On November 19, before the Patriots squared off against the Raiders in Mexico City, the NFL paid homage to the host country Mexico and its home country, the United States of America with a pre-game ceremony featuring field-sized flags for both countries.

In order to produce the intended magnitude for the game, two enormous flags were commissioned for use on the field. The flags were displayed during the playing of the national anthems, each held by more than 100 people. Each flag was 120’ x 75’, stretching from the 40-yard line to the goal line. Surrounded by fireworks, members of the military and the football teams, the flags helped to provide a level of majesty to the 80,000+ attendees.

Vision Graphics was selected to produce the flags, each of which required more than 9,000 square feet of fabric. In order to be functional on the field, Vision Graphics helped recommend materials that would allow the flags to billow and move properly on the field. According to Gene Chambers, “We used a special fence fabric, which has perforations. This mesh-style fabric allows the entire flag to breathe a little bit and move up and down without becoming a parachute.”

The flags were created using 10’-wide strips which were sewn together to create the entire flag. According to Chambers, “The edges were given a reinforced hem all the way around the perimeter. We worked to create a product that would perform well in Mexico City and be able to be used again in future games. This provides the NFL with an extra level of value. We also have the space to be able to lay out this size of a product. Were able to check the measurements, which is something that few people in this business have.”

Additionally, Vision Graphics produced the graphics that were used on the arches where the players from both teams would enter the field. Having produced graphics for multiple NFL events, including Super Bowls and Pro Bowls, Vision Graphics is familiar with the nuances of the football game spectacle. In addition to producing vibrant exciting graphics for the on-field decorations, Vision Graphics understands the pace at which those elements must be erected and displayed and then torn down and removed for gameplay. Chambers also mentioned, “Vision Graphics has worked with the NFL and its partners for many years. We produce a quality product and we deliver on time and we have helped them with a lot of very tricky and unusual applications for their events. We have helped them in the past with design and the whole works.”

Vision Graphics has 15 years of experience working with the most exacting clients in high-pressure, demanding events. We’re ready to apply the expertise of our project consultants, design team and production resources to make your event beautiful.

As an aside, the Patriots cruised past the Raiders that day, with a final score of 33-8.

Millions of people around the world participated in the “Light the World” initiative during the Christmas season. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched the online initiative November 25 on mormon.org to invite people around the world to follow Jesus Christ’s example by serving others.

As part of its annual promotion effort, a giant billboard location in New York City’s Times Square was procured. To ensure maximum eye-catching potential, the size of the board was 75 feet high and 125 feet wide, covering a total of over 9,000 square feet.

With so much surface area, it was critical to select the best material, printing and finishing techniques to ensure structural stability, endurance in the harsh winter elements and color durability. Any kind of failure of the sign would be both embarrassing to the Church and potentially unsafe to the thousands of people that pass through the area daily.

Vision Graphics was proud to be selected as the production partner. According to Roger Hendrickson, Account Manager, Western Region, “The Church knows that we have done good work for them before. We have a good relationship and we help them make this important, media-critical effort a success. Additionally, I think they find us to be accommodating for meetings and press checks.”

He also mentioned Vision Graphics’ expertise in producing such a large graphic. “You can’t produce this entire graphic in one piece. We have to create print tiles and weld it all together, which is not as straightforward as it might sound. We have to match up all of the seams and account for any variances in the print process. We can’t have letters being out of alignment or a smile that bends at a seam. Our finishing group is really just wonderful at their job.”

With its prominent placement in Times Square, daily direct exposure was estimated to be in the tens of thousands. Over the campaign period, it is estimated that the sign was directly seen by more than a million people and tens of millions were exposed via social media, video and many other channels.

Vision Graphics is proud to have been selected over multiple years to produce the Times Square promotional campaigns for the church of Jesus Christ including the 2014 He Is The Gift, 2015 A Savior Is Born and 2016 Light The World efforts.

On Wednesday, October 5, 2016, the community came together to celebrate SBR Technology’s golden anniversary. Over 400 of our closest friends and community members joined with us at our Salt Lake City production facility to pay honor to Robert and Diane Shupe, who founded the business in 1966. A few key events along the way include:

1966 – Service Blue is started in the basement of Robert and Diane Shupe’s home

1978 – Service Blue moves into its first commercial building

1988 – Changes name to Service Blue & Office Products

1992 – Color Graphics, a new division focusing on color printing, is formed

1998 – Changes name to SBR Technologies

2011 – Purchases Vision International

2013 – Purchases Ogden Blue

2016 – Acquires Universal Color Graphics in Las Vegas

Over the past 5 decades, the company evolved from a family operation to an institution with 3 locations located in Utah and Nevada. Originally, Service Blue produced blueprints for the AEC community. Over 50 years, the business has grown from a home basement to a 60,000 square foot facility located in Salt Lake City. Today, SBR Technologies and Vision Graphics produce plans, engineering documents, small format, large format and grand format products, including design, production, installation and service. SBR employs over 70 people.

Examples of our work can be seen in stadiums around the country, hundreds of vehicle wraps, restaurants and retail spaces and events held by the NFL, NBA and the NCAA. Vision Graphics has regularly been recognized as a Top 10 producer of Wide Format in the USA. SBR Technologies has won various award from industry associations had has been recognized by its peers as an outstanding business in the industry.

Today, SBR Technologies remains a privately owned business with Guy Timothy serving as president. The company continues to grow its production capabilities, with significant investments in new machinery and technology.

For the party, SBR Technologies invited food trucks who provided (immense) corn dogs, street tacos and doughnut trays. While a rainstorm left some visitors a little chilled, the food was wonderful and the spirit was warm and jovial.

