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Friday, March 30, 2012

Tax information on writing off your sign advertising

The information provided below will assist you on amortizations for your taxes on sign advertising.

Thank you eHow for giving instructions on:

Thank you IRS for this information on Business Start-Up Costs:


So, give us a call so that we can give you a free quote on your new sign.

Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Thursday, March 29, 2012

OSHA's Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards

Thank you OSHA for insuring that companies are actually following the rules on Safety.

The following were the top 10 most frequently cited standards in fiscal year 2011 (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011):
  1. Scaffolding, general requirements, construction (29 CFR 1926.451) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  2. Fall protection, construction (29 CFR 1926.501) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  3. Hazard communication standard, general industry (29 CFR 1910.1200) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  4. Respiratory protection, general industry (29 CFR 1910.134) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  5. Control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), general industry (29 CFR 1910.147) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  6. Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry (29 CFR 1910.305) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  7. Powered industrial trucks, general industry (29 CFR 1910.178) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  8. Ladders, construction (29 CFR 1926.1053) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  9. Electrical systems design, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.303) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page]
  10. Machines, general requirements, general industry (29 CFR 1910.212) [related OSHA Safety and Health Topics page



Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Have you Spring Cleaned your Signs?

The time has sprung forward, but have you sprung forward to spring clean your signs?  Just like your car, storage unit, or landscaping, your signs could benefit from a good spring cleaning.

With Texas weather being flaky from HOT summers and not so cold winters, wind, hail and storms which in turn, turns your sign flaky.  The sun and the heat can warp sign faces, fade colors and even crack quality vinyl.  Have you noticed your channel letters or faces on your pylon sign starting to fade and discolor?  What about missing pieces, faces or damaged lights on your channel letters (see picture above).  Extended exposure to the heat and sun your sign faces will start to look yellow and colors will show signs of fading.  The constant expanding and contracting of the vinyl (example would be window vinyl) over time will cause the edges to start to peel even quality vinyls to crack over time.


Here are some great pointers to think about:

  • With the time change, have you checked out your signs at night?  You may need to have your timer reset.
  • Is your channel letters missing pieces or whole words?  Fixing them will prolong the life of the cabinet that houses the lighting.
  • Are your bulbs dim or burned out?  Bulbs get old and fade, it is always good to change all bulbs because even if you may change one bulb the others in a very short time will also burn out and then this would then affect the transformers or the ballast. 
  • Does your signage look good and it is functioning properly for your potential customer?
Give us a call for a free quote on:
  • Cleaning your signs.
  • Servicing all types of signs including but not limited to; LED message centers, Illuminated signs, Channel letters, Pole signs, Pylon signs.
  • Manufacturing and Installing signs.
  • Plus many more....

Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

What makes your sign stand out from the crowd?

Most signs now a days are designed in a box shape; why not think outside the box and let us design a sign around your budget.

See what USA Today by Steve Strauss has to say about "To make your sign stand out, be prepared to spend".  Great article, Thanks Steve!




Razor Signs
Website
Email
972-514-SIGN



Monday, March 26, 2012

Multi-Tenant Signs

We once knew them as Shopping Center Signs but so often we refer them to multi tenant signs or retail monuments and further defined for buildings with three or more businesses.

We can offer you Different styles such as the "monument" style, "pylon" style or why not just go with a LED Message board to advertise your businesses with?

We work closely with property management companies, landlords and the city, to make sure your business doesn't get lost in the crowd.  When tenants are choosing a location for their business, it's important to provide them with a sign that gets maximum visibility.  Razor Signs even offers preferred signage services to your tenants, allowing them to open quickly and start generating the walk-thru traffic they'll need to be sucessful.

Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN





Thursday, March 22, 2012

Get the best you can out of a Monument Sign

A ground sign has a low overall height.  A monument is a detached, freestanding sign where the sign surface is attached to a proportionate solid base or structural frame.


Also called ground signs/low profile signs, monuments typically have a solid base and are installed low-to-the-ground.  They can be internally or externally illuminated.




Metal, Wood, Stucco, Stone, and more - Razor Signs can construct your Monument Sign using a combination of materials.


