Season's Greeting from Clearr Corporation

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

MovingPix™ Closeout Sale

We have a limited overstock of MovingPix™ interior scrolling backlit displays available for quick delivery. You benefit both cost savings and quick delivery times! This offer is good only while supplies last.

Image Size	Original Price	Sale Price	You Save
48" x 96" (1220 x 2438 mm) vertical format	$4075.00	$2445.00 (FOB factory)	40%

*This unit holds up to 6 images

For more information or to place an order, contact us at info@clearrcorp.com or 800/548-3269.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Aéropostale's Elegant Store Design

Clearr Corporation's backlit displays are the centerpiece of Aéropostale®'s dramatic in-store marketing initiative. The following photos were recently taken at the 34th Avenue store and at the Manhattan Mall in New York City.

XXLite™

Large-format interior backlit displays

Luminaire Ultra® II
Premium narrow-profile backlit displays

Clearr Corporation is the industry leader in backlit display products, with models to suit any display need. Our new line of frameless fabric displays is both elegant and eco-friendly. Our LED light boxes adhere to our principle of bright, even illumination while providing significant savings in both the energy and maintenance realm.

Visit us at http://www.clearrcorp.com/ to view these and all of our other dynamic graphic display products.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Brandweek Article: In-Store Marketing Beats Traditional Ads

From Brandweek Magazine

In-store marketing is more effective than traditional ads, according to “The Elements Report” released today (October 20th). Nearly a third (32 percent) of the 999 shoppers polled online in March said that in-store marketing is "very effective." Only 27 percent said the same about ads living outside of the store.

The report, which is part three of the “Gone in 2.3 Seconds: Capturing Shoppers with Effective In-Store Triggers Series,” found that the shopping experience is crucial for marketers. Sixty-nine percent of those polled called the in-store experience a “make or break” scenario. While 65 percent of shoppers are making lists, brand decisions are still being made at the store, according to 60 percent of respondents.

End-aisle displays are the most engaging according to 70 percent of those polled, followed by merchandising displays (62 percent), and department signage (58 percent). Ceiling banners and overhead mobiles have the least impact.

Shelf strips (55 percent) and shelf blades (50 percent) have become more important, especially among the Gen X and Gen Y crowds, who feel the more information the better, per the report. Overall, women and Gen Y consumers were most influenced by in-store marketing efforts.

“Understanding high potential shopper strike zones has become increasingly critical given the intensified battle for consumer loyalty and share of mind in-store,” said D’Anna Hawthorne, strategy director at Miller Zell, a retail consultancy. The report was conducted by the National Research Network on Miller Zell’s behalf.

While price is always a driving factor, so is messaging about product quality. Nearly half (46 percent) of those polled would like to see more in-store product comparisons, 43 percent would like more details, and 42 percent would like more product quality information.

Among all of the retail channels, consumers at drug stores were most influenced by in-store signage. According to the report, this was likely due to the fact that purchasing medication and first aid items is a more complex process.

Thanksgiving Greetings

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Think Clearr for the Holidays

With the holiday season approaching, retailers are busy putting the finishing touches on converting their stores to capture the holiday spirit. Clearr Corporation is proud to be part of the magic with our wide range of graphic display products.

Our backlit displays are so essential, especially this time of the year when everyone is fixated with lights. Our bright, even lighting ensures that your message stands out from the crowd as retailers compete for the shoppers' attention.


Our frameless fabric displays are ideal because they are made with environmentally-friendly fabrics that enrich the look of the display. Additionally, you are able to print your graphics to the edge, which virtually eliminates fixture awareness.

There is also very few limitations on how big the display can be. If you are looking for one large image to encompass your entire store front, the StretchLite™ is an ideal solution.

5" x 7" PrintFrame™

In addition to the appeal our graphic display products add to your visual presentation, we also offer consumer-size versions of our poster frames, which are ideal for home or office use. Our PrintFrame™, which can be mounted on a desk or table, or can be wall mounted, either vertically or horizontally: Its satin-anodized finish integrates nicely into every décor.

Clearr Corporation Honors Its Veterans

Today is a day to remember and honor the men and women who have served this great country. We would like to thank all the veterans and their families for making the sacrifices to afford us the freedom that we all too often take for granted.

Clearr Corporation would like to acknowledge the following team members for their service:

Pete Nelson
Za Teng Xiong
Neng Yang
Jim Huttner
Ron Tanner

Clearr Lights Up AT&T Flagship Store

AT&T Communications Inc. (USA)

Dramatic Backlit Displays

Clearr Corp’s Luminaire Ultra^® II backlit displays are the dominant design element for AT&T’s new flagship store, which is on the street level of their international headquarters in Dallas.

