Southern California Sign Blog

REAL ESTATE SIGNAGE - Open House

Real estate signs are an integral component of the Realtors business arsenal. They allow the agent to effectively market a property, and they serve as an important directional aide when conducting an open house. With the advent of technology, real estate signs now function in conjunction with many other marketing tools available to the Realtor. However, they retain their status as one of the most important methods of marketing a home.

Unfortunately, real estate signs can become the source of controversy in a community. If residents perceive a preponderance of real estate signs, they will put pressure on local government officials to restrict the display of the signs. Fortunately, state laws exist to protect the rights of real estate practitioners and home owners to market properties via real estate signs. The laws balance these rights with the community’s need to control visual clutter and safety.

CITY OF BURBANK: OPEN HOUSE SIGN GUIDELINES

You must follow the directions contained herein and use common sense.
Signs will be picked up and destroyed if not in compliance:

1. Size - Total Face area no more than 24 (inches) x 24 (inches).
2. Height - Vertical distance from ground to highest point not to exceed 3 ft.
3. Can only advertise a residence in the City of Burbank.
4. No more than 4 signs per property on public rights-of-way
5. Must be on stake or A-Frame support.
6. Signs must be in good condition and of professional signage material.
7. No balloons or flags can be affixed to the sign, nor any other object that would call attention to it.
8. Time - Signs shall only be displayed during the “open house”. Saturdays and Sundays (or federal or state holidays) not earlier than 8am and must be removed no later than dusk or 6pm, whichever is earlier. Thursdays, signs may be displayed no earlier than 8am and removed no later than 2pm.
9. Must have a valid PERMIT as evidenced by valid DECALS on each side of the sign. These permits must be renewed annually.
10. Identification required. Must have your name, address and telephone number affixed to the sign in an area not to exceed 2”x3” (Business card taped to the sign would be ideal).

It is recommended that you read the entire ordinance for other provisions not set forth on this sheet. Avoid placing signs on the new Chandler Bike path -- it is considered a median. For a full copy of the sign ordinance please contact the Burbank Association of REALTORS at 818/845-7643.

Download your Public Works Department Application/Permit - Temporary Residential Real Estate Open House Signs http://www.burbankrealtors.org/pdfs/openhousesignage.pdf

If you have any further questions or need a professional sign made, please give us a call at THE SIGN STUDIO (818) 843-9200 or e-mail us at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

NEED A QUOTE

DIMENSIONAL LETTERS FOR YOU -

NEED A QUOTE

Following are the 10 most frequently cited OSHA violations for construction and electrical sign contractors:

1. Scaffolding - Regulations require that "scaffolds shall be designed by a qualified person and shall be
constructed and loaded in accordance with that design."

2. Hazard Communication - Employers are required to provide employees with training and information
on hazardous chemicals in their work areas at the time of initial assignment or whenever the hazard is
introduced.

3. Fall Protection Training - Employers are required to provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards.

4. Respiratory Protection - Employers are required to develop and implement a written respiratory
protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use.

5. Lockout/Tagout - Employers are required to establish a program and utilize procedures for affixing
appropriate lockout devices or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, and to otherwise disable
machines or equipment to prevent unexpected energizing, start up or release of stored energy in order to
prevent injury to employees.

6. Powered Industrial Trucks - Employers are required to ensure that each powered industrial truck
operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful
completion of training.

7. Electrical: Wiring and Design Protection - Employers are required to use either ground fault circuit
interrupter equipment or an assured equipment grounding conductor program.

8. Machine Guarding - One or more methods of machine guarding are required in order to protect the
operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of
operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks.

9. Ladders - The law requires that ladders be inspected by a "competent" person for visible defects on a
periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use. Portable ladders with structural
defects such as broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or
other faulty or defective components, shall either be immediately marked in a manner that IDs them as
defective, or be tagged with "Do Not Use" or similar language, and shall be withdrawn from service until
repaired.10. Electrical Wiring Methods, Components and Equipment - Regulations require that "for temporary wiring over 600v, nominal fencing barriers or their effective means shall be provided to prevent access of other than authorized or qualified personnel. Electrical feeds shall originate in a distribution center. Branch circuits shall originate in a panel board or power outlet. Receptacles shall be of the grounded type and flexible cords shall be protected."

The Sign Studio is proud to say that we have never been cited for any OSHA Violations. If you have any questions or need any safety signage, please feel free to call us at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net -
NEED QUOTE

The Sign Studio - Electrical Sign Contractors -

LET US DESIGN/FABRICATE AND INSTALL YOUR SIGN WHILE YOU BUILD YOUR BUSINESS!!

