Category: Blog

Discover what is EMC

Are you looking to promote an upcoming sale or event? Do you have a holiday message you wish to share with customers? Perhaps you’re interested in displaying your company jingle. Do you care to alert your customer base to changes in your hours of operation, service additions, or product offerings?

A motorist has only a few seconds to see and comprehend any sign of a business or shopping center. Therefore, a sign must be visible to capture the attention of passing motorists within that brief span of time.

What Is an EMC?

Electronic message centers, reader boards, or digital signs—people commonly refer to an electronic message center by many names. Essentially, it is a sign that displays a message or image that a user can electronically change from a central location, whether remotely or automatically. An electronic message center would be an ideal signage option if your business or organization frequently updates messages.

These signs offer flexibility and effectiveness in advertising and marketing your business products or services. They utilize LED light sources, which are both energy-efficient and highly visible. You can opt for your electronic message center to display full color or single color, and you should consider your sign’s viewing angles and pixel resolution.

Benefits and Features

An electronic message center empowers you to take full control of your messaging. It enables you to convey sales, promotions, community information, and much more.

Electronic message centers are among the most potent marketing methods for your business, products, or services. They represent innovative and dynamic signage, granting owners and leaders substantial marketing and branding flexibility. Businesses, churches, shopping centers, and civic organizations install electronic message centers for various reasons. The benefits and features include:

Electronic message centers enhance visibility from greater distances, particularly at night or under direct sunlight. This gives motorists extra time to read the message displayed while maintaining safe driving. These signs allow businesses and organizations to share information all in one place for the most important customers driving by.

• No need for a new sign when you have a new message.
• Choose the duration for displaying your message.
• Change the message at any time.
• Set programmable messages to display at specific times.
• Maintain a 24-hour presence.
• Available in a range of sizes.
• It is constructed from various materials that potentially match your building.
• Operate the display using your personal laptop or smartphone.
• Capable of broadcasting graphics, photos, logos, and animations.
• Enhanced visibility for your business.
• Durable—can withstand all types of weather conditions.
• Energy-efficient and low maintenance.
• Applicable for indoor or outdoor use.
• Deliver messages and content in real time.
• Solutions for Your Industry

Solutions for Your Industry

Electronic message centers provide versatile signage solutions for many industries. They can help a car dealership drive in more traffic to increase sales. Or showcase a building at night.

Electronic message centers also have greater visibility from further distances, especially at night or in direct sunlight, allowing motorists additional time to read the message displayed while safely driving. These signs offer businesses and organizations an outlet for displaying information all in one place for the most important customers that pass right by.

Whatever the need, an electronic message center can help your business thrive. Some examples of types of businesses where EMC signs could be beneficial:

• Auto Repair Shops/Car Dealerships
• Corporate Business Locations
• Health and Medical Services
• Banks and Credit Unions
• Churches/Places of Worship
• Municipalities and Government
• Restaurants/Gas Stations
• Retail/Shopping Centers
• Schools and Universities
• Sports and Entertainment Venues
• Professional Services
• Airports

What Can You Get?

Electronic message centers offer versatile signage solutions for numerous industries. They can help a car dealership drive more traffic to increase sales or enhance a building’s nighttime visibility.

EMC bolster visibility from extended distances, during nighttime, or in bright sunlight, allotting additional reading time for motorists practicing safe driving. These signs provide a platform to showcase information in a consolidated area for key customers in transit.

Whatever your requirements, an electronic message center can play a pivotal role in your business’s success. Some examples of businesses where EMC signs could be advantageous include:

What Do You Want to Display?

Are you still seeking a method to animate your brand? Are you trying to put out offers that entice customers into making purchases in your store? With an electronic message center, you can broadcast whatever you wish, from sales, promotions, specials, community engagement messages, sports scores, general information, weather updates, time, etc.

You might choose to present text-only displays or use vibrant graphics, animations, or even video content. There’s a lot to consider when selecting the appropriate electronic message center for your needs.

Schlosser Signs is the expert sign company skilled at securing the right EMC signage for you. Contact us today to discover how you can convert passersby into your customers.

What gives your brand 24/7 visibility, 365 days a year? Tall signs—especially well-designed pylon signs! These towering structures not only catch the attention of drivers and passersby but also serve as your very own billboard, positioning your business as a local landmark.

