Sign Factory Replicates Vintage Sign

In August, the Seattle Theatre Group (STG) hired Kirkland, WA-based The Sign Factory to replicate the pylon sign for the historic Paramount Theatre, which was built in 1928. Jim Risher, The Sign Factory’s president, will recount the process in the Strictly Electric in the February 2010 issue of ST. As a preview, this series of videos that STG produced will outline some project-fabrication highlights. These vignettes are presented for a layperson to understand, but offer some interesting close-ups.

“Sign of the Times campaign”
STG titled the Paramount sign-restoration campaign, “Sign of the Times.” Here, STG’s Kate Becker describes the project’s significance, and Risher summarizes the new sign’s energy efficiency. (Length: 55 seconds)

“Sign Replication”
Risher describes the process of “hand rubbing” the original sign to create the template, which was then digitized. (Length: 1 minute 11 seconds)

“Aluminum Cut”
Risher offers close-ups of some of the sign’s 28 sections, as well as the “C” channel aluminum. He also shows samples of the nearly 2,000 flashing bulbs that will light the sign, and briefly describes placement of the copper wiring and neon components. (Length: 1 minute 37 seconds)

“Lights, Wiring and Painting”
Risher shows close-ups of the coated, metal components and the wiring process, and notes that LED bulbs will use 90% less than traditional, incandescent bulbs. (Length: 1 minute 40 seconds)