Paste Wax: the Finishing Touch

A final application of paste wax is a popular way put a shine on a dull finish.  Using a colored paste wax is also effective in disguising any imperfections on the surface of a woodcarving or on a piece of furniture. You can apply paste wax over a variety of other finishes, including varnish, shellac [ ]
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How Vehicle Surveys Save Time & Money

On-site inspections and vehicle wraps Early in the sales process, before a quotation request is submitted, before the design begins, and before anyone signs on the dotted line,   the sales person should conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicles. Vehicle wrapping is business of details. There are so many variables in designing, manufacturing and installing [ ]
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Painting Acrylic Signs

The extraordinary clarity of acrylic sheet makes it an excellent substrate for backlit signs, which is why it remains the product of choice. Acrylic is typically painted in reverse on the second surface of the sheet.  Acrylic provides tremendous protection from the degrading effects of UV light. A number of different paints are available for [ ]
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Screen Printing Acrylic Sheet

Painting is not the only solution for decorating plastic signfaces. For high-volume jobs, screen printing with either solvent or UV curable inks is an economical solution. In selecting an ink system, ask your screen print supply distributor for a recommendation. The ink manufacturers’ technical bulletins will give you printing specifications. The type of mesh, squeegee, [ ]
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Rotator Tape Dispenser

If you regularly use several different types or sizes of application tape, a tape dispenser called the Rotator could be the perfect addition to your shop.  As the name implies, the Rotator is a rotating tape dispenser. Designed and manufactured by Waterford Signs in Delaware, Ohio, the Rotator is available in a variety of different models in [ ]
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Mold Growth on Application Tape

Mold spores are everywhere. You can’t see them. They just float around in the air, whether you are indoors or outside.  When these invisible spores land on a wet or moist material, they can begin to grow. In nature, mold serves the function of breaking down dead organic matter, such as leaves or fallen trees. [ ]
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Printing with Solvent and Ecosolvent Inks

Solvent and ecosolvent inks allow you to print onto various types of uncoated films, including RTape s VinylEfx® vinyl print media. As wonderful and easy to use as these print systems are, you must test and evaluate the inks and your printer settings prior to production. Incompatibility between the ink system and the print media could [ ]
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Accelerating the Curing Process

Printing and Cutting Heat Transfer Appliques Using Roland’s BN-20 Many T-shirt shops have purchased Roland’s VersaStudio 20 BN-20 Desktop Inkjet Printer/Cutter so they can offer digitally printed heat transfer appliques to their customers. In addition to printing appliques, the BN-20 is also a nice entry-level machine for those shops expanding into the sign market. The [ ]
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Tips for Cutting Flock Material

If you want to provide your customers the rich look of an embroidered emblem, but the cost of embroidery is too rich for their blood, consider using RTape’s VelCut™  flock material. This velvety soft material is a great alternative at a fraction of the cost. Flock heat transfer appliques are cut in reverse (mirror image). [ ]
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Introduction to Acrylics

Acrylic sheet has been on the market for more than 75 years, ever since Rohm & Haas introduced it as Plexiglas® in 1936.  Yet, as commonplace as acrylic is, its chemistry has evolved. Sheet manufacturers typically modify the Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) with additives to change the performance properties of the plastic. Today, a wide [ ]
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Choosing a Translucent Vinyl

Which is Better for Backlit Signs: Cast or Calendered? Vinyl manufacturers, such as 3M™ and Arlon, produce a broad color selection of translucent cast vinyl films for backlit signage applications. In addition to backlit building signage, other applications include taxi-top signage, mall and airport-terminal advertising, menuboards and canopy fascias. When subjected to baking heat, cheaper [ ]
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Outgassing and Health Concerns

I have received several letters from those who have read my story about outgassing. I certainly did not intend to cause alarm. Plastics outgas (also referred to as off gassing or degassing). The rate at which this outgassing occurs depends on the resin type,  time, temperature and atmospherics. The good news is that outgassing of a [ ]
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Accentuating Contrast in Your Chip Carving

Woodcarvers use several different techniques in staining their chip carving. Many will take a small brush, such as a #8 quill, to stain the entire panel with a very light colored stain, wiping the excess stain from the wood with paper toweling. After the lighter stain dries, the next step is to apply a darker stain. [ ]
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Safely Working with Pigment Powders

