olympik-signs

Problems and Causes of Flickering Signs

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

What Is the Problem With a Flickering Sign?

Are your business’s outdoor signs showing signs of failure thanks to flickering lights? Flickering is a common issue with electric outdoor signs, but fortunately, the issue is usually simple to fix. Your sign company can provide sign maintenance and repair to ensure your company is always putting its best foot forward.

In the scheme of running your business, a flickering sign may seem like a minor issue. However, letting outdoor signs flicker for too long can be surprisingly detrimental to your business. A flickering sign creates an unprofessional appearance for your business, and the longer it remains that way, the more unprofessional your company can seem to customers who see the damaged sign repeatedly. A flickering sign may also be dangerous in some cases. Although a serious electrical problem is rare, it is important to get sign maintenance services as soon as possible to ensure that the flickering isn’t a sign of an electrical issue.

What Are Some Possible Causes of Flickering Signs?

If you have LED signs, then the cause is likely to be a weak or compromised power source. Your sign company may check your mains or transformers to ensure that the power supply is adequate. With LED signs that flicker, you may notice that the flickering is worse when you turn on the lights than after they’ve been on for some time. This may be because the power takes time to warm up, so that the power may be sufficient when it is at full strength than when you first turn it on. The power supply is also a problem for neon signs. Corrosion, pest infestations, and weather damage are also commonly to blame for flickering neon signs.

If you are experiencing any problems with flickering outdoor signs, call Olympic Signs for sign maintenance in Chicago. We offer commercial sign design and installation and full maintenance and repair services. Whether you need a new sign or help with a sign that was installed by other sign companies, call us today at 630-439-7357 for assistance.

Olympic Signs Acquires White Way Sign’s Assets

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

All Signs Lead to Olympic: Chicago’s Olympic Signs Acquires White Way Sign’s Assets

Former White Way customers, the writing’s on the wall: Olympic Signs is poised to meet Chicago’s signage needs. In a historic acquisition, Olympic Signs has assumed ownership of White Way’s customer contact list, maintenance and project data files, sales records along with original sign patterns. “What this means for White Way customers is a seamless transition,” says Rob Whitehead, Olympic Sign’s President, and co-owner. “We are prepared to hit the ground running to provide top-notch service to White Way Sign customers who may be in limbo since the company’s sale this past May.”

Olympic Signs is a venerable Chicagoland institution with a 35-year legacy providing an excellent array of products and superior customer care. Capabilities include sign design, fabrication, permit acquisition, installation, maintenance, and project management. Olympic Signs can also create virtually every type and size of sign imaginable—electronic messaging, pylon signs, channel lettering, not to mention parking lot lighting installation and maintenance, and L.E.D. conversions.

Olympic Signs was founded in 1980 by Robert Whitehead and Bill Pyter. An American success story, the company began in a two-car garage with a pick-up truck and a manual crane. Today the firm is based in a 35,000 square-foot facility in Lombard, IL. Their esteemed customer base includes The Chicago Tribune, The Drake Hotel, and Boeing, among others.

“We’re ready and eager to prove our capabilities to the White Way customer family,” says Whitehead. We are finalizing our new Chicago office and actively seeking to expand our fabrication capabilities to keep up with demand.

ABOUT OLYMPIC SIGNS. Olympic Signs delivers the highest quality products and services in the industry, assuring world-class performance from start to finish. Olympic is dedicated to providing a work environment with opportunities for the personal and professional growth of every employee. Olympic Signs is located at 1130 N. Garfield Road, Lombard, IL 60148. 888-851-0832 or email info@olysigns.com

Common Materials Used for Signs

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

Sign companies work with a variety of materials to make indoor and outdoor signs. These materials—like aluminum and acrylic—can be used to make beautiful interior signs and sturdy exterior signs according to the business owner’s wishes. Let’s take a closer look at the common materials used for different types of signs .

Medium Density Overlay

Medium Density Overlay, also known as MDO, is made of plywood panels with a resin fiber fused to the surface. This material is commonly used in sign designs because it is a sturdy material. However, it is made of wood and may be prone to warping after several years.

Aluminum

Aluminum sheets can come in a variety of colors, and they will not rust or sustain much damage. Aluminum is a flexible material, though, so an exterior sign may warp from high wind pressure. Alumalite is an aluminum composite that is quickly replacing MDO signs. Alumalite makes lightweight signs that can resist rusting and warping, and it is rigid like MDO signs.

Foamboard

Foamboard is a paper product that has a wooden veneer to keep it from warping. It is not as strong as other common sign materials, such as aluminum and acrylic. Foamboard will likely be used for interior signs because it can dent easily when exposed to harsher elements.