From a Corporate image to a Welcoming invitation.  Monument Signs are a significant way to represent your place of business.

Want to bring your sign back to LIFE?  Then think LED, Neon or Fluorescent, Direct or Indirect lighting, making them even more visible, especially at night and from greater distances than non-illuminated signs.  Monument signs are on display 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, all seasons and in all kinds of weather conditions. 


Monument signs increase your firms exposure to the shopping public. They are physical representations of your business and can promote your companys corporate image simply by being where they can be seen by foot traffic, as well as vehicular traffic. The old cliché, out of sight, out of mind, applies here. You want your business to be noticed.  As with many of our projects Razor Signs can handle every phase from Design to Installation and every step-in-between so that you may focus on more your business.


Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Roadway Information and Traffic Counts

North Central Texas Council of Governments is an excellent place to review; traffic counts for the area's that you are looking for to place your business.   After all, it is about LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.

Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN






Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Everything you wanted to know about Wall Signs

Channel Letters~
Most franchises are often required to use channel letters.  Our channel letters are used frequently by stores and franchises to make their stores stand out from the rest and more uniformed.  These front lit and back lit channel letters are manufactured using neon or LED's.  

Reversed Channel Letters~
Reversed channel letters have metal faces and sides using neon or LED's inside the letter shines out the back of the letter.  When the letter(s) are installed it is lifted off the wall slightly and this allows the light (halo) to be formed around the letter.

3D Letters~
These are also known as Channel-Can, Illuminated Letters, Dimensional Letters, Contour Channel and Lighted Letter signs.  See below for the different ways that it can be used for.

  • 3D Letters with logos and graphics are great for permanent indoor wall letters.  They can be placed above the entrance/exits walls in the lobby area.  We use Gemini Letters and these can be mounted outside as well.
  • 3D Foam Letters are light weight and very durable.  These can also be used inside or outside wall lettering.
  • Metal faced foam letters gives you the elegance of polished or brushed aluminum faces with out costing an arm/leg.
  • Plastic faced letters will add class and distinction no matter what type of building or signage needs.



Be sure to check out some of our sign pictures.
Razor Signs - 972-514-SIGN

Visibility is crucial for any business today.  Without an attractive sign, it is not possible for a business to survive in the competition today.  With our channel letters at Razor Signs, you will be able to easily attract the attention of potential customers.  Our signs are attractive and creative to get you the attention of potential customers, hence giving you higher sales effectively. 


All of our signs are created and designed by our highly experienced and creative staff.  We offer a stunning range of channel letter signs to franchises, store fronts and business establishments of all types.  All of our products are made in-house; this will insure that your signs are the way that you wanted them to be and not "heard it through the grapevine" he wants this or that.


Give us a call it is after all a FREE Quote.





Monday, March 19, 2012

The process of Permitting your Signs

Site Surveys~
Our trained salesmen or permits department will come to your property and do all the measurements of your store front, windows, front door and the multi-tenant/monument signs. 
We will then produce to you a detailed drawing of the sign and how it is built.  Once you have signed off on the drawings we will then take them to your Landlord for Approval (if required).

City Sign Ordinances ~
When you have decided on the design layout we insure that the City will allow the measurements in question by referencing the City Sign Ordinances sites.  Most can be reviewed at MunicodeAmerican LegalFranklin Legal Publishing or Texas Municipal League.  


However, many cities have their own websites; give us a call at 972-514-SIGN as we are updated on the current codes for all cities.


Landlord Approvals~
If your Landlord has a sign criteria, please submit a copy to us so that this will insure a smooth process and that the Landlord will quickly approve the layout of your new sign.  We deal directly with your Landlord so that you can concentrate on other aspects of Your Business.  
  •  Some Cities require either the Landlord to sign off on the City Permit application and/or need the Property owners information.  
  • We do not go to the City for a sign permit until your Landlord (if required) has signed off on your sign.

Sign Permits~
To insure a smooth process at the City, please make sure you have submitted (in most cities) or received your Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) and the name that you have put on your C.O. will have to be the same name on the sign (in most cities).  For an example, if the C.O. is under Razor Sign & Graphics, the sign can not just say Razor Signs.