A total of eight 48” x 96” (1220 x 2438mm) Luminaire Ultra^® II displays were placed around the perimeter of the store, directly above their merchandising racks. AT&T chose inviting graphics that not only look brilliant with our bright, even illumination, but invite consumers to peruse their products in a relaxing environment.

Clearr Corporation is the industry leader in backlit display products, with models to suit any display need. Our new line of frameless fabric displays are both elegant and eco-friendly. Our LED light boxes adhere to our principle of bright, even illumination while providing significant savings in both the energy and maintenance realm.

Visit us at www.clearrcorp.com to view these and all of our other dynamic graphic display products.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

2009 International Retail Design Conference

Clearr Corporation is poised to meet with some of the brightest minds in store design and visual merchandising at the 2009 International Retail Design Conference in Dallas. The conference runs from Wednesday, September 23rd to Friday, September 25th. Together we will discuss the issues that are important to retailing today and tomorrow.

Here's a look at what the International Retail Design Conference is all about:

Presented by VMSD magazine, IRDC is the premier educational and networking event for the store design and visual merchandising community, drawing 250+ attendees from the U.S. and abroad.

This one-of-a-kind conference is three days of inspiration, conversation and rejuvenation—and this year it’s taking place in Dallas, home to one of America’s richest retail landscapes. Join us and

• glean insight from industry experts—more than 20 sessions to choose from
• network with colleagues and decision-makers from every facet of retail design
• explore the Dallas retail scene, including the Neiman Marcus flagship just steps from the conference hotel
• visit America’s first outdoor shopping center, Highland Park Village
• take home a wealth of new ideas, new contacts and a renewed sense of passion for what you do

THE INTERNATIONAL RETAIL DESIGN CONFERENCE

IRDC draws design professionals from throughout the U.S. and more than a dozen countries worldwide, including:

Argentina
Australia
Canada
Colombia
Cyprus
Finland
Germany
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Mexico
Netherlands
Qatar
Slovenia
Sweden
United Kingdom
Venezuela

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

A Lesson to be Learned

By Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

The Dallas Cowboys received a very public reminder that you must look exhaustively at your environment before installing a state-of-the-art video board. The video board hovers 90 feet over the playing field in the new Cowboys Stadium. The NFL minimum height requirement is 85 feet so the Cowboys figured with an additional five feet, they wouldn't run into any problems.

However, that wasn't the case. In the Cowboys' recent preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, the video board was hit with a punt, not only in pre-game warm ups, but in actual game play. The NFL and the Cowboys will have to work out some sort of resolution. Raising the video board would not only be costly, but it would take it out of the optimal height for their most prominent spectators.

There is a lesson to be learned from Dallas' folly, that extends into the sign industry. When placing a backlit display or similar display product on a wall, you must make sure to comply with the walkway depth restrictions of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, which requires "any object projecting from walls (for example, telephones) with their leading edges between 27 in and 80 in (685 mm and 2030 mm) above the finished floor shall protrude no more than 4 in (100 mm) into walks, halls, corridors, passageways, or aisles."

You also want to consider the weather conditions to ensure that you have the ideal sign for your environment. If your sign is exposed to heat, cold and/or moisture, you will be better served with an outdoor display. You also want to make sure to factor in the outside dimensions of the display when planning for space. If you want a display with a graphic size of 24" x 36", you need to provide clearance for the unit itself. One way to minimize this additional space is to go with a frameless fabric display. Whatever display you choose, make sure you do your homework so you don't end up with egg on your face like the Cowboys.

Sources:

American with Disabilities Act - http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/)
USA Today - http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/cowboys/2009-08-24-cowboys-stadium-video_N.htm

Lightboxes

Clearr Corporation prides itself on our lightboxes. We believe that your graphics should be the focal point of your display presentation, so we work tirelessly to minimize the fixture presence in your displays. All of our lightboxes are provided with bright, even illumination. Over many years of research and enhancements, we have developed industry-leading illumination techniques. (Lightboxes without even illumination are subject to striping, which is very distracting. In fact, you’re better off with a nonlit display than with a lightbox with uneven lighting.)

We have also developed frameless fabric displays to further minimize fixture awareness. In addition to the environmentally-friendly aspects of our frameless fabric displays, the main benefit of this medium is the virtually undetectable frame. You can take your images to the edge, utilizing the entire visual area of the display surface. Single- and double-sided configurations are available, as well as backlit and nonlit models.

We also have developed a new generation of LED backlit lightboxes, which are available in both our traditional and frameless configurations. All models come with our renowned bright and even illumination. Furthermore, they are energy efficient, reducing your energy costs dramatically. The life expectancy of these LEDs is approximately ten years, with minimal maintenance required. Not only do our LED lightboxes look great, but they will put money back in your pocket over time.

