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Blog Posts Written By

Barry K. Brown

Barry Brown has been in the Sign, Banner, Decal and Display Business for over 30 years. It isn't what he thought he'd do with his life, but he says he knows too much now to do anything else!

Durability and Cleaning Dye Sublimation Outdoor Fabric Banners

Outdoor Banners with stands

In this article, you will know about outdoor dye sublimated fabric displays, how to wash them, and will they be able to withstand weather conditions.

Question:  How do you clean dye sublimation fabric graphics?

Most dye sublimation fabrics are made with polyester fabrics, and with the dye sub printing process, the color becomes embedded in the fabric, so fading is not a problem unless it is done too often.

Manual and Automatic Washing

If your graphics are not too big to fit in your washing machine, it is no problem at all to wash them there.

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Reflective Sheeting – Engineer, High Intensity, and Diamond Grade

Reflective grading

The difference between engineer grade, high intensity, and diamond grade reflective sheeting.

Question: What is the difference between Standard Reflective (Engineer Grade or Type I), and High Intensity (Type III) and Diamond Grade (Type XI) reflective sign material?

Engineer Grade

Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting typically meets ASTM D4956 Type 1 standards and is an enclosed film or lens using glass beads or prismatic optical technology.

This material is specified for use on non-critical street and road signs such as parking signs or wayfinding signs. It has less reflectivity than the other types mentioned in the original question.

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How a STOP Sign Serve Its Purpose, Traffic Devices & Safe Driving

Standard Stop Signage

The purpose of stop signs, locations as to where you can put up two-way signage, & the warrants for traffic control devices.

Question: What is the purpose of a STOP sign?

This, of course, is a hotly debated topic!

Some have said that a STOP sign should be used as a dinner plate, while others a shield to deflect arrows, but not bullets. Some juveniles have insisted that STOP signs should be used as wall décor in their bedrooms.

But I say that these signs should be used strictly as traffic control devices,

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Traffic Control Devices and Definitions

Controlling Traffic

Here are the different devices used in controlling and maintaining traffic, as well as their respective functions.

Question: What are Traffic Control Devices and what are they used for?

Traffic Control Devices can be broken into several categories and a whole bunch of subcategories, but I’ll stay with the general categories for sake of brevity here.

The main category would be signs, which encompass road signs, street signs, highway signs, and traffic signs.

Sign Categories

This category will include stop signs, speed limit signs, parking signs, warning signs, construction signs,

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Authority Control Over Traffic Signs Cycle, Installation, & Standards

Off traffic lighting

Department of Transportation on the timing of traffic signals, installation in the intersection, and standards for color blind drivers.

Question:  If a traffic signal’s cycle is too long or too short, will the DOT change it?

Possibly. If your opinion is that a signal’s cycle is too long or too short, you could contact the DOT or county or municipal road maintenance department and speak to the traffic engineering department about it.

However, it may also be their opinion that the cycles is just fine, thank you. Unless, of course, many people besides yourself have complained about the same intersection.

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Reflective Traffic Signs Sheeting, Posts, and Aluminum Materials

Stop Sign Reflective Sheeting

Get to know reflective traffic sign sheeting, signposts. And, here’s the comparison of flat versus extruded aluminum materials.

Question:  What is Reflective Sheeting?

Reflective sheeting is the sheeting used to create reflective road signs, traffic signs, street signs, and highway signs.

Basically, reflective sheeting is laminated to aluminum sign blanks of various sizes and shapes, then printed with whatever copy is needed, and you have a reflective traffic sign.

Different Reflective Sheet Grading

Reflective sheeting comes in various grades, the most common being “Engineer Grade,” “Hi-Intensity Prismatic”, and “Diamond Grade.” The USDOT requires diamond grade for most interstate signs,

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When Traffic Light Signals Go Off – Rules for Installing Road Signs

Traffic Lighting

So, what do you do when traffic light are off? Also, there are legalities when it comes to owning signs. And, find out how you can install or mount your very own signage.

Question:  What should drivers do when traffic Signal Lights Are All Dark?

This is a very good question, because there are certainly no traffic signs that back up traffic signal lights if the power goes out, unless it’s a longer term deal like caused by a natural disaster and such.

What I’ve seen for the most part in such situations is that people pretend that it’s a 4-way Stop,

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The Cycle of Traffic Lights and What to do When They’re Flashing

Traffic Light

Understanding the timing of traffic sign lights and what drivers can do when they go flashing.

Question:  Why doesn’t the “Walk” light stay on longer? I can only get halfway across before it starts flashing!

Since I know nothing of your physical condition, whether you’re 18 or 85 years old, I’ll assume you’re in average physical condition and should be able to make it across the street before the sign says “Don’t Walk.”

Timing on Walk Lights

Walk signs are timed by the light, so if there is a green light that stays green for,

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Traffic Signs – Installation Regulation and Intersection Safety

Traffic Street Signs

Is traffic in the intersection safe? And, putting up traffic signs as approved by your local government.

Question:  Will traffic signs make an intersection safer?

Generally, yes. Unless it had a traffic light and now you’re replacing it with signs. Of course, if there’s little traffic at that intersection anyway, it won’t make much actual difference where safety is concerned.

The newer USDOT codes, and I believe most “First World” nations as well, though, require the “diamond grade” reflective materials to be the basis for most intersection signs, so it’s almost like having a traffic light anyway.

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Surfaces For Vinyl Wall Graphics, and Uses of Decals

Wall Decals

Surfaces that are suitable for Polyvinyl Wall Graphics, and how to put up your decals.

Question:  What types of surfaces can I apply vinyl wall art?

That’s a multi-faceted question, so I’ll need to give you a multi-faceted answer.

Generically, your wall surface needs to be clean, and preferably freshly painted, but not too freshly painted or you may have problems with your wall graphics not sticking (because the paint is too damp), or sticking too well (surface may be dry but there is still residual moisture below the surface).

The wall should not have too much texture.

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