![\"sign-trends\"](\"https:\/\/creativesigndesigns.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/sign-trends-300x169.jpg\")
While countless trends come and go, from fashion to music to yes, even signage, one thing remains constant: signage itself will always be \u2018on trend.\u2019 Why? Because just as with fashion \u2013 trends change but needs don\u2019t \u2013 signage will always be necessary to help people know where they are and how to get to where they want to go.<\/p>\n
So while we don\u2019t have a crystal ball, it\u2019s safe to say these are the trends in sign technology, fabrication materials, and processes to watch for in 2019 \u2013 and beyond.<\/p>\n
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According to the Sign Research Foundation<\/a>, many large flatbed printers can handle up to 2-inch thick materials, so sign companies can now print on a wide variety of surfaces, such as different grained woods and textured metals.<\/p>\n Sign companies are now offering building wrap<\/a> solutions that require a higher level preparation and installation skills, including parking garages and other structures that require quality installation. And specialty architecture metals are being used more on the exterior of larger structures, such as downtown buildings and parking garages.<\/p>\n UV printing<\/a> uses UV-curable inks which are \u2018cured\u2019 into a solid film that tightly adheres directly onto the substrate’s surface once exposed to wavelengths of UV light. And flatbed printing added another technology innovation, creating the ability to print on multiple substrates that did not need pre-preparation for size or shape beyond the parameters of the overall size of the bed.<\/p>\n While still new, 3D printing boasts potential for ADA signs and complex interior dimensional signs as the printers can create sculptural objects and apply print graphics for customized solutions. More and more companies are moving to take advantage of this burgeoning technique to help add details to their work \u2013 but companies have only begun to scratch the surface of 3D printing\u2019s capabilities.<\/p>\n According to the Sign Research Foundation<\/a>, this process can be applied to dimensional surfaces and a variety of rigid and semi-rigid materials, including metal, aluminum, wood, and plastic. Further, rapid advances in ink and printers have improved their durability, paving the way for potential outdoor use, and new machines can combine and automate a number of printing and cutting tasks, including the use of specialty aluminum, faux wood finishes, and composite woods.<\/p>\n Low-voltage RGB LED signage lighting can provide color-changing accents with the benefit of a white or warm-white light source. And with dimming control, RGB signage lighting can produce over 4 billion color combinations.<\/p>\n\n
Building Wraps<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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UV Flatbed Printing<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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3D Printing<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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Direct-to-Substrate and Layered Printing<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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RGB LED Signage Lighting<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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LED Electronic Message Centers<\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n