When it comes to effective outdoor advertising, tall signs are an unmatched investment. Their height and prominent display make them ideal for capturing the attention of motorists on highways, interstates, and busy roads. Even if your building isn’t visible from the road, a tall sign stand directs customers right to your doorstep.

Why Choose a Pylon Sign?

Pylon signs—often referred to as tall signs or pole signs—are freestanding structures built on one or more poles. They range between 20 and 100 feet in height, providing excellent visibility from long distances. Many pylon signs are illuminated for day-and-night effectiveness, ensuring that your business remains visible even after dark. Internal or external lighting further enhances their impact.

Crafted from durable materials like aluminum for the cabinet and polycarbonate or acrylic for the sign faces, these tall signs are mounted on steel poles that provide stability and weather resistance. This solid construction ensures a long lifespan and maximizes the return on your investment.

Components of Tall Signs

Each tall sign stand is made up of three key components:

• Cabinet: The main body that holds the sign face.
• Sign Face: Typically made from materials like acrylic, polycarbonate, or aluminum, customized to display your branding.
• Support: Steel poles or covered poles that securely mount the tall sign.

With a combination of robust materials and professional installation, pylon signs are designed to stand tall and withstand the elements, giving you consistent visibility year after year.

Key Benefits of:

• High visibility from great distances
• Custom designs tailored to your brand
• Durable and weather-resistant, ensuring a long lifespan
• Multiple height options to suit your business needs
• Acts as a 24/7 personal billboard

Common Applications

For businesses located near highways or within industrial areas, tall signs provide the ideal solution for standing out from competitors. Their height helps them rise above obstructions like trees and buildings, drawing potential customers to your location.

1. Multi-Tenant Shopping Centers: Tall signs for multi-tenant centers offer shared visibility, displaying multiple businesses and directing traffic to the right destination. These signs are a must in commercial zones where competition is fierce.
2. Restaurants, Gas Stations, Hotels: On long stretches of road, pylon signs guide motorists to your business, helping them spot you well before they arrive. These signs are particularly valuable for attracting travelers who may not rely on GPS but can easily spot a tall sign stand from afar.
3. Car Dealerships: With expansive lots and inventory, car dealerships need visibility from all angles. A towering tall sign near the entrance lets potential buyers know they’ve found the right place.

3 Mounting Options for Pylon Signs

To get the most out of your tall sign, it’s essential to choose the right mounting option:

1. Single Pole Mount: The traditional high-rise tall sign for maximum visibility.
2. Twin-Pole Mount: A cabinet sign supported by two poles, offering extra stability.
3. Covered Pole: Enhance your branding by covering the poles with custom designs that match your company’s logo or building style.

Customize Your Signs for Maximum Impact

Customization is key in signage design. Make sure your signage aligns with your brand identity and ensures your business stands out. From LED message centers to custom lightboxes, there are endless ways to make your pylon signs more dynamic and engaging.

• LED Message Centers: Display key information, pricing, or promotions in real time to attract attention.
• Custom Lightboxes: Illuminate your branding, keeping your business visible day and night.
• External Lighting: Add external lights to spotlight your tall sign after dark, drawing even more attention.

Ready to Boost Your Business Visibility with Tall Signs?

If you’re looking to increase your business’s visibility with a pylon sign or tall sign stand, the expert team at Schlosser Signs is here to help. We specialize in designing, manufacturing, and installing custom tall signs that are tailored to your unique needs. Contact Schlosser Signs today for a consultation and see how a tall sign can elevate your brand to new heights!

Driving down any street in most cities or suburbs you will see signs that display the name and logo of local businesses, hospitals, or restaurants. Many of the signs contain channel letters. You can see channel letter signage at grocery stores, retailers, auto shops, schools, and car washes.  They are all vying to get customers attention with a well-designed channel letter sign.

A channel letter is a three-dimensional letter that can include a light source. Channel letters are built using plastic or metal materials. They are commonly used in exterior signage.  There are many possible channel letter choice combinations. From fonts to materials, styles, sizes, and colors, the possibilities are endless.

Channel letters can be customized to fit the style, theme, and brand of your business. There are even illumination options, such as neon or LED. Even without a light source, channel letters are a great signage option.

