WORKING WITH GLASS can be challenging, but the results can also be alluring and stunning. “Any time we install window graphics downtown, we usually get lots of ‘Looky Lous,’” says Dennis Schaub, FastTrack Signs (Bellefontaine, OH). “But this install was particularly attention-getting. We had most of the staff watching us from inside the building and a ton of people watching us from the outside of the building as well, which typically always makes me nervous, then I start making silly mistakes, which makes me more anxious,” Schaub says.
These projects reflect both the dedication and challenges these sign pros overcame.
Double-Check
Crossroad Sign Studio (Lynnwood, WA) did a double-take on this two-story building for two family-owned businesses: a pottery studio and a math tutor. Chris Brady, the studio’s design and fabrication manager, used client-created art for the windows. The shop imaged perforated Contra Vision using their 54-in. Roland TrueVIS. Many rounds of proofs, two days of application and one final install later, the project was still not complete. “Everyone missed a typo until after installation was complete. We returned to remove and replace the ‘offending’ window graphic,” says owner Jeff Thomas.
Pressure’s On
Six Hundred Downtown (Bellefontaine, OH) is a brick oven pizzeria that’s been featured on Food Network. Local FastTrack Signs had worked with the previous owner for many years. The client used 99designs to create the logo, submitting a clean vectorized version. FastTrack used 3M 7725SE Frosted Crystal window film for this project. Just a two-person shop, Schaub and wife Carly completed three graphics in less than an hour. “Installing frost can be a challenge, and any minor mistakes show up so I was pleased we didn’t have any hiccups,” he says.
Don’t Tow Me, Bro!
Luxury Compass Meridian Apartments (Meridian, CO) hired Boyd Sign Systems (BSS; Englewood, CO) to frost their indoor glass walls. Using artwork from Denver-based ArtHouse Design and Fineline Graphics’ HP Latex 800 printer, BSS imaged 3M IJ180mC-114 wrap film. Challenges of the 2.5-hour Fineline installation included cleaning the glass before applying the second-surface graphics and lining them up. “One installer walked out to retrieve his water bottle about an hour into the job, only to find a tow truck hooking up to their (unmarked) van,” says Angela Hensarling, vice president, sales for BSS. Thankfully, the driver agreed not to tow it.
“Be Kind, Rewind”
Jay Free of Rewind Rhode Island (Bristol, RI) runs a streetwear and vintage boutique and was referred to local Hill House Graphics for his window project by another client. Free provided Hill House with a 4 x 6-in. logo at 200 dpi that they recreated by tracing “Rewind” and matching the font for “Rhode Island.” Hill House Graphics printed the sign with their Epson SureColor S40600 on Briteline 50/50 Window Perf with optically clear laminate. The installation took 2.5 hours. “While we were installing the job, we had two passersby stop and tell us the oldest joke in the book that we spelled ‘Rhode Island’ wrong,” McLellan says.
Kelsey Dalton McClellan, co-owner of Heart & Bone Signs (Chicago), applies goldleaf to the window of “Basinger’s Jewelers.” | Rose Oatis, wife of Mark Oatis, YESCO (Las Vegas) and a founder of the Letterheads, gilding “Glass Signs” for Main Street’s signshop.
Museé de Glass Arts
Back in May, dozens of Letterheads, Walldogs and other sign artists from all over the continent volunteered their time and talents creating the signs and murals for the Cincinnati-based American Sign Museum’s “Main Street” expansion project. The museum’s Main Street exhibit mimics a city street with storefronts featuring signs for various businesses. Some are authentic vintage signs, while others by the sign artists blend in through classic designs and techniques. Among the many new Main Street storefronts to be revealed in mid-July are those for a jewelry store and, of course, a signshop.
PHOTO GALLERY (14 IMAGES)
📷 Boyd Sign Systems | FastTrack Signs
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