SBR Technologies wishes to thank all of those who have trusted us with their business over the past 50 years. We truly are blessed to enjoy relationships with some of the kindest, most caring clients in our community, and we always hope to be worthy of the trust invested in us.

We also appreciate our vendors who work with us to provide the best products and solutions. Thank you for supporting us in upholding our values of customer service and quality.

Some fun facts about the work performed by SBR Technologies over the past 50 years include:

More than 315,000,000 square feet of building plans produced

This would cover half of Manhattan Island in New York City

Or, it would cover Disneyland over 85 times

Over 1.5 billion Xerox prints produced, and we’re glad that we have machines to do this work rather than copying it all down by hand.

At the ReproMAX Spring Executive Conference held last week in San Francisco, hosted by fellow ReproMAX partner Barker Blue, Guy Timothy, President of SBR/Vision Graphics, was honored and recognized by his peers for his outstanding service to the organization.

Most significantly, Mr. Timothy was the recipient of the 2016 Mike Duff Award for distinguished service to ReproMAX and in the reprographic industry. The Mike Duff Award was established by the ReproMAX Board of Directors to honor professionals for outstanding leadership, dedication and loyalty to the industry.

In response, Mr. Timothy expressed his feelings for his peers and the award: “I am humbled to receive an award that has such significance among this group. It is truly my pleasure to be associated with such a wonderful organization. I truly appreciate our ReproMAX partners and the work, service, collaboration and support that we all provide. In short, ‘thank you very much for your kind recognition.’”

Also, Mr. Timothy was honored for his years of service on the ReproMAX board, including his position as co-chairman of the board during 2015.

Finally, Guy accepted toasts and recognition as SBR Technologies is celebrating its 50th anniversary in business this year. SBR Technologies has been a key partner in the architectural, engineering and construction communities in the inter-mountain west, providing high quality products and service for half a century. Under Guy’s leadership, SBR Technologies has grown and evolved to provide a wide range of color and black & white printing, as well as sales, leases and service for wide-format printing equipment.

Founded in 1984, ReproMAX is an international network that leverages the power of a wide range of independent print service providers so they can deliver high quality services to their customers.  ReproMAX companies are recognized leaders and a global source for print, content management and visual communication. ReproMAX provides partner companies and their customers with competitive advantages and a global network through industry leading technology, information sharing and industry education. For more information, visit www.repromax.com, call (800) 873-7762 or email: info@repromax.com.

In April 2016, SBR Technologies received the CSI Salt Lake Chapter 2015-2016 Presidential Award for “outstanding support to the chapter.”

According to Guy Timothy, President of SBR, “We are very proud to contribute to the CSI organization and community. We recognize this honor and we’re grateful for the board and members.”

A beautiful story of family love was recently retold in the opening of Padeli’s in downtown Salt Lake City, UT. This new bistro offering “Street Greek” is owned by the same family that has grown the Greek Souvlaki chain into six prospering locations, and is a tribute to the man who started it all.

The boys (Frank, Leo and Chris) have created this new establishment is named for their father who first brought the Gyro to Utah more than 40 years ago. As the interior design was considered, they wanted to differentiate themselves from the established fast food chain and provide a more sophisticated, very Greek environment to enhance the dining experience. Their architectural firm WOW atelier worked with Vision Graphics and a street artist to create one-of-a-kind originals, portraying the Greek gods on the walls and ceiling.

Vision Graphics facilitated the interior decor in two ways. First, pressure sensitive vinyl was used to print coverings for doors and some walls. These productions were printed and installed by Vision Graphics.

The second item was different than our usual application. The artist who was contracted to provide a ceiling graphic did not want to paint “a la Michelangelo” – laying on his back. So, Vision Graphics worked with WOW atelier and the artist to find the best pressure sensitive substrate. The artist created his magic in an upright position, and Vision Graphics carefully hung that work of art on the ceiling.

Adding to the installation difficulty, the graphic was to be on piece and no seams would be allowed. Of course, no damage to this original artwork would be accepted, so the installation team had to demonstrate their very best skills to create the final look.

We invite all to visit Padeli’s at 30 East 300 South (Broadway) in downtown Salt Lake City to see firsthand how all of the pieces work together to create a beautiful, Greek, causal dining experience.

(Images of Padeli, Copyright WOW atelier 2015)

Utah State recently completed their 105,000 sq ft Aggie Recreation Center (ARC) after 7 years of planning, funding and building. The look and feel of the building were very important to the planners, who spent a great deal of time working on the interior design and environmental graphics.

“We’ve got the state of Utah in a building,” said Chase Ellis, campus recreation director at USU. “Because it looks like you’re coming in a slot canyon on the south entrance … it will take you on a walk through the environment we live in, but then I like that tell people, ‘You’ll be working out in an art studio, versus a gym.’”

To complete such an involved project, Utah State University turned to Vision Graphics, a provider of large and grand format products. Vision Graphics was hired to produce and install all of the graphics.

According to Gene Chambers, sales executive at Vision Graphics, “13,000 sq ft of wall coverings were produced as well as over 2,000 sq ft of window coverings.” Vision Graphics was also called upon to create, produce and install a custom element, the function of which is to give the feeling of being inside a yurt. This element was placed in the student lounge and offers a unique environmental element.

The installation of the graphics spanned a number of months as the construction of the different areas of the rec center was completed. The process began during the summer months when Vision Graphics was involved in the site surveys to create final measurements for the production-quality graphics.

For more information regarding the ARC, please visit: http://usustatesman.com/a-sneak-peak-at-the-new-aggie-recreation-center/