Most Cities require 5 - 10 business days for approving the permits.

When the City approves the sign permit we will pick up the permit in person.  If by chance the City doesn't approve your permit, and you want to appeal their decision, we are knowledgeable in obtaining a "Variance" in which the process will take approximately two to three weeks and up to two or three months.

Pole/Monument Hole-drilling Inspections~
The State of Texas  Dig Test requires that we mark the location where the holes are to be drilled and notify them of our hole needs.  The State then notifies all regulated utilities such as electric, gas, telephone, cable, and pipeline companies, etc of our intentions.  They require three working days to verify that there aren't any underground wiring and such that will be hit.  If by chance there is going to be a problem the utility company will come to the site and mark their locations.
Once this process is done and the permits have been submitted to the City, they will inspect the locations to insure that the drilling will be in compliant with the permit location we provided to them.  Once the holes have been drilled, the City will preform a pier inspection and then we can move forward with the process.

City Inspections~
If the City requires an inspection prior to installation and usually they will require an electric/sign final; we will take care of this for you.  The Cities that do have a final inspection will require that the permit is on the job-site prior to inspections.  We will have the installation crew provide you with the permit.  Once the final is approved you may then take it down and retain it for your records.



Friday, March 16, 2012

North America UL Listing Mark


The UL Listing Mark is one of the most common UL Marks.  If a product carries this Mark, it means UL found that representative product samples met UL's safety requirements.  These requirements are primarily based on UL's own published standards for safety.  This type of Mark is seen commonly on appliances and computer equipment, furnaces and heaters, fuses, electrical panel boards, smoke and carbon monxide alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems, personal flotation devices, bullet resistant glass, electrical signs, and thousands of other products.

There are tree variations of UL's Listing Mark: one used on in the U.S., one used only in Canada and one for both the U.S. and Canada.  The C-UL Mark is applied to products for the Canandian market.  The products with this type of Mark have been evaluated to Canadian safety requirements, which may be somewhat different from U.S. safety requirements.  UL encourages those manufacturers with products certified for both countries to use this combined Mark, but they may continue using separate UL Marks for the U.S. and Canada.

The UL Listing Mark appears on end products and complete components suitable for factory and field installation.  All the products carrying a UL Listing Mark are covered by UL's Follow-Up Services program to verify that end products and componenets carrying the UL Listing Mark continue to be manufactured in compilance with UL's safety requirements.  A UL Listing Marking appearing on a product typically consists of four required elements:


  • "UL in a circle" symbol
  • Word "Listed"
  • Product name or company name/file number
  • Issue/serial number of alphanumeric control number

Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Thursday, March 15, 2012

TDLR adopts amendments to Electrician administrative rules


The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 73, §§73.10, 73.20, 73.25, 73.26, 73.51 - 73.54, 73.60, 73.65, 73.70, and 73.80 regarding the electricians program. The effective date of the rule adoption is March 15, 2012. The adoption justification and the updated rule chapter may be viewed at Electrician administrative rules.


Razor Signs
 For additional information: Email
Who is Razor Signs: Website
972-514-SIGN

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Fantastic day....

We apologize for not having the blog out sooner, we couldn't see being inside all day when it is such a fantastic day to be outside.

We started out this morning by driving to the quaint little City of Terrell just East of Mesquite, Texas to pick up a sign permit.

  • The staff there are very kind and helpful.


Then it was off to D & R Saw off of Harry Hines.

  • The gentleman that assisted me was very courteous and we had a great laugh. 


Off to the City of Dallas to drop off a sign permit.

  • I must say that they are trying to step up their customer service by having a greeter at the door.  This improves time and frustration for us customers.

This in short is a typical day for processing permits and keeping our customers HaPpY!

By the way, we hope that your day is fantastic.

Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Weather impacts ~ Installs and Servicing signs

Did you know....


That the weather has a big impact on installing and servicing signs?  Though it is nice to sit in the office with your feet propped up on the desk and not get wet; meanwhile the installing crews are working outside were it is *wet.  They can perform duties that do not require electric such as outside door & window vinyl,  inside vinyl, etc.


Customers should understand that when nature arises it will unfortunately put a damper on when your work will be complete.  


