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COVID Audit Checklist

We know there’s a lot of new protocols to keep track of when preparing for an audit, especially due to additional COVID-19 requirements. See below for a COVID-19 signage checklist to help you prepare for an audit, whether it be internal vs external.

 

WHAT IS AN AUDIT?

It’s an official inspection performed by an auditor to ensure your business is adhering to health, safety and environmental standards.

There are two types of audits, Internal and External. Internal Audits are driven by your company to ensure your business is compliant, while external audits are performed by an outside party.

 

INSPECTION & AUDIT AREAS TO CONSIDER FOR COVID-19 PROTOCOLS:

  1. Housekeeping: Is it clean and sanitized?
  2. Safety & Signs: Compliance, fading, and missing signage (see below for more details)
  3. Schedules & Information
  4. Sickness: Has any staff been diagnosed with COVID-19?
  5. Audit History: Be sure to review historical audit reports, and past action plans to have better insight into what was previously discussed.

* Be sure to check with your internal auditor for a full checklist.

 

 

ENSURE YOU HAVE THESE SIGNS IN PLACE BEFORE AN AUDIT:

□ Are there directional arrows on the floor clearly indicating the flow of traffic?

□ Do you have signage outside your business indicating not to enter if you are sick or have travelled outside of the country within 14 days?

□ Is there signage outside your building displaying the reduced number of people allowed in your facility at one time, and any other protocol changes?

□ If your business is a city where face masks are mandatory, do you have signage displayed outside indicating face masks are mandatory before entry?

□ Are your staff wearing a face shield or mask where a 6ft distance cannot be maintained?
(If you’re in a city where masks are mandatory and your business is considered an indoor public space, this may not apply as your staff will need to continuously wear face coverings.)

□ Are floors marked with appropriate physical distance in areas where lineups occur?

□ Do you have signage outside office spaces, elevators, lunchrooms and other smaller spaces, indicating the reduced number of people allowed in those spaces at one time?

□ If areas where furniture cannot be rearranged, have you added physical barriers such as a counter guard between stations, tables or counters?

□ Have you set up hand washing or sanitizer areas with displayed signage to promote hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette?

 

 

Need signage or tips on where to start implementing COVID-19 protocols?
Check out the blog posts below or give us a call! 

 

> Slow the Spread of COVID-19 With Temporary Signage

> Outdoor COVID-19 Signage Applications

 

 

 

 

Learn more about COVID-19 protocols here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/public-health-measures-mitigate-covid-19.html#_Workplaces
Read more »

COVID-19 Products

With businesses reopening and companies considering going back to the office, the signage requirements and protocol changes can be overwhelming. To help ease this transition, we've compiled a list of common COVID-19 products and layouts.

We're happy to provide consultation on the specific needs for your space while you navigate through all the protocol changes.

 

FLOOR DECALS

Give a visual representation to workers and visitors on the appropriate spacing for physical distancing.

View products here. 

Removable floor decals to bring awareness to physical distancing

 

 

A-Frames & Tent Cards

Advise workers & visitors of protocol changes with an a-frame or tent card, allowing the option to change locations with ease.

View products here. 

Aframe options for temporary messaging like COVID-19 protocols

 

 

Pylon Signs

Alert workers and visitors to parking or pick up changes.

View products here. 

Pylon Signs

 

Anti-Slip Tape

Available in various colours, our anti-slip rolls are useful for many applications. 

View products here. 

Anti-Slip Tape

 

 

 

Window & Wall Decals

Alert staff and visitors of protocol changes, cleaning procedures, no-contact order pickup and more with these removable decals.

View products here. 

Removable Window & Wall Decals

 

 

Signs & Posters

Alert or remind staff and visitors of protocol changes, to keep their physical distance, and more with these signs and posters.

View products here. 

COVID-19 Signs

 

 

Lawn Signs

Use lawn signs to show your support of essential workers or spread positivity.
$2 of every lawn sign sold will be donated to TC Energy's Better Together COVID-19 Relief Campaign.
Learn more about their campaign here.

