tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9441731866853495652024-03-19T02:33:45.075-07:00Park SignsA place for prospective customers to come and learn about what our custom routed, recycled plastic plastic signs have to offer. From the manufacturing process, to design, to the success it has brought our customers!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-68856904041716601032014-12-18T08:46:00.000-08:002014-12-18T08:49:17.665-08:00Working with our community to Keep Akron Beautiful!<br />
We love to work with our local community so when <a href="http://www.keepakronbeautiful.org/" target="_blank">Keep Akron Beautiful</a> came to us with a need for new signs we were happy to sit down and talk shop. Many of our employees are residents of Akron and have a great deal of civic pride so we entered into these conversations with a lot of excitement. We are also very familiar with the work that Keep Akron Beautiful does and how their plots of lands help beautify the landscape of our community. They play such a vital roll in our city because their community gardens are some of the most visible plots of land in the city and the most beautiful. <br />
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In With The New and Out With The Old and Wooden!</h4>
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The old signs were big, bulky, wooden, difficult to make and maintain with many in various states of dilapidation. Here is a snap shot of the old sign. Not bad for 30 plus years of service. None the less, it was time for a change.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hKfZVnDbtoh5xYYyxqgaWWWgSxJuDo0OwtoK2qbzaZ0SNW33i0O_CHwSlhPP5W47mKwrkgvmvxixhJ8Uzo3vGfScofSXXrmk0BR9OcnhKTg8ywpu7XzzRRO5KscGxjxmdEQa2n1kDQe8/s1600/old+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hKfZVnDbtoh5xYYyxqgaWWWgSxJuDo0OwtoK2qbzaZ0SNW33i0O_CHwSlhPP5W47mKwrkgvmvxixhJ8Uzo3vGfScofSXXrmk0BR9OcnhKTg8ywpu7XzzRRO5KscGxjxmdEQa2n1kDQe8/s1600/old+sign.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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The Process Snap Shot</h4>
They wanted something new, maintenance free that could accommodate their new logo and had the ability to add or remove the group who sponsors a particular garden plot. While we had not done something like this before (isn't the first time) we welcomed the challenge with open arms.<br />
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This is a great example of the process we go through with new customers to come up with a sign solution that they will love.<br />
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<li><i><b>BUDGET</b></i>: We knew K.A.B. was a non-profit organization who runs off of community involvement and learned that they receive funding through various grants and donations. In other words, we knew they would have a budget (which is a good thing).</li>
<li><i><b>SCOPE OF WORK</b></i>: There are a lot of questions that go into the scope of work portion of the process. Here a few we presented to K.A.B. Will your signs need posts? How many signs will you need to complete the project? What color preferences do you have? Do you want to include and feature our logo? What sort of content will you want to display?</li>
<li><i><b>TIME FRAME</b></i>: Not everyone has as much fore sight as this group. We started talking about this project in February of 2013. Now in September of 2014, we are making final delivery on the signs. </li>
<li><i><b>PRICE QUOTING</b></i>: This is a part of every sign process we go through and a very important one as well. It's the result of the previous three steps and maybe a few that aren't listed. In the end, an approved quote is what launches us into the creative side of the project: design layouts.</li>
<li><i><b>DESIGN PROOFS</b></i>: Now it's time to show you what we can do. Based on the details we talked about throughout the previous steps we have a pretty good idea of the visual presentation your sign will have. Here is where we show you all the cool ideas that have been floating around in our heads. </li>
<li><i><b>PRODUCTION</b></i>: Let's make some signs!!</li>
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In the end, we came up with a simplified, low profile version of what they previously had. They are happy to have a sign in place that won't demand any additional annual maintenance and will last a lifetime. For a non-profit agency these qualities are critical to getting the most out of their budget. Less money can be spent on taking care of these signs and more can be spent on supporting our communities and beautifying our neighborhoods making our city a more desirable place to live.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrM0p1FD2QmjsMXYCm8eweNq-Z0f6_9ykCbGWU1NeVxfh0ncfQlzANbq-Cv2jODmjwx9o7w8V6nH6429ZqjSzXEvcuZEKox7H5K9hVZQr4uuM86mlhosoP87ybL9-5AvB7JKspnYpZYIL/s1600/20140917_131458_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrM0p1FD2QmjsMXYCm8eweNq-Z0f6_9ykCbGWU1NeVxfh0ncfQlzANbq-Cv2jODmjwx9o7w8V6nH6429ZqjSzXEvcuZEKox7H5K9hVZQr4uuM86mlhosoP87ybL9-5AvB7JKspnYpZYIL/s1600/20140917_131458_cropped.jpg" height="310" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you are interested in exploring some sign solutions, feel free to <a href="mailto:drobbins@brightideashops.com" target="_blank">email us</a> and get the ball rolling!