Acrylic

Acrylic material may also be referred to as plexiglass. It is often used for lightboxes because it is made from a clear, methyl methacrylate monomer. Acrylic signs and lightboxes can resist high heat and chemicals, which may damage other types of signs.

Polyvinyl Chloride

Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, is a common material for several applications, including sign designs. PVC signs are best used for interior signage, but they can be temporarily used outside.

There are several options when it comes to signing design near Chicago, IL. The experts of Olympic Signs can help anyone find the best indoor or outdoor signs to suit their purposes. Please call us at (630) 413-1198 to speak with our sign designers and manufacturers to find the best sign material.

Signage Regulations in Chicago

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

When Sign Regulations Are or Are Not Required

When you decide to install outdoor signs at your business in Chicago, you will be required to adhere to all local regulations regarding signage. These regulations are in place to preserve the appearance of the city and ensure that all signs that are displayed are safe and appropriate to be displayed in the community. Anytime a sign is displayed, a permit is required from the Department of Buildings. The Department of Buildings issues permits for both on-premise and off-premise outdoor signs. Here is a closer look at the rules you need to know.

Permits are always required for off-premise signs, which are defined as signs that advertise a product or service that is not offered at the address of the sign. For on-premise signs, permits are required except for signs made entirely of paper, film, sticker, or vinyl that will be displayed for less than 60 days in a window and take up less than 25% of the window space or signs that are painted on a window and take up less than 25% of the window. Permits are also not required for incidental signs, like opening and closing signs, nor for public notice or warning signs required by law.

What Are Some Possible Causes of Flickering Signs?

A licensed sign contractor must complete the online sign application, which will be reviewed by the Department of Buildings and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to ensure signs meet with structural and electrical guidelines as well as business licensing guidelines. A registered sign erector and registered electrical contractor must sign each application. If signs are designed to be larger than 100 square feet or higher than 24 feet off the ground, they also must be approved by City Council through a City Council Order.

At Olympic Signs, our sign company in Chicago can walk you through the entire process of adopting a new sign, from the application for approval to the design and installation process. Find out how we can help your business get noticed with outdoor signs by calling 630-439-7357 .

Essential Elements of Great Signage

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

Working with a sign company to create advertising for your business is an investment that can offer significant and long-term benefits. If you’re planning to order new signs, then consider the following elements that are considered essential for great signage:

High-Level Contrast

A key component of good sign design is contrast. A sign with too little contrast in tone and color between its elements can be difficult to read and does not demand the attention of viewers . Effective contrast can be achieved in a variety of ways, but using contrasting fonts and backgrounds is one of the simplest and most common methods.

Eye-Grabbing Color

Bright and high contrast colors offer you great ways to create a sign that demands the attention of viewers. Black and white offer the greatest amount of contrast, but a great effect can be achieved using colors, especially in combination with black or white.

Fonts

The fonts on a sign should be arranged in a way that allows distinct contrast. This is because the font is what often grabs the viewer’s attention. Remember not to cram too much text onto your sign or use a style that is difficult to read. Additionally, using more than one type of font, font-weight, and font size can improve a sign’s design, but going overboard can decrease the design’s aesthetics and legibility.

Sufficient Negative Space

Negative space is the part of a sign’s design that is lacking in elements. This can typically be thought of as the sign’s background. Generally, the more negative space that a sign has, the more impactful its copy can be. However, this generalization assumes that the choice of the text and its color, weight, and size are made well.

Good Kerning Design

Another type of negative space is known as kerning, which is the space allowed between letters on a sign. Bad kerning can be thought of as letters that are spaced too closely or too far apart.

Olympic Signs specializes in everything from sign repair to original commercial sign design . To find out more about our sign company serving Chicago, IL, please call (630) 413-1198 .

Meet Robert Whitehead of Olympic Signs

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

At Olympic Signs, we are committed to providing our customers with top-quality signage near Chicago. In this video, you will get to meet Robert Whitehead, who is the owner of Olympic Signs. Since 1980, Robert has been manufacturing, designing, and installing retail signs around the Chicago area. Robert is passionate about his job, and his hard work and dedication have helped Olympic Signs become a leading sign company in the area.

If you are interested in working with Olympic Signs , give us a call at (630) 413-1198 . From corporate signs to interior signs and more, we offer a wide range of services to our customers. When you work with our sign company serving Chicago, you are sure to be thrilled with the durability and appeal of your new signage.

What Might Be Causing a Dim Sign Area?

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

Does your business’ neon outdoor sign look less impressive than it once did? If so, then it may be suffering from dim spots. Many commercial signs are vulnerable to this problem, and if you turn off the lights or wait until nightfall, then you should be able to get a better look at the area of the sign that is dim. The causes of this problem are typically old transformers or low gas pressure in the tubes.