View products here. 

Lawn Sign Fundraiser Layouts

 

 

Free Sign Downloads

We understand budget and resources may be a problem when it comes to purchasing and creating signage. We're offering some free templates to print on your home or office printer.
Layouts are also available for purchase as signs or removable window or wall decals. Templates can be customized for signs and decals.

View products here. 

Free COVID-19 Signage

 

 

Hand Sanitizer

Alberta health authorities are urging to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and IDENT is doing our part with signage – and now hand sanitizer.
We’ve partnered with Prime Boiler Services Ltd to provide cost-effective hand sanitizer in 3 different sizes.

View products here. 

Hand Sanitizer in 3 sizes

 

 

Face Shields

Looking at the various needs, we developed 2 styles both with branding options to allow you to communicate your own message. One of the masks provides you with the ability to easily replace just the shield portion while keeping the branded headpiece!
Replacement shield options also available.

View products here. 

Health Canada Face Shields

 

 

Face Masks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending the use of Cloth Face coverings in public settings where physical distancing is difficult to maintain (such as grocery stores or even some work environments) to help control the spread of COVID-19.

We recently came across a “friend” from our community who is putting a stylish twist on supporting the cause whilst trying to supplement their income during these trying times. We love a feel-good story and always support win-win-win situations so we have asked them if we could help get the word out and offer to sell their handmade masks for them.

All masks are hand sewn with pleats for maximum comfort and coverage and are double sided with a pattern on one side and a solid color on the other.

View products here. 

 

 

 

Counter Guards

Need an extra layer of protection between employees and customers? Counter guards help maintain social distancing rules and reinforce public health practices. 
Different options and styles available: Acrylic & Polycarbonate options, barriers with feet to allow for portability, notch style barriers with connectors, barriers with hinges and more.

In-stock & custom options available.

View products here. 

Counter Guards

 

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COVID-19 Lawn Sign Fundraiser

We know essential workers are making sacrifices for us and our loved ones. That’s why we’ve created lawn signs for purchase, so we can all display our support loud and proud.

Two dollars from every lawn sign sold will be donated to TC Energy's Better Together COVID-19 Relief Campaign. TC Energy will match donations by 200% which means $6 for every lawn sign is going towards Breakfast Club of Canada, United Way's Local Love in a Global Crisis, and UNICEF Canada's Global Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak Response.


Show your appreciation in more ways than one, and grab a sign (or two).
View Product here.

 

Lawn Sign Fundraiser Layout Options
Purchase your lawn sign here.

 

 

 

Want to know more about TC Energys’ Better Together COVID-19 Relief Campaign?
Click here.

 

Read more »

Outdoor COVID-19 Signage Applications

Signage is probably the last thing on your mind when it comes to all the changes you've made and have to make in regard to COVID-19. Signage can have a large impact in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and minimize confusion with procedural changes.

You will need to consider how workers and visitors utilize and navigate your facilities, how frequently you plan to change your messaging elements, and if you will need to move your signage from various locations. 

See below for more information and ideas to implement cost-effective temporary signage options outside your business. 

 

Graphic displaying how to utilize covid-19 signage in the field

FIELD

In the above graphic, we can see the use of sandwich boards indicating the changes when entering the building and site, floor decals to display the proper spacing for physical distancing, and a wall decal alerting customers of the pickup changes.

Sandwich boards are an excellent cost-effective option to communicate with workers and visitors, as the printed sign can be replaced in order to reuse the board for future messaging.

 

Graphic indicating how to use covid-19 signage outside your facility

FACILITY

Above you will see removable decals indicating to couriers the process change on each bay, a removable decal indicating only 5 people are allowed in the building at one time on the entrance door and a sandwich board alerting staff and contractors that they will be screened upon entry.

 

Graphic indicating how to use covid-19 signage outside your warehouse

WAREHOUSE

Our warehouse graphic shows our sandwich board on the left reminding workers and visitors to keep a 6ft distance, while our quad stand on the right indicated procedural changes. Our decal displayed on the windows alerts couriers to call for pickups and deliveries prior to entry.

