PREVISION ARTICLES

Importance of Correct Lighting In The Signage Industry!

In the signage industry Lighting plays various roles, there is the need to include or provide lighting for the signage to be seen effectively, whether at night or in underlit situations. Sometimes the sign includes its own lighting in order to increase the impact of the sign. However, there are elements where light plays an important role, some might say vital role.

The first of these is the role of lighting in the production of signage. The second is the current lighting where the sign will be situated. Let’s look at these as separate elements of lighting.

When designing or producing a sign, it is important to consider where the sign will be displayed because positional lighting can influence the ways colours appear, whether graphics and images are visible or not and whether it is necessary to include built-in or positional lighting. It is also necessary to know whether the sign will be in full or partial sunlight or indeed, whether it will be exposed to sunlight at all.

The lighting that a sign will be displayed in can have a direct affect on the appearance of colour. Dark colours in full sunlight or floodlighting often appear lighter than they truly are. This can require some alterations to be made in the design process to ensure that the colour displays correctly.

Lighting also refers to the way in which a colour reading is taken. Colours appear different in different lighting conditions and it is important to ensure that the correct lighting is used to read or scan a colour. Generally, in situations where colour correctness is imperative, light box or viewing canopy measuring 5000k provides the correct lighting conditions. Depending on how vital the colour correctness is, it may not be necessary to go to the expense of purchasing this piece of technology.

In signage, Lighting also refers to the positional lighting. In other words where the sign will be situated and what type of light it will be exposed to. This generally refers to sunlight because sunlight incorporates harsh UV light which can damage the inks and substrates used. Standard displays often struggle to compete with the intense brightness of the sun, resulting in washed-out images, glare, and unreadable content. Certain types of vinyl will peel in direct sunlight. If you use the incorrect inks, they will fade very quickly and the signage will be unreadable or lose its impact. Certain fabrics will perish and break up or become brittle and weak. All of this is due to the effects of UV light on the signage.

As a result of the impact of lighting it is important to know what type of signage you will be producing. There is very little point in investing in systems and solutions which will produce signage for direct sunlight use if you do not produce that type of signage. On the other hand, having equipment that cannot produce signage that will be used in high UV situations, and then being required to produce that type of signage will also have a negative impact on your business. A good way to know if the colours are safe from UV light is to see whether the colour Red lasts in direct sunlight. Red will always fade faster than any other colour.

Lighting is a very expansive subjective but one which is difficult to comprehend and to differentiate one section from another. However, its importance cannot be refuted or overlooked.

The signage industry relies on various machines and equipment to produce a wide range of signs for businesses, organizations, events, and more. Some common machines used in the signage industry include:

Large Format Printers: These printers are used to produce banners, posters, vehicle wraps, and other large-scale signage. They typically utilize inkjet technology and can handle a variety of substrates including vinyl, fabric, and rigid materials.
Vinyl Cutters/Plotters: Vinyl cutters are used to precisely cut adhesive vinyl sheets or rolls into shapes and letters. This equipment is essential for producing vinyl decals, lettering for signs, and vehicle graphics.
CNC Routers: Computer Numerical Control (CNC) routers are used to precisely cut and carve various materials such as wood, plastic, and metal. In the signage industry, CNC routers are often used to create dimensional signs, architectural lettering, and custom shapes.
Laser Engravers/Cutters: Laser machines are versatile tools used for engraving and cutting a wide range of materials including wood, acrylic, glass, and metal. They are commonly used in the signage industry for creating intricate designs, etching logos, and cutting out precise shapes.
Channel Letter Benders: Channel letters are three-dimensional signs often used for storefronts and commercial buildings. Channel letter benders automate the process of bending and shaping metal strips to create the individual letters and shapes that make up the sign.
Heat Presses: Heat presses are used to apply heat and pressure to transfer designs from a printed substrate (such as vinyl or sublimation paper) onto another material, such as apparel, banners, or promotional items.
Laminators: Laminating machines are used to apply a protective film over printed graphics to enhance durability and longevity. This is especially important for outdoor signage exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Digital Cutting Tables: These tables are equipped with cutting blades and routing tools controlled by computer software. They are used for cutting various materials with precision, such as foam board, corrugated plastic, and cardboard, to create custom shapes and displays.
LED Sign Modules and Assemblies: LED modules and assemblies are used to create illuminated signs and displays. These components include LED modules, power supplies, controllers, and wiring systems used to assemble and install LED signage.
UV Printers: UV printers utilize ultraviolet light to instantly cure ink onto substrates, allowing for printing on a wide range of materials including glass, metal, ceramics, and plastics. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor signage applications.