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-64396228797067519702012-04-16T13:01:00.000-07:002012-04-16T13:01:57.899-07:00Graffiti - No Problem! <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkla7HmE0Ncg0bwJa-AStIM7n41ge45yxxG95_VSSb7Cw_0L33Y7_4B8e8alUJ0Wo9jA6S0WcyY6ssGj55RI5VCCoWaA1b87855H0UXRHrdCE7zH0Oy5PrrL-qbirnJhWp_kTOKsfQ228/s1600/P3220157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkla7HmE0Ncg0bwJa-AStIM7n41ge45yxxG95_VSSb7Cw_0L33Y7_4B8e8alUJ0Wo9jA6S0WcyY6ssGj55RI5VCCoWaA1b87855H0UXRHrdCE7zH0Oy5PrrL-qbirnJhWp_kTOKsfQ228/s200/P3220157.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spray Paint Graffiti - Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By having a strict policy of removing graffiti within 24-hours of the occurrence and preferably before the end of the workday, you can help nip tagging in the bud. However, we can help while vandals are in the process of tagging. The recycled plastic signs or high density polyethylene signs we create have a water absorption rate of less than 1 percent which means spray paint, markers, and even engravers will find it hard to make their mark—and have it stick.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They marked the pillars of the shelter and tried to write words on the signs. There were permanent marker marks on the sign but they wiped right off with soapy water and a rag,” says Doug Foley, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Manchester. It took only 15 minutes to clean up the graffiti versus 8 hours of time if it had been a metal or wood sign, which most likely would have needed to be sanded and repainted.</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v6iteO19IIqSp-gubKz-q1PXNzBfG0v1nBeFYSHrxlPg6bmnFD5KEvUxsZDpA31piHnjoKod2cGbdmGNBBc90O_jnX8f_RzsVvwlcR-eJAEbul7_lWGx8NUG8D0Zx3pgWxldXBN6I_-Y/s1600/P3220160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0v6iteO19IIqSp-gubKz-q1PXNzBfG0v1nBeFYSHrxlPg6bmnFD5KEvUxsZDpA31piHnjoKod2cGbdmGNBBc90O_jnX8f_RzsVvwlcR-eJAEbul7_lWGx8NUG8D0Zx3pgWxldXBN6I_-Y/s200/P3220160.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up Close - Graffiti Removed</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We have had one or two instances of graffiti spray paint and marker,” says Steve Mott, superintendent, Town of Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation. “We removed it with graffiti remover and the signs were fine.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The recycled plastic material is inert and responds to several graffiti removers,” <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">says Taylor Bressler, parks planning and project manager, Spokane Parks and Recreation. </span>“If it gets gouged or burned you can easily sand it out.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We have yet to replace one sign due to vandalism in the last ten years,” says Todd Younkin, deputy director, Preservation Parks of Delaware County. “The endurance and durability of the plastic signs acts as a deterrent.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>GRAFFITI REMOVING PRODUCTS</em> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have recommended and used a number of different Graffiti Removers in the past and wanted to list a few resources for you to check out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">- <a href="http://www.certol.com/RM%20Header.aspx" target="_blank">Remover Magic</a> by Certol</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">- <a href="http://www.graffitisafewipes.com/" target="_blank">Graffiti Safe Wipes</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">- <a href="http://www.graffitisolutions.com/products/elephant-snot-gold-max" target="_blank">Elephant Snot</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In our experiences, we have been really happy with Remover Magic by Certol and have some samples in case you are curious. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-67451878720426140942012-04-12T10:45:00.000-07:002012-04-12T10:45:09.229-07:00Customer Profile - Preservation Parks of Delaware County<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H0RZlLXo51QHkwKelFl_EeZGwBUMm3QimHsXi99e5ilCkjThhjHfGp526U23FtC5pW9PqYxDe5U3sHLMjdox6ZdsjYnyxA9YCnGVTyjkOyOhrs4WcA3ZF3dcb59kVIDZKWjFnztNUdMK/s1600/support+levy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2H0RZlLXo51QHkwKelFl_EeZGwBUMm3QimHsXi99e5ilCkjThhjHfGp526U23FtC5pW9PqYxDe5U3sHLMjdox6ZdsjYnyxA9YCnGVTyjkOyOhrs4WcA3ZF3dcb59kVIDZKWjFnztNUdMK/s200/support+levy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Routed Plastic Sign with<br />
