Wide-Format & Signage/FASTSIGNS Project of the Year: FASTSIGNS in York, PA, Creates a Space for Students

Sometimes, asking the potential client some probing questions about a job can lead to additional work. As Jon Toy of FASTSIGNS, York, PA discovered, being persistent and asking the right questions can even drastically broaden the scope of that project for the print service provider.

“The opportunity began with a request from Alexander Building Construction Co. – a local contractor we had not previously done business with – asking if we could hang wallpaper for a project they had taken on: the new Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center at Penn State York college in York, PA. Apparently, several other companies had told them they were ‘too busy,’” says Toy.

“They sent me a detailed graphics package that had been designed by architectural and design firm Moody Nolan (moodynolan.com), and the original intent was that we would only be installing the graphics.”

But, Toy didn’t leave it there. After surveying the graphics package, “We decided to ask more questions because we weren’t sure exactly what they wanted. They seemed to need a lot of extra stuff. Little by little, we were able to keep asking questions and work our way into it…After several follow-up phone calls, we quoted and then were able to get not only the installation work, but the fabrication of all the graphics as well.”

Great challenge, tight timeframe

In advance of the work, Toy and his crew met multiple times with Alexander Building Construction, Moody Nolan, and Penn State York to come up with the right materials for the project.

“We sent samples, did mock ups, and followed their guidance to ultimately determine the right build for each location,” says Toy.

The graphics package included an array of components, from dimensional graphics to wall graphics applied to brick, cement, and drywall, to window graphics, and more.

To output the graphic, Toy utilized all his shop’s machinery, including:

• an Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 printer;
• a CET Color 4x8 flatbed printer;
• a Summa 63-in. plotter;
• a Kala Laminator; and
• a Vision 2448 router table with paint booth.

Of course various media and supplies were used as well, including:  3M Envision films and laminates; Avery 900 Ultimate Cast Opaque vinyl and Avery SF UltraClear polyester; FiberMark Digiscape Stick-R removable wall graphic media and Kapco 3-mil laminate; 3- and 6mm Sintra by 3A Composites – routed and painted; and more.

“Every machine we had in-house was used for this job. It was a great opportunity for us, and a great challenge with a tight timeframe – we completed the entire project within 30-45 days, from quote to final install.”

The biggest challenge in the project, says Toy, was working with all the various parties involved and keeping track of all the details: “Project managing and working with multiple parties – working with the contractor and the college, as well as the designer (who needed to approve everything before the install), and ensuring we had approval and everything ready for installation – I had to stay on top of all of that, following the project all through the process, knowing who was doing what.”

In October of last year, more than 200 Penn State York students, faculty, staff, and guests were on hand as the new 28,000-square-foot Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center was unveiled. Adding historical perspective to the event, Jennifer Nesbitt, representing the faculty, shared some words from the original dedication of the student center years ago:

“In 1977, at the original dedication of this center, Penn State provost Edward Eddy bewailed the fact that, ‘impressionable youngsters,’ were spending too much time, ‘in a solitary world shared principally with a non-responding talking box.’ Eddy hoped that this building would foster different kinds of conversations and relationships – the friendships, teams, and networks that are the backbone of a thriving university.”

Giving back to others

A CPA by trade, Toy opened his FASTSIGNS franchise in 2004 after relocating to York, PA from Texas.

“We like the franchise model, and being part of a larger group with other franchisees as well as the franchisor,” he says. “I was young when I started, and had great support from the industry and FASTSIGNS. Now we‘ve grown a lot, and we’re able to give back to others and continue the cycle. “

This project won the 2016 Wide-Format & Signage/FASTSIGNS Project of the Year, presented at the annual FASTSIGNS International Convention in Phoenix this past February.

PROJECT PROFILE

Customer: Alexander Building Construction Co., for Penn State York Campus

Location: Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center, York, PA

Production Shop: FASTSIGNS, York, PA

Installation Date:  September 2016

Project: Create and install an array of interior-décor packages for various walls and locations in the new Ruhl Student Community Center.

Design: Moody Nolan, Columbus, OH