4 Types of Channel Letters

The flexibility of channel letters can enhance the signage of your business and set you apart from the crowd. There are 4 main types to choose from.

2. Reverse-Lit Channel Letters.

Also known as standard channel letters, front-lit channel letters use neon or LED lights to illuminate the face of the letters. This is done with a translucent acrylic face and lights that shine from within the letter itself. Front-lit channel letters are the most common type of channel letter and they draw attention during the day or night.

Most front-lit channel letters are made of sheet metal that is cut to create the letter shape. The letters can be painted to the color of your choice. Front-lit channel letters can be seen from a distance and offer several choices for customization.

4. Open Face Channel Letters

Open face channel letters are designed with the face open exposing the neon illumination. You can also use a clear acrylic face. These letters are appealing because they create a vintage or handmade look.

Channel Letter Components

1. The acrylic face is the part of the channel letter that is illuminated. Translucent vinyl can be added to channel letter faces to enhance color options.
2. Trimcap is affixed to the acrylic face and then attached to the return. Many standard colors are available as well as metallic trimcap colors. If those don’t coordinate with your business logo, trimcap colors can also be customized.
3. The return or sides of channel letters are typically 3 to 8 inches dee[. They are made of aluminum and come in standard colors.  Returns come in standard colors or can be painted a color of your choosing.
4. The components of the back of a channel letter depends on whether it is face-lit or back-lit. Face-lit letters have a backing made of aluminum, while with back-lit letters the backs are clear polycarbonate which can have translucent vinyl applied to add color to the halo. All come in a variety of thicknesses.
5. Lighting used in channel letters include LEDs and neon lights. You can also opt not to have your channel letter sign illuminated.

Mounting Channel Letters

You can choose to have your channel letters mounted on:

A raceway. This rectangular structure is typically made of aluminum. It conceals and protects the electrical components of the channel letter.

A wireway or backer mount is another mounting structure that generally contains wiring only. It is thinner and broader than a raceway.  It can also be used as a backer panel for the channel letters.

Direct/Flush mounting of channel letters is when they are directly attached to the building surface.

Where Do I Begin?

If you’re not sure what type of channel letter signage your business needs, then call a professional sign company to guide you. Schlosser Signs has over 23 years of experience is the sign industry, serving business owners, schools, and local municipalities in northern Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska.  We can help you get the best sign for your business.

Is your business challenging to locate, tucked away from the main street, or buried in a large parking lot? Additionally, a monument sign might be the solution you are actively seeking. Monument signs are eye-catching and free-standing, enhance visibility, and serve as branding tools that introduce new customers to your business.

Moreover, with strategic placement, they signal to passersby that they’ve arrived at the right location. For many businesses, signage is the first interaction potential customers, suppliers, or future employees have with their brand. Monument signs combine graphic design with architectural features to create a memorable landmark that’s hard to miss. Furthermore, more than just a directional tool, monument signs offer cost-effective marketing that boosts brand recognition and helps drive sales.

What is a Monument Sign?

Are you wondering what monument signage is? These are free-standing signs placed at ground level, offering a direct line of sight for pedestrians and drivers alike. With their low profile and minimal open space between the ground and the sign, these capture attention without being obtrusive.

Monument signs are highly versatile and customizable, making them a great way to showcase your brand’s identity. Whether in a busy shopping center or along a high-traffic street, these signs enhance visibility and help your business stand out.

Uses for Monument Signs

A monument sign can be customized to serve various functions, depending on your chosen design and features. Common applications include:

• Business Identification: Clearly display your company name and logo.
• Brand Expansion: Promote your brand with a striking, high-visibility design.
• Promotions and Announcements: Use integrated LED message boards to share special offers, discounts, or time-sensitive information.
• Directional Assistance: Help guide visitors to your location with clear, easy-to-read signage.
• Interactive Displays: Add a digital element that can showcase the time, temperature, or holiday messages.

Whether you’re looking to make a statement with a monument sign or simply guide people to your business, this signage style offers endless possibilities for customization.