Laser Engraved Logo Insert</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recycled plastic signs will cost a little more than other kinds of signs like wood or metal but you will quickly see the return on your investment as the signs do not need to be sanded or painted. Plus, since the high density polyethylene has a less than 1 percent water absorption rate , nothing sticks to the sign and that includes every park manager’s foe – graffiti.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We look at the long run cost savings and even though these signs are a little more expensive, over the long run they are less expensive than repeatedly replacing the signs,” says Todd Younkin, deputy director, <a href="http://www.preservationparks.com/" target="_blank">Preservation Parks of Delaware County</a>. “They blend in well together and are consistent in size, color, and font. Every time I order, they are exactly like the ones I ordered before which is important in keeping the overall consistency of the signs in the parks.” And, Younkin would know since they have right around 300 recycled plastic signs from us. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We can supply signs that look exactly like the ones bought years ago. In fact, Preservation Parks of Delaware County installed new signs next to signs that have been out in the field exposed to the elements for years and couldn’t see a noticeable difference—even when the signs are side-by-side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFBiCJEbeK3PtDyrWOC-7padvZYdhXHyYGbcwlTD1uqbr470wGuYs1YHpw9lODkN5GDgYLOiwqau1KqSgw4L8D0ED7wBGV3xjuFZOSiaYK0KWiMc8DEwJqnzL8N-CLZZ6iWx3fyJxJ9k3/s1600/Motorized+Vehicles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFBiCJEbeK3PtDyrWOC-7padvZYdhXHyYGbcwlTD1uqbr470wGuYs1YHpw9lODkN5GDgYLOiwqau1KqSgw4L8D0ED7wBGV3xjuFZOSiaYK0KWiMc8DEwJqnzL8N-CLZZ6iWx3fyJxJ9k3/s200/Motorized+Vehicles.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over 300,000 people visit the nine parks that cover over 1,000 acres and signage is important to make sure everyone has a good experience. Signage includes: pets on leash, directional signs, hiking trail markers, trail names, no fishing, rules and regulations, wildlife viewing blind, and more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If we had someone out painting them, with as many signs as we have, it would take them a couple of weeks,” says Younkin. “We are probably saving between $1-2,000 per year but just not having someone paint the signs. There is literally no maintenance that we have done to the recycled plastic signs.”</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-53970604949808207572012-04-10T06:31:00.000-07:002012-04-10T06:31:44.343-07:00Customer Profile - Town of Mount Pleasant<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">With 12 parks covering over 300 acres of land, the Town of Mount Pleasant, New York needed a simplified and affordable way to handle their ongoing need for park signs. The primary need for park signage was at the entrance of the parks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">They opted to switch from the original routed redwood signs to the recycled plastic signs that have a brown exterior and a contrasting vibrant yellow interior. We created visually appealing park entrance signs with the park’s name routed on it with the yellow as the lettering. The resulting signs are readily visible and have virtually no maintenance. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tYfxX-ZTuW6RhQZPXm0ZmNo-rLu3m-mxaOXFLuRG-U4Wk-R9ujwkUsmAKzDlcyNjNiDBcmvr1fCB-QW7imRUW0K4ctjLqw0ydBzle17LdewgjEODjXLF0u8i3tld6zV7wQgzGBpl-lCx/s1600/Water+District+Field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tYfxX-ZTuW6RhQZPXm0ZmNo-rLu3m-mxaOXFLuRG-U4Wk-R9ujwkUsmAKzDlcyNjNiDBcmvr1fCB-QW7imRUW0K4ctjLqw0ydBzle17LdewgjEODjXLF0u8i3tld6zV7wQgzGBpl-lCx/s200/Water+District+Field.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">T</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">he redwood signs required sanding and painting every few years. Plus, the wood signs were heavy which created structural problems with the bolt holes becoming weak. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Town of Mount Pleasant has about 20 signs from us and are switching the rest of their signs to our recycled plastic signs. “We are saving about 40 hours per year,” says Steve Mott, superintendent, Town of Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation. “Once we change over all the signs, we expect to see at least 80 man-hours a year in savings.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For a parks department with limited funding this is an important savings tool. Plus, they like the way the signs look and that there is almost no maintenance. In fact, when a sign was marked up with spray paint and marker they removed the graffiti with graffiti remover. Can you imagine if that was a wood sign? Mott estimates it would take nearly 40 hours to have a wood sign removed, sanded, repainted, and then reinstalled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recycled plastic signs are resilient against graffiti because they have almost no porosity—there simply is nothing for the graffiti to stick to.