APPLICATIONS

• Areas with CONSIDERABLE COMPETING LIGHT, such as city streets, downtown areas etc.
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• Where the HIGHEST POSSIBLE DEGREE OF REFLECTIVITY IS NEEDED OR REQUIRED BY STATE OR LOCAL LAWS (such as most Construction ZonesAreas, Stop and Yield signs, many city street and highway applications etc)
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• ASTM Type IX signs meet or exceed ALL laws, ordinances and requirements for every application.
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• Where the highest possible degree of reflectivity is SIMPLY DESIRED, such as brightly lit businesses and parking lots for increases visibility, etc.
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• WHEN THE REPLACEMENT COSTS are considered, even if a lower grade of reflective sheeting will suffice (see Most Cost Efficient). Our Diamond Grade signs, on the average, only costs 60% more than the same Engineer Grade sign.
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  IN CONCLUSION:

  
  

  
  
  • Each Grade (of reflectivity) of sheeting is designed for a specific purpose. Deciding which grade you need is not always an easy task.
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  • We can not stress enough how important it is to CHECK ALL STATE AND LOCAL LAWS AND ORDINANCES to see if regulations apply.
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  • Many of our customers purchase High Intensity or Diamond Grade sheeting for signs where a fine or penalty could be imposed, such as “Loading Zone Only”, “Tow Away Zone” and “Handicapped Parking Only” signs, even if the law does not require these higher grades of reflectivity.
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  • As a property or business owner, you should ALWAYS consider using a higher grade of sheeting (High Intensity or Diamond Grade) for ANY sign that involves public safety or warns of a danger, regardless if no laws governing these signs exist in your community or if the law only requires Engineer Grade Type I sheeting.
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  • Purchasing a grade of reflectivity equal to or higher than the law demands is your best defense in avoiding lawsuits and charges of negligence, however keeping signs clean and replacing damaged signs is also extremely important.
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  • Obviously, we have no way of knowing how much competing light exists in the area of your application or know your local laws and regulations regarding sign sizes and reflectivity. We, therefore, can only offer basic guidelines to help you select the proper sign for your needs. ARA Signs makes no express or implied Warranty of Merchantability or Fitness for a particular purpose.
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  • Rather than ordering nothing but Diamond Grade Type IX “just to be safe”, research state and local lawsordinances and, if necessary, retain the services of a Safety Consultant in your area. These specialists can measure the amount of competing light and provide you with legal advice and recommendations.
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    What grade is MOST COST EFFICIENT?
    
    Since it usually costs a company MORE IN SALARIES TO PROCURE AND INSTALL A SIGN THAN THE COST OF THE SIGN ITSELF, it is often COST EFFECTIVE to purchase a more expensive, higher quality sign even if higher reflectivity is not necessary. Most of our High Intensity and Diamond Grade signs cost 22% and 60% more (respectively) than Engineer Grade, however it is SOMETIMES WORTH THE EXTRA EXPENSE TO OBTAIN A LONGER LASTING SIGN WITH A SUPERIOR WARRANTY.
     
    
    

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    SIGN MAKING METHODS

    
    

    What types of signs are best for COLD CLIMATES?
    
    Silk-screened signs often experience “ink triggered” cracking during cold weather. Special precautions must be taken to reduce the chances of this happening, but this problem sometimes persists.
    

    
    “…cold winter months when ‘ ink triggered’ post-screen cracking may occur”
    
    a. 3M™ Process Color Series 880-00.”
    
    b. 3M™ “Tech Memo- Prismatic Reflective SheetingSeries 880 Process Colors ‘Process Series 880-00 and 880I Trouble shooting tips’ ”, February 2005
    <lockquote>

    
    
    Signs made with ACRYLIC film do not use inks and therefore this problem does not exist with our signs.
    
    

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    What types of signs are best for SUNNY LOCATIONS? Which are the MOST DURABLE?
    
    Signs made with Acrylic film are considerably more durable and sun resistant than silk-screened signs.