Material and Design Options

When it comes to crafting a monument sign, you have a wide range of materials and designs to choose from. These many options allow for maximum creativity and flexibility. Popular options include:

• Brick or Stone: Ideal for businesses wanting an elegant and traditional look. These signs offer stability and can be designed to blend with the building’s exterior for a cohesive, professional appearance.
• Concrete: Durable and long-lasting concrete monument signs are perfect for those seeking a clean and minimalist look.
• Wood: For a more rustic feel, wood monument signs are often used in state parks, resorts, or cottage-style commercial properties.
• Foamcore: A budget-friendly option is foam core. This material can mimic the appearance of stone or brick while being lightweight and easy to install or remove.
• Plastic/HDU (High-Density Urethane): This material is highly versatile and can be molded into almost any shape. This makes it ideal for complex logos or intricate designs.
• Aluminum/Metal: For a modern, sleek look, aluminum or metal signs provide a clean, sharp appearance. They are durable and can be shaped into a variety of custom forms.

Get Noticed with a Monument Sign

Ready to improve your business’s visibility? Let Schlosser Signs design, manufacture, and install a custom monument sign tailored to your brand. Discover some monument sign examples from Schlosser here. With a wide selection of materials, styles, and finishes, we’ll ensure your business stands out from the crowd. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote

A sign creates the first impression you make with your customers. Well-designed and quality signage makes people stop and shop. Having effective signage allows any business to compete in a highly competitive, fast-paced market. Signs offer continuous advertising and marketing seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Moreover, if your business is on a busy road, you need increased visibility to stand out among the clutter. Want to communicate effectively with visitors on your campus? Then, install aesthetic directional signs. If your sign can’t be seen at night, light it up with an LED sign. Want to be seen by speeding motorists on a highway? You need a pole or pylon sign. Also, skilled sign professionals know how to catch the consumer’s attention. They can advise on effective sign elements, finishes, and placement. They also ensure that your sign meets all local regulations and ordinances.

Choosing a Sign Design

Perhaps you have your logo and message ready to submit to a sign company. Before you begin the design process and start picking out colors, you should consider a few points.

Location affects the type of design you should choose. It also dictates the size and type of sign for your business or organization.

Furthermore, consider your budget. How much can you spend on a new sign? Vinyl graphics for windows won’t cost as much as an LED sign. The amount available to spend plays a major factor in the design and type of signage.

Moreover, the City Sign Code has a significant influence. Depending on where you do business, city codes often factor into the design of your sign. What is or isn’t allowed in a certain business district can affect your design options.

Signage for Growth

Businesses choose to have a sign for various reasons. It can help customers find their location, provide information about the business, or help them stand out among their competitors. To stay in business, you need to increase sales. To increase sales, you need an advertising and marketing plan. One of the best and easiest ways to market your business is with a sign.

According to the International Sign Association, there are 3 main ways a sign can be used for marketing:

1. Attract New Customers. With increased visibility of a sign, you can reach consumers driving or walking by. Improved design can also entice new customers to utilize your products or services.
2. Brand the Business. Make your business recognizable with consistency in color scheme, logo, and messaging. Everything should be the same, even on your letterhead and business cards, imprinting your business in the minds of consumers. They should know what they’ll get each time they see your sign.
3. Create Impulse Sales. The design of your sign must relay what is being sold to attract impulse customers. The most important information should be recognizable at a glance.

The Design Process

Your sign should convey what you sell and enhance your brand. Consider the overall design of a sign as part of the architecture of the building. The design process should and can be easy, starting with a consultation between you and the sign company. During this meeting, the sign company will solicit your input and discuss your business’s messaging goals and budget.

A visit to your location allows the sign representative to assess measurements, traffic volumes, and visibility for the best placement. If you choose an electrical sign, they will determine electrical sources. A good sign company knows the local ordinances on what signage is allowed.

If you don’t have a logo yet, a sign company’s graphic designers can create one for you. Or, if you already know what you want your sign to look like, the graphic designers will work with the artwork or drawings that you submit.

Once a design has been drafted, all decision makers must approve it. The timeline for approval depends on the number of signs and decision makers. After your business approves the design, the following will take place:

• Permitting. Most exterior signs require a permit from your local municipality.
• Manufacturing. The time to fabricate a sign varies, depending on size and design complexity.
• Shipping. Different shipping options are available, with costs depending on the weight and size of your sign.
• Installation. Ensure your business site is ready for installation.