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-3796238672209887522012-04-02T11:26:00.000-07:002012-04-02T11:26:43.056-07:00Customer Profile - City of Spokane Parks and Recreation<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salt eats away at everything including wooden park signs. Spokane Parks and Recreation Department in Spokane, Washington decided to switch from wooden park signs to more durable recycled plastic park entrance signs. They also wanted to standardize the look of the park entrance signs including the color, size, design, and fonts. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUThSnEWCfklzKQ5sdArikGovJdHsJJ6r7DmIa_Y4xjZ3NnX8nBctqWjmP-U4aKxY0-KQzHhf845VywedfCoy2b3cXoFkqbWH3JDDuV5Nh-HN2Ud4UQI_qY-PpB-WpGHJHFwgF-EBuc7cx/s1600/Aquatic+Center+Sign+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUThSnEWCfklzKQ5sdArikGovJdHsJJ6r7DmIa_Y4xjZ3NnX8nBctqWjmP-U4aKxY0-KQzHhf845VywedfCoy2b3cXoFkqbWH3JDDuV5Nh-HN2Ud4UQI_qY-PpB-WpGHJHFwgF-EBuc7cx/s200/Aquatic+Center+Sign+cropped.jpg" width="173" /></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The high density polyethylene park entrance signs are 45 by 24-inches and are supported by two plastic 4-inch square posts. The park signs are a combination of a beige background with green lettering. The first Park-Signs’ sign was installed over a decade ago. <span id="goog_1035978560"></span><span id="goog_1035978561"></span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spokane Parks and Recreation now has 120 recycled plastic signs from us. This includes 87 entrance signs with the rest being signs for the aquatic center, trails, and disc golf course. All of the signs are in the same format and coloring to provide universal and easily identifiable markers. </span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We don’t fuss with the signs unless they need to be repaired, replaced, or installed,” says Taylor Bressler, parks planning and project manager, Spokane Parks and Recreation. “We don’t have to touch-up or apply any paint to the signs. That is a lot of time savings.” Bressler notes that they would have spent a solid month with an individual traveling from park to park fixing the wooden signs because wood rots but now the maintenance staff is free to work on other projects.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By switching to routed recycled plastic signs Bressler estimates that Spokane Parks and Recreation saves about $20,000 in not having to replace signs. “The signs last a long time and the material is getting less and less expensive,” says Bressler. “The signs are durable and are visually consistent even over several years.”</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-8354101040168081572012-03-27T10:19:00.000-07:002012-03-27T10:19:02.417-07:00Customer Profile - City of Manchester Parks and Recreation<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In central Iowa, the small town Manchester has about 5,000 residents. The Parks and Recreation for the <a href="http://www.manchester-ia.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={5AECD3B9-E713-4150-96EC-D3BE3D96298E}" target="_blank">City of Manchester</a> manages seven parks, numerous trails, aquatic center, recreation center, tennis courts, basketball courts, and even a pond that serves as the venue for water ski shows.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNzP_vPWN_mQs4yCwkRBknz8VRR2XRVo606kzaRR6UBMn9fmuj9nroVYOitbrajxXlpsdiN2ZeajpNFKCvtVPb4UZeB4879dWeMD2ViJqazh1KHT0QExE2ospEVvI8ypLqU2IGUcjOPPr/s1600/Manchester+IA+park+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNzP_vPWN_mQs4yCwkRBknz8VRR2XRVo606kzaRR6UBMn9fmuj9nroVYOitbrajxXlpsdiN2ZeajpNFKCvtVPb4UZeB4879dWeMD2ViJqazh1KHT0QExE2ospEVvI8ypLqU2IGUcjOPPr/s320/Manchester+IA+park+sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We have a park sign located at the entrance of each of our parks,” says Doug Foley, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Manchester. “We have the recycled plastic park entrance signs placed at the most visible location for the park in a nice flower bed to create an inviting entrance.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The park signs made from high density polyethylene are four and half feet wide by three feet tall. The recycled plastic park signs are speckled grey with the park name and logo of the city skyline routed out exposing the black layer of the recycled plastic board. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We like the signs because they do what we are looking for and it is an environmentally responsible product,” says Foley. “We can keep continuity between our parks.” Although, the original signs where installed sometime ago we were able to match new signs to the same format and style as the older ones.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have helped the Parks and Recreation for the City of Manchester develop more visually appealing artwork for the signs while keeping the park name as the focus of the sign. “The signs are durable. We have had them in our parks for over a decade and you can hardly tell they have been used,” says Foley. “You can barely tell which one is an old sign and which is the new one.”