Quad stands are another great cost-effective option, allowing for the sign to be removed and updated with a new sign.

 

 

Graphic indicating how to use covid-19 signage outside your office building

OFFICE

Utilize the space you have, switching out your current parking signs with customer pickup signs indicating they must call or text you to pick up their item(s). If you don’t have signposts in place, try using a temporary and cost-effective option such as pylon signs, shown with the no parking sign layout. We also see the use of removable decals on the entrance door indicating the new hours of operation and the arrow on the ground reminding workers and visitors to keep a safe distance.

 

We know you might not have the resources or time to put together your own branded COVID-19 signage, so we have a range of standard templates available like all the layouts shown above.
https://identsigns.com/covid-19

 

We're in this together.

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Slow the Spread of COVID-19 with Temporary Signage

We've all memorized the chorus to Staying Alive, whether we wanted to or not, but did you know the chorus is 24 seconds long? Just enough time for a proper handwash.

Things have changed drastically over the last few weeks. Businesses are temporarily closing, many people are working from home, and processes are changing on a global level, in every industry.

It's hard to keep up with constant changes happening for your own business, let alone the rest of the city, and change is hard. The added necessity of physical distancing only adds to the stress. Let's talk about how to make this a little easier for you and those around you.

Here are some simple solutions you can quickly and easily implement to enhance the COVID safety awareness at your warehouse or site, and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

 

1. Reduce the Number of People in Your Space at One Time

a) Most of us are already practicing this step, but sometimes we can forget or be unaware of different protocol changes. Displaying temporary decals or A-frames at the entrance to your building, site, meeting room or office, quickly reminds staff and visitors of the amount of people allowed in the building, room or site at one time.

Wait Here Floor Decals

 

b) Changing Courier or Customer Pickup Processes
Avoid unnecessary contact with couriers and customers. Use parking lot signage to let customers know that you will deliver products to their vehicle for them. Existing parking lot signage can be covered with temporary signage, making this simple to implement. For your Shipping and Receiving area, try placing an A-frame, decal or sign on or around the door.

avoid unnecessary contact with couriers and customers


 

 

2. Limiting Use in High Traffic Areas

Place A-frames or temporary decals in high congregation/traffic areas, limiting use to 1-2 people at a time, allowing staff and visitors to maintain their 2m distance. You can also add decaling to your washroom mirrors to remind of handwashing or indicate last cleaning or cleaning frequency.

      Cleaning reminders & Social Distancing Floor Decals






3. Use Floor Graphics to Reinforce Your Messaging

In today’s world, people are using their cellphones every day, emailing, texting, browsing the web on a regular basis. Meaning, people are constantly looking down.
Why not reinforce your messaging with temporary floor decals to make sure that even Travis the Texter is aware of protocol changes.

Floor Graphics for COVID-19




 

4. Single User Bathrooms

Most companies and businesses have bathrooms to accommodate multiple users, but continuing this same practice makes it difficult to practice physical distancing. Try placing a temporary decal on the bathroom door, alerting visitors and employees of the change to a single use bathroom.

 

Single User Bathrooms

 

 

Together we can help slow the spread of COVID-19.

View our list of cost-effective COVID-19 signage options here.

 

Read more »

Aluminum, Recycling's Best Friend

Most people know aluminum by its common uses like aluminum foil or cans, but at IDENT we know aluminum because of the signs we work with every day.

Aluminum is one of the most abundant metals on the planet. It takes a lot less energy to recycle aluminum than manufacturing new metals and can be recycled indefinitely, which is why Aluminum is the most commonly recycled non-ferrous* metal.

When it comes to recycling scrap metal, the list of benefits for the environment and the economy is quite long. Producing aluminum from recycled metals saves more than 90 percent of the energy needed to create new aluminum from ore. By recycling the bulk of our aluminum, it allows us to leave more natural resources in the earth, lowers the cost of production, and lowers energy usage.