NEED QUOTE

Sign Buyer's Checklist

Here's a quick questionnaire to help identify your signage needs and guide your SIGN STUDIO consultant in making good recommendations for your project.

Use of your sign:
Are you directing, informing, or selling?

Image you want to project:
Professional? Sophisticated? Youthful? Fun? How should it coordinate with your other graphics and advertising?

Your target customers:
Whose attention do you want to attract?

Viewing distance and time:
How far will readers be from the sign? How long will they have to read it?

Mounting your sign:
Where will the sign be displayed? How will it be attached? Will you need the approval of a landlord or local sign code authority?

For further information or questions, please give us a call at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

NEED A QUOTE

What is an LED?

An LED (Light Emitting Diode) is an electronic semi-conductor that when turned on, converts electric energy into light.

One way LEDs differ from incandescent light bulbs is LEDs have no filament to burn out meaning LEDs can last for 100,000 hours or more. They are also far more efficient, producing substantially more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. Other advantages of LEDs are:

-Color: LEDs use no color filters like traditional lighting, thereby keeping costs down

-Shock resistant: LEDs are a solid state component making them difficult to damage

- On/Off time: LEDs produce light very quickly. Typically LEDs achieve full brightness in a less

than a microsecond giving them an incredible response time

-Cool light: An LED will radiate almost no heat that can damage adjacent materials. Excess energy is dissipated as heat through the base of the LED

- Size: LEDs are small in size, allowing them to be easily populated into face panels (in our industry)

- Cycling: LEDs are perfect for frequent on-off cycling, which cause traditional lighting to fail

- Low toxicity: An LED contains no mercury, thereby making them safe for the environment

In The Sign industry, one or more LEDs will make up a pixel. Typically, LEDs are red or amber for monochrome units and a combination red, green and blue for color displays.

It is also important to keep in mind differences in quality when it comes to LEDs. There are literally hundreds of LED manufacturers making a wide range of diodes, some are first-rate, others are poorly manufactured which usually result in diodes lasting only 25,000 to 50,000 hours.

In order to build a top of the line product, you need to start with top of the line components.

Make sure your display manufacturer is providing only superior LEDs. If you have any further questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to call us at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net

NEED A QUOTE ON SIGNAGE

Your trade show display booth is the canvas for your marketing message. Get noticed with a custom trade show display from The Sign Studio.

A Few Seconds. That's all the time you have to attract potential customers to your trade show booth. Get noticed with portable tabletop displays, pop-up displays, retractable banners, motion displays and even ceiling and floor graphics. The Sign Studio's state-of-the-art digital printing capabilities can help you create a custom display that will grab attention and draw potential customers into your booth.
Portable Trade Show Displays, Pop Up Display

The Sign Studio offers what is considered to be the strongest portable display system in the industry as well as the easiest to setup and break down. Multiple configurations and unique modular design allows you to modify the size and shape of your portable display booth as your needs grow. The versatility and customization make The Sign Studio pop-up displays the perfect solution for your exhibit presentations all in lightweight and compact design.

Retractable Banner Stands
Retractable Banner Stands are the most popular banner stand in today's market and can be seen throughout most all Trade Shows. Retractable Banner Stands store the banner safely inside the base where it's protected during travel or in storage. Once on location, simply unroll the banner from the body of the unit to present an instant display that can be continually re-used.

Tabletop Display Booth
Looking for a simple way to showcase your services or products? Not interested in transporting everything but the kitchen sink to each show. Then the solution is simple; a compact and lightweight, inexpensive tabletop trade show booth from The Sign Studio! The ease of set up and break down makes our tabletop displays a cinch to handle.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please call us at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.

Need A QUOTE

The Many Benefits of L.E.D. Illuminated Signs

WHAT IS LED LIGHTING?
LED stands for light emitting diode and the technology has been around since the 1960s. Its greatest benefit is that it uses only 12 volts. Neon uses up to 9,000 to 15,000 volts. LED has comparable brightness to neon and is rated to last up to 100,000 hours when properly installed.

SAFETY
Because LED is a low voltage system, fire hazards are greatly reduced over neon lighting.

ENERGY SAVINGS
LED lighting can save up to 80% power over comparable sized traditional neon-lighted signs. Return on investment can be made within three years via power costs savings.

WALL PENETRATION AND HARDWARE COMPARISONS
LED lighting and components require only one 3/8" wall penetration per channel letter. Compare this to neon which requires two 1" wall penetrations per channel letter. This means less wall destruction and excess conduit and GTO wiring. A LED lighting installation is clean and simple.