</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-49152308691076993682012-03-21T06:48:00.000-07:002012-03-21T06:48:55.824-07:00From Your Imagination to Your Park Sign <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether the your artwork for the park sign is scribbled on a napkin or delivered to us in a vector art file (a.k.a. vector graphic file), we work with you to make the park sign meet your exacting requirements. If you don’t have the staff to develop the artwork into a vector graphic file, we are able to help you with that too. </span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELK6wASz_tBig58RtOEcBgKesJWlo5fVN-MulwDGOTQvMA6TCiOkp93C4ShyphenhyphenxEN2SeHueiD6yX56eO8yR_VYUlcODPJoUXe_6yhqLn5frxnJD0ZxbwQvSUxc58g07mHjGTapqV8M8EG04/s1600/vector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="492px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELK6wASz_tBig58RtOEcBgKesJWlo5fVN-MulwDGOTQvMA6TCiOkp93C4ShyphenhyphenxEN2SeHueiD6yX56eO8yR_VYUlcODPJoUXe_6yhqLn5frxnJD0ZxbwQvSUxc58g07mHjGTapqV8M8EG04/s640/vector.jpg" width="640px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vector Art Work</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once we have the artwork in digital form, we enter it into our production software. The artwork information is digitally transferred to our CNC Routing System. We then apply tool paths which map out the pathways that the routing bit will take over the blank HDPE sign board to create your custom designed park sign.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You have a variety of color combinations for your recycled plastic sign including these common sandwich styles:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.park-signs.net/colors.html" target="_blank">Beige/Brown/Beige</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.park-signs.net/colors.html" target="_blank">Brown/Beige/Brown</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.park-signs.net/colors.html" target="_blank">Beige/Green/Beige</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.park-signs.net/colors.html" target="_blank">Green/Beige/Green</a> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRLHCdAa8TFDuUY-t81AEm8PlteJpxp4mMXZ2kFUnL4LYFliZLQrcmmNTQDs7kJDGZLJutQQ9xJiVeE9XBI85w2xB2v8CdwJ2xZjapj9C2nzfrM8xI8QERFUXaSJGgPuz5O42U9F-t8MT/s1600/ledges+trail+marker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="213px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRLHCdAa8TFDuUY-t81AEm8PlteJpxp4mMXZ2kFUnL4LYFliZLQrcmmNTQDs7kJDGZLJutQQ9xJiVeE9XBI85w2xB2v8CdwJ2xZjapj9C2nzfrM8xI8QERFUXaSJGgPuz5O42U9F-t8MT/s320/ledges+trail+marker.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By using contrasting color combinations, we create for you a customized park sign that is durable and has great visual appeal. With the three color layers and the thickness of the boards, we can also route both sides of the HDPE park sign which means more cost savings for you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With the routed recycled plastic sign you have a park sign that you can put in the field and you don’t have to pay attention to it—unless you want to admire how good it looks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another benefit of the way we handle your artwork files is that if you are improving your park’s system signage over the course of several years we can consistently provide artwork and board colors that exactly match the original signs from us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Park-Signs Happy Customer:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“When we order the signs they always are the same. They blend in well and are consistent in size, color, and font text. Every time I order, they are exactly like the ones I ordered before which is important in keeping the overall consistency of the park’s signs.” Todd Younkin, deputy director, Preservation Parks of Delaware County, Ohio.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-18289667720759734462012-03-14T13:08:00.000-07:002012-03-14T13:08:22.992-07:00Routing Artwork<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Getting a park sign to look just like what you imagined begins with great artwork, a durable high density polyethylene (HDPE) board, and our CNC Routing System. A CNC Router is a computer numerical controlled system which means the computer controls the pathways the router bit takes on the recycled plastic signs.</span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We utilize this technology to layout the tool paths for the router to cut the appropriate logos, numbers, and letters out of the 4 x 8 foot recycled plastic sheet. Our HDPE sheets are a combination of two outside colors and one contrasting inside color. This long-lasting “sandwich” style sheet is created from bringing together the three color layers of plastic when it is still in the molten state. The result is a strong recycled plastic sign that is impossible to delaminate.