By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Businesses, corporations, and marketers request airport signage for branding and advertising, while airlines desire signage for wayfinding and promotions. Either way, airport graphics present an opportunity for print service providers (PSPs) in high-traffic areas. As these demands increase, new customers emerge and repeat clients request new designs to keep graphics fresh.
Founded in 1988, Sunrise Hitek Group Ltd. started with five employees in Chicago, IL. The company originally operated as a service bureau serving the Chicago area and neighboring suburbs with film and proof outputs.
Over the years, it moved into the digital printing space with HP Inc. Indigo and inkjet technology. Today, it houses both large format and HP Indigo departments with 19 full-time employees. Sunrise Hitek offers display graphics, packaging, point of purchase displays, specialty items, trade show graphics, and wall art worldwide.
Airlines in Demand
In 2010, Sunrise Hitek started working with several airline-related companies in need of a variety of customized signs, such as backlit displays, floor graphics, and construction signs.
The PSP quickly expanded its services and added a new customer base. “We were able to tackle and learn some great materials and workarounds,” explains Adam Poders, senior sales account representative, Sunrise Hitek. Any difficulties were overcome by partnering with a local vinyl cut shop, several material vendors, and a professional, dedicated installation team.
Sunrise Hitek now produces a variety of applications found in airports including construction signs on standup boards, wall and door vinyl coverings, acrylic signs, retractable banners, backdrops, safety signage, and counter signs. Its most popular products used in airports are informational signs and retractable banners, typically placed near service kiosks and service counters. “We also stock ample units and materials to turnaround the banner requests within the same day when necessary,” adds Poders.
Roughly 20 percent of the PSP’s work is airport signage completed on the swissQprint Nyala and swissQprint Impala LED UV press. According to Poders, Sunrise Hitek selected these devices for the ability to switch between flatbed and roll to roll, print quality, material thickness capabilities, white ink, and UV coating inline properties.
With its digital presses, the PSP stays up to date on the latest Onyx Graphics, Inc. RIP. It allows the print shop to create its own profiles for the best color matches and outputs throughout the large format arena. Several Zünd cutters are also deployed when airport signage requires finishing.
Construction Signage
Recently, a repeat customer requested temporary graphics the O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, IL. The airline has an exclusive club program and was renovating its lounges and member-only access areas.
For the renovation process, the airline approached Sunrise Hitek for graphics to make customers and members aware of the surrounding area. According to Poders, this was a time-sensitive job as the airline needed a quick turnaround with the construction process starting in several days.
The PSP printed the temporary signs with the swissQprint Nyala, Caldera RIP, and Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions EZ RS 1005 Supercast vinyl. Finishing was completed on a Zünd G3 3XL-3200 Digital Cutter.
In total, Sunrise Hitek printed and installed three signs for double-opening doors in three to five working days. Each panel measured 42.5×112 inches with one-inch overlaps between the panels and bleed marks at the top and bottom for installation. The final viewing size measured 127×112 inches after installation.
As is the challenge with most airport jobs, Sunrise Hitek needed to strategically maneuver around large crowds and busy entryways. “It was a challenge getting the pieces laid out and prepared while the patrons and golf carts drove through the installation area,” explains Poders.
The signs were successfully installed for the airline’s exclusive club area. The client was satisfied with the completed signs and continues to use Sunrise Hitek for its airport signage needs. “They couldn’t believe we pulled it off. I always say at Sunrise Hitek, we always do,” adds Poders.
High Expectations
Meeting airline clients’ expectations for high quality and quick turnaround is essential to how Sunrise Hitek creates graphics used in airports. In doing so, the PSP offers digitally printed airport signage for a range of uses, including advertising, informational wayfinding, and safety signage.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, Signage Checkpoints.
Apr2019, Digital Output