Schlosser Sign Options

No matter the industry, facility, or location, there is a sign for every business. Schlosser Signs offers many types of signs, including:

• Monument Signs: Stand-alone ground signs attached to a base.
• Channel Letters: Including Pan channel letters that are three-dimensional. Reverse Channel Letters have a solid front and clear back for a halo effect at night.
• Electronic Message Centers (EMC) project images and change messages, such as time or temperature.
• Interior Signs include directories, wayfinding, and regulatory signs.
• Pylon Signs capture the attention of motorists, typically displayed near highways.
• Wall Signs attach to the exterior wall of a building.
• Blade Signs are found in shopping centers.
• Cabinet Signs are used indoors or outdoors.
• Awnings & Canopies cover walkways, doorways, and windows. A canopy can also function as a marquee.
• Electronic Signs, including fluorescent, incandescent, LED, and neon signs, can be used indoors and outdoors.
• Flat Cut Out Signs come in various colors and finishes.
• LED Signs are available in various colors and are very energy-efficient.
• Neon Signs come in many shapes and colors.
• Pole Signs are placed beside roads for visibility to passersby.
• Sandblasted Signs feature designs etched using sand and air.
• Stone Signs often adorn entrances to neighborhoods and businesses.

Questions to Ask a Sign Company

Working with a sign company should be straightforward. There are certain aspects of the design process that you should be able to handle: design, permitting, manufacturing, and installation.

You want a sign that is durable, easy to maintain, and conforms to all local codes and standards. Ask the sign company for a list of signs it has installed in the area and visit them in person. Are they visible and legible from the street?

There are also some questions you can ask the sign company to determine if they are a good fit for your business:

• Do you offer installation as part of your services?
• Do you include the necessary specialized equipment?
• Is safety an important component of your service?
• Are you licensed for the job, and do you have all the necessary insurance?
• Do you offer routine maintenance plans?
• What types of signage do you have at your sign shop?
• What specific services related to the sign process do you offer?
• What steps are involved in creating the sign I want, and what is the typical timeframe involved?
• Do you allow visits to your plants so I can see the operation?
• What type of sign(s) do you recommend for my business and why?
• How much experience do you have in manufacturing the type of sign that I want or that you are recommending?
• Are you a licensed contractor? If so, could you please provide the license number?
• Can you provide a current copy of your insurance?
• Do you strictly adhere to accepted building structural requirements?
• Do you offer financing?
• What information do you need to begin?
• Where can I see this type of sign locally?
• Can you provide the names and contact information for some of your customers?

The Easy Solution

 signage company that offers a full-service solution to your design needs is what you should look for when choosing a partner to help grow your business. Experience in all phases of signage is crucial. A reputable sign company should have evidence of their work where you do business. You want to see firsthand the quality you can expect.

If you’re looking for professionals to make your design experience seamless, Schlosser Signs is the choice for you. They have provided exceptional service and products for 23 years. Their sales consultants and project managers are knowledgeable and ensure the process is simple. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is evident in their work. If you are considering installing a new sign or updating an old one, contact Schlosser Signs to start your design.

4 Reasons it May Be Time for a Sign Upgrade

Many deciding factors lend to refurbishing a sign.  When evaluating signage options, knowing what image and message to communicate is key.  50 percent of consumers report failing to find a business due to unclear signage.  Does your existing sign display what type of business you are? Is it visible and easy to read?

First impressions are important in business.  Here are a few factors that should help decide if the image of your business needs a facelift.

Damage

All signs will experience normal wear and tear over the years.  Colors will fade away and rust will take over the exterior.  Signs can be damaged with strong winds or by an accident.

While the old sign is being refurbished, make sure to put a temporary banner out front. You don’t want customers to forget who you are.

Location

Cities and neighborhoods change over time.  Population increases often give way to modernized amenities.  A two-lane road becomes four lanes which means an increase in traffic.  More customers are now riding past.  Upgrading your sign to be more prominent on a busy street will help get their attention.

Companies often move to new locations and want to adapt to the surrounding environment.  The most visible adornment on the exterior of the building is a refurbished sign.  When a company moves into spaces of previous buildings, it may require a change in the size of their previous sign.

A New Identity

New owners trying to lead their companies in a different direction often rebrand their messaging with a refurbished sign.   New logos and color schemes are created. Some businesses that are known in the community just want a more modern appearance.  The most cost-effective way to achieve this is with an updated sign.

