TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month’s SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
How many exhibitors will be present at SGIA '06 in Las Vegas?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] SGIA '06: VEGAS, BABY!
The purpose of SBI Update is to provide you—the reader—with information that is vital to the success, improvement, and vitality of your sign shop. Whether you run a small, three-person independent operation, a well-staffed franchise sign shop, or are one of hundreds of employees at a major nationwide signage distributor, there is one [[HOT TOPIC]] this month that connects us all – SGIA ’06!
Sin City once again becomes Sign City as the SGIA rolls into Las Vegas
next week, with the show floor open to the sign industry Tuesday morning through Friday afternoon, Sept. 26 – 29.
Sign Builder Illustrated and SBI Update are always in attendance at SGIA (Booth #1559), and this year we thought we’d take the opportunity to give you what we feel are some of the highlights of this event—aspects of the expo that you simply shouldn’t miss. We pride ourselves on being the “How-To” publication for the sign industry, so this month, we going to
tell you “How To” get the most out of SGIA ’06. Here we go!
NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS Some 90 different exhibiting companies will be showcasing brand new products now available on the sign market. What better way to boost your shop than by shopping for some new technology from Cyrious Software, Graphtec America, KAPCO, and Mutoh America, just to name a few. Print out a list of all 90 companies and bring it with you! Click here: www.sgia.org/vts/NFS_CompanyProducts.cfm
THAT’S A WRAP! The SGIA expo floor is a learning environment for those of you training in various techniques of sign making. This year, the Wrap Display Area (Booth #4624) will feature vehicle wrap demonstrations by a different company each day, starting at 10:30 a.m. (9:30 on Friday). For more info, click here:
www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia06/specialties.cfm
SEMINARS With more than 50 seminars being offered at this year’s SGIA, we thought we’d personally recommend a few:
Introduction to Digital Imaging, Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. SBI Associate Editor Chris Ytuarte recently attended a similar workshop at SGIA headquarters, and highly recommends it to anyone just starting out with
digital technology. (See his summary in the September 2006 Sign Builder Illustrated.)
Employment Myths in the Workplace, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. I hope my holiday bonus isn’t mentioned there...
Expanding Your Business Opportunities and Customer Choice With Multiple Printing Technologies, Thursday, 1:00 p.m. Expanding your opportunities and choices can never be a bad thing in this business!
For a complete list of all seminars at SGIA ’06, click here: www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia06/planner/index.cfm
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES The sign business is all about making connections with customers, suppliers, distributors, and everyone in between. With some 17,000 sign folk expected to attend SGIA ’06, what better chance to meet-and-greet your peers, pals, and potential profits! Booth #4000 is the CafŽ SGIA, for coffee and conversation; and a
Thursday night dinner party with musical entertainment is for unwinding at the end of the day. For a complete list of social events and networking opportunities at SGIA ’06, click here: www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia06/network.cfm
BEST OF THE BEST! With the cream of the signage crop on hand at SGIA ’06, why not enjoy a little head-to-head competition? See how the best of the best stack up
against each other! The results of several signage contests will be on display throughout the hall, including the Golden Image winners and DPI Innovator Award winners. For more information on contests and winning displays, click here: www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia06/printshowcase.cfm
Whatever you choose to do, see, and experience during your time at SGIA ’06, we hope this
SBI Update primer can help you best utilize your time at the show. It’s a big one! And if, by some chance, you haven’t already registered, or need more information on the show, click on the SGIA ’06 Elvis logo at the top of this page. Good luck, and we’ll see you in Vegas!
As always, we invite all comments and suggestions to cytuarte@sbpub.com.
DuPont Unveils Its Artistri™ 3320 Printer
Wilmington, Delaware-based DuPont recently introduced its grand-format DuPont™ Artistri™ 3320 digital textile printing system. With its 3.3-meter-wide, roll-to-roll printing
capability, the new system enables new digital textile printing applications.
The three primary components of Artistri systems are digital textile printers, brilliant textile inks, and state-of-the-art color and control management software. Applications include bedding, upholstery, window coverings and other interior textiles; flags and banners; trade-show and point-of-sale displays; apparel, silk accessories and swimwear;
and other applications.
To find out more, visit DuPont at SGIA ’06 Booth #5314.
Congressionally Funded Sign Project To Aid Disabled Transit Passengers
Anytime the federal government puts money into a sign project that reaches beyond simple highway wayfinding, it’s news in our industry. And when that
project will help thousands of disabled Americans, it’s even better.
This month, the Federal Transit Administration announced it will provide a $2 million grant to Sound Transit in Seattle, Washington to help passengers with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities better navigate the system via state-of-the-art signage.
According to a PRNewswire report, the grant will allow Sound Transit to host the Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS) Model Accessibility Project
(MAP). The RIAS/Talking Signs¨ technology was developed by Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute in San Francisco, and is marketed by Talking Signs, Inc., of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Talking Signs is an innovative wayfinding system that allows disabled passengers to locate landmarks and signs by utilizing speech messages stored in labeling transmitters. These broadcast directional, repeating human voice messages that cannot be heard by the general public, but are audible to those
carrying hand-held receivers. The messages relay information on bathroom locations, ticket booths, approaching trains and busses, etc.
The RIAS MAP was mandated by Congress in the 2005 Federal Public Transportation Act. It calls for a three-year evaluation of the effects of RIAS on work life, education, community integration and improvement of independence and quality of life for people who have visual,
cognitive and learning disabilities. The Secretary of Transportation will make a report of the results to Congress in October 2009.