WHY AREN'T MORE SIGN COMPANIES USING LED?
Only recently has the technology advanced to the point where LED lighting is almost comparable in pricing to neon. Although it is still more costly to install LED, The Sign Studio DOES NOT pass this additional cost on to our customers. Our bids are competitive with other sign company neon lighting estimates.

Also, embracing change isn't easy. Neon has been a faithful lighting option for the sign industry for over a hundred years. There's no doubt that the change over to LED for sign lighting will eventually happen, however, The Sign Studio is on the leading edge of this exciting technology right now.

Installation Examples of LED vs. NEON:

L.E.D. CHANNEL LETTERS

NEON CHANNEL LETTERS

If you have any questions or would like further information, please give us a call at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.

NEED A QUOTE

Lifetime Warranty On Your Dimensional Letters? Absolutely!

There are some instances when the signage you buy comes with a lifetime guarantee and Gemini lettering is just what comes to mind. Gemini has become a familiar supplier to many sign fabrication concerns for this very reason! The warranty covering lettering, custom logos and shapes extends to fading, breaking, as well as defects in the manufacturing process. This represents a true cost saving that protects your investment in this portion of your sign. Whether you order individual letters for mounting directly to your building or storefront, or integrate the lettering for mounting on an exterior post and panel sign or monument, the fact remains that you are making a very smart investment choice. The material finishes are rigorously tested to withstand extreme environmental conditions and this process is continually refined. Like most signs, periodic maintenance, like dusting and washing them with mild dish soap, will keep your lettering looking great for years!

The Sign Studio is proud to supply Gemini lettering, like the metal laminates pictured above, to our customers. Other options range from molded plastic, cast and cut metals, or metal faced lettering mounted to a variety of substrates. Feel free to consult with us about your choices in lettering style, size and mounting options, as well as Gemini aluminum and bronze plaques.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please call us at (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.
Need A QUOTE.

GROUND MOUNT METHODS FOR INSTALLATION OF MONUMENTS, PYLON AND POLE SIGNS

The most common and effective ground mount methods of installation are:

Pouring a concrete pad is a safe way to prepare a site for signage. The concrete will be
hard and dry when you are ready to install and the stands can be made at your leisure.
To install simply bolt the plate at the bottom of the stand to the concrete base using
Hilti-type expanding fasteners.
Pros: Easy install, easily removable.
Cons: Sign is not theft proof.

If more permanence is required, dig a big hole, put the stand in the hole, and fill with
concrete.
Pros: Very durable.
Cons: Difficult to remove.

Some sites do not allow concrete for environmental reasons. This means digging a
bigger hole and filling with rocks before covering with earth.
Pros: Environmentally friendly.
Cons: Time-consuming, not as durable.

Always remember to check with your local Zoning and Planning Departments before installing any projects.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at The Sign Studio - (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.

NEED QUOTE

Architectural Sign Install Techniques for Wall Mount Methods

There are many ways to install an architectural signs. Here are some of the most successfully used methods along with some illustrations for you to decide what will work best for the look you are trying to obtain.

WALL MOUNT METHODS

Edgeclips are clipped onto the edges of the signs and then fastened to the
mounting surface.
Pros: Good looking, easy to change graphic.
Cons: Not very strong.

Adhesives provide an alternate mounting method. Options include liquid adhesives like contact cement or construction glue and roll adhesives like double-sided tape and mounting films.
Pros: Can be very strong, some epoxies and tapes are stronger than welding. Invisible.
Cons: May never come off.

In some circumstances studs can be attached to the backs of graphic panels. These studs
can be glued into inserts placed in the receiving surface.
Pros: Strong and invisible.
Cons: More expensive, difficult to remove.

Framing systems allow for strong, invisible mechanical fasteners to be used.
Pros: Strong, tamper-proof and invisible fasteners.
Cons: More expensive and highly visible frame.

Graphics can be mounted onto surfaces using mechanical fasteners.
Pros: Strongest attachment method, easily removable.
Cons: Visible hardware.

Frameclips are similar to Edgeclips except that the attachment is through the face of the graphic.
Pros: Good looking, strong.
Cons: Expensive.

French cleats are commonplace for mounting to flat, vertical surfaces. Cleats must be
straight and smooth and perfectly aligned.
Pros: Strong and invisible.
Cons: More expensive, graphics cannot be flush to the wall.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at The Sign Studio - (818) 843-9200 or send us an e-mail at thesignstudio@sbcglobal.net.