Making products out of used aluminum is now a way for companies to show a commitment to more eco-friendly manufacturing – even Apple is doing it! Apple recently announced that it’s new iPads and Apple Watches would feature portions from 100% recycled aluminum. “We’re pioneering a future where we no longer need to mine precious materials from the Earth to make our products,” Apple said in it’s 2019 Environmental Responsibility Report.

It isn’t hard to see why so many companies have converted to recycled aluminum products. According to The Aluminum Association (an industry group), almost 75% of all the aluminum produced is still in use today.

 

What does this process look like?

Once the metal recycling company receives your scraps, everything first gets sorted according to types of metal. Once the aluminum has been picked out, it is ready to be sorted again, this time by the different grades of aluminum. From there, each grade gets cleaned and then reduced to its pure aluminum form, taking out other contaminants such as plastic along the way. The last step in this process is packing the aluminum and sending it to a company or consumer.

 

How can you contribute to sustainability and recycling metals?

Reduce: When considering substrate choices for your signs, ask for 100% aluminum vs. composite or plastic products.

Reuse: Send in your old sign blanks and ask your sign company to use the backside.

Recycle: You can sell your scrap metals to most metal recycling companies in your area. Check your local scrap metal recyclers website to see what they do and don't accept.

 

It's a no-brainer when it comes to aluminum recycling, so why don't you put some extra money in your pocket by recycling your scrap metals.

 

 

 



*A metal that doesn’t contain iron.

 

References:

http://www.isri.org/ISRI/_About/Scrap_Recycling_Industry/ISRI/_About/Scrap_Recycling_Industry.aspx?hkey=1c15f9cb-6f70-4130-a053-ceba7a327c7f
http://www.cari-acir.org/en/industry.html
https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/Apple_Environmental_Responsibility_Report_2019.pdf
 
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WHMIS 101

The GHS system consists of ten symbols, or pictograms, giving us a quick and easy way to recognize hazards associated with certain substances. 

Think you know them all? Quiz yourself below!

WHMIS 101

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Vinyl 101

When it comes to decals (or stickers ;) ) there are so many options, that we have a solution for even the most unusual projects. We don’t want to bore you with too many details, so we created a small list of the most common vinyl, based on project needs, to help you gather your bearings.

     

Standard White Vinyl  Standard Vinyl is used for general decal applications like hard hats, pipe marking, and walls. Easy Peasy.

     

Blockout classification decal

Blockout Vinyl is typically used as a covering decal, covering an old emergency number or LSD, so you can save some $$ and cover one portion rather than replacing the whole sign. Looks just like a standard vinyl, but has a grey backing so the decal or sign your covering doesn’t show through.

     

Reflective Hard Hat Decal

Reflective Vinyl is generally used for information that needs visibility at night, such as Muster, Km marker or traffic signs.

     

Removable Wall Vinyl

Removable Vinyl is, well… removable. Sometimes your project requires a less permanent option for applications like temporary offices, branding projects and marketing campaigns. And because it’s removable, that means your walls stay chip-free!

     

Vehicle Decals

Vehicle Grade Vinyl is a conformable vinyl option, letting us cover the nooks and crannies of your vehicle, or equipment. Popular applications being of course, vehicle decals and decals that need to be applied to curved, or angled surfaces.

     

Boiler Hi Temp Decal

Hi(high) Temp Vinyl is available for decals that need to be applied to high-temperature areas, and can withstand temperatures between -30C to 140C. We mainly see hi-temp vinyl used for decals being applied to boilers, batteries, hot pipes, engine parts, and more.

     

Holiday Window Decal

Clear vinyl is the best option for any application you want to be transparent. Clear vinyl is great for vehicle window logos, logos or seasonal decals on office windows, and privacy or display decals on boardroom windows.

     

 

 

Still unsure of what you’re looking for?
No sweat!
Getting to know your signage needs is our passion.
Tell us about your project and we’d love to give a suggestion (or two) so you don’t have to worry about the little things a minute longer than you need to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RGB, CMYK & PANTONE, What's the difference?

