The 3M guide to good signages

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Ashlyn Patrick
5 years ago
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1 The 3M guide to good signages

2 What makes a good sign? Choosing the right signage material is important for your business. After all, it is not just a design or a logo but a reflection of your corporate identity. What's more, it can make or break impressions in your customers mind. Before you choose to invest in signage material, please follow the simple checklist given below to confirm that you are making the right choice. Day & Night consistency - The sign must have colour consistency during the day (non-lit) as well as at night (back-lit). A poor sign will look washed out during the night or the colours may appear varied. Durable, long lasting - A good sign must retain its aesthetics over the specified period of time. It should stand the test of weather and time. Visual consistency - Signage must look the same over multiple locations. The Brand image must be consistent no matter where the sign is installed. Uniform diffusion - Following the rules of signage lighting and using the right electrical fitting will lead to good lighting. The signage material must diffuse light uniformly without hot spots or dark patches. Cabinet aesthetics - The cabinet is as important as the sign face. It must be made of the best quality of material. Appropriate weather protection and neutral colour paints are necessary. Firm & even sign face - A strong, tested and durable tensioning system can result in a firm sign face. Poor tensioning systems will lead to sagging of the sign face. Optimum translucency - The signage material must have optimum translucency balancing the risk of visible tube-lights and dark signs. Documented Warranty - A documented proof stating the manufacturers promise to compensate the customer if the signage fails within the warranted duration. Vandal resistant - A sign must be vandal resistant. It must withstand common problems like stone throwing etc.

3 Why signs fail? Poor application techniques These could lead to various failures like uneven sign face, sagging and vinyl failure. Unfortunately, most defects may not be evident when the sign is installed. They appear only after a few months. Poor surface preparation When the sign maker is not properly trained it can lead to vinyl failure, bubbling on the surface and vinyl peel off. Wrong choice of product Opaque vinyls are used in place of translucent vinyls to save on costs leading to poor signs. Products that are not designed for a particular application are used. For example, metal-surfaces, rivets and contours requires a customised film. Incompatibility of various graphic components Different manufacturers use different formulations for the adhesives, substrates and vinyl. A mixed combination may be incompatible. A good performance product may not perform well when paired with a substandard product leading to failure. Product limitations Due to cost consideration, low-durable products are used for long term applications leading to failure. Manufacturing defects in the product The sign components are manufactured using several technology platforms. Poor technology & low quality ingredients will result in manufacturing defects. Unfortunately, these defects are not visible when the sign is first installed. They surface over a period of time.

Cracking Shrinking Peel off Vinyl Problem Fading Cracking Crazing Shrinking Peel off Reason

Top surface degrading. Calendered vinyl. Incompatible adhesives.

High-end ingredients. Stable surface. Premium cast vinyl. Specially designed adhesives.

UV resistance. Scrims not treated. Improper protective coats. Improper protective coats. Incompetent sign makers.

Scrims treated with anti-wick chemicals. Protective coats on both sides.

4 Cracking Shrinking Peel off Vinyl Problem Fading Cracking Crazing Shrinking Peel off Reason Low-end colour pigments in vinyl. Non premium material. Not flexible. Low-end ingredients. Top surface degrading. Calendered vinyl. Incompatible adhesives. 3M Solution High-end long term pigments in vinyl. Premium material. Flexible and stable. High-end ingredients. Stable surface. Premium cast vinyl. Specially designed adhesives. Flex Problem Yellowing Wicking Mildew Plasticizer Migration Sagging Seam Blowout Reason Low UV resistance. Scrims not treated. Improper protective coats. Improper protective coats. Incompetent sign makers. Improper seaming equipment used. 3M Solution Built in UV resistors. Scrims treated with anti-wick chemicals. Protective coats on both sides. Protective coats on both sides. Technically trained sign makers. Professional seaming equipment used. Wicking Plastisier migration Mildew Sagging & warping