Whether you are looking for an inexpensive vacuum-formed lightbox, a narrow-profile snap-frame lightbox, an eco-friendly frameless fabric lightbox, or an energy-efficient LED lightbox, Clearr has the right product for you. All are provided in a variety of standard sizes and finishes, with custom sizes available. With unequaled quality and service, Clearr Corporation sets the gold standard for quality lightboxes. Contact our application specialists to guide you in your selection process.

Custom Light Box

Ultra-Thin Light Box

Large-format Interior Light Box

Frameless Fabric Light Box

Questions and Answers About Tri-Vision Displays

Q: WHAT ARE “PRISMATIC TRI-VISION DISPLAYS”?

A: Tri-Vision displays are a display medium in which prismatic columns (prisms) with graphic images, cut into strips and applied to each face, index one-third of a turn at a time, sequentially displaying each of the faces for a fixed period of time. In some models of Tri-Vision displays, the transition occurs in a “wave” pattern. In certain models, the dwell time is adjustable.

Q: ARE TRI-VISION DISPLAYS NEW?

A: Interestingly, their roots date back to the fifth century B.C., when the Greek dramatist Sophocles employed revolving (by manpower) prismatic columns with painted images, known as periaktoi (ancient Greek for “rotating”), to facilitate scene changes. The first U.S. patent using this principle in a motorized display was issued in 1901.

Q: WHY, THEN, ARE TRI-VISION DISPLAYS ONLY NOW PROLIFERATING SO DRAMATICALLY?

A: It is a combination of factors:

1. A landmark POPAI study* has determined that while even static brand-specific in-store displays provide sales increases of nearly 40%, adding constant-motion displays more than doubles their effectiveness. Retailers are increasingly reporting that the use of Tri-Vision displays are even more effective, as they captivate viewers, and all three messages are typically viewed through their entire cycle, and often for multiple cycles—an ideal result!
2. POPAI has also . . . documented that over 70% of brand-purchase decisions are made in-store, at the time of purchase**. Hence, larger portions of advertising budgets are leaving other forms of media for in-store displays, and increasingly so in favor of motion displays.
3. With in-store display space becoming increasingly more valuable, and with a growing desire to reduce the clutter of the retail display environment, Tri-Vision displays are experiencing steadily-increasing demand.
4. With the increasing availability and decreasing costs of digitally-produced print media, graphic display programs are becoming more affordable and easier to manage.
5. Last, but by no means least, over a period of more than twenty years of development, Clearr Corporation has made this medium extremely user-friendly, by offering a vast range of Tri-Vision displays, suited to a wide range of needs, that are attractive, affordable, easy to use, and most importantly, reliable.

* Size of Industry Study
** Consumer Buying Habits Study

Q: HOW DO I JUSTIFY THE COST OF USING TRI-VISION DISPLAYS?

A: We would be happy to work with you to establish a pro-forma payback analysis to determine, through projected sales increases, how quickly the displays will pay for themselves, and thereafter pay you dividends. Additionally, many retailers and other users collect revenues from vendors for displaying their graphics, effectively turning the displays into perpetual profit centers.

Q: HOW DO I HANDLE GRAPHIC CHANGES ON TRI-VISION DISPLAYS?

A: We can assist you in producing, cutting, and shipping graphics, either directly or through recommending local sources. In most of our displays, graphic strips are easily slid in and out, without the use of adhesives, making field changes easy. For large-volume programs, on-site graphic-change programs can be established, utilizing national or international P.O.P. service companies.

Q: WHAT IS CLEARR CORPORATION?

A: We are a family-owned company, founded in 1959, located in the North Central USA. In North America, we are in the industry leader in many categories of backlit, edgelit, and nonlit graphic display, both static and sequential-image. We are renowned internationally for producing the widest variety of prismatic and Tri-Vision displays on the globe, all to the highest level of quality. All models can be supplied to operate in any country. For international customers, our Export Department will ensure that all details of your purchasing experience are handled with proficiency and dedication.

Q: WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS REGARDING TRI-VISION DISPLAYS?

A: That would be quite normal, and most welcome. We would be delighted to assist you, and will respond promptly to your every inquiry. You can contact us at info@clearrcorp.com or 800/548-3269.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Trade Show Displays

Graphic components for trade show displays are a vital component of a trade show exhibit. These components for trade show displays can be used for brand identification, as a platform to communicate your marketing message, and as a way to attract attendees into your booth.