RGB, CMYK & PANTONE, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

 

Colour is one of the most important aspects of printing, it can attract, influence and increase retention, making your marketing team happy!
Colour is everywhere, and you have probably noticed that sometimes a colour looks different on screen vs. when it gets printed.

 

Why are there so many different colour modes?

A colour mode is a way to define colour, using different approaches to define colour. The different colour
modes tell the computer, monitor, or printer which colours to print/display. 
The 3 colour modes you need to know are RGB, CMYK and PANTONE.

 

RBG

RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue.
All of the colours created are a combination of red, green, and blue light. RGB colour “mode” is used for
anything that is light based or lit, such as televisions, cameras, computer monitors and even iPhones.

 

RGB vs CMYK colour

 

CMYK

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and “Key” colour (black).
All of the colours created are a combination of those 4 colours. The colours are similar to what you remember
in elementary school, Yellow and Cyan make Green; Magenta and Yellow create Red. CMYK is used for
anything printed, business cards, posters, signs. It was used in traditional screen printing, and
is now used in digital printing too!

 

Printing CMYK

 

PANTONE/PMS

PMS stands for “Pantone Matching System.”
Pantone is a universal colour matching system used to create colour consistency across a variety of platforms,
materials, and uses. The Pantone Corporation created over 1100 numbered colours, that can all be found
in a physical swatch book. Pantone colours standardize colours, meaning, manufacturers and customers can all
refer to the Pantone book to make sure colours match. Pantone colours are used for maintaining a consistent
colour whether you’re viewing it on TV or in print, usually a logo or packaging.

 

Printing PMS colour

 

What does IDENT use?

IDENT uses Pantone and we have a software that interprets CMYK colour codes to match its associated Pantone colour.



Why does IDENT ask for Pantones?

Pantone colours give us a consistent reference point, which allows us to keep the colour you need, regardless
of the project or how many times we print it. Each Pantone colour can be referenced in a swatch book that
contains specific numbers for each colour, along with a CMYK colour chart that best represents that colour.
Without the Pantone reference, your logo colour will come out different across various printing equipment.

Trust us, it’s no fun redoing 300 signs because we didn’t get the colours right!

 

Will I even notice the difference?

You bet! Although not always drastic, changes can usually be seen between RGB, CMYK & Pantone colours. You may see
RGB colours on-screen, 
but CMYK will be the printed colour version. Each Pantone in the swatch book includes
CMYK, RGB, and HTML values to reproduce that colour as accurately as possible in print and 
on-screen applications.

 

Coloured Printing

 

Don’t have a Pantone? No worries – give us a call and we can let you know how closely we can match your project!  

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Reflective Signs 101

Retroreflective vinyl, commonly referred to as reflective vinyl, is not self-luminescent. Its properties aren’t apparent in normal daylight conditions. Its glass or prismatic beads are specifically designed to reflect light back to the source making them visible at night when illuminated with artificial light, such as that from motor vehicle headlights. This reflective property is what makes road signs legible after dark without the cost of electric illumination. Reflective sign vinyl uses a variety of reflective technologies to produce different levels of shine. Two important considerations when choosing a reflective vinyl are how much light will it reflect (measured in candlepower) and how wide of an angle can it be viewed at (referred to as angularity).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Engineer Grade (Glass Beaded)

This material is specified for use on non-critical street and road signs, such as parking signs. Engineer grade reflective sheeting is also used often for reflective stickers and decals. Engineer Grade signs reflect at night when light hits the sign. The retro-reflective beaded material has a lifetime of (5/7) years.
Popular Applications: Parking signs


 Parking Sign

 

 

High Intensity

This material is a non-metallized micro-prismatic lens reflective sheeting that is used mainly for reflective traffic and road signs, barricades or other road construction zone devices. High Intensity sheeting is highly reflective, and its durable topcoat protects signs and other traffic control devices against scratches and abrasion. It is used for more permanent traffic signs, and work zone devices.
High Intensity signs are used in areas where the street lighting at night might interfere with a sign’s reflection.
Popular Applications: Traffic Signs

Traffic Sign

 

 

 

Diamond Grade

Diamond Grade is a reflective sheeting that returns almost 60% of the available light to vehicle drivers which is about double what High Intensity reflective sheeting reflects.
Diamond Grade reflective material is at the highest level of reflectivity for traffic signs and is most commonly used on interstate highways and construction projects- and in areas where high visibility is critical.
Popular Applications: Pedestrian Crossing, Stop Signs

Pedestrian Crossing Sign, Night & Day

 

 

 

 

The following images provide a side-by-side comparison of the three different levels of reflectivity outlined above.

