There was a time when HP latex printers could not lay down enough ink on translucent prints to keep them from looking just a little washed out when illuminated. That time is over. We recently put up new pylon sign faces in Anaheim, CA, that prove our point.
Case Study: Clausen Property Management’s Lincoln & Dale Plaza
We built a professional relationship with this client back in 2015. Over the years, we designed, produced, and installed a wide variety of signage solutions, including “For Lease” window graphics with graffiti-proof laminate. One of our earliest projects involved a pylon sign at the Lincoln & Dale Plaza.
A couple of years later, we returned to the property to install circle-shaped “Open” add-ons to the signs. This project came right after the pandemic’s stay-at-home orders were lifted, and retailers needed a way to signal to customers that they were ready to do business.
This time, we returned to Lincoln & Dale Plaza to replace the pylon sign faces. Back in the day, translucent sign faces could look a little washed out due to the print technology available at the time. However, print technology has evolved, and we have continuously invested in late-model printers. Our new HP 700W printer supports white ink. Additionally, the inkset dries with much less heat, allowing us to lay down twice the amount of ink to keep the graphics from looking washed out.
Before the replacement
Check out the before-and-after pictures we included. (But keep in mind that the picture of the older pylon sign is also much more faded and light-colored because it has weathered over the last nine years.)
A Closer Look at the Importance of White Ink
Backlighting reduces color strength. The light shining through a translucent sign face dilutes color saturation. You may have noticed that older sign faces look pale and may be challenging to read after several years. Our HP 700W printer counteracts this problem. We can use white ink to create an opaque base. It reflects light evenly and preserves true color tones. Most importantly, colors look much more vibrant when illuminated.
Now, when we print new pylon sign faces in Anaheim and anywhere else in Orange County, the technology prevents light bleed-through, sharpens letter and logo edges, and keeps letters crisp and easy to read day and night. Most importantly, our technicians adjust the amount of ink used on a print project to control the brightness of the sign. The advantages are clear. Daytime and nighttime colors are brand-centric. Vibrancy and contrasts are enhanced. Most importantly, light diffusion is carefully controlled to meet your needs.
Take a look at your translucent sign faces. Is it time for an upgrade? Let’s talk about it. Call us today!