Twitter 101: The Basics

I recently wrote an article for Sign Builder Illustrated that was just published in the April 2011 issue. The article focused on Twitter and how to get started using the micro blogging site. With social media use growing every day, businesses need to learn and understand how to use the various forms of social media. 

Twitter can be a lot of fun to use and become a useful tool to any business. The trick is to understand the platform, develop a game plan and start tweeting.

Follow Nova at www.twitter.com/novapolymers.

--MS

Laser Cutting NovAcryl

The base material used for the NovAcryl PT Series Photopolymer is PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol). Many people think that the clear base is acrylic and are often times surprised when the PETG does not laser cut the same as acrylic.

PETG is a thermoplastic polymer resin and requires different setting when laser cutting. There are several large photopolymer fabricators that exclusively use lasers to cut their NovAcryl photopolymer. The most common lasers are made by Universal Laserr in Scottsdale, AZ.

Here are a few setting for cutting NovAcryl with a 50 watt Universal Laser.
-  run at 100% power
- .6% speed for PT-236
- 2.0% speed for PT-118
- 3.0% spedd for PT-060
- run all at 1,000 PPI

Visit the Tech Support section of our website for more information.

Rolland VersaUV LEC Seriers Printers

Nova is now selling Rolland VeraUV LEC Series UV Inkjet Printer/Cutter.

As the world’s first UV inkjet printer/cutters, Roland’s DPI award-winning VersaUV LEC series quickly revolutionized the packaging prototype and short-run label industries. For the first time, professionals could print CMYK plus White and Clear inks for varnishing and embossing effects on virtually any substrate and then crease, contour cut or perf-cut their designs, all on one device through one seamless workflow.

VersaUV uses safe, low-heat LED lamps to print on materials ranging from metallic and synthetic papers and foils to BOPP, PE and PET film, even leather and fabrics. VersaUV creates remarkably rich effects including matte and high-gloss finishes in your choice of textures and patterns. Roland ECO-UV inks produce graphics that are easy to handle and can be stretched across curved surfaces and sharp edges without cracking. With VersaUV, your prototypes and comps are so realistic, they are virtually indistinguishable from finished products.

LEARN MORE about the VersaUV LEC Printer/Cutter

How To Process Photopolymer

We recently made a video that demonstrates  How To Process Photopolymer Signs for ADA Complaint Room Identification signage. 

In the video below we process NovAcryl Photopolmyer using our Orbital X Photopolymer Processor, AccuCutter 19" finishing shear and the Kobo TC-851 hot stamp device. Please contact us for more info. 

ADA CE Course Updated: 2010 Standards

We have recently updated our CE Course for ADA and Room Identification Signage to reflect the the new 2010 ADA Standards.

As many of you know, the 2010 Standards are not necessarily new as they reflect the 2004 ADAAG. Basically the 2010 Standard  makes the 2004 ADDAG enforceable on the Federal Level. Many states have already adopted the 2004 ADDAG language in their state building codes.

We can deliver this presentation to your firm live for CEU credits or via webinar if you'd like to inform your staff on the latest codes relating to ADA room identification signage.

Contact us at info@novapolymers.com.

--MS

Discounted Photopolymer: NovAcryl PR

At Nova, we run a Just-In-Time manufacturing process which basically means that we produce material often and have tight control over the process.

Every month there are several sheets that have imperfect edges where the photopolymer layer is not adhered to the base PETG all the way to the edge of the sheet. These sheets will work fine as long as there is no raised image on this area.

The problems areas are clearly marked and represent no more than 5% of the sheet. Typically, one of the four edges has an area of approx. 1/2' where there is no photopolymer as seen below.

NovAcryl Pro Rated 236 leading edge missing 1/2" of polymer

How To Purchase Pro Rated Sheets

• Log into the Online Ordering section on our website
• If you do not now your log in information contact Pat Avallone
• The Pro Rated material will be listed on the Home screen
• Material selection will change monthly based availability
• Material will be sold on a first come, first serve basis

Please contact us today if you have any question about the NovAcryl Pro Rated material or if you would like to set up your online account.  --MS

Top Coating NovAcryl Photopolymer

One of the unique characteristics of NovAcryl Photopolymer is the many ways to decorate and add color to the material. The world of plain, boring ADA signs is past and many people are looking to tie wayfinding signage in with the design of the interior.

NovAcryl photopolmer is available in a variety of base substrates which allows for many different looks; everything from subsurface paint to digitally printing inserts to laminates to 3form Varia organics. 

Regardless of the look you choose, you will need to apply a top coat of paint or clear to the surface of the photopolymer. 

Purpose of Top Coat

- Protect the sign and polymer surface from wear and tear.

- Protect from UV degradation. Note that clear coats must have UV inhibitors.

- The top coat help round or soften the Braille dots.

Check out our Painting Tech Support section for more informations.

--MS

ADA Codes and Best Practices- Educating the Sign Community

Nova gives ADA seminar at Sign World

Nova has been a Continuing Education Provider for several years now. One of the most important courses we give is on ADA codes for Room Identification Signage.

In early December we delivered this course to a group of sign professionals at the USSC Sign World show in Atlantic City. While this course was originally developed to educate the A&D community, the course is relevant to everyone involved with architectural signage.

The course can be viewed on our website or blog.

We can also work with you on an individual basis and deliver to you and your staff in person or via webinar. Please contact Dave Miller at dmiller@novapolymers.com for more information.

--MS