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Blog Posts Written By

Barry K. Brown

Barry Brown has been in the Sign, Banner, Decal and Display Business for over 30 years. It isn't what he thought he'd do with his life, but he says he knows too much now to do anything else!

Wind Slits on Banners, plus Dye Sublimation vs. DSG

Vinyl Mesh Banner
May 16th, 2023
Banners

Do outdoor banners need wind slits? Sublimated versus DSG displays. And, is it normal for a banner to have a glare look?

Question:  Do outdoor graphics require wind slits?

This is a favorite topic of mine as there are so many misconceptions about wind slits or wind pockets being cut into banners.

Reduction of Wind Load

Wind pockets allow about 4-5% wind load reduction on vinyl banners, which, in our opinion, is negligible and makes the banners weaker and uglier. Quite frankly, I think wind slits in outdoor vinyl banners are just ugly.

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Vinyl Or Cloth Fabric Double-Sided Banners – Which Is Better

two-sided retractable banner
May 16th, 2023
Banners

Vinyl and fabric banner substrates in making double-sided printed displays. Know which banner substrate or material is best suited for double-sided banner printing.

Question:  What is the best banner for a double-sided application?

Well, this is a loaded question, as there are so many variables when it comes to banners and where they’re used. Banners are probably the most widely used form of temporary or display signage used, and there are two main categories that they fall under, then several sub-categories.

Vinyl banners have been around for several decades and have gone through several revisions as to how they are decorated,

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Durability and Cleaning Dye Sublimation Outdoor Fabric Banners

Outdoor Banners with stands
May 16th, 2023
Banners

In this article, you will know about outdoor dye sublimated fabric displays, how to wash them, and will they be able to withstand weather conditions.

Question:  How do you clean dye sublimation fabric graphics?

Most dye sublimation fabrics are made with polyester fabrics, and with the dye sub printing process, the color becomes embedded in the fabric, so fading is not a problem unless it is done too often.

Manual and Automatic Washing

If your graphics are not too big to fit in your washing machine, it is no problem at all to wash them there.

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Reflective Sheeting – Engineer, High Intensity, and Diamond Grade

Reflective grading
May 15th, 2023
Traffic Signs

The difference between engineer grade, high intensity, and diamond grade reflective sheeting.

Question: What is the difference between Standard Reflective (Engineer Grade or Type I), and High Intensity (Type III) and Diamond Grade (Type XI) reflective sign material?

Engineer Grade

Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting typically meets ASTM D4956 Type 1 standards and is an enclosed film or lens using glass beads or prismatic optical technology.

This material is specified for use on non-critical street and road signs such as parking signs or wayfinding signs. It has less reflectivity than the other types mentioned in the original question.

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How a STOP Sign Serve Its Purpose, Traffic Devices & Safe Driving

Standard Stop Signage
May 15th, 2023
Traffic Signs

The purpose of stop signs, locations as to where you can put up two-way signage, & the warrants for traffic control devices.

Question: What is the purpose of a STOP sign?

This, of course, is a hotly debated topic!

Some have said that a STOP sign should be used as a dinner plate, while others a shield to deflect arrows, but not bullets. Some juveniles have insisted that STOP signs should be used as wall décor in their bedrooms.

But I say that these signs should be used strictly as traffic control devices,

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Traffic Control Devices and Definitions

Controlling Traffic
May 15th, 2023
Traffic Signs

Here are the different devices used in controlling and maintaining traffic, as well as their respective functions.

Question: What are Traffic Control Devices and what are they used for?

Traffic Control Devices can be broken into several categories and a whole bunch of subcategories, but I’ll stay with the general categories for sake of brevity here.

The main category would be signs, which encompass road signs, street signs, highway signs, and traffic signs.

Sign Categories

This category will include stop signs, speed limit signs, parking signs, warning signs, construction signs,

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Authority Control Over Traffic Signs Cycle, Installation, & Standards

Off traffic lighting
May 15th, 2023
Traffic Signs

Department of Transportation on the timing of traffic signals, installation in the intersection, and standards for color blind drivers.

Question:  If a traffic signal’s cycle is too long or too short, will the DOT change it?

Possibly. If your opinion is that a signal’s cycle is too long or too short, you could contact the DOT or county or municipal road maintenance department and speak to the traffic engineering department about it.

However, it may also be their opinion that the cycles is just fine, thank you. Unless, of course, many people besides yourself have complained about the same intersection.

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Reflective Traffic Signs Sheeting, Posts, and Aluminum Materials

Stop Sign Reflective Sheeting
May 15th, 2023
Traffic Signs

Get to know reflective traffic sign sheeting, signposts. And, here’s the comparison of flat versus extruded aluminum materials.

Question:  What is Reflective Sheeting?

Reflective sheeting is the sheeting used to create reflective road signs, traffic signs, street signs, and highway signs.

Basically, reflective sheeting is laminated to aluminum sign blanks of various sizes and shapes, then printed with whatever copy is needed, and you have a reflective traffic sign.

Different Reflective Sheet Grading

Reflective sheeting comes in various grades, the most common being “Engineer Grade,” “Hi-Intensity Prismatic”, and “Diamond Grade.” The USDOT requires diamond grade for most interstate signs,

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When Traffic Light Signals Go Off – Rules for Installing Road Signs

Traffic Lighting
May 11th, 2023
Traffic Signs

So, what do you do when traffic light are off? Also, there are legalities when it comes to owning signs. And, find out how you can install or mount your very own signage.

Question:  What should drivers do when traffic Signal Lights Are All Dark?

This is a very good question, because there are certainly no traffic signs that back up traffic signal lights if the power goes out, unless it’s a longer term deal like caused by a natural disaster and such.

What I’ve seen for the most part in such situations is that people pretend that it’s a 4-way Stop,

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The Cycle of Traffic Lights and What to do When They’re Flashing

Traffic Light
May 11th, 2023
Traffic Signs

Understanding the timing of traffic sign lights and what drivers can do when they go flashing.

Question:  Why doesn’t the “Walk” light stay on longer? I can only get halfway across before it starts flashing!

Since I know nothing of your physical condition, whether you’re 18 or 85 years old, I’ll assume you’re in average physical condition and should be able to make it across the street before the sign says “Don’t Walk.”

Timing on Walk Lights

Walk signs are timed by the light, so if there is a green light that stays green for,

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