Making your own paint is a relatively easy process. All you need is powdered pigment and a binder. Depending on the type of paint you are making, you have a variety of choices for a binder, including linseed oil, acrylic emulsion, egg yolk and animal hide glue. The one ingredient that is common in all [ ]
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More on What You Need to Know About Rivets

Discover the ins and outs, dos and don ts of installing vinyl graphics over rivets.  What you find out may surprise you. Dealing with rivets is the price you pay for greater profits.  But applying over rivets need not be a nightmare if you have the right knowledge and skills.  Are you ready to move from [ ]
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Avoiding Airbrushed Vinyl Mistakes

Perfecting the art of airbrushing on vinyl takes time but you can avoid beginner s mistakes with a few insiders tips. Before you make big bucks airbrushing on vinyl, you ll probably make plenty of mistakes.  Find out the common pitfalls so you can steer clear of trigger-happiness, poor lettering and the like. Even though you can [ ]
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Sign Software in Action

Discover how signmakers are using industry specific software to raise revenues, increase production and get creative. All softwares are far from equal.  See how sign industry specific software can make your company more money faster than ever before.   Jet Miller likes to draw his designs by hand but that doesn t mean he [ ]
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Supply55, Inc. Launches New Website

Supply55, Inc. a leading provider of digital workflow products to the sign, screen and graphic arts market is pleased to announce the release of a completely new redesigned website and blog targeted at assisting the end-user community through the product selection and purchasing process. Built on the Volusion e-commerce platform www.volusion.com the new Supply55 website [ ]
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Should You Buy Ink in Bulk?

Discover the pros and cons of buying ink in large quantities. Want to save money on your ink budget?  Barring using third-party inks, you have two options: buy in bulk or install a bulk ink system. The famous writer Mark Twain once said, Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel. [ ]
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Application of Vinyl Graphics to Acrylic Signs

When decorating acrylic sheet, selecting the right vinyl film for the job depends on a variety of factors: Requirements of the application Compatibility of the adhesive on the vinyl film with the acrylic sheet Durability requirements Customer expectations Budget Usually vinyl films stick to acrylic like white on rice. But not always.  Additives in the [ ]
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Dimples in Paper Application Tape

Dimples on a person’s face are usually regarded as being attractive and desirable. But dimples on the surface of paper application tape…not so much!  In fact, dimples in the application tape are aesthetically unappealing. In most cases, however, a little dimpling does not mean the roll is bad and can’t be used. Generally, sign makers can [ ]
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Safety and Latex Paints

In my articles on wall graphics I make a few recommendations on painting with latex paint. What I did not do was make any recommendations regarding safety. Who would  think that there are any health concerns when painting walls with latex paint? I never did. After all, latex paint is water-based and that’s safe, isn’t [ ]
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Choosing a Floor Graphics Overlaminate

Which Film is the Best? Today you have many more overlaminate options for floor graphics than were available ten years ago.  Polycarbonate and vinyl films most of which are pressure-sensitive are often used to protect floor graphics.   Heat-activated overlaminates are also available. Clear protective films can be applied to encapsulate the front [ ]
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Spray Painting Technique

In spray painting, there are many variables that can make or break a job. These variables include the air pressure settings for the compressor and the spray gun, the paint volume adjustment,  the fan adjustment and your spraying technique. Before spraying, be sure that you adjust the air pressure from the compressor to the setting recommended by...
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Cleaning Dry Erase Boards with Bleach

Dry erase films are subject to ghosting (those shadowy images of erased messages). People have tried all types of concoctions to remove ghosting. The remedies include washing the surface with a solution of vinegar and water, cleaning with straight rubbing alcohol or acetone as well as scrubbing the surface with toothpaste. Some hospitals use a...
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The Solvent Cure

What customer doesn’t want his job yesterday?  And of course, the customer is always right. So why not give them what they want? Your natural inclination is to print the job, laminate it, install the graphics and get paid. It makes good business sense, because if you don’t do it, your competitor will. I’m going...
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Heat Transfers on Neoprene

Prior to WWII, the DuPont company developed neoprene. It is a water-resistant, closed-cell synthetic rubber. It is used for a variety of applications, such as wet suits, gloves, cozies, vehicle seat covers, cell foam covers, mouse pads and laptop sleeves.    Neoprene is a tough material that withstands acids, caustics and solvents. Best yet, for...
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Prime Sublimation Transfer Paper available from Supply55, Inc.