</span> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm_IckNAwzg/T2D5InOUXNI/AAAAAAAAAB0/4FbJh55MkEw/s1600/DSC01775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" closure_uid_qwy0di="109" height="200px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lm_IckNAwzg/T2D5InOUXNI/AAAAAAAAAB0/4FbJh55MkEw/s200/DSC01775.JPG" width="186px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CNC in action<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The computer controlled routing system combined with the durability of the pigmented HDPE allows us to carve as small as one-inch in lettering size for your sign. This provides you with the ability to add more detail to your park signs than you ever would be able to with a hand routed wooden sign.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also have the versatility to do very large park entrance signs. The largest sign we have completed is at the Lorain County Regional Airport in Ohio. The entrance sign measures 96H x 360W inches. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">By routing our recycled plastic signs using the CNC Routing System, we create unique park signs with structural depth that are weather and graffiti resistant. Since the HDPE has no surface porosity, is very smooth, and has a water absorption rate of less than 1 percent—nothing sticks to the surface this includes dirt, mildew, mold, or graffiti.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-8401405889247530432012-03-14T12:58:00.000-07:002012-03-14T12:58:34.260-07:00The Right Pigments Will Save You Time and Money <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32JKdfi30s3yv5ThM-Kv2J62oMcaMh4u-qamWwTTAPYz3TDmJZPvMnjDq7e3ecG2bh8wvHLDOgRWCkJFlkEE_OJ5HEL4g0DzYUhhnkk4M3SnYOT0Dpu32U0LU5qFSEYQ4Icg1b-wal1eF/s1600/Color+Pigments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32JKdfi30s3yv5ThM-Kv2J62oMcaMh4u-qamWwTTAPYz3TDmJZPvMnjDq7e3ecG2bh8wvHLDOgRWCkJFlkEE_OJ5HEL4g0DzYUhhnkk4M3SnYOT0Dpu32U0LU5qFSEYQ4Icg1b-wal1eF/s200/Color+Pigments.jpg" width="200px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color Pigments</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The pigments we use in our recycled plastic boards are much like the pigments used to color paint and can come from organic or inorganic sources and are water-and oil-insoluble. The use of pigments has been around for thousands of years. Common colors used were sienna, umber, and ochre which are all naturally mined pigments. Other organic pigments that were manufactured include iron oxide and carbon black. Synthetically produced organic pigments are made from petroleum, coal tar, and natural gas. Organic pigments are able to maintain their colorfastness even when exposed to sunlight and variable weather.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pigments provide many color options and by combining pigments the color choices are limitless. However, the best way to help protect the park sign colors from fading and chalking is to first choose colors that are light stable. Light stable colors hold together and resist fading and chalking from exposure to direct sunlight. A poor light stable color can’t be saved by even the best UV stabilizer. </span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI-JOH-sMlD4-KKAlGlY5OEw7J8dVtmnmOvF48HyQCdICrK62raO_Q5wN0HXdZ1-Tpml7WmXATmL9BQBA9VsxfOyo3dk4uK4fa7fHkiljxo3hpRz9XT8CTb5v6jeM_EJgE2mkUESdUOq8/s1600/PHOTOS_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI-JOH-sMlD4-KKAlGlY5OEw7J8dVtmnmOvF48HyQCdICrK62raO_Q5wN0HXdZ1-Tpml7WmXATmL9BQBA9VsxfOyo3dk4uK4fa7fHkiljxo3hpRz9XT8CTb5v6jeM_EJgE2mkUESdUOq8/s200/PHOTOS_003.jpg" width="150px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Routed Signs on<br />
Plastic Lumber Post Structure</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s important to also protect the high density polyethylene (HDPE) boards from <span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS';">damaging UV rays by using <a href="http://park-sign.blogspot.com/2012/03/imagine-world-where-you-never-have-to.html" target="_blank">UV stabilizers</a> to insure that the recycled plastic park signs have lasting color, beauty, and durability in direct sunlight applications.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> Overall, to have park signs that have a long life span you need both the appropriate UV stabilizers for the recycled high density polyethylene and color pigments which will not fade.</span></span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ8u4iazcQafoaQ04wJt9UYZgXAtpj05z1WxaANwNEou0To3nRXOuyj6u4BKVEQAaV6arEtgP-B4tdGAlaydpnnfAB7fsvSq2_WLAoRn0_y9U6uqF1U_UepXWrc2icCdv8XTF8KV197HF/s1600/Buena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQ8u4iazcQafoaQ04wJt9UYZgXAtpj05z1WxaANwNEou0To3nRXOuyj6u4BKVEQAaV6arEtgP-B4tdGAlaydpnnfAB7fsvSq2_WLAoRn0_y9U6uqF1U_UepXWrc2icCdv8XTF8KV197HF/s200/Buena.jpg" width="150px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic Lumber Frame <br />
with a Digitally Printed <br />