When the lights on your commercial sign aren’t uniform in brightness, this can significantly affect the sign’s overall aesthetics and impact your business. For these reasons, you should consider calling a sign repair company about repairs if your sign has a dim area.

Olympic Signs offers a broad range of services for corporate signs in Chicago, IL. Are you in need of sign repair ? If so, then please contact our sign company by calling (630) 413-1198 .

WCIU You and Me This Morning Robert Whitehead Olympic Signs

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

Designing an Eye-Catching Pylon Sign

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

Outdoor signs play an important role in directing people to your business, helping customers spot your location, and describing your services. For this type of advertising, many people choose pylon signs to showcase their business location. Read on for tips on how to design an eye-catching pylon sign.

Keep It Simple

When designing a commercial sign for the first time, many people try to pack too much information into the space. While doing so can make your sign informative, it can also cause it to be confusing and less dramatic. For this reason, the message of your sign should be short and easy to understand . Some people choose to put only their business’ logo, while others add a few descriptive words regarding their services. Including more than this can detract from your sign’s visibility.

Include Bright Colors

When it comes to visibility, color and contrast are essential. One mistake to avoid when designing your pylon sign is using colors that are too similar. While you may like a soft, elegant look that includes similar colors from your business logo’s color palette, this is not an ideal approach to making an eye-catching pylon sign. Instead, incorporate no more than a few of these colors into the logo or business name and then place these against a contrasting backdrop. If you prefer a monochromatic look, then contrast becomes even more important, so your sign should consist mostly of black and white, rather than gray.

Stay on Point

Finally, the font and logo size that you choose to play an important role in making your pylon sign visible. Your business’ name or logo should be large, bold, and occupy most of the sign’s area. Any additional pictures or wording should be small. Remember, less is more when it comes to making an eye-catching sign, so avoid adding much more to the design than the business name or logo.

Olympic Signs specializes in designing and fabricating pylon signs and other types of outdoor signs in Chicago, IL. To learn more about our sign company services, please give us a call today at 630-439-7357 .

Examining Different Types of Storefront Signs

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:08:53 GMT

Picking the right sign is one of the most important—and challenging—choices you will make as a business owner. In addition to ensuring that you are complying with zoning and signage regulations in your community, you need to choose a sign that makes your business stand out and that appropriately reflects your brand. Here is a look at some of the options for outdoor signs that you can consider.

Awnings

Awnings create a dramatic appearance and also offer functionality beyond simply advertising your business. They can be constructed in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and designs so that you can get a custom look for your business. They enhance the exterior of your business for an upscale feel, and they also provide ample room to include additional information on your exterior sign, such as a website and phone number. They offer cover from the elements for your customers and shield your interior design from fading caused by sunlight.

Channel Lettering

Rather than installing an additional structure for a sign, when you choose channel lettering, your sign can be affixed to your existing building. These letters are cut individually and are 3D to draw attention. They can be equipped with LED lighting to illuminate the letters to make them stand out even more. Your sign company can work with you on different lighting designs, such as reverse-lit, halo-lit, and front-lit options, depending on the positioning of your building and the traffic you are trying to attract.

Pylon Signs

Pylon signs are structures that can be attached to the side of your building or constructed to stand alone. They are ideal for placing on at the entranceway of your business and also work well for multi-tenant facilities. Pylon signs can also incorporate LED lighting to create additional attention for the signage.

Let the experts at Olympic Signs help you choose the right outdoor signs for your business, based on your budget, location, and type of business. Our sign company near Chicago has been serving the region for decades, providing businesses of all sizes with permitting assistance, design, installation, and maintenance services. Find out how we can help you today by calling (630) 413-1198 .

olympik-signs

Problems and Causes of Flickering Signs

What Is the Problem With a Flickering Sign?

What Are Some Possible Causes of Flickering Signs?

Olympic Signs Acquires White Way Sign’s Assets

All Signs Lead to Olympic: ​Chicago’s Olympic Signs Acquires White Way Sign’s Assets

Common Materials Used for Signs

Signage Regulations in Chicago

When Sign Regulations Are or Are Not Required

What Are Some Possible Causes of Flickering Signs?

Essential Elements of Great Signage

Meet Robert Whitehead of Olympic Signs

What Might Be Causing a Dim Sign Area?

WCIU You and Me This Morning Robert Whitehead Olympic Signs

Designing an Eye-Catching Pylon Sign

Examining Different Types of Storefront Signs

All Signs Lead to Olympic: Chicago’s Olympic Signs Acquires White Way Sign’s Assets