For Immediate Release Contact: Michael Pender 734-668-0755  Prime Sublimation Transfer Paper available from Supply55, Inc. Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 25, 2015 – Supply55, Inc. a leading provider of workflow products to the sign, screen and graphic arts market is pleased to announce the release of Prime Sublimation Transfer Paper. Prime Sublimation Transfer Paper is a...
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Gold Leaf: To Clear or Not To Clear

Most gilders agree that for most sign applications, you should not clear coat 23-karat gold leaf.  What differentiates gold from other metals is its brilliance. Clear coating diminishes its shiny surface. But as with all rules, there are exceptions. If it is likely that the general public will put their grubby mitts on the gilded surface,...
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Time Management Tips

Getting Control of Your Day Time can easily slip away. When this happens, promises to customers are broken, return phone calls aren’t made, appointments and deadlines  are missed and new sales opportunities are lost. We all would like a few extra hours each day. But until the rotation of the earth slows down,  24 hours...
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Adhesion to Powder Coated Paints

Why Pressure Sensitive Materials Fail to Adhere to Powder Coated Surfaces?
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Traditional Water Gilding

While you might have experience in oil gilding exterior signage or water gilding on glass, you may never have attempted traditional water gilding, or what is also called bole gilding. This technique is used for interior applications, primarily gilding wood picture frames. The process involves coating the wood with several layers of gesso and clay...
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New Clariguard™ Laser Engravable Polycarbonate

CET Films, a division of Nekoosa Coated Products, has introduced Clariguard™, a laser engravable polycarbonatefilm.  The new CET film provides a cost effective solution for producing tamper-proof security-sensitive documents. Here’s how Clariguard™ works. To create a tamper-proof docu­ment, you only need a single sheet of CET’s new laser engravable polycarbonate. Clariguard™ incorporates a new non-carbon...
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Boosting Adhesion in Dry Applications

Dry applications can be more challenging for beginners. Learn how to get the best adhesion with this installation method. There’s a great debate in the sign industry over vinyl installation: Is it better to apply wet or dry? The wet application method applies a vinyl graphic to a substrate by using a fluid to assist...
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Seaming Vinyl Banners: Calling on the Chemical Weld, RF & Heat Methods

Chemical welding is an inexpensive way to seam banners ­ and it’s longer lasting than banner tape. But there’s also something to be said for RF and heat welding processes that last much longer than brush-on solutions. Using banner tape as a seaming mechanism is great for a short-term solution. But let’s face it. Banner...
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Testing for Outgassing

Outgassing refers to the release of a gas from some type of material. Natural materials, such as plywood, can outgas vapors as the glues used in its manufacturing cure. Just about any synthetic substance will outgas, too. The list of synthetic materials includes paint, polycarbonate and fiberglass. Some materials, such as polycarbonate, outgas because they...
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How to Dome Vinyl Graphics

Because metalized vinyls exude an opulent aura, these eye-catching films are a popular choice in the design and manufacture of OEM emblems and trim. What’s more, their attractive and luxurious appeal complements the appearance of high-ticket products, such as RV vehicles and marine craft. To enhance the appeal of these graphics, some OEM printers coat...
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How to Flash Press FlexCut™ Sticky LT

Heat Transfer Tip Saves Time & Money RTape has a new heat transfer solution that saves time and money. Here’s how. When decorating a heat sensitive fabric, RTape’s FlexCut™ Sticky LT (low temperature) is typically heat pressed at 235°F (115°C) for 17 seconds Did you know that you could also “flash press” FlexCut™ Sticky LT onto regular...
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Sign Media & Floor Graphics

In Sign Media Canada , Jodie Sawyer of Flexcon writes: “Floor graphics have been used in the retail sector for years to help shoppers find products on shelves or to direct their attention to special merchandising promotions. Studies have shown they typically result in a seven to 16 per cent sales lift. Recently, the sign industry has...
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Caring for your Brushes

Your investment in quality lettering and pinstriping brushes can easily amount to hundreds of dollars.  To protect your investment, you must properly care for your brushes. Brush care is not merely cleaning your brushes after each use. It should begin immediately after you  buy the brush. The first thing that you should do is to...
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Using SuperFrog’s Frog Juice