Different grades of reflective vinyl day & night

 

 

 

For more information on the different grades of reflective vinyl, give us a call, we'd love to help!

1-800-661-1919

 

 

 

Big thanks to 3M for the use of their images.
3M has some awesome resources regarding reflectivity and why it's important - give their site some love by clicking here!

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Selecting the right material for your tags

We’re taking the “overwhelming” factor out of your decision-making process by compiling a list of materials showing what your tag material options are. Once you know the basics like, where is it going, will it be indoor or outdoor, is it temporary or permanent, you’ll be ready to make your selection.

 

 

Tag Materials

Cardstock
Cardstock is a paper stock that is thicker and more durable than normal writing or printing paper. Cardstock allows the option for perforation (perforation gives you the ability to tear off a portion of the tag), and can be written on with pen or marker. It is by far your less expensive option, but with that comes restrictions to it’s use; it is very temporary, and can only be used indoors. 
*Recommended to use standard sizes with a reinforced hole
Popular Applications: Temporary Maintenance Tags

cardstock tag

 

Polyart
Polyart is a flexible, water, scratch and tear resistant paper-like material. It is largely used for perforated tags as it is more durable than Cardstock and also economical. It can be written on with a pen or marker, but isn’t ideal for permanent outdoor applications as it is likely to yellow from the sun and has a tendency to fade over time. Grommet or eyelet options are also available to reinforce holes.
Popular Applications: Perforated Tags such as Repair Tags

Polyart Perforated Tag

 

ABS
ABS is a thermoplastic material, that holds it’s shape, has the option for over-laminate and can be written on with a permanent marker. ABS is a great option indoors, and is a better outdoor material than Polyart or Cardstock, but has the possibility to snap in very cold temperatures (like Canada ☹). Grommet or eyelet options are also available to reinforce holes.
Popular Applications: Lock Out Tags, Valve Tags

ABS tag

 

Bannerstock– most popular- 5-year warranty
Banner Stock is a great option for tags, as it is tear proof, cost-effective, durable, flexible, can handle hot and cold weather, and can be written on with a pen or marker. Although Bannerstock is a great option, it cannot be perforated – leaving you to choose between Polyart or Cardstock for perforated applications. Grommet or eyelet options are also available to reinforce holes.
Popular Applications: WHMIS products, Lock Out Tags

Banner Stock Tag

 

Lamacoid
Lamacoid is a lightweight non-conductive 2-ply and 3-ply plastic material for engraving, that comes in a variety of colours. Lamacoids are easily mounted with standard adhesives, and there are outdoor versions with uv stable properties available.
Popular Applications: Engraved Nameplates, Engraved Power Panel

Lamacoid tags

 

Aluminum, White Vinyl, Subsurface Print, Metalphoto or Laser Engraved – All aluminum signs have a 5-year warranty at IDENT 
Aluminum is a solid metal material, that is durable, lightweight and doesn’t rust or decompose. There are four types of printing options available, White Vinyl, Subsurface Print, Metalphoto or Laser Engraved.



