Sign installation : what the sign companies have to say about it?

A well-produced sign looks good only when it is installed perfectly. A badly installed sign can mar the overall look of the sign. Even the sign-makers feel that the most difficult part of sign business is the installation of the sign itself. Dedicated staff need to take care of the installation process scientifically at these sign shops. S&G spoke to a cross-section of leading sign-makers to know more about their views on sign installation and here’s what they found.

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Sign installation is the major step in signmaking. The role of the sign company is not limited to mere production of the sign, but proper installation is equally important. Proper installation determines the success of any sign. Sometimes the sign can even get damaged in the process and it can take hours and hours together to put the sign in place. Besides, if the sign has to last for a longer period, the structure supporting it should be strong enough to last long so that only the flex can be replaced, when required. All in all, sign manufacturers have to scientifically determine how to install a sign. Let’s hear what the leading sign companies have to say about signage installation :

• Hannu Advertising Pvt Ltd
  
  New Delhi-based Hannu Advertising Pvt Ltd provides effective and intelligent outdoor advertising services viz signages, POPs, glow signs, hoardings, bus shelters, etc for over two decades. Besides providing innovative and unique ideas for promoting any business, the company also provides installation services for these signages.
  
  As per Vinod Kr Gupta, director, the steps involved in sign-making include: taking total specification of the signage, frame making, flex printing, flex mounting on frame, electric fitting, making GI box and fitting iron frame, total riveting in complete signage and finally sending for installation. Of the whole process, Vinod feels that electric fitting and fixing of frame in signage is most difficult part of making a sign with riveting.
  
  Coming to the installation facilities that Hannu Advertising provides, Vinod said, “It includes site measurement, transportation of the sign at site, sending trained labour for installation and providing certificate and photo for client satisfaction. The installation process totally depends on quantities of signage and size of signage.”
  
  Vinod feels that it is very important to train the installation team to stick to the specification provided before hand. So, do media manufacturers inform on how to install the sign on a particular media? “Not usually, but if we have any problem, we do discuss it with the media manufacturer,” came a quick reply from Vinod.
  
  Hannu Advertising takes pride in the fact that they offer installation facilities all over Northern India. However Vinod feels that if client can provide complete specifications both for printing and fabrication of the signage, along with complete installation details, it helps them to make / install the signage fast, besides reducing the transportation and labour cost. Some of the prestigious clients which Hannu Advertising handles include Motorola, Colgate, McDowell, Indian Oil, BPCL, Shah Wallace, Jagatjit Industries, Microsoft, etc.
  
  
• Victory Signarts
  
  ISO 9001:2000 certified, Victory SignArts is one of the premier sign-making companies in Chennai. Their set of clients includes BPCL, IOCL, HPCL, Pizza Hut, and Lifestyle, to name a few.
  
  As per D Elangovan from Victory Signarts, brand promoters have a lot to do in designing of any sign. After that, they take measurements at site and check the feasibility of fixing the sign at a particular shop. “Sometimes, we even have to adapt the design to a particular size,” he added. But the most difficult part of sign-making is its installation, more so if the installation has to be done at various parts of the country. “This is because the climatic conditions can be different in different parts of the country. Besides, if it is an FMCG kind of outlet, then there can be a lot of interference from shopkeepers to change or incorporate their own branding as well,” he explained.
  
  So, what all installations services are provided at Victory Signarts? “We provide turnkey facilities, our site engineers take site measurement, make prototype and produce photographs and certificates of installation. We also provide annual maintenance certificate (AMC) for the sign,” told Elangovan.
  
  Training of sign installers is very important and Victory Signarts have devised a way of their own. “We provide opportunity for making a prototype of the sign and installing it at our factory premises, though measurements are being checked at site. Our sign engineers train the installers on the correct installation process,” told Elangovan.
  
  And what about the support from media manufacturers when it comes to sign installation? “Media manufacturers have specialised knowledge in their products and installation is a different business altogether. However, few companies like Alcan, 3M and HP guide us in manufacturing of sign but not in terms of installation,” replied Elangovan.
  
  
• Mega Trends Advertising Ltd
  
  Lucknow-based Mega Trends Advertising Ltd has made a mark for itself in the signage industry and has recently opened their office in Delhi. Their expertise include glow sign on vinyl/back-lit flex, hoardings, frontlit banner flex, cut & paste glow sign on vinyl/ back-lit flex, fabrication of dispensers, fabrication of branded outlets, digital cut & paste translites on vinyl, trivision, one way vision, scrollers, etc.
  
  As per Md Shamim Khan of Mega Trends, the various steps involved in making a sign include taking design/material specific from the company and the sign construct being briefed to the technician. “Accordingly the ‘sizes’ are taken, if tailor-made signs are to be made. Then the respective department takes charge to undertake various processes like the digital print, box structure, illumination, etc. Once the individual processes are over, it goes to the shop floor for final fabrication and then off to installation,” he briefed.
  
  And Shamim feels that “installation” is one of the most important and difficult part in sign-making.
  
  “For installation, a proper plan needs to be chalked out... including what kind of vehicle will be required for transportation. It is imperative that the workers carry professional equipments along to carry out the job/ installation in a professional manner. Besides, all the safety factors should be looked into and taken care of,” he added.
  
  “On site/location preparation is done to assess the technicality such as whether foundation, iron grouting, or suspension system is required or not... Accordingly the specialized workers need to be deployed for final installation,” he explained. At Mega Trends, training of installers is very important and pre installation briefing is given to them. “Our installers are trained and experienced as well,” told Shamim proudly.
  
  According to Shamim, media manufacturers also occasionally help them with information on how to install the sign of a particular media. Regarding installation services for outstation sites, Shamim told, “The entire things depends on the business deal.... however, we have in-house team to cater to the services.... and at the same time we have a quality networking / sub-vendors to undertake the job as well.... but all under the quality control of Mega Trends.”
  
  “The industry is ever changing and new methods/techniques are being adopted internationally... therefore, to keep appraised with the latest in the field of signs, one has to be adaptable to the latest technology...and this always helps to deliver quality output to our clients,” concluded Shamim.
  
  Mega Trends list of clients include who’s who of the industry which include Pepsi, LG, Hutch, HP, Seagram’s, Phillips, Citibank, Reliance InfoComm, etc.
  
  
• Welpac
  
  Another sign company, Welpac, is also a one-stop shop for all signages, providing facilities right from designing to installation of the sign. Some of their wellknown clients include Hutch, Infosys, etc. As per Mayoor Kurva of Welpac, they first visit the site for survey, taking measurements and exact details, visibility of the sign and then formulate the right approach for it. He also feels that installation is the most difficult part of the signmaking process, especially for larger signs which need to be installed at night only. Besides, the curvature of the building also makes the installation difficult.
  
  For installation purposes, Welpac hires experienced people and the new team members are trained under the experienced ones. “Besides, for outstation clients, we prefer to outsource installation. But, when it comes to installation of vehicle graphics, we do it ourselves as it is our forte and we can provide installation facilities all over India.”
  
  Talking about the media manufacturers, Mayoor informed that the media manufacturers support them at the stage of pre-installation but they are not involved in the final installation process.

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