For years I have recommended edge sealing the RTape VinylEfx® films with SuperFrog’s Frog Juice, which is an acrylic enamel automotive grade clear coat. While it is great for protecting vinyl graphics, you can also use it for other applications, such as clear coating digital prints and even gold leaf. Frog Juice is available in...
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Color Trends

Popularity of colors among designers and consumers can vary from year to year. To keep pace with color trends, vinyl film manufacturers and paint companies try to gauge changes in the marketplace. Colors from the world of fashion and interior décor have impacted color selection in the automotive market and in corporate graphics. Bold and...
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Tips on Buying a Digital Printer

When you are buying any digital printer, here are some things that you should consider, especially if you are a first time buyer: Anything mechanical can breakdown. What reputation does the manufacturer have for building reliable equipment? In the event of a problem, what service and technical support does the manufacturer provide?
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The Fine Art of Inks

Large format printers with special inks are producing top quality prints that sell in museums for tens of thousands of dollars. Find out what you need to know to take your cut by producing these fine art prints. The market for fine art reproductions and black and white prints is growing so much that ink...
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How Thermoplastics and Thermosets Differ

Thermoplastic and thermoset plastics are both comprised of very large polymer chains. Both have similarly sounding names.  Each type of plastic, however, is very unique.  Here’s how thermoplastics and thermosets differ. Cast vinyls are thermoplastics, which are very soft and conformable films, suitable for fleet graphics application over rivets and corrugations. Photo courtesy of Nazdar. ...
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Spray Painting Safety

If you are spray painting or airbrushing an enamel, a dust mask will not provide you with adequate protection. Prolonged exposure to the chemicals in paints can make you sick and eventually could kill you.  That’s why, if you have a choice between spraying or air brushing and using a paint brush, your safer choice...
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The Misconceptions about Multitasking

Can you really believe that there was a time when most of us thought that multitasking was the smart thing to do?  That if we multitasked that we could actually get more done? And if we could juggle three or four tasks at once that we were smarter than the average guy? Teenagers are the...
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Why Application Tape Tears Unexpectedly

From time to time application tape will tear when you least expect it.   When this happens the graphics can be trashed.  Frustrated sign makers want to know the cause of these mishaps.  There’s no one single answer why this happens. Application tape can tear when it is unwound for a variety of reasons. Here are...
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How to Sell Your Airbrushed Vinyl

Butch Superfrog Anton shares his secrets of his success in selling airbrushed vinyl. Hint: it’s a three-tiered pricing approach. Read on to learn more. It’s time to get a return on the time and money you’ve invested into becoming an expert at airbrushing on vinyl. Learn how to generate a buzz and close the sale...
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Estimating Success Doesn’t Just Happen

The most competitive sign shops are using estimating software to offer up accurate pricing in a flash. Are you keeping up with those Joneses? Estimating software. It may not be the sexiest of sign shop topics, but it s one that can add to your top line and your bottom line. Estimating software does a little...
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Table Saw Safety

One of the most used and most versatile power tools is the table saw. It is also one of the most dangerous. Each year more than 40,000 table saw accidents occur.  Many of these accidents result in the loss of a limb. To prevent becoming a statistic, follow these rules: Owner’s manual.  Thoroughly read (and understand)...
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The Differences Between Polyurethane and Vinyl Films

Many in our industry use the all-encompassing term “heat transfer vinyl” to refer to any heat transfer flex film.  The fact of the matter is that many of the heat transfer films on the market today are not vinyl at all. Much of what is sold today is polyurethane or a polyurethane blend. The reason...
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Stretching Garments Prior to Heat Pressing

Some screen printers, who print directly onto t-shirts or who print plastisol heat transfers, will stretch the garment before printing or heat pressing. By doing this, the weave of the shirt opens up allowing the ink to better penetrate the fibers of the fabric. This practice is believed to prevent cracking of the ink. While...
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Differences Between Stains and Dyes

Dyes and stains are both used to color wood. To the uninitiated masses both types of products are one in the same. For this reason, these terms are frequently used interchangeably albeit incorrectly.  While both dyes and stains are similar in appearance and intended use, the similarity ends there.   In fact, dyes and stains each...
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Using Chip Carving Knives in Letter Carving

You can use chip carving knives for more than just carving geometric designs in boxes, plates or furniture. These specialized knives are also great tools when used to carve incised letters. I have also used these knives for carving details in brittle wood prone to tear out. In traditional chip carving, a knife is used...
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Fooling the Optical Sensor