    
    

    The “process colors” used on silk-screened signs fade in the sun. The durability of some of the standard colors are only “comparable” to the sheeting and over half (8 or the 14 standard colors, including RED) are even worse; are less durable and fade even faster than the other colors when silk-screened on certain sheetings. 3M reduces the warranty on some colors to only 3 years and provides no warranty for certain toned colors.
    

    
    a. “…can be expected to provide DURABILITY, for traffic sign uses, COMPARABLE to that of the Engineer Grade sheeting on which they are processed, with the following EXCEPTIONS” 701 RED, 706 Orange…” (emphasis added) 3M™ Process Color (ink) Product Bulletin 700
    
    b. “…can be expected to provide durability for traffic sign uses COMPARABLE to that of the 3M’s prismatic products or 3M™ High Intensity grade sheeting on which they are applied.” 3M™ Market Test Product Bulletin 800-00 (Process Colors inks), January 2005
    
    c. “…can be expected to provide durability for traffic sign uses COMPARABLE to that of the 3M™ High Intensity or Diamond Grade sheeting on which they are applied, with the following EXCEPTIONS: Process Color 886I Orange processed on white reflective sheeting will provide 3 YEAR DURABILITY...” (emphasis added). 3M™ Product Bulletin 880I (Process Colors inks), June 2004
    
    d. “3M™ warrants that special process colors manufactured and supplied by 3M™ or blended according to 3M recommendations from 3M will maintain color integrity and translucency for a minimum of 3 years. Colors that are toned more than 50% will experience SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTER DURABILITY and are NOT WARRANTED.” 3M™ Product Bulletin 880I (Process Colors inks), June 2004
    <lockquote>ACRYLIC film signs, however, are not affected by the sun, cold weather, are more durable and never reduce the factory (3M™) warranties.
    

    
    a) “These (acrylic film) sheetings are warranted to be free of defects in materials and manufacture and to meet the specifications stated in 3M’s Product Bulletin for the SAME WARRANTRY PERIOD as the reflective sheeting to which it is applied.” (emphasis added) Acrylic Film Product Bulletin 1170 Warranty
    
    b) ”ALL EXISTING FIELD PERFORMANCE WARRANTIES for the reflective sheetings REMAIN IN EFFECT when series 1170 film is applied over recommended Reflective Sheeting.” Acrylic Film Product Bulletin 1170, January 2004
    
    c) “Dueto the high transparency of 3M acrylic E.C. (ElectroCut) Films, retroflective signs made with these E.C. (ACRYLIC) Films give equal or BETTER RETROREFLECTIVE PERFORMANCE THAN SHEETINGS SCREENED WITH TRANSPARENT INKS.” (emphasis added) Acrylic Film Product Bulletin 1170, January 2004
    <lockquote>

    
    
    

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    What sign making method produces the BRIGHTEST signs?
    
    Signs made with Acrylic Film are brighter, more translucent and give better retro-reflective performance than silk-screened signs.

    
    

    There are too many variables (inks applied too thickly, too thinly, too much toner, not enough toner, improper drying etc.) involved in the silk-screen process and therefore the process color Manufacturer can not provide any brightness values!

    
    

    
    

    “Initial and retained reflective brightness values of process colors applied over reflective sheeting CANNOT BE PROVIDED due to VARIABLES in the transparent process color application procedures. The durability will be SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED by toning the colors or erecting the processed signs in any position other than vertical or near vertical.” (emphasis added) 3M™ Process Color (ink) Product Bulletin 700.

    
    <lockquote>
    

    With ACRYLIC film, however, there are no variables; the brightness NEVER varies from one sign to the next.

    
    
    

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    What method provides BETTER REFLECTIVE PERFORMANCE?
    

    
    “Due to the high transparency of 3M acrylic E.C. (ElectroCut) Films, retroflective signs made with these E.C. (Acrylic) Films give equal or BETTER RETROREFLECTIVE PERFORMANCE THAN SHEETINGS SCREENED WITH TRANSPARENT INKS.” (emphasis added) E.C. Acrylic Film Product Bulletin 1170, January 2004
    <lockquote>

    
    
    

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    What sign making method has the best MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY?
    
    Acrylic Film is the ONLY product that NEVER reduces the factory warranty on the reflective sheeting to which all legends are applied (the full 3, 7, 10 year or 12 year 3M™ reflective sheeting warranty remains in effect). Whereas the Acrylic Film process does not use inks, signs made with this film are unaffected by “cold weather ink-triggered cracking” and do not fade.

    
    

    
    a) “These (acrylic film) sheetings are warranted to be free of defects in materials and manufacture and to meet the specifications stated in 3M’s Product Bulletin for the SAME WARRANTRY PERIOD as the reflective sheeting to which it is applied.” (emphasis added) Acrylic Film Product Bulletin 1170 Warranty
    
    b) ”ALL EXISTING FIELD PERFORMANCE WARRANTIES for the reflective sheetings REMAIN IN EFFECT when series 1170 film is applied over recommended Reflective Sheeting.” Acrylic Film Product Bulletin 1170, January 2004
    <lockquote>
    
    

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    How are ACRYLIC symbols and text created?
    