5 Common sinage related problems and Solutions from 3M When it comes to choosing the right signage material, it's best not to make any compromise on quality. In the long run, a poor-quality sign will not only lead to loss in advertising, but can tarnish your corporate image and reputation as well. Chances are you may incur high cost of replacement, the headache of sourcing the right materials and unwarranted delays in replacements too! In the previous page, we have listed a few common modes of sign failure & the reasons behind them. We have the 3M solutions for each. The next time you choose your signage material, please remember to check for potential failures. Or better still, just choose 3M products! It comes to you with the guarantee of good quality, a network of trained sign-makers and an unmatched warranty. Assuring you peace of mind. Types of Weathering tests Ensure that the material you source is not tested only at accelerated weathering sites. All of 3M s products are put through stringent natural weathering tests for compatibility, durability and effective performance. Natural weathering tests This is the true test for the performance of a sign. These tests are carried out in natural extreme weather conditions of heat, rain, humidity, snow and cold temperatures across the globe on a continuous basis real time. Accelerated weathering tests They are based on simulations and cannot give you an accurate picture on product performance. As one can never predict weather accurately, leave alone simulate it!

6 Why maintain signage? Signs not periodically cleaned can accumulate dirt, pollution smoke, fungus, bird droppings, etc. A well-maintained sign retains its superior aesthetics and prevents the product from deteriorating due to negligence The image is retained and the investment is protected Frequency of cleaning will depend on the location of the sign Urban signs in the city will need frequent cleaning (once in 3months) due to traffic pollution Rural signs are not so prone to pollution (once in a year) Geographical location also has to be considered Insist on a sign, which has been designed to facilitate maintenance ATM Sign face (25% of total cost) Lamps & electrical (10% of total cost) RIGHT BANK Sign cabinet (40% of total cost) Transportation & installation (25% of total cost) The 3M authorised converter is trained in using 3M signage materials to get optimum durability. Choosing a 3M authorised converter ensures that both your material & box specifications are strictly adhered with. The sign face is just 25% of the cost... but represents 100% of your organisation s image!

Tips for maintenance of 3M Signages Choosing the right material is only the first step in selecting the right signage to suit your needs. Next in the list is the kind of maintenance the sign requires.

Here's how: What you need: Buckets, Sponge, lint-free cloth, abrasion-free scrubbers, liquid detergents (ph 3-11) Maintenance in 9 easy steps!

7 Tips for maintenance of 3M Signages Choosing the right material is only the first step in selecting the right signage to suit your needs. Next in the list is the kind of maintenance the sign requires. Once again, 3M Signs make your tasks easier... Maintenance of a 3M Sign is quick, easy and effortless! Here's how: What you need: Buckets, Sponge, lint-free cloth, abrasion-free scrubbers, liquid detergents (ph 3-11) Maintenance in 9 easy steps! Sprinkle water on sign face and wet throughly Apply concentrated detergent on the sign face, using sponge Allow to soak for minutes With another sponge, apply the detergentwater combination on to the sign Use abrasion-free scrubbers to gently dislodge surface dirt Scrub in circular motion, be especially gentle on the vinyl edges Rinse sign face with plain water Squeeze excess water off sign face with rubber squeegee Wipe the sign and frames dry with lint-free cloth

3M Commercial Graphics Division provides customers worldwide with a total graphics solution by offering software, hardware, inks, toners, marking films, and flexible sign facing used to create

8 3M Commercial Graphics Division provides customers worldwide with a total graphics solution by offering software, hardware, inks, toners, marking films, and flexible sign facing used to create large-format finished graphics of unparalleled consistency, reliability and durability. 3M MCS Graphics This symbol certifies that your graphic has been produced using only 3M matched components and is protected by the MCS Warranty - the most comprehensive warranty in industry. 3M India Limited Commercial Graphics Division 138, Raheja Paramount, Residency Road, Bangalore Phone (080) Fax (080) Mindiagraphics@mmm.com

SECTION PANEL AND POST AND PYLON SIGNAGE. 1. Non-illuminated Panel and Post signs. 2. Internal illumination Pylon (Cabinet and Post) signs.

SECTION PANEL AND POST AND PYLON SIGNAGE. 1. Non-illuminated Panel and Post signs. 2. Internal illumination Pylon (Cabinet and Post) signs. PART 1 - GENERAL 1.1 SUMMARY A. This Section includes the following: 1. Non-illuminated Panel and Post signs. 2. Internal illumination Pylon (Cabinet and Post) signs. 1.2 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS A. Structural