Energy Usage

All business owners keep track of operating costs.  One of the main costs associated with having a sign powered by electricity is the amount of energy used to operate it.  An outdated sign can affect a company’s bottom line.   Depending on the upgrades of a refurbished sign, energy usage can decrease and thereby lower costs.

Restore. Refurbish. Renew.

When existing signs are unsightly, inefficient, or not up to code, the first choice is often to get rid of the old sign completely and start over.  Refurbishing can be a cost-effective option.

Opting for a refurbished sign means the use of less material.   Permits are added costs for installing new signs. Refurbishing a sign may allows you to bypass some permitting processes that are necessary if you order a new sign.

Cost-effective Refurbishing Methods

If the option of replacing a sign does not fit the budget, there are cost-effective ways to give a business a cosmetic upgrade.  Some refurbishing methods are as simple as painting on a new color; there are others that require more detail.

Retrofitting to LED

LEDs are a better option than older forms of lighting due to their durability, increased safety, and reduced environmental impact, not to mention energy savings of up to 80 percent.  A report from Energy.gov listed LEDs as the most promising technology for reducing energy consumption.

LED retrofitting consists of replacing old lighting, such as incandescent and fluorescent lights, with LED lighting.  LED  modules are often installed to improve light quality. In addition to signage, LED retrofitting can also be applied to parking lights, street lights, and canopy lighting.

Rebates and incentives are offered to help offset the costs of LED retrofitting. Incentives for renewable energy and efficiency vary by city and state.

Channel Letters

Channel Letter signs are the most frequently used signage in shopping centers. There are many lighting and color options available for various effects.  Letters can be individually mounted or attached to raceways that are painted to match the wall color.  Channel letters are a very economical way to promote a company’s brand.

Refurbished Sign Faces

An updated sign face gives the appearance of a new sign for a fraction of the cost of installing a new one. Updating a sign face consists of removing old graphics, lettering or logo, and replacing it with a fresh look.  This cost-effective method can save time and money.

Sign Repositioning

Sign repositioning is another cost-effective way to direct traffic to a business. On the road, where motorists often have five seconds or less to process the messaging of signage, visibility and readability are crucial. With the right placement, your sign can stand out among your competitors.

Refurbish or Replace?

Completely replacing the old sign with a brand new one  may be the best and only solution for your signage needs.  If the costs and time required to remove an existing sign, gut the old electronics, and add new lighting exceed the cost of a new sign, then replace it.     Improvement in the appearance of a business’s image along with an increase in sales will be worth the extra cost.  In addition, a new sign will have a new warranty to accommodate maintenance costs.

There are other reasons for choosing to purchase a new sign rather than refurbish an existing one.  Some of these include:

• Cosmetic options have run their course and no improvements will help give your sign a fresh look.
• The costs of parts, labor, and refurbishing outweigh the cost of a new sign.
• The damage to a sign is irreparable.
• New business ownership or mergers
• Change in city codes
• Condition of existing sign

Before purchasing a new sign, every business owner must know the answers to the following questions:

Is the exterior sign style you are interested in allowed in the city where your business is located?

Most cities have sign permitting requirements. You can find these by researching the city’s website or using local signage professionals.  There are restrictions on the types of signs allowed, the size sign you can have, and types of lighting.

How long will the sign last?

Different signs have different lifespans. Remember, nothing lasts forever, especially in advertising. Name changes, logo changes, mergers, and other scenarios create the need for a new sign. Also consider whether the sign can be modified, moved to a new location, or refurbished later on, if needed.

Will the sign create enough Return on Investment?

There is no doubt that signs offer a great ROI on your advertising budget.  The amount of ROI will be determined by the sign’s visibility, overall design, energy efficiency, and maintenance costs.  Consulting with a sign professional will offer suggestions on the advantages and disadvantages of sign options.

Is the selected exterior sign style/design going to generate new business?

Keep in mind what your business brand is and how you want it to be perceived by the public. Are you an accounting firm or attorney looking to attract quality clients? A boutique looking for hipsters? A grocery store looking to attract customers away from the competition? Your signs should reflect your brand and product.