Graphic components for trade show displays come in a variety of forms. The most common of these components for trade show displays is backlit displays. These cost-effective displays are easy on your budget, and are lightweight (to keep your drayage bill down), but pack a punch in terms of communicating with your prospective clients. Your booth staff is not always available to engage your clients. Graphic components for trade show displays are always available to communicate with your prospects. Plus, they begin the "sell" before attendees even get to your booth. Graphics with vibrant colors practically initiate the conversation with prospects that pass by your booth.

Prismatic displays are another popular choice for trade show displays. When you add movement to your message, you really generate additional attention. Attendees will watch your messages in their entirety, and often repeatedly. Prismatic displays have a way of engaging viewers in a manner that is not possible with a static message. Booth space is limited, so adding a trade show display component with multiple images allows you to communicate more messages in the same amount of space.

Another key component to a trade show campaign is your marketing materials. Significant time and money go into producing them, so it's important that they be presented in an upscale manner. Our literature displays offer an elegant solution. Rather than have your brochures stacked on a counter, or offered in a purely functional receptacle, you can now present them in an attractive and inviting literature display.

Clearr offers the widest range of upscale graphic components for trade show displays in the industry. Contact one of our application specialists today to start increasing the visual impact of your trade show displays.

Dynamic Clearr Corporation booth featuring backlit displays (top) and
prismatic displays (bottom and right)

Elegant Newmark booth featuring backlit displays and literature displays.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

8 Steps to Designing a Perfect Sign for Every Purpose

By James A. Huttner, Electrical/Mechanical Design Engineer
Clearr Corporation


1. General Considerations In Designing a Sign

A commanding, effective sign will help your business grow, your message get across, your location get known, or your candidate get elected, so be sure to choose the best sign design for your specific location and application!

Many different types of signs are produced in the United States these days, and the right kind and size of the sign needs to be chosen wisely for each application. Every application will have its own unique and widely ranging issues related to it.

The first thing to do is determine the general type of sign you’re going to design:

· large or small?
· poster, or printed?
· something backlit or edgelit?
· neon?
· prismatic?

2. Getting Down to The Details

Once the general size and type are determined, it’s time to start thinking through the details. When designing a new business or government sign, there are certain items that always need to be taken into consideration, such as:

· what is the general application?
· will this be used indoor or outdoor?
· what type of lighting will be used if any?
· what materials will be used in its construction?
· how will it be mounted?
· and so on.

3. Tailoring the Design to the Sign’s Future Use

Some important contextual items to consider with a new sign include:

· what need does it fulfill?
· does it command attention?
· will it be viewed by pedestrians or motorists?
· is it compliant with UL and the local municipality sign regulations?
· what are the power requirements and restrictions?
· will it be permanent or portable?

4. Coordinating With the End-Users

If the sign is for an end users who have provided you with a sketch of their idea, whether on a bar napkin or sophisticated computer drawings, make sure you thoroughly discuss their wants and needs, and go through all aspects of its design with them:

· what is the overall look of the sign?
· are there weight restrictions?
· are there critical dimensions anywhere?
· where and how will the sign be displayed?

Some users will have very specific details of their design and others will rely on your experience and creativity to realize their vision.

5. Illuminating the Sign

If the sign is to be illuminated, there’s a whole new set of considerations, and a few different light sources that you can use:

· Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are becoming more popular everyday as the costs are coming down and the quality is going up;
· Fluorescent bulbs are in large use and come in a wide variety of shapes and lengths and color temperatures;
· Energy-eating incandescent bulbs are becoming less and less common all the time, and are even banned completely in some locations;
· Neon lamps should still be around for quite awhile due to their unique properties.

Some other types of lighting to consider are Cold Cathode Tubes, Electro Luminescent Panels, Low Pressure Sodium Lamps, and High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps. HIDs include: Mercury Vapor, Metal Halide, & High Pressure Sodium.

6. Adding Back Lighting for Backlit Displays

When a sign is to have back lighting, yet another set of considerations must be addressed. For example:

· the depth of the sign is very important.
· he distance of the light source to the diffuser panel and/or the graphics material needs to be far enough so that the individual bulbs or tubes cannot be seen.
· there needs to be an overlapping of the light sources so that hot spots and darker areas are not present.
· the spacing between the light sources is also equally important for even lighting across the entire surface.

7. Considering the Environment

With indoor signs the environment is usually not much of a concern, but with outdoor signs the local environment will play a huge role in the sign’s design. Things that must be considered include:

· the annual average local rainfall is always something to consider, and properly sealing the sign against rainwater is a must;
· in cold northern climates, heaters may be required;
· in hot southern climates, exhaust fans or air conditioners may be needed;
· along the ocean’s coasts, salt spray will influence the material selection to reduce corrosion;
· in areas that are prone to hurricanes, the structure needs to be extra strong to withstand the high wind loads;
· and always check with the local municipal codes governing signs in that area!