Plotter Cutting Prints on High Gloss and Reflective Media Some printer manufacturers, such as Mutoh, Summa and Mimaki, have systems that utilize a separate plotter to contour cut the printed graphics. To ensure accurate cutting of the printed graphic, the plotters utilize an Optical Positioning System called OPOS.  The electric eye or photo sensor of...
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Laminating Application Tape and HotMask™ Films

Stick It In Reverse How you apply an application tape to a vinyl graphic or a HotMask™ transfer tape to a printed heat transfer applique can affect the appearance of the finished product. If you get wrinkles or bubbles in the paper application tape, I can just about guarantee that you will get wrinkles and...
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Power Carving with Flexible Shaft Tools

Flexible shaft carving systems are not a necessity for woodcarving, but they sure are nice to have for several reasons. Carving with gouges or knives is generally a slow, thoughtful process. To save time I often will use my high speed flexible shaft tool to rough out a carving. With a coarse carbide burr you...
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Shop Safety Plan

In some cases, your employees will not recognize the hazards in your shop or on the jobsite. Your responsibility is to educate your people about these hazards, such as those posed by contact with solvents or other hazardous materials. If your employees are exposed to hazardous fumes, vapors, dusts, etc. over OSHA s permissible exposure limits...
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Hands-On Banners

Discover how and when applying vinyl graphics to banners makes good business sense. Vinyl banners are big business indoors and out, from grand openings to pole displays to trade show booths and beyond. Consider the statistics for outdoor advertising alone: In 2006, outdoor advertisers spent $6.8 billion, according to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America....
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Making the Most of Application Fluids

Using application fluids isn’t rocket science, but it’s not child’s play, either. Discover what you need to know to make the most of application fluids. There’s been an ongoing debate in the vinyl industry over the use of application fluids. Some swear by them for most types of vinyl installations. Others swear against them for...
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Stadium Advertising: A Sporty Opportunity

Why do you need to understand the advertising opportunities in stadiums? So you can help to sell it to your client. Discover what you need to know about stadium wrappings sporty opportunity. Have you ever considered wrapping a stadium? No job is too big for skilled vinyl installers. You could cash in on these megawraps....
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Puff, the Magic Inflatable Heat Transfer Film

Textile screen printers have used plastisol puff inks for years. These inks contain a special additive that causes the ink to expand after it is exposed to heat.  RTape/SEF FlexCut Sweet Puff films work in much the same way. Before the film is processed, FlexCut Sweet Puff looks like and cuts just like any other...
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Reflective Heat Transfer Films

Attention-getting films provide motorists with advance warning to prevent accidents. Most people avoid the limelight. Others need to be seen. This is especially true of people, who work and play in poor visibility environments. By wearing garments decorated RTape/SEF ReflexCut retro-reflective heat transfer films, these people get all the attention they desire. ReflexCut is a...
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Arlon’s DPF 8000

An Ideal Solution for Wall Graphics Many shops, which have printed wall murals in which the ink bleeds to the edge of the panel, have experienced edge curl issues with a variety of vinyl films. For permanent wall graphics applications, I would consider using Arlon’s DPF 8000 film.  DPF 8000 is a 3.5 mil (90...
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When Ink Is Not the Problem with Digital Printing, Part II

Beyond dust and dirt, several factors impact the ink’s ability to stick to the substrate. The carrier ­ aqueous-based or solvent-based ­ is another key factor in the final outcome. Then there’s calibration. Discover media issues that could ruin an otherwise picture perfect print job. Ink is pivotal to every printed image. After all, you...
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When Ink Is Not the Problem with Digital Printing, Part I

Variables like surface tension, media expansion and ink absorption take on new dimensions on larger substrates. If the paper doesn’t advance, it could cause blobs of ink or other ugly outcomes. If the media stretches even a little, you could get blurs. Tiling can become a challenge on larger prints. Read on to discover what...
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Ink, Glorious Ink

You have two choices: buy cheap ink and yield cheap signs, or buy quality ink and yield quality signs. Find out why ink makes such a dramatic difference in large-format printing. Did you know that the quality of your ink is critical to the quality, durability and visual appeal of your signage? Webster’s dictionary defines...
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Building Work Tables