The Choice is Yours

Deciding to refurbish an existing sign directly affects the bottom line. There are many cost-effective solutions available. This is where a sign professional can assist in laying out the best and most budget-friendly options.

Replacing or upgrading signage can be challenging and requires many steps. Consulting with a sign company that is knowledgeable about the latest trends, approaches, and strategies in commercial sign refurbishing will help the success of any business.

If your business is ready to upgrade its signage to a more cost-effective and energy saving solution, LED lighting is the way to go. Fluorescent and neon lighting displays have been traditionally used by many businesses. However, due to the improved technology of LED lighting, it has changed the lighting industry for the better.

LEDs unique characteristics include lower use of energy, ease of maintenance, and their resistance to breakage. Today, LEDS can be found in numerous devices such as digital clocks, televisions, appliances, and commercial signs.

What Is an LED?

LED stands for light emitting diode. An LED is a semiconductor. It emits light when an electrical current is passed through it.

LED Lighting vs. Neon/Fluorescent Lighting

Many businesses are opting to replace their fluorescent or neon lighting signage with LED lighting. Here are a few reasons why:

Energy Efficiency

Lower energy costs directly affect a company’s bottom line.  LED lighting can produce more than 100 lumens per watt. This translates to getting an increased amount of light while using less power. Neon lighting produces between 10 and 60 lumens per watt. More power is required to emit the same amount of light with fluorescent or neon lighting; hence higher energy costs.

Safety

Fluorescent and neon lighting are manufactured with glass parts that can break.  After hours of use, they are hot to the touch. LED lighting contains no glass or tubes. They always remain cool.  Fluorescent lighting contains mercury, which is a toxic heavy metal. The EPA suggests special handling of fluorescent light bulbs because of the risks associated with mercury exposure.

Long Life

LED lighting can last up to 50,000 hours before needing replacement. They can fully operate in most weather conditions. In contrast, fluorescent lights only last up to 20,000 hours. Also, they may not function properly in areas with high humidity.

Additional Benefits of LED Lighting

LED lighting technology is continuing to make steady improvements.  This will lead to lower costs and more effective advertising for businesses.

Light Quality

The illumination of LED lighting is a key factor in the visibility of signage.  Any time of day, customers can easily see a company’s name or logo.  The brightness in LED lights lasts longer over time, making them more cost-efficient.

Display Options

If you’re looking to attract more millennials, LED lighting provides options for a more appealing sign. The Sign Research Foundation reported over a third of consumers between the ages of 18-24 made assumptions about a business based on the attractiveness of their signage.

Costs Associated with LED Lighting

The cost of an LED sign can vary due to size, materials, and colors.  The amount you allocate to the sign depends on how long your business plans to operate, energy consumption and maintenance.

Energy Usage

LED lighting is more energy-efficient than neon, fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. This alone makes a significant impact on energy costs.  For instance, a small 2’ x 8’ ID sign with four T12 fluorescent tube lights will operate up to 160-170 watts on average.  The LED lighting equivalent for a 2’ x 8’ sign, after retrofitting, would operate at approximately 40-46 watts with the equivalent brightness.  That is a 63% savings on power consumption.

ISA Elite actively combats one of the most pressing issues the sign and visual communications industry faces as older workers retire. Furthermore, sign industry leaders consistently express their concerns about the challenge of replacing workers in both skilled and management positions. Consequently, ISA has introduced ISA Elite as the latest program in its comprehensive workforce development initiative.

Moreover, the ISA Elite program sponsors winners to attend the ISA International Sign Expo in Las Vegas. This includes special networking events, educational opportunities, and, of course, access to its sold-out trade show. The event is sponsored by the International Sign Association, the sign and visual communications industry’s leading trade and advocacy association.

“Our industry offers a variety of outstanding careers, and we are thrilled that so many young professionals are choosing to come into visual communications,” said Lori Anderson, ISA president and CEO. “Seeing this next generation of leaders bring enthusiasm for how we can help build stronger businesses and communities through our products is exciting. They will become the bridge to the sign industry’s future workforce.”