8. Maintaining the Sign

An often-overlooked item is sign maintenance. If you have large sign that is mounted on top of a 90’ pole, you will want to use the longest lasting lights that are available. Every time a cherry picker truck is needed just to change a bulb will cost you money, which should have been used initially for the best, longest lasting lighting system around.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Avoid “Forced Freight” After Your Trade Show: Six Things You Can Do

By Jon Roberts, Logistics Manager, Clearr Corporation

Our company exhibits at several trade shows a year, and transporting our signs and displays to the show site is always one of the biggest challenges we have. Transporting involves selecting a reasonably-priced, reliable shipping company we know we can trust; developing a detailed bill of lading (BOL); crating things properly for safe delivery without damage; and onsite set-up before the show opens. At the end, it involves taking down and repacking everything, having it at the loading dock on time, and making sure your carrier knows exactly when and where to get in line so you’ll avoid the extra fees and frustrations of “forced freight.”

What is “forced freight?” The official show contractor has to see to it that hundreds of exhibitors have their exhibits shipped out in a timely fashion after a trade show. If there are any hiccups along the way they will simply load your freight with the official carrier to insure that there are no bottlenecks in the process. The carrier will then contact you to pay the shipping charges via credit card or they will put your exhibit in storage, further racking up your charges. Plus, it typically takes longer for your freight to return. If you need it for another show, that could further complicate matters. It truly can turn into a nightmare.

As trade show season heats up, be sure you know the proper way to work with your freight carriers to avoid this situation. No matter how much preparation and planning you invest in your trade show exhibit, small fires can always pop up. It's the nature of the beast. If you aren't careful, you can easily run into the costly, inconvenient problem of this “forced freight.” However, this is one problem that can easily be avoided.

Here's how it works: you need a plan! After a tradeshow ends the chaos begins. Exhibitors are scrambling to dismantle their exhibits, pack them up, and ship them back to the company. It can be quite overwhelming if you don't have a plan in place. For example, one thing that can easily be overlooked is the BOL paperwork for your return shipment.

Generally, you set up your return shipment in advance with a carrier you like, at a negotiated rate. When the show has ended you turn in your paperwork and your carrier picks up your goods. Sounds pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? However, if you fail to turn in your paperwork or fail to mention important instructions to your carrier, your shipment could get “forced.”

So how can you avoid the expensive, additional cost?

1. Always work with a carrier you trust, or one that has good references.

2. Make sure your carrier follows the show instructions to the letter.

3. If the pickup is scheduled between 1 PM and 5 PM, make sure your carrier will be in line at 11 AM! Let them know if they fail to check in on time, your freight is likely to be forced!

4. Make sure your BOL is filled out properly and accompanies the freight to your carrier.

5. Make sure all of your crates/pallets are properly labeled.

6. Be sure to provide your carrier a phone number in case they need to contact you.

With a little luck, you can save thousands of dollars and the unnecessary stress of forced freight if you follow these six guidelines.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

How to Use Poster Frames to Enhance Your Store or Office Décor

By Teri Mountin, Clearr Corporation

Posters are a wonderful and cost-effective way to decorate your store or office. Interesting, beautiful, eye-catching posters can be purchased online or at national chain retail stores like Michael’s Crafts for a fraction of what original art or furnishings would cost. They come in all sizes and shapes, and turn a boring space into an instant gallery.

Better for your business, these days you can quickly and easily create custom posters from your own photographs, advertising, artwork, or graphics you like. Some of your suppliers may be able to give you attractive readymade posters, or ads from their companies that can be made into posters, to showcase and promote the products or services you sell.

My favorite source for custom posters is FedEx/Kinko’s. For as little as $39.95 (as of April, 2009) you can take your photo, ad, graphic, or digital memory card into a FedEx/Kinko’s store anywhere in the country and come out with a poster in a matter of minutes or hours, depending on how busy the staff is. Or you can send your digital file to their online printing service, and get the poster back in a matter of days. Most locations also have a self-serve machine for making or copying oversize posters, and can provide custom backlit or edgelit frames that really make a statement.

A sturdy frame manufactured for commercial use costs a little more, but is a good investment in the long run. It’s durable, will last you for many years, will stand up to abuse, and will allow you to change the contents as your products, preferences, or world change. Posters that were perfect in your store in, say, 1980, would make you look outdated today. Frames designed for commercial use won’t be dated.

