Built to represent: why signage longevity matters to the signmaker too When a sign is installed, it begins representing two businesses. The first is obvious: the organisation whose name or identity appears on it. The second is the signmaker that designed, manufactured and installed it. That makes longevity more than a technical consideration. A sign that continues to look sharp and perform reliably for years after installation becomes a lasting advertisement for the quality of the signmaker’s work. One that prematurely warps, cracks or deteriorates can have the opposite effect. For external signage in particular, achieving that longevity begins long before paints, coatings or gilding are applied. It starts with the substrate. Designing for what happens after installation External signs face repeated exposure to rain, moisture, UV radiation and temperature fluctuations. In exposed or coastal locations, those pressures can be more demanding still. For signmakers, the challenge is therefore not simply creating something that looks impressive on installation day. Materials need to support that appearance over many years. This becomes particularly important with premium signage. Intricate carving, lettering, decorative profiles and specialist finishes can represent considerable time and craftsmanship. If the substrate beneath them moves significantly in response to moisture, the finish can eventually be compromised, too. Traditional timber, for example, naturally expands and contracts as its moisture content changes. Movement within a panel can contribute to cracking in coatings and loss of definition in carefully produced details. The more elaborate the sign, the more valuable the work that potentially sits on top of that substrate. More than a decade of experience This is something LE Graphics understands particularly well. Based in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, the multi-award-winning signage and branding company has been operating since 1995. Its work ranges from traditional handcrafted plaques to modern illuminated systems, with clients including The National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces. Projects in the heritage and visitor-attraction sector present an interesting challenge. Signage needs to respect the character and visual quality of its surroundings, while often remaining outside in demanding conditions for long periods. For more than ten years, LE Graphics has used MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME (MTX) for applications including bevel-carved and gilded plaques, flat-cut and prismatic individual letter signs and long-life interpretive and wayfinding signage for outdoor use. The experience demonstrates why substrate stability matters in practice. “We have received excellent feedback from clients whose signs have retained their integrity and finish for years,” says David Donaldson MBE, Managing Director of LE Graphics. “That reliability has strengthened our reputation for producing signage that looks great and stands the test of time, even in exposed locations.” Advertorial By Roly Ward, Head of Business Development, MEDITE SMARTPLY
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