Cima Network Inc. (Chalfont, PA) hosted students from Lakeside Educational Network (North Wales, PA), MontcoWorks (Norristown, PA) and North Penn District (Lansdale, PA), says Stefanie Paszynin, director of marketing for Cima.

Cima’s President Bill Lockett welcomes students and shares an inspiring look at the many career paths the sign industry can lead to.

Tony Mazzei walks students through the making of a channel letter, explaining what it is and demonstrating how each component comes together to form a finished sign.

Eric DeJesus demonstrates hands-on painting techniques that bring every sign to life.

Director of Design Engineering Dan Herrman showcases how 3D printing is transforming brand solutions and expanding what’s possible in design innovation.

The FSG (San Antonio) Sign MFG Day event’s attendees included local St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus, Northeast Independent School District High School, Southern Careers Institute and South Texas Vocational Technical Institute of Weslaco, TX, says Wendy Allgood, director of permits for FSG. “Safety first!” began the day, she adds.

Manufacturing Manager Carlos Pena introduces students to channel letters. In addition to hosting this event, FSG runs the Propel Academy, a free welding and electrical school offered to all FSG employees. “They can work and still attend classes 2-3 nights a week to learn welding or electrical and further their careers,” Allgood says.

FSG VP Mike Taylor explains to students the purpose of channel letter trim cap.

Students spend some time with Molded Form Operator Qwame Fowler.

A student shows off her Sign MFG Day keepsake from FSG. “Look who applied the vinyl herself!” Allgood says proudly.

Port City Signs & Graphics (Wilmington, NC) hosted a morning focused on “Digital Tech,” in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce and New Hanover County Schools, according to Rebecca Diak, Port City’s lead designer and marketing coordinator.

The first group (shown here) was most interested in watching digital graphics come off the printer during their visit. The second group (shown in the first photo) especially enjoyed the interactive vehicle wrap demonstration during their tour, Diak says.

Sabrina Davis, owner of Port City Signs & Graphics, gives an overview of the company and introduces students to the sign industry. “It was a joy to see the next generation of talent excited about the many opportunities this field has to offer!” Diak says.

The visit included a presentation on digital graphics — from design basics to vehicle wrap production. Graphic Designer Carlos Perez presents digital graphics and explains how files are prepared for production.

Students tour the production room to see vinyl printing in action and watch the vehicle wrap team installing part of a truck wrap. Here they observe Lead Installer Matt Collins walk through part of a vehicle wrap installation.

Federal Heath (Delaware, OH) hosted local Buckeye Valley and Dempsey Middle Schools. Over 40 students and staff toured the facility, according to Cindy Price, senior marketing specialist for Federal Heath.

Here, Vice President of Manufacturing Chris Tuohy and Detailing Lead Jeremy Fry explain a bit of beginner design and engineering to the students.

Issah Sulemana shows the students how LEDs are installed.

You gotta give it up for Michael Cochran, who retired from Federal Heath in June, but came back for Sign MFG Day to demo channel letter assembly.

A quote from Nicki Wright, Career Readiness Instructor, DACC/Dempsey Middle School (Galena, OH).

Legacy Sign Group (Westville, IN) hosted around 150 students from Chesterton High School (Chesterton, IN), LaPorte High School (LaPorte, IN), Portage High School (Portage, IN), Valparaiso High School and Porter County Career Center (Valparaiso, IN), reports Megan Swick, marketing director for Legacy Sign.

Shown: Kevin Walker of Legacy Sign Group speaks to students about how he can program the CNC router to make the templates for the installation crew, showing how the shop applies CAD skills to making signage.

Legacy’s Brandi Morales, a second-generation staff member, demonstrates for students with Chesterton High School how to use the hand brake to bend the channel logos the students would go home with that day.

Arguably their most popular station of the day, Hans Larson of Legacy Sign teaches students how to complete a circuit to power an LED module. “Students were racing to see who could complete the three circuits fastest!” Swick says.

Lucas King from Watchfire Signs (Danville, IL) was a partner present for Sign MFG Day. “Legacy has found that leaning on industry and community partners has made this event more diverse, impactful and widely attended,” Swick says.

A student peruses the courses offered inside of the Mobile Learning Lab from Ivy Tech. The lab was used for such inquiries along with virtual reality prompts so students can try their hand at different trades.

Students were able to sign up for college classes and get information about programs after high school with Ivy Tech Community College (Valparaiso, IN) and Indiana Tech (Hammond, IN).

Signarama Troy | Metro Detroit & National Branding (Troy, MI) hosted students from Troy Community Schools, Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (OSTC) Wixom and Clarkston, which are located within 30 minutes of the company locations, according to Torey Rouillon, director of project management for National Branding.

In this photo, Bob Chapa, Steve Reich and Torey Rouillon speak with students about the importance of Sign MFG Day, sharing their own career journeys and answering questions about the sign industry.

Dylan Heater and Jim Merriman present the 3D printing and engraving process, sharing samples of various types of signage and explaining the importance of ADA room signs.

Steve Schneider walks a student through the process of installing a channel letter, while another student practices applying vinyl to a storefront.

Robert Giera and Krystal Hoover walk students through the process of manufacturing a channel letter sign, covering everything from the can to the UL labeling.

Bakers’ Signs & Mfg. (Conroe, TX) hosted 125 students and teachers from local Booker T. Washington High School and Caney Creek High School. This was the 11th year Bakers’ Signs has hosted this event, according to co-owner Matt Baker.

Kyle Bledsoe shows students how creativity meets craftsmanship with this colorful mosaic piece — part of the logo for the nonprofit Mosaic. “A great example of art, design and purpose coming together!” says Mark Marshall, creative director for Bakers’ Signs.

Students from Booker T. Washington High School proudly pose with the channel logo they helped create — a bright reminder of their talent and teamwork during the event.

Future sign professionals in the making! “Our CNC router team showed students and teachers how precision meets creativity during Sign MFG Day at Bakers’ Signs,” Marshall says.

Micah Guynes joins the students as they put the finishing touches on their entries for the Sign Design Contest — creativity in action as ideas come to life on paper.

For more information, visit signs.org/events/mfgday.