I’ve adapted six eHow.com step-by-step residential suggestions for planning how you’re going to arrange, find and hang your posters:

1. Survey your space. Decide whether it will benefit from one or two large posters or a cluster of smaller ones. Draw a “map” of the wall, indicating the heights of furniture and any wall-mounted shelves or fixtures. Make notes on the existing colors.

2. Envision what you want the poster décor to do. Do you want the poster to promote a product or service? Bring a theme into the store, or make it more colorful and appealing? For example, if you sell products from Mexico, you might want colorful scenes of Mexico. If you sell insurance, you might want a poster of a happy, healthy family. Do you want a panoramic landscape to “open up” a small office space?

3. Browse. Shop for posters online or at crafts stores, or look through your own files, sell sheets, company literature, and photographs for images you’d like to make into posters. You might start out with one idea and see something you think is much better suited to your goals.

4. Choose the right frames for your posters and your space. Remember this isn’t your daughter’s dorm room. Choose a display frame made for a commercial establishment or office that’s durable, changeable, and attractive. Most manufacturers can make frames in whatever size and color you choose, or a variety of durable metal materials. Consider frames that are backlit, edgelit, prismatic, or scrolling if you want your poster to attract maximum attention. Orders from anywhere in the world can be made online, by phone, or by fax.

5. Hang or place your posters. Commercial frames are often attached to the wall with bolts or screws, or can be hung or placed on an easel. Posters to be placed in a shop window or arcade can be made with a closed back, or a box frame that stands by itself. Small posters can be put in box frames so they stand on a counter, bookshelf or desk. A small, backlit poster can draw customers’ attention to a particular location or content you want to make their first impression, or focus.

6. Change your poster décor frequently. Keep yourself and your customers from getting bored! Consider changing your posters with the seasons. You can store posters rolled in tubes until the each season rolls around again the next year.

Far too many stores and offices are just plain dull, when they could be cheerful, inviting, and pleasant to enter with something like a few nice posters. Your most profitable item could be promoted in such a prominent, mega sized, or maybe backlit way your customers couldn’t help noticing it.

Alternatively, in this age when people want to put a “face” on the companies they deal with, you could create a poster of yourself, your family, your pets, your suppliers, or your store or office with customers. A popular Minneapolis restaurant is named after the owner’s young daughter and dog, and dramatically decorated with fabulous black-and-white posters featuring them.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Signs of an Economic Recovery

In today's grim economic climate, Clearr Corporation customer Bed Bath & Beyond offers a glimmer of hope after reporting a 13.5% profit in the first quarter. Same-store sales (sales for individual stores in a retail chain that have been open for more than one year) were down 1.6%, but it was less of a decline than had been anticipated. Since Bed Bath & Beyond products are not necessities, these numbers could indicate that consumers are releasing the tight grip on their wallets, which could help kick-start the economy. Time magazine refers to it as the "Bed Bath & Beyond Barometer," in which an increase in home improvement could be an early indicator of an econonic recovery.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Clearr Corporation Named One of Creative Magazine's Top 50 P.O.P. Companies

We are proud to announce that once again Clearr Corporation has been named as one of Creative Magazine's Top 50 P.O.P. Companies. We would like to thank all of our customers for their support. Without you, an honor like this would not be possible.

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Making Trade Shows Work For You

I came across this valuable resource page from Skyline while doing some research on trade shows. I thought it would be perfect to share with ClearrCorp readers.

Trade show tips: Ideas to enhance your exhibiting experience
Our ultimate goal at Skyline is to ensure your successful exhibit experience. No detail is too small.

Our "trade show tips" is just one more tool we offer you. This section offers a library of ideas and techniques to help you increase your exhibiting ROI. Use these tips to outsmart your competition - instead of outspending them.

A special thank you to Exhibitor magazine and Marketech, who supplied many of these valuable tools.

Setting Objectives and Measurable Results
Show Selection
Space Selection
Budgeting
Exhibit Design
Pre-Show and At-Show Promotions
Booth Staff
Lead Management
Measuring Results
FREE White Papers: Exhibition Outlook & Trends
Logistics
Trade Show News and Trends
Value of Trade Shows

Posted by Ryan Lester, Clearr Corporation

Minnesota, Hats Off to Thee!

This week we reminded Clearr customers in Minnesota that we're near and dear to their signage needs:




The same is true for other Midwestern companies. We can make and deliver your signs FAST. Contact Steve at 763.398.5410, sfarkell@clearr.net to find out just how fast!

Posted by Carol Liege.

New York, New York: What a Wonderful Town!

Clearr Corporation and subsidiary Distec Americas, LLC, are at the big LightFair Show in New York this week studying possible new developments in efficient, low energy, low cost light improvements for our signs.