Vinyl Insert</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="Body1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Fortunately for the parks and recreation industry, the best light stable colors for HDPE outdoor signage are green, brown, beige, and black. We have 19 different color choices to meet your needs. We recommend the earth tones because they resist fading or chalking which is common in brighter, less light stable colors such as red, yellow, and orange. </span></div><div class="Body1" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">However, if your application requires these bright colors we can provide them. We can also provide tailor made colors. In fact, you can choose just about any color for your park signs and we even have a system that allows for printed vinyl graphics to be added to the signs. </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-40439586323860849762012-03-07T07:39:00.000-08:002012-03-07T07:39:30.819-08:00Imagine a World Where You Never Have to Paint a Park Sign Again...<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Outdoor signs are, well, outdoors in the sweltering sun or freezing cold weather. Your outdoor signage needs to be tough enough to handle Mother Nature as well as teenagers (I’ll talk about graffiti in another post). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBmprJ7cfYIkec4WeLnLoCKBwCA6_nUM7TkXmkeuaLbnCkSgkKzLqGqvtqUJke7FHeOn3yBTDIrIZQ-HYc4DY9IagCdrkLA-GZWMVsVV6_NIrdLb-Q0ggLLrSQtSdhUT8BwK52R2qMjA5/s1600/Brevard+County+-+Pine+Island+4-1-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBmprJ7cfYIkec4WeLnLoCKBwCA6_nUM7TkXmkeuaLbnCkSgkKzLqGqvtqUJke7FHeOn3yBTDIrIZQ-HYc4DY9IagCdrkLA-GZWMVsVV6_NIrdLb-Q0ggLLrSQtSdhUT8BwK52R2qMjA5/s320/Brevard+County+-+Pine+Island+4-1-11.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whether the signs are for the park entrance, trail marker, or parking, your park signage has to withstand the constant exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Recycled plastic signs made from unprotected high density polyethylene (HDPE) will begin to breakdown with the exposure to UV rays. This results in chalking and fading of the park sign. The best way to increase the longevity of the recycled plastic signs is to protect it from damaging sunlight by having UV stabilizers incorporated throughout the HDPE board.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To protect our HDPE boards we use a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS). It is very effective at preventing degradation of the HDPE. Another benefit of using HALS is simply the way it works because as the HALS stabilizes the high density polyethylene from UV exposure, HALS are regenerated. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Long story short...you don’t have to worry about your recycled plastic park signs fading or chalking. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc57itXE1uG41Xy98A6zAcBZ4zAHpbOPqDelXZzpgbtGKbzfElKVHnq7a7sZkN4chlUeSoqNuxQe0iSqMnvvlqPCTSrIZj6dMcpj72hzbtoqdWamDG0P0mKTv4NqNPaOkd66ZnUQMaUZFd/s1600/IMG_2748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc57itXE1uG41Xy98A6zAcBZ4zAHpbOPqDelXZzpgbtGKbzfElKVHnq7a7sZkN4chlUeSoqNuxQe0iSqMnvvlqPCTSrIZj6dMcpj72hzbtoqdWamDG0P0mKTv4NqNPaOkd66ZnUQMaUZFd/s320/IMG_2748.jpg" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since our recycled plastic boards are made with the UV stabilizers, pigments, and raw HDPE blended together during the production process the UV stabilizers and color is consistent throughout the entire board. This means that you won’t have to worry about fading or chalking of park signs with routed words and images. (You can’t say that about routed wood signs that require scraping, sanding, painting, and sealing every spring.) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Park signs created from HDPE using the right pigments mixed with the proper UV stabilizers will last at least 50 years—that’s one less item on your annual to-do list for the rest of your career. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Park-Signs Happy Customer:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We have put new park signs up next to signs that have been out in the field for years and haven’t seen a noticeable difference even when they are side-by-side. There is no difference in color, size, or anything. That’s even with the older sign being exposed to the elements.” Todd Younkin, deputy director, Preservation Parks of Delaware County, Ohio.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH 44301, USA41.044038600000007 -81.52124100000003241.028600600000004 -81.54170150000003 41.059476600000011 -81.500780500000033tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-944173186685349565.post-6682505657956486222011-12-22T10:35:00.000-08:002011-12-22T10:35:01.046-08:00Getting to know what your sign is made from!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a custom fabricator of recycled plastic signs, <a href="http://park-signs.net/">Park-Signs.net</a> get a lot of questions about the material we use. Naturally so, it is a relatively new material system which is gaining popularity because of its maintenance-free properties. So how does one take recycled plastic like milk jugs and turn it into an <a href="http://www.park-signs.net/" target="_blank">engraved plastic sign</a>? Well here is a little insight into the manufacturing process.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdebI3TjXWNE20kn2rqR5YfcmwJhtBjCskdyb-tUrI4i-ZwGXq6OE8R51y7LvUCMdpUcqfXrl7A_k7xbpncm4CIy3gtiFazPgqJoIym7tIt7x8dv77dWnfg42vf5C43VT52syfcaMJPP94/s1600/recycled_plastic_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdebI3TjXWNE20kn2rqR5YfcmwJhtBjCskdyb-tUrI4i-ZwGXq6OE8R51y7LvUCMdpUcqfXrl7A_k7xbpncm4CIy3gtiFazPgqJoIym7tIt7x8dv77dWnfg42vf5C43VT52syfcaMJPP94/s320/recycled_plastic_1.jpg" width="305px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various Color Combinations for HDPE sheeting.