Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/773754
46 R INK MAGAZ INE May/June 2007 Failing to have a plan is planning to fail. All too often, rink operators assume logo installation is a simple process, and they fail to follow the manufacturer's recommended procedures. By not following the directions you are putting your facility and your customers at risk. In-ice logos can be made of vinyl, mesh, plastic, paper and many other materials produced for many different applications. Some are very thin and designed for a one- time use at a special event. There are also thicker, stronger logos that are designed to be taken out and re-installed multiple times. As a rink operator you need to take the time to decide what is best for your facility and ice sheet. When purchasing logos, it is recommended that you buy from a company or manufacturer that has some experience with in-ice logos. If they don't have ice experience, you may end up with something inappropriate for installation into your ice sheet. Poorly manufactured in-ice logos will create a heat transfer barrier, slow the freezing on top of the logos, and create unsafe ice conditions. Tips for Installing In-Ice Logos 1) Unpack logos and lay on a flat, dry surface for at least the day before installation. Most logos come rolled up in a tube and you need to be able to lay them flat on the ice surface during installation. You may need to put some weight on these logos to help them lay flat. 2) Read the manufacturer's directions. You are inserting a foreign material into your ice surface that can affect the safety of your skaters. Make a copy of the directions and add them to your Operations Manual for future installations. 3) Wash logos with cold water before installing. Some logo materials are covered with a fireproof coating that should be washed away with cold water before installing. Failure to do this will result in a thin, white coat forming over the logo, dulling the colors and finished product. 4) Cut out the white around the logo. In-ice logos are printed on a white background, but this white will not match your white ice color. To avoid the look of a large, odd white color surrounding the logo, you should cut the white out around the logo. by DON MOFFATT T o successfully install in-ice logos, it is essential to have a plan in place before you begin installation and to follow the manufacturer's directions for your specific logos. rink issues