    Computer assisted drawing (CAD) software is used to design the legend (text, symbols, boarders etc). Once designed, a plotter precision cuts the extremely durable acrylic film to exact dimensions with razor sharp edges. The film is then applied to the reflective sheeting using 80 psi rollers.

    
    
    

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    If ACRYLIC signs are so much better than silk-screened signs, WHY DON’T ALL SIGN SHOPS USE THIS METHOD?
    
    There are 2 main reasons why all other sign shops continue to silk-screen their signs:

    
    

    
    
    • MONEY (of course…isn’t it always?):
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      • “Process color” inks costs pennies per sign whereas Acrylic film often costs a couple of dollars per sign*
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      • It takes seconds to apply process colors whereas the Acrylic Film labor takes minutes*
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      • Silk screened signs fade faster, have to be replaced more frequently, resulting in more repeat sales for the sign companies
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      • Purchasing acrylic film equipment is a major capitol expense
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        • Reluctance to ACCEPT CHANGE: Changing the way “you’ve always done it” is often difficult psychologically
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          * To keep our Acrylic sign prices comparable to silk-screened sign prices and to remain competitive, we operate on a lower profit margin and absorb our higher labor and materials costs.

          
          
          

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          ORDERS, ORDERING and PAYMENT  
          
          
          Can I receive a QUOTE?
          
          Yes. Simply e-mail, phone or fax us your list and we will provide a quote for the signs and shipping as quickly as possible. Please provide all information (quantities, sizes, catalog number, shipping method [UPS Ground, 2 nd day etc.] and sketch or custom legend, if any) and your telephone number or e-mail address in the event we have a question about your needs.
          
          
          
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          HOW can I PLACE AN ORDER?
          
          We offer several methods
          
          
          
          
          • ON LINE: using our secure Shopping Cart and Credit Card Processing
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          • BY TELEPHONE
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          • BY FAX: send us your order via fax. For your protection, we strongly recommend that you do NOT provide your credit card information along with your faxed order; phone us (or provide a phone number) with this information
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          • VIA E-MAIL: send us your order via e-mail. Whereas all e-mail messages are not always secure, for your protection, DO NOT SENT CREDIT CARD INFORMATION via e-mail. Please telephone us with your credit card information (or, if you prefer, provide a telephone number and we will contact you).
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            HOW LONG will it take to RECEIVE my order?
            
            There are well over 100 standard highway sign sizes, numerous county and state sign shapes, and an infinite number of custom sizes and shapes. Although we maintain a supply of the more common sizes of aluminum blanks, we can not stock all sizes at all times. Orders for the more common size signs (standard and custom) are usually shipped within two or three business days. We ship the less common sizes and custom shapes within three days after receiving the blanks from the aluminum mill which can take 1-3 weeks. Please also see WHEN are credit card PAYMENTS PROCESSED?
            
            
            
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            What are your PAYMENT METHODS?
            
            We accept all major creditdebit cards.
            
            We only accept purchase orders from (city, county, state etc) government agencies (Net 30 days).
            
            We do not accept checks without prior approval.
            
            
            
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            WHEN are credit card PAYMENTS PROCESSED?
            
            
            
            
            • ALL ORDERS EXCEPT CUSTOM SIGNS: We process credit card transactions when orders are SHIPPED. In the event part of the order is backordered, only the portion that is shipped is processed; the remainder of the order is processed when it too is shipped.
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            • CUSTOM SIGNS (Special shapes, sizes andor legend): Credit card payments are processed when orders are RECEIVED.
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              SHIPPING
              
              
              HOW do you SHIP your signs?
              
              
              Most of our orders are shipped via UPS Ground but can be shipped via a faster method for an additional fee.
              
              
              Medium size orders are still shipped UPS but separated into separate boxes to make handling easier.
              
              
              Very large orders andor oversized signs that exceed UPS maximum sizes are shipped via motor freight.
              
              
              
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              HOW LONG does it take to RECEIVE my order?
              