Distec Americas, LLC, is providing new bus enclosures in New York City. We'll have photos of prototypes to post here soon.

Let's Ship Soon to Avoid July Price Hikes!

Every year for the last five years, UPS and FedEx have raised their prices 6% in July. Other, lesser shipping companies have then followed with 5.5% increases.

Although we haven't had any change in fuel surcharges lately, and none seem to be on the horizon right now, a 5.5-6% rise in charges from these companies will make a significant difference in many shipments.

If you're thinking of placing an order with Clearr, you should consider doing it early so we can ship by the end of June. If you're a supplier shipping to us, please try to get your shipment out by then, too.

On the "Contact Us" page at http://www.clearrcorp.com/ you can get a quote or place an order now for early delivery. Or contact Teri Mountin in Sales at 1-800-LITEBOX, tmountin@clearr.net.

By Jon Roberts, Logistics Manager

OUR "FRAMELESS" DISPLAYS GO MODULAR

We demonstrated our unique ability to subdivide frameless displays at the recent GlobalShop and International Sign Association Exhibitions in Las Vegas. Here are a few good examples.

StretchFrame™

This coffee house frameless display is based upon six 24" square modules. The menu on the left is a "double" module--48" x 24". Individual modules are easily changed, and the frameless aspect gives it a really clean look.

The fabric graphic material is environmentally friendly, and is washable. For restaurant environments, such as for use near deep fryers, waterproof vinyl fabrics that can be wiped off are used.

StretchLite™

In this modular backlit frameless display, the header module is 24" x 48", and the bottom module is 48" x 48".

Graphic changes in either top or bottom, or both, can be made easily and quickly with no special tools.

Want to learn more, or find out what one costs? Call Paige at 763-398-5411/800-LITEBOX or email her at pvollbrecht@clearr.net.

Clearr's Busy as Heck at the International Sign Expo in Las Vegas This Week!

Greetings from Las Vegas! Today and tomorrow Clearr Corporation is at ISA Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention and Expo Center. This year, our Booth 3343 has been visited by many more domestic companies than usual as well as the usual Central American visitors.

This year the Clearr Corporation booth features our new StretchLite™ and StretchFrame™ displays, as well as our Luminaire Ultra® III LED, Luminaire Ultra® II, and the Neon Plus® E.

The ISA International Sign Expo is more than ever the meeting point of the entire international supply chain for the on-premise sign industry, bringing together hundreds of sign suppliers and distributors to exhibit sign industry products, services and technologies to a vast audience of sign manufacturers, according to Sarah Singleton, ISA Senior Manager of Communications.

Alternating each year between Orlando, Florida, and Las Vegas, Nevada, the annual event ranks on Tradeshow Week magazine's prestigious top 200 list as the 106th largest trade show in the U.S. In 2009, the exposition returns to Mandalay Bay South Convention Center in Las Vegas.

ISA’s Expo is the premier platform to conduct domestic and international business in the sign industry. The annual event is also the most cost-effective and efficient way to do business, shop for new products and services, and stay on the cutting-edge of sign industry technology.

Roughly 20 percent of exhibitors and 14 percent of attendees travel from outside of the U.S. to the show, and that percentage continues to grow each year. “Last year, we hosted nearly 4,000 individuals representing 111 countries outside the United States,” Lori said, noting that the Las Vegas show tends to draw strongly from companies operating in the Pacific Rim. "With a weaker U.S. dollar, it is more cost-effective than ever for overseas buyers to travel stateside for events like ours."
Mike Allshouse, Technical Service Manager

Our New CEO Blog - Check it Out!

Check out our CEO's new blog at AndySteinfeldt.blogspot.com. He's the president of both Clearr Corporation and Distec Americas LLC.

Andy travels extensively for both business and pleasure, taking photographs of interesting people and scenes wherever he goes. His photos are outstanding, and our factory in Minneapolis serves as a gallery of his extensive international collection.

Andy is married to Randy Victor, an attorney, and has two sons in college: Loren, who's studying business at Indiana University, and Ross, studying economics at the University of Michigan. At home, Andy has two frequently-photographed cats: Simba and India.

Other interests include sports (he coached basketball and baseball for many years), words (reads "Word-a-Day" daily), humor (often circulates jokes, and will probably post them on his blog), friends and family. He makes friends wherever he goes, and will go out of his way to visit them. He has an active Skype network, and you can find his videos on his blog or at YouTube.

To contact Andy, go to Clearr's contact page: www.clearrcorp.com/contact-us.html. You can also go there to get a free quote on any of the products mentioned in this blog.

Clearr Offers REALLY Big Signs and Billboard-Size Displays, Too!