Talking Signs has been successfully installed on public transit buses in Lansing, Michigan and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
BASF Makes First SGIA Appearance
BASF will be appearing for the first time as an exhibitor at the SGIA Specialty Printing and Imaging Technology Expo in Las Vegas. Visitors will be able to inform themselves about all
aspects of BASF's digital printing offerings over the four days. They will have the opportunity to find out about the current Bafixan¨ and Helizarin¨ EVO ink systems and to discuss cooperation and new marketing concepts with BASF’s inkjet experts.
“By attending the SGIA in Las Vegas, we are demonstrating our intention to extend our strong position in digital printing in the United States,” said Mike Freche, Business Development Manager for inkjet printing at BASF.
The product
range of BASF’s Performance Chemicals for Textiles business unit includes products and concepts for weaving, pretreatment, optical brightening, analog and digital printing, coating and finishing, as well as dyeing auxiliaries. Its products are manufactured and marketed worldwide. Further information can be found at www.basf.com/textile.
BASF can be found at SGIA '06 Booth #1007.
New Appointments
Cree appointed John Kurtzweil, former chief financial officer of Cirrus Logic, as its new CFO, effective September 29. He has more than 25 years in corporate financial management.
Nippon Carbide Industries (USA), Inc., manufacturer of Nikkalite Brand commercial graphic films, reflective traffic signs, and barricade sheeting products, appointed Charlie Bond Director of Sales and Marketing, responsible for sales development, government relations, and product marketing from the Carrollton, Texas
office. Tom Imai is the Managing Director over NCI-USA North America operations; and John Machado, CPA, CIA, CGFM has been appointed Director of Operations and Controller, responsible for corporate operations and finance in Santa Fe Springs, California.
Multi Dimensional Resources has appointed Ted Lorras Director of Production and Estimating. Multi Dimensional Resources is a leading manufacturer and designer of innovative point-of-purchase displays, packaging and store fixtures, for marketing at retail.
Meetings and Events
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 26 - 29: SGIA '06 Specialty Printing & Imaging Expo. Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. www.sgia.org/sgia06/attendees.cfm.
OCTOBER
Oct. 5 - 7: The Southeast Sign Association (SESA) and the Virginia Sign Association (VASA) Convention. Charleston, South Carolina. 877/635-1889, www.southernstatessigns.org.
Oct. 15 - 18: GRAPH EXPO¨ and CONVERTING EXPO¨. McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois. 703/264-7200,
www.gasc.org
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
This Month's Trivia Answer:
600 exhibitors
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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 October 2006 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Dimensional Sandblasting
Gold Leaf
LED Displays
Neon Lighting
Painting Sign Blanks
Fabrication
Tools
Vinyl Banners
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the November 2006 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Digital Printing Media
Dimensional Foam
Digital Ink
Extrusions
LED Lighting
Vehicle Graphics Software
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 Associate Editor Chris Ytuarte at cytuarte@sbpub.com.
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© 2006 Simmons-Boardman Publishing
345 Hudson St., 12th Floor • New York, NY 10014
212-620-7200
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SGIA '06 Booth #0604Diversify 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, visit the Epilog Web site by clicking on the logo above.
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SGIA ’06 Booth #3700Bayer Films Americas, a division of Sheffield Plastics, Inc., will display its MAKROFOL DPF 5023 at SGIA ’06. This new product is a gloss first surface, micromatte second surface, offering great chemical resistance, higher actuation life, and some ability to clear out a window. To visit the Web site, click on the Bayer Films logo above.
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SGIA '06 Booth #0300Come see the revolutionary new JV5 with speeds up to 430 Sq. Ft. / Hr! Mimaki USA has stood at the forefront of technology with its large-format plotters and cutters. Our key strength is our range—from large-scale printing and cutting solutions to smaller, more affordable plotters. To visit the Web site, click on the Mimaki logo above.
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High-quality custom signs are easy to make with a PlasmaCAM CNC cutting table. Cut metal, wood, or plastics with high precision for all sign building applications. To get a free video of this high performance machine on our Web site, just click on the PlasmaCAM logo above.
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SGIA '06 Booth #0871The MBX Vinyl Zapper from Montipower, Inc. strips vinyl lettering, graphics, and reflective tape from metal, glass, or fiberglass without damaging paint or substrate. The MBX Vinyl Zapper is fast and effective! Save 20% with SGIA Show Specials. Visit the Web site by clicking on the MBX photo above.
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SGIA '06 Booth #1658Win a FREE iPod daily at the Mutoh booth; just stop by and drop your card in the fish bowl. Broaden your horizons: Come see Mutoh's expanded product line specializing in various applications: Direct Textile, Dye-Sub and outdoor printers including the high speed ValueJet, starting under $15,000. Visit the Web site by clicking on the Mimaki logo above.
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Introducing the “Free Printer” program at Digital Media Warehouse. If your purchases meet our low monthly requirements, we give you an HD DesignJet 5500 printer! We’ll even service it for FREE during the entire length of the contract period. To visit the Web site, click on the Digital Media Warehouse logo above.
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SGIA '06 Booth #0734Looking for new papers and films for your Epson printer? OcŽ Imaging Supplies debuts the OcŽ Pro-Select™ line of instant dry media for superior performance in photo and proofing printers. Plus see their extensive range of specialty solvent media. Click on the OcŽ logo above for a FREE sample roll.
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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, Scotchprint printing, and production flatbed printing at wholesale prices. To visit the Web site, click on the Signs By Tomorrow logo above.
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SGIA ’06 Booth #1559
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 the cover image above, or stop by Booth 1559 for a guided tour!
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SGIA ’06 Booth #1559
Sign Builder Illustrated:
The How-To Book Vol. 1Learn 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 the image above.
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New DuPont Printer