              There are well over 100 standard highway sign sizes, numerous county and state sign shapes, and an infinite number of custom sizes and shapes. Although we maintain a supply of the more common sizes of aluminum blanks, we can not stock all sizes at all times. Orders for the more common size signs (standard and custom) are usually shipped within two or three business days. We ship the less common sizes and custom shapes within three days after receiving the blanks from the aluminum mill which can take 1-3 weeks. Please also see WHEN are credit card PAYMENTS PROCESSED?
              
              
              
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              How much does the SHIPPING COST?
              
              
              
              
              • We strive to provide the most affordable shipping available.
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              • Due to the infinite number of possible sign size and quantity combinations, it is impossible to always accurately estimate the actual shipping costs during e-commerce check-out (especially larger orders, if several different sizes of signs are ordered or if oversize charges apply).
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                SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZE ORDERS (no “Oversized” signs) VIA UPS

                
                

                We have two methods to calculate shipping costs for these types of orders; the method used is your choice:
                
                1. QUOTED SHIPPING COSTS Method
                

                
                
                • We calculate the actual total shipping costs for each order (or quotation) upon request for your review and approval before proceeding with the order.
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                • The quoted amount or the actual shipping costs, whichever is less, is added to your invoice. If the actual costs are higher, we absorb the difference.
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                • Recommended for larger orders, orders with many different sizes of signs, or when our customers’ procurement rules require a firm shipping price before placing an order.
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                • Also for UPS shipments other than “UPS Ground”
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                • Unlike the “Estimated method” which is instantly calculated on our web site, we manually calculate shipping costs when the “Quoted method” is requested and will therefore cause a short delay.
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                  2. ESTIMATED SHIPPING COSTS Method (via UPS Ground)
                  
                  
                  
                  • The shipping costs shown on automated e-commerce orders are often fairly accurate, however they are only ESTIMATES.
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                  • You will be BILLED THE ACTUAL SHIPPING COSTS (UPS charges, plus our packaging and labor charges) and NOT NECESSARLY THE ESTIMATED COST, as follows:
                    
                    
                    
                    1. If the actual charges are LESS than the estimated shipping, we only charge you the actual cost.
                    2. 
                       
                    3. If the actual charges exceed the estimated shipping cost by NOT MORE THAN $5.00, we will absorb the difference any only bill you the estimated amount
                    4. 
                       
                    5. If the actual charges exceed the estimated shipping cost by more than $5.00 but less than 20%, we bill you the actual charges.
                    6. 
                       
                    7. If the actual charges exceed the estimated shipping cost by 20% or more, we will contact you before proceeding with your order. You will always be given the opportunity to authorize the higher shipping costs or to cancel the order.
                    8. 
                       
                       
                       
                       1. 
                          
                       2. Although less accurate, this method is considerably FASTER AND EASIER than the “Quoted” method and highly recommended for most orders… but the choice is yours.
                       3. 
                          
                       4. Note: IF THE ESTIMATED SHIPPING AMOUNT APPEARS UNUSUALLY HIGH, please request a shipping quotation (often, especially with mixed orders with several different sizes of signs, the on-line freight calculator sometimes inflates the shipping costs resulting in an inaccurate, over priced estimate).
                       5. 
                          

                          
                          

                          LARGE (very heavy andor oversized) ORDERS VIA MOTOR FREIGHT

                          
                          

                          
                          
                          • It is impossible to estimate the S&H charges for these types of orders with any degree of accuracy. Upon request, we can provide a non-binding rough estimate for budgetary purposes.
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                          • All shipping charges are calculated using the actual weights, sizes and destination distances on a case-by-case basis.
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                          • After the signs are packaged andor palletized, they are transported to and weighed at the freight carrier’s terminal. The carrier’s charges are added to our packaging and handling charges and included on the invoice.
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                          • Please call ARA Signs for additional information.
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                            Can you ship to an ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE CREDIT CARD STATEMENT ADDRESS?
                            
                            One of the best methods to prevent the use of stolen credit cards is to only ship merchandise to the same address that is listed on the credit card statement. Our Credit Card Processing company does, however, allow us to make a few exceptions. Corporations, Government Agencies and large Businesses: Large organizations with separate accounting and R&D facility addresses are exempt from our “same address” rules.
                            
                            
                            • Established Customers: We routinely ship our repeat customers’ orders to alternative address.
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                            • New Customers: Our Credit Card Processing company requires the following:
                              
                              
                              
                              • a) we first obtain the recipient’s telephone number, name and other information
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                              • b) contact the recipient and verify all information before processing the order and
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                              • c) all shipments be sent “Signature Required”
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