Building a work table is easy enough for anyone to construct. What’s more, it takes very little time to build. And if you build it right, it could last you the rest of your life. Best yet, the cost is minimal, especially when you consider that you will use your work tables more than any...
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Picture Perfect Wall Graphics

Applications to Smooth Walls Applying graphics to a flat, smooth, painted wall is easy. Still problems can and do occur.  Rarely are these graphics failures the result of application technique.  Instead improper surface preparation and poor material choices account for most problems.  If you follow the few simple rules in this article, your applications should...
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Storing Application Tape

Application tape manufacturers package their products in plastic sleeves, then box them in corrugated containers to protect the tape from light, dirt and humidity. If you’re not going to use the tape immediately, keep it in its box. Tape not stored in boxes is exposed to light, which can cause yellowing. Even shop lighting can...
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Are Premask and Prespacing Tape the Same Thing?

The plethora of terms used for the application tapes sold in the sign and screen print markets could confuse anyone. In the sign market, many people just use the terms “application tape” or “application paper”.  Frequently this tape is also incorrectly referred to as “transfer tape”. If you are a purist and want to pick a...
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Paint Component Basics

What’s in Paint? Something within our human nature compels us to paint. Ever since our primitive ancestors decorated the walls of their caves more than 40,000 years ago, man has formulated different types of paint mixtures. In all that time, the basic components have remained the same. Regardless of what type of paint it is,...
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Tips on Carving Western Red Cedar

In the sign industry, Western Red Cedar sign blanks are a popular choice because this affordably-priced wood is dimensionally stable and resists insects and decay. As a substrate for exterior signage, cedar can provide up to thirty years outdoor durability. Its workability also makes Western Red Cedar an excellent choice for sign makers. Because it...
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Learning the Language of Light for Trade Show Signage

Get some tips and tricks for communicating with the language of light so you can offer value-added advice to your customers. Sign makers can cash-in on fabricating trade show signage, but if you don’t understand lighting, then that signage may not offer customers the desired return on their investment. Learn about lighting and become a...
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United States Patent and Trademark Office Issues Patent for BannerPRO

Supply55, Inc. a leading provider of unique value added products to the sign, screen and graphic arts market has been issued a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for BannerPRO.   BannerPRO is a banner welding system which offers digital print facilities the ability to fabricate perimeter hems, pole pockets and pocket...
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Preparing Floors for Floor Graphics

Learn how to how to laminate the graphic, how to place it, how to prep the surface, and how to install the graphic so it will stay put and do its job. With floor graphics representing a $2 billion industry, can you really afford not to get involved? The answer for most of you is...
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What You Need to Know About Varnish in the Digital Printing Arena

There’s more than one way to varnish. And there’s more than one way to make a mess with varnish, too. The good news is, if you use the right printer and the right materials, varnishing can add profits to your bottom line. When you think of varnish, you probably think of putting a glossy coat...
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Marketing Neon In The New Millennium

LED vendors have done a masterful job of marketing their technologies, but the neon industry is fighting fire with fire. With the rise of LEDs and fiber optics in the illuminated sign field, neon has come under fire. Some county sign ordinances are even outlawing neon. But the industry is not rolling over and playing...
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Why Install Graphics in a Relaxed State

Years ago professional decal installers were taught to install vinyl graphics in a relaxed state without stretching the film. While vinyl films today are much more robust and can withstand the stresses encountered when wrapping a vehicle, you are much less likely to experience film failure, if you adhere to some of the old rules....
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Application Temperature Range

To avoid problems with vinyl or any other pressure-sensitive material, carefully read the vinyl manufacturer’s technical data sheet. Product bulletins will usually contain all of the information you need, including application temperature range. The application temperature range for most vinyl films is usually between 50⁰ and 90⁰F (10⁰ to 32⁰ C). For some films, the...
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Problems with Static Electricity

In much of the country September ushers in climatic changes.  As the autumn air becomes colder, the humidity of the air outdoors decreases.  The drop in humidity can result in an increase of problems related with static electricity. Static problems in print shops are further exacerbated, as we switch from air conditioning to a heating...
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Staining and Varnishing

Staining and varnishing is a great way to finish an interior sign, if the wood used has a beautiful natural grain, such as mahogany. Stains contain pigments that tint and accentuate the grain of the wood.  To create the directory sign  pictured above, Dr. Francis Lestingi hand carved a mahogany panel. To enhance the beautiful rich...
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