-space meters, business owners or city employees have no way to 'bag' a parking space, temporarily holding or reserving a spot," said Craig Myers, national sales manager with Adams Magnetic Products Co. "Pacific Cascade developed a magnetic-based sign that reads, 'Reserved -- Customer Parking Only,' or some other such message. This quickly grew from a standard item to very customized, magnetic assemblies," says Myers.
The product family continues to evolve, notes Mark Curtis, president of Pacific Cascade. Adams also helped Curtis adapt his concept to a custom-order granite bollard for the City of Portland. "These stone columns were installed as parking delineators and, if hit, they would be nearly impossible to replace or repair. So, we carefully designed and secured a magnetic base similar to our Gorilla Post bollards, but capable of holding the 13-inch diameter, 30-inch tall stone structures."
"Craig has been good partner throughout our five-year relationship," notes Mark Curtis, president of Pacific Cascade. "I had a design, and together, we worked through the product development process to arrive at a cost-effective solution that provided the required strength."
Curtis says that Adams' samples and responsive customer support were especially helpful during the Gorilla Post's early development. "It was very helpful to see and feel different types and strengths of magnets. Craig often would next day air products for me. Magnets have always held a fascination for me. They are fun and a cool toy to play with. They're also challenging to work with because each affects the things around it."
Ultraflex Systems Heads South of the Border
Ultraflex Systems Inc, a worldwide supplier of solvent, UV and screen-printing media for the sign industry based in Randolph, New Jersey, recently announced the opening of Ultraflex Mexico. The Ultraflex Mexico location was opened to better serve customers by continuously supporting loyal distributors, and Ultraflex aims to protect and more quickly supply the businesses that they worked hard to build.
Located in Mexico City, Mexico, Ultraflex Mexico will be headed by Pedro Villasenor, named Latin America Sales Director. Pedro has 18 years of diverse experience in the sign industry. He was previously the Latin America Sales Director of Avery Dennison-Graphics Division, which gave him a broad perspective of the industry throughout Latin America. Villasenor will be responsible for the growth and success of all Ultraflex operations in Latin America.
New Appointments
CAO Group
has named DH Marketing of Park City, Utah as its manufacturers’ representative in Utah, Idaho, and Montana. DH Marketing, headed by Joe Ardovino, will handle the full CAO optoelectronics/lighting line, including LEDs, numeric and alphanumeric displays, solid state lighting and solid state signage products.
SA International (SAi),
a provider of software solutions for the professional sign making, digital printing, proofing, and CAD/CAM for CNC manufacturing industries, announces the promotion of Eyal Friedman to Vice President of Technical Services.
W.A.C. Lighting
announced the appointment of Andrew Shabica to Senior Product Manager.
Meetings and Events
AUGUST
August 19 - 21: Delcam, developer of the ArtCAM suite of CAD/CAM software, will present its latest software updates to its customer base at a technical conference being held at the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa in St. Charles, Illinois. For additional details, call 877/335-2261, ext. 232.
SEPTEMBER
September 7 - 9: Calling all pinstripers, customer painters, and artists! The Razor Custom Paint 69 & Back Panel Jam will be hosted by Mark Long, kenny Dean, and Darren Wenzel, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. To learn more, check out www.myspace.com/69nbackhotrodshow.
September 13 - 15: The 2007 Annual Convention of the Southern States Sign Council, FSA, SESA, and VASA will be held at the Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For more information, call 877/635-1889 or visit www.southstatessigns.org.
September 27 - 30: Sign Asia Expo ’07, to be held in conjunction with Media Asia Expo ’07. Hall 2-3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand. For more information, visit www.signasiaexpo.com.
Sponsored Links
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
Elliott Equipment Corporation --
Award-winning HiReach & BoomTruck aerial-workplatforms and cranes. Elliott products increase your productivity, and give you the highest ROI available. Do more with Elliott. www.elliottequip.com
Thegluedepot.com --
Thegluedepot.com sells Loctite, Devcon, and 3M adhesives and tapes online for bonding a wide range of plastics and metals. www.thegluedepot.com
Screen Printing Express --
A national wholesale manufacturer, we specialize in corrugated plastic signs, sign stakes, outdoor poster signs, vinyl decals, bumper stickers, magnetic vehicle signs and license plates. www.screenprintingexpress.com
This Month's Trivia Answer:
$2 billion (with the number of displays deployed more than doubling to 900,000 from 433,000 last year) **
** According to research firms DisplaySearch and Frost & Sullivan.
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For in-depth coverage of these topics and other
sign industry topics, check out
www.signshop.com
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the August 2007 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Vehicle Graphic Adhesives
Architectural Letters
Digital Printing Media
Dimensional CNC Routers
Inflatables Installation
LED Message Centers
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the September 2007 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Digital Printing Growth Management
Dimensional ADA
LED Displays
Neon Transformers
Tri-face Installation
Vinyl Application Fluid
Contact your ad sales representative to reserve your space today.
As we shape SBI Update into the premier
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 Managing Editor Chris Ytuarte at cytuarte@sbpub.com.
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© 2007 Simmons-Boardman Publishing
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AI Innovations is a wholesale only manufacturer of Awnings, Channel Letters, Sign Cabinets, and Decorated Faces. Custom fabrication and intelligent design are utilized to achieve high quality and service in the industry. Competitive pricing, fast quotes and flexible delivery options are available from multiple manufacturing facilities. For more information, click on: AI Innovations
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GE Lumination Tetra PowerGrid
LED Lighting System New Tetra PowerGrid LED Lighting System from GE Lumination features a revolutionary design that replaces fluorescent systems in large-scale backlighting applications like cabinet & box sign lighting. Inter-linking Tetra PowerGrid modules install quickly and provide consistently brilliant and uniform light across the entire sign face. This energy-efficient LED solution lasts up to 50,000 hours. For more info, visit:
GE Lumination
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ITSENCLOSURES provides the toughest, most durable, electronic, computer and network enclosure solutions available today. Our mission is to safely enclose electronic devices in any environment, protecting them from harsh surroundings, extending their useful life, and protecting our customer's processes from costly downtime. For more info, click on: ITSENCLOSURES
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Being an approved wholesale partner with Signs By Tomorrow, you can expand your product mix without the expense of additional machinery. We offer grand format roll-to-roll printing up to 16' wide, Scotchprint printing, and production flatbed printing at wholesale prices. To visit Web site, click on:
Signs By Tomorrow
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Goes Digital With live hyperlinks to video clips, advertiser information, and other features, SBI Digital offers the newest online technology with the familiar layout of a hardcopy issue. To view an example, click on:
SBI Digital Magazine
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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 trademark How-To articles. To visit the How-to Book Web site, click on: SBI How-To Book
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Buyer's Guide 2007
Published twice per year in March and September, the Buyer's Guide lists manufacturers, distributors, and sign companies that comprise the industry in the U.S. and Canada.
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Five Years of Adams Magnetics