-White Vinyl Aluminum has an adhesive vinyl overlay allowing us to print in colour, print double sided if desired and the tags can be written on with a marker. 
Popular Applications for Vinyl: Valve Open Close

-Subsurface print is an electrochemical process that changes the finish of the metal, leaving the option to only print in black or standard colours. Subsurface print is usually used for the purpose of being engraved, can be used for 10+ years (when printed in black), and can only be written on with an engraving pen.
Popular Applications for Subsurfaced print: Pipeline Abandoned

-Metalphoto is a photo-sensitive anodized aluminum used for applications where permanence, resolution, variable data or a combination of these characteristics is required. It is almost identical to Subsurfaced print, but is more effective and photo-sensitive. High resolution makes it possible for barcodes, QR codes or other symbology that may be required.
Popular Applications for Metalphoto: Nameplates, Labels, and Control Panels.

-Laser Engraved Aluminum can be seen as a selective laser material removal, because the laser removes the anodized layer from the aluminum piece. Laser engraving leaves the material with a matte finish, black lettering, and allows the option to be written on with marker or engraving pen. (Can only be printed in black)
Popular Applications Laser: Pipeline Abandoned

Aluminum Tag - Laser Engraved

 

Tag Material Table

 

Still feeling stuck? Regardless of the location you’ll be placing your tag, we’ve got a material that will work in both terms of practicality and functionality. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need a recommendation, or if you would like to place an order! 

 

 

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Picking the right material for your signage needs

The decision-making process is never easy, we make so many quick decisions unconsciously; others we agonize over. We want picking a material for your signage needs to be easy, so we’ve compiled a list of materials showing what your options are. First, you need to ask yourself: where is it being applied, will it be located indoors or outdoors, how long is it going to be up for, and any additional factors you might need to consider.

All materials we offer at IDENT, can be printed double sided, and other than the banner stock, come in sheets of 48” x 96” or smaller but can be made larger with 2 or more pieces.

 

Sign Materials

Coroplast 
Coroplast is lightweight, recyclable and inexpensive, making it an easy choice for temporary signage, billboards or golf tournaments. It can be used both indoors and out but isn’t ideal for a long term sign as it is easily damaged.
Popular Applications: Temporary signage such as temporary lease signs, temporary directional signage, temporary reflective construction and traffic signage. Also a popular choice for special events and tradeshows.

 

ABS 
ABS is a lightweight, thermoplastic material that isn’t recommended for outdoor use as it can snap in very cold temperatures (like Canada ☹). If you’re looking for a material that gives you a good balance of cost and performance, ABS will often be a good choice.
Popular Applications: TDG Placards, Indoor Wallcharts, Indoor Tags, and Indoor Safety Signs.  

 

Banner Stock
Banner Stock is a great option for regularly transported signage, as it can be rolled up and is fairly lightweight depending on size. Banners are often mounted using ropes, screws, bungee cords, etc. inserted through metal grommets along the edges. It also makes an excellent outdoor tag, as it can handle Canadian winter and is tear resistant.
Popular Applications: WHMIS and Do not disturb tags, and large signage for special events.

 

ACM (Dibond)  
ACM is a dense lightweight material that combines two aluminum layers with solid plastic core and comes with a protective film on both sides. This rigid composite material isn’t ideal for all signage needs, as it should be mounted flat. Mounting ACM to a post is a gamble, as it can bend, snap and raise the protective film.
Popular Applications: Outdoor wall mounted safety signs, display and exhibition and architectural signs.

 

Aluminum – Most popular & All aluminum signs have a 5-year warranty at IDENT
Aluminum is a solid metal sign that is extremely durable, lightweight, and don’t rust or decompose. This material can be engraved, stamped and comes in multiple colours with the option of 3 different reflectivity’s: Engineer Grade, High Intensity and Diamond Grade.*
Thinner aluminum options are available and make for great tags!
Popular Applications: Pipeline Signs, Wellsite Signs, Facility Signs, Out of Service Tags/Stamped Valve Tags, and any long-term outdoor application.

 

* Things to consider when choosing a reflectivity: how often is the road travelled at night, and the speed. If you still aren’t sure what reflectivity would work best for your project, we’d love to help you narrow that down.  

Signage Materials Chart

 

Still feeling stuck? Regardless of the location you’ll be placing your sign, we’ve got a material that will work in both terms of practicality and functionality. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need a recommendation, or if you would like to place an order! 

 

 

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