0161 998 7092
info@hartbrights.co.uk
Step-by-Step: Custom signs for The Northern Way
Preston in Lancashire is all set to get a new pub in the form of free house The Northern Way and the owners, Amber Taverns, have commissioned Hartbrights to produce some custom signage for the exciting new venture.
Such was the brief from our client regarding the signage we knew it was going to be a lengthy and intricate project – just the kind we like as it puts our skills to the test.
In addition to a 12.3m long main sign displaying the name and advertising, two smaller circular signs were required.
The main sign is constructed of three lengths of Dibond, each 73.5cm high, UV printed with a blue wood effect. Mounted onto this are distressed steel letters with acrylic-mounted LED halo lighting behind them, spelling out “The Northern Way”, “BT Sports” and “Sky Sports” along the length. The overall effect is industrial and should look extremely eye-catching when installed.
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- 3D steel lettering, treated to have a tarnished look.
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- The BT and Sky Sports lettering.
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- Acrylic mounted LED lighting.
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- Lighting mounted to signage to create the halo effect.
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- Halo-lit BT Sport advertising.
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- The…
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- …North…
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- …ern…
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- …Way
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- And finally, SKY Sports.
Complimenting this are the aforementioned circular signs. Measuring 1m and 1.2m in diameter, they were each constructed in the same fashion.
A Foamex base was cut to house the lettering and circular elements and painted black. Meanwhile, more Dibond was cut into circles and the lettering cut out so it could sit over the projecting lettering on the Foamex base, before the blue wood effect was printed onto the cutouts. In addition, a central disc of Dibond was cut and printed too.
The third element of the circles involved cutting out circles, decreasing in size, lettering in brushed silver Dibond and applying a distressed effect via UV printing. The three elements were then brought together, almost resting on each other, to create the finished article. The gallery below shows the process in action.
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![Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex")
Cut from Foamex, the base of the circular signs is taped for protection and painted a dark grey.
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![Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex")
The paint is applied to give the edges of each letter and feature a uniform and complimentary look to the rest of the sign.
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![Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex")
The tape is then carefully peeled away from inside the letters.
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![Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex")
Tape is also removed from around the letters, leaving the base free to take the next elements.
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![Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Hand Painted Foamex")
A quick touch up around the edges of the lettering to make sure the sign will be 100% when complete.
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![Custom Signage - Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Painted Foamex")
When complete, there will be no "you've missed a bit" accusations!
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![Custom Signage - Pre-cut Dibond]( "Custom Signage - Pre-cut Dibond")
Designed to sit in the Foamex base, white Dibond is cut to shape.
At this point we want to cut to a video to show you how our swissqprint Impala 2 UV printer makes short work of printing directly Dibond:
Printing done, the sign is assembled.
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![Custom Signage - UV Printing on Dibond]( "Custom Signage - UV Printing on Dibond")
The detail achieved is fantastic and it contrasts well with the blue wood effect applied to other elements of the sign.
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![Custom Signage - UV Printing on Dibond]( "Custom Signage - UV Printing on Dibond")
Circles and lettering in brushed silver Dibond are printed with a distressed look.
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![Custom Signage - UV Printing on Dibond]( "Custom Signage - UV Printing on Dibond")
The UV printer works fast, applying the tarnish to all elements in a matter of minutes.
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![Custom Signage - Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Painted Foamex")
The circles and lettering are carefully set into the Foamex base.
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![Custom Signage - Painted Foamex]( "Custom Signage - Painted Foamex")
The compass motif is treated in much the same way, providing the contrast between metal and wood.
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![Custom / Bespoke Signage]( "Custom / Bespoke Signage")
Once the letters are all in place, the wood effect elements are laid on top of the base. The outer circle will be fitted properly on site to hide the fixings and will sink lower than you can see here.
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![Custom / Bespoke Signage]( "Custom / Bespoke Signage")
This shows the contrast between wood and metal well.
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![Custom / Bespoke Signage]( "Custom / Bespoke Signage")
Once installed, the 3D effect you can partially see here will be complete.
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![Custom / Bespoke Signage - UV Printing / Vinyl Lettering]( "Custom / Bespoke Signage - UV Printing / Vinyl Lettering")
Finally, brushed silver vinyl lettering, printed with the distressed look, is applied to the centre circle.
Combining different finishes, skills and materials can create some truly outstanding signage that catches the eye and sticks in the memory. We feel The Northern Way will become a very popular venue, in part due to the signage we have provided.
Now ready to be transported to The Northern Way from our South Manchester HQ and installed by our expert fitters. A rather stunning illuminated projecting sign is also planned. We will, of course, follow up with photos of all this.
In the meantime, why not give us a call about producing some truly unique signage for your business? Call 0161 998 7092 or email us.