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I have a slightly different project to design and price out. Our school has secured a grant for nature trail signage. They are planning on a 4x4 sign for the trail entrance and 20 signs along the trail. The grant they received specifies that the signage needs to be interactive, in other words, kids from the school will design and produce graphics for part of each sign which will be changed every year.
I'm thinking a 2x4 alumalite sign with a pocket made of plexi or polycarbonate that could be loosened to replace the changing graphics. (8.5 x 11) I'm thinking that the artwork produced by the children could be laminated, then slid behind the plexi. A frame or at least a top board would prevent rain from running into the pocket. Do standard lamination machines use a plastic that is UV and moisture resistant for the art to last about a year? Any better ideas would be appreciated.
------------------ Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 ICQ: 21604027 sherwood@up.net
In the early stages of a similar project right now. I made friends with a bunch of biologists, hiking on my favorite mountain, and we got to talking about doing an interpretive trail project, and the project has just taken off. Lots of interest & support from local and provincial governments. We're planning (26) 3x4 panels. I was thinking of using dibond to which I'll apply wide format print. I'm planning to print directly on vinyl using UV ink and a 5mil UV overlaminate. The panels will have a rustic wooden frame and canopy (to protect further from the sun), and much consideration has been given to location and exposure.
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Sorry had to run earlier... In answer to your question, you can assume the laminates used in pouch and smaller (below 36") roll laminators, commonly used by schools, offer NO uv protection. UV Laminates are more expensive than regular laminates and are generally used only by shops with wide format laminators, and only then when the situation requires it. Another question is the types or artwork the kids will supply. It could be anything from crayola water based markers, wax crayon, to tempera, guache, possibly acrylic (I'm just thinking of some of the materials my wife teaches art with). None of which will last anytime outdoors in direct sun. Placing the signs under shady trees will help, and avoid southern exposures. Before you get too far into the project do some testing.
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Hi Dave. A possibility might be to make the artwork covers from UV treated Lexan panels about 91/2" x 12". On the underside of these panels, you could run a uniform bead of silicone which would provide a weatherproof gasket and also serve as the artwork retainer. You could also do a hi-performance vinyl "frame" on the topside of this Lexan cover which would act as a matt for the artwork, and also hide the silicone gasket.
You would have to have some sort of solid metal frame with machine bolts welded to it to then hold the lexan and artwork in place with sufficient compression to affect a watertight seal. The nuts to secure this frame would be applied from the underside and be hidden by the face panel.
Just one possibility, hope this helps you out.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
Some days you get to be the dog....other days, you get to be the fire hydrant.
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