Clearr Corporation has a partnership with a German engineering company, Distec Americas, LLC, to manufacture backlit and scrolling billboard-size displays, and Clearr makes billboard-size prismatic displays. Distec has become one of the world's leading designers of these large signs with their sophisticated digital screen technology. These signs are gaining in popularity all over the world.

For example, the New York Yankees will officially open the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday, April 16th against the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees went to painstaking lengths to make this a baseball stadium that is unrivaled in its beauty and luxury. One of the exciting new features are the 1,100 flat-panel, high-definition video monitors from Cisco Systems that are prominently displayed throughout certain parts of the stadium. The monitors won't simply be limited to just showing replays, rather they will be more interactive in nature. They will offer fans the ability to order concessions right from the monitors, as well as allow them to scope out any traffic congestion after the game. They can also be used to share information in case of emergency.

Another exciting feature of the new stadium is the 101' x 59' Mitsubishi Diamond Vision high-definition video scoreboard. The massive scoreboard has over 8 million LED lamps and has nearly 6000 feet of display area - in high definition, of course.

Written by Ryan Lester, rlester@clearr.net, 763-398-5470 or 800-LITEBOX. See also: http://www.distec.com/eng/digital_screen_technology.htm

Clearrly, We're International!

Check out our South American website in Portuguese: http://www.clearr.com.br/. Watch our Spanish language video in the column to the right, too.

Clearr Corporation travels, sells, ships and exhibits in much of the world. We have a manufacturing licensee in South America, and through Distec Americas, LLC, a partnership with the top billboard manufacturer in Germany.

We also display at trade shows in the US and abroad.

Poster Frames and Literature Displays Are Big Sellers

Clearr Corporation is known for its backlit displays and prismatic displays, and for its new frameless StretchFrame(TM) and StretchLite(TM) (see below).

That's not all we make!

A great deal of our business is more mundane, and involves furnishing a wide range of customers, from retail shops and salons to trade shows and major airports, with high quality nonlit poster frames and literature displays.

Our poster frames are custom made to order and can be made in almost any color and size the customer desires. They're manufactured for commercial uses -- meaning they're made to be durable and last for the life of the business or building. Likewise the finishes are carefully made to survive many years in public places and still look as good as new.

We manufacture two main types of literature displays for business and commercial settings. The see-through EuroStand(TM) has been popular with our customers for many years. We also offer two models of the contemporary Tension(TM) literature rack, both nonlit and backlit, and can custom design stands if desired. We have an outstanding staff of design engineers who have been able to satisfy diverse requests and requirements.

For more information about these products, go to our website at http://www.clearrcorp.com/, or call Teri Mountin at 1-800-LITEBOX, 763-398-5400, or email tmountin@clearr.net.

What Happens in Las Vegas Won't Stay in Las Vegas For Long!

You can see our products all over the globe these days, not just at trade shows in Las Vegas!

Please stop by our booth to say hello and see our new products if you're attending GlobalShop or Exhibitor2009 this week! We've been getting new displays ready for the shows and they're on their way there now, along with our Technical Service Manager, Mike Allshouse. Of course we'll be showing off our new StretchFrame(TM) and StretchLite(TM) inventions, and also a variety of backlit and nonlit Clearr Corporation staples like our scrolling and prismatic displays. We'd especially like to hear from you personally about any problems we might be able to solve for you in the future, and any new products you'd like to see us develop. Ask for Andy Steinfeldt, President (asteinfeldt@clearr.net).

Innovative New "Frameless" Graphic Displays Are Available Now!

Clearr Corporation has been an innovator in the sign industry for many years, and is now introducing a new line of frameless graphic displays, both backlit and nonlit. Samples will be on display March 23-25 at both Global Shop and the Exhibit Show in Las Vegas.

Our wide selection takes images "to the edge," eliminating the conventional "framed in" look. Images are printed with environmentally-friendly fabrics and inks and are retained by simple, invisible, and easy-to-use perimeter tensioning features.

Eliminated in the process are acrylic faces, along with their reflections, and costs. The result: your graphics have greatly enhanced visual impact, using a simple, economical and eco-friendly system -- perfect for retail, trade show, exhibit, or outdoor displays.

StretchFrame(tm) and StretchLite(tm) are available in popular sizes, custom sizes, and "mega" sizes. They can be made in virtually any size. The practical size limit is 10' (3m) in any dimension, but they can be stretched indefinitely in one direction.

Sizes larger than 3' x 4' (915 x 1220mm) are shipped in kit form to reduce shipping costs, and are easily assembled on location.

For more information go to www.clearrcorp.com/frameless-displays.html or call Andy at 1-800-LITEBOX or 763-398-5401.