David Hickey

3 weeks ago | signshop.com | David Hickey |Alex Marcheschi

What is $360 million plus 25 percent? This is not a math question, but a possible impact to the sign and graphics industry, if proposed aluminum tariffs come to pass. Several experts I chatted with estimated that our industry uses more than $600 million worth of the lightweight, silvery metal each year. About 40 percent, or $240 million, of what’s produced is domestic. President Trump has proposed adding 25 percent tariffs on the remaining imported product.

1 month ago | signshop.com | David Hickey |Alex Marcheschi

Imagine this: your company has just designed a creative sign, one that is perfect to drive business to your customer’s facility. But city codes won’t allow the sign to be installed. It’s an all-too-common occurrence, particularly in cities where sign codes are overly restrictive. And it impacts sign companies of all sizes, specialties and regions.

2 months ago | signshop.com | David Hickey |Alex Marcheschi

ISA has done this work with planners through our successful Planning for Sign Code Success™ events, where ISA joins the Sign Research Foundation (SRF) to offer in-person training on how signs work and how they should be regulated. We’ve deepened relationships with the American Planning Association, with many of our presentations receiving approval to offer continuing education credits to certified planners at their National Planning Conference and at numerous regional APA events.

Dec 9, 2024 | signshop.com | David Hickey |Alex Marcheschi

There’s nothing more frustrating than being told you’re wrong—when you know you’re right. That has happened a few times recently when sign companies installing channel letter signs failed an electrical inspection.  Here’s what’s behind the error: Changes when new UL 48 rules took effect on July 1 have not gotten to all electrical inspectors (or AHJs – Authorities Having Jurisdiction).  So what’s at issue? UL 48 changed the definition of “Section Sign” and the ways they are UL labeled.

Oct 14, 2024 | signshop.com | David Hickey |Alex Marcheschi

If an illuminated sign can’t be bright enough to be effectively seen at night, why bother using it at all? This isn’t some philosophy question, but a very real challenge for the sign and graphics industry, especially when faced with arbitrary regulations. This happened recently in California when the state’s powerful Energy Commission (CEC) proposed language that would require all signs to be no brighter than 160 nits at night.