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>RAW MATERIAL</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">To give you a better understanding of the process, I will first start by providing you with some information on the materials involved in making the HDPE Sheets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There are two material streams that are utilized when making HDPE plastic sheeting which are then used in the manufacturing of our customer signs. There is virgin plastic which is just another term for a plastic that does not contain any recycled content. You could think of it as first generation plastic. This typically comes in pellet form and is white to off white in color. This type of HDPE is used in lighter colors and in whites because, often the recycled plastic contains other materials that do not get sorted out when they were processed at the recycling center. These contaminants can cause discoloration and be seen pretty easily in light colors. The other material stream is post consumer (milk jugs, plastic bottles, hula hoops) and or post industrial recycled content. The best source for this application is milk jugs and plastic bottle because of the pigmentless colors. Fellow recyclers would be familiar with it indication as a #2 plastic. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Of course there is a number of other additives that provide the product with some of it great attributes. The most important of these might be the UV Stabilizers. This additive does two things. One, it helps prevent the Sun's UV rays from breaking down and deteriorating the plastic. Two, it prevents those same UV rays from fading or bleaching out the plastic pigments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>THE PROCESS</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In order to manufacture the three layered plastic sheeting, companies use a process referred to as <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extrusion" target="_blank">extrusion</a></strong>. And if you have ever seen someone make sausage, it is a similar concept. I know, not quite the industrial example you might have been looking for but I think it gets the point across. Or the Play-Doh machine where you would stuff the Play-Doh in one end and squeeze it out the other into whatever shape you had attached to the end where it comes out. So hopefully that painted the right picture. Again, a little elementary but the point is illustrated. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This particular extrusion process in called co-extrusion because involves two separate extruders that work at the same time. As you can tell from the picture at the top of this entry, there are three different layers of plastic, which come together in the plastic's molten state to produce a plastic that can never <strong>delaminate</strong>, which is a huge plus when it comes to the durability of the product. Before these plastics are made into sheet form they are fed in pellet form, into the extruder's hoppers that funnel the plastic, along with any additives into the core of the extruder, or the barrel. This is where the magic happens....or the melting. Inside of the barrel a screw is housed which produces heat by rotating and causing friction and moves the plastic down stream and eventually out of the extruder. There are also additional heaters outside of the barrel which aide in helping melt the plastic to its optimal temperature. Once the plastic has been homogeneously mixed together, distributing color and additives evenly, it continues it's trip from the hot to cold side. </span><br />
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When passing from the hot (barrel & screw) to the cold (cooling tanks) it goes through one very important part of the process. This is where the molten plastic gets its shape. The molten plastic passes through a die which is formed to shape whatever specific dimension the sheet will be extruded in. Typically in this industry to yield to a four foot width. It is a continuous flow of the newly formed plastic until it meets it's specified length further down the conveyor belt and is cut. The material is then left flat and cooled until ready for storage and eventually shipment.<br />
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That is a very technical description of how the plastic sheets we utilize are made. In the future we will focus on other characteristics that make this such a great product to use for any signage application. We will also focus on some interesting field results. Hopefully sharing with you some success stories!<br />
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Til next time friends!<br />
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Dave</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Akron, OH, USA41.0814447 -81.519005340.9947507 -81.6270413 41.1681387 -81.4109693