Those being honored in 2015 are

• Angela Bailey, Signage Legislation, Daktronics, Sioux Falls, SD;
• Matt Baker, Co-Owner / Operator, Bakers’ Signs & Manufacturing, Conroe, TX;
• Joshua Barnett, Co-Owner, Ink’d Out LLC, Newport News, VA;
• Ryan Brady, CFO, Brady Sign Co., Sandusky, OH;
• Corey Burns, Designer, Ziglin Signs, Union, MO;
• Jasper Sterling Burton III, Custom Applications Specialist, Cuerden Sign Co., Inc., Conway, AR;
• Steven Carter, Project Manager, Barnett Signs, Mesquite, TX;
• Keith Chapman, Vice President of Business Development, Mid Florida Signs & Graphics, Leesburg, FL;
• Lance Cossey, President, Scott Services Company, Birmingham, AL;
• John C. DeBold, Head Installer, Graphic Options, Farmington, MO;
• Daniela Echeverry, Assistant Manager, Imagen Digital, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia;
• Kevin Fink, Graphic Designer, Toledo Sign Co., Toledo, OH;
• Michael Garavaglia, Director of Environmental Design, Ideation Signs & Communications, Inc., Royal Oak, MI;
• Garrett Gibson, Apprentice Sign Installer, Ramsay Signs, Oregon City, OR;
• Todd Hayes, President, Sign Design of Florida, Inc., Leesburg, FL;
• Taren (Sitter) Heindl, VP of Maintenance Operations, Icon Identity Solutions, Elk Grove Village, IL;
• Jon Holthaus, Sales Representative, Holthaus Lackner Signs, Cincinnati, OH;
• Matt Humphrey, General Manager, Bristol Sign Company, Bristol, VA;
• Kendra Jennings, Senior Project Manager, Cummings Resources, Knoxville, TN;
• Marisol Kathleen Juarez, Project Manager, Southwest Signs, San Antonio, TX;
• Anthony Karnowski, Vice President, Sirius LED Signs, Englewood, FL;
• Starr Mershon, Service Manager, Universal Sign Company, Scott, LA;

Also

• Troy Metcalf, Production & Installation Manager, Designer Sign Systems, Blaine, MN;
• Stephanie Poyant Moran, Sales Executive, Poyant Signs, Inc., New Bedford, MA;
• Alex Schlosser, General Manager, Schlosser Signs, Inc., Loveland, CO;
• Nicholas John Stauff, Regional Sales Manager, The Howard Company, Inc., Brookfield, WI;
• Bethaney Taylor, Service/Install/Purchasing Manager, Signarama Peterborough, Peterborough, ON;
• Ryan Trapp, Structural Designer, Poblocki Sign Co., West Allis, WI;
• Wayne E Vandenberg, CEO, Zircon Graphics, Lethbridge, AB;
• Chad VanEffen, Account Manager/Outside Sales, Signs by Crannie, Fort Myers, FL;
• Lauran Wang, Owner, Mustang Sign Group, Kennewick, WA;
• Johnathan Warren, Marketing Manager, KeyedIn Solutions, Minneapolis, MN;
• Andy Wasserstrom, Director of Business Development, Advance Sign Group, Columbus, OH;
• Jorden Weiner, President, Dvision 10 Signs, Lynnwood, WA;
• Christopher Wesbrooks, Purchasing, Charles Hampton’s A-1 Signs, Inc., Burns, TN;
• Nathan Young, Training Development Director, YESCO, Salt Lake City, UT.

Members of the class receive three nights’ hotel stay at the ISA International Sign Expo, entry to the sold-out tradeshow floor, and unlimited education sessions. Special networking events will also connect the ISA Elite to industry leaders and fellow young professionals.

To learn more about ISA International Sign Expo or to register to attend, visit www.signexpo.org.

About ISA

The International Sign Association (ISA) represents manufacturers, suppliers, and users of on-premise signs and sign products from the United States and 60 countries around the world. ISA and its Affiliated Associations work to support, promote, and improve the worldwide sign and visual communications industry, which employs more than 200,000 American workers and has an economic impact of $37.5 billion.

About ISA International Sign Expo

ISA International Sign Expo is the on-premise sign and visual communication industry’s largest expo. Held each spring, the event features the latest products that showcase the breadth of the sign and visual communications industry along with education and networking events. The event has been named to the Trade Show News Network’s List of Top 250 Trade Shows and ranked in the Top 100 Largest Events by Trade Show Executive three consecutive years. Learn more at www.signexpo.org.