*We do not allow our employees to work in thunderstorm, tornadoes, snow and ice storms.


Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Monday, March 12, 2012

Customer Feed Back


Razor Signs has been an amazing vendor for us to work with. I utilized their company to produce and install not only our outdoor building sign to our new office, but also some indoor decals. They were simply wonderful to work with and very efficient with outstanding quality. They made my job easier! I look forward to working with them in the future for all my sign needs.

~ Cali - Nikon Metrology


Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Friday, March 9, 2012

TDLR


The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code, (TAC), Chapter 73, §§73.10, 73.20, 73.25, 73.26, 73.51 - 73.54, 73.60, 73.65, 73.70, and 73.80 regarding the electricians program. 


The effective date of the rule adoption is March 15, 2012. 



Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

TDLR Complaints


Did you know.....


You may report a violation at the following link: https://www.license.state.tx.us/Complaints/.

For further assistance, please contact TDLR at (800) 803-9202 or (512) 463-6599.

 The different statutes you can report in a violation is:

  • Air Conditioning
  • Architectural Barriers
  • Auctioneer Recovery Fund
  • Auctioneers
  • Barbers
  • Boilers
  • Combative Sports
  • Cosmetologists
  • Court Interpreters
  • Electricians
  • Elevator Contractors or Inspectors
  • Elevators, Escalators, & Related Equipment
  • Industrialized Housing & Buildings
  • Legal Service Contracts
  • Polygraph Examiners
  • Property Tax Consultants
  • Property Tax Professionals
  • Registered Accessibility Specialists
  • Rental Purchase Agreements
  • Service Contract Providers
  • Staff Leasing Services
  • Temporary Common Worker
  • Tow Truck
  • Used Automotive Parts Recyclers
  • Vehicle Protection Providers
  • Vehicle Storage Facility
  • Water Well Drillers
  • Water Well Pump Installers
  • Weather Modification Services
Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Salesman of the Month



We would like to recognize Marvin Utter as the Salesman of the Month for January and February, 2012.



Marvin has been in the sign industry for over 35 years.

He enjoys Husker Football, Dancing, Fishing, Water Skiing (even at 70) and all water sports.




Razor Signs
972-514-SIGN

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

International Sign Association



The International Sign Association (ISA) is devoted to supporting, promoting and improving the sign industry through government advocacy, education and training programs, technical resources, stakeholder outreach and industry networking events. Our members are manufacturers, users and suppliers of on-premise signs and other visual communications systems. www.signs.org

We are proud to announce that we are apart of the International Sign Association.  


Razor Sign & Graphics, LLC
972-514-SIGN

Friday, March 2, 2012

Texas Sign Association


We are proudly apart of the Texas Sign Association, to learn more information go to http://www.txsigns.org/.

Purpose:
TSA was organized to enhance and promote the professionalism, knowledge and image of its members and the on premise sign industry. TSA provides members with research, training, education, communication, representation and many more services to promote the professionalism of the sign industry and association members.

Razor Signs
101 NW 17th Street
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
972-514-SIGN
or 
469-619-9499
More information via email: info@razorsigns.com

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Sign Resource Sites


American Sign Museum - founded to inform and educate the general public as well as business and special interest groups of the history of the sign industry and its significant contribution to commerce and the American landscape.
407 Gilbert Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(800) 925-1110
(513) 421-2050, ext. 336
Fax: (513) 421-5144
E-mail: tod@signmuseum.org
Web Address: http://www.signmuseum.org

Digital Imaging Association - Your prime resource for digital printing and imaging.
Web Address: http://www.sgia.org/

International Sign Association - This is the official site of the ISA. The ISA is a nonprofit association of industry-related businesses and professionals serving its membership and the sign and graphics community through communication, educational, technical, legislative and regulatory programs.
Web Address: http://www.signs.org

Sign Law - An informational website on the American law of signs, billboards and outdoor advertising, hosted by attorney Randal R. Morrison.
Web Address: http://www.signlaw.com


Razor Sign & Graphics, LLC
101 NW 17th Street
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
469-619-9499
or
972-514-SIGN
 Website: www.razorsigns.com
More info contact us here: info@razorsigns.com