This is a topic that comes up in almost every Bootcamp -usually because delegates have seen it many times but never knew what it was called… or why it happens. So let’s clear it up. Crazing = micro‑cracks in the surface of acrylic caused by stress, chemicals, or heat. They don’t always break the material, but they do weaken it and make it look cloudy, cracked, or frosted. If you’ve ever made a beautiful acrylic plaque, placed it on the dispatch table for QC, and had it bounced because it’s suddenly covered in tiny cracks… Or worse - installed it, only for the client to call the next day saying it’s “cracked”… That’s crazing. And once it starts, you can’t fix it. It weakens the panel, makes illumination patchy, looks unsightly, and leads to premature failure. Why crazing happens (the real causes inside sign shops) 1. Solvent / Alcohol exposure Acrylic hates solvents, alcohols and harsh cleaners and extruded acrylic is especially vulnerable. Even a quick wipe with a rag that has alcohol on it can cause crazing if the sheet is under stress or has micro‑scratches. Cast acrylic is more stable BUT if the edges have been laser‑cut or flame‑polished those edges will crack instantly when exposed to solvents. 2. Stress from fabrication ▪️ Over‑tightened fixings ▪️ Poorly designed folds ▪️ Too much heat during bending Cast acrylic reduces the risk, but technique still matters. 3. UV + age Older acrylic (especially extruded) becomes brittle and far more prone to crazing. 4. Wrong adhesive Using the wrong glue, or too much solvent cement, can attack the surface and trigger crazing. So how do we prevent crazing (the part your team really needs) ▪️ Use cast acrylic for anything fabricated or lasered ▪️ Advise clients to clean signs with mild soapy water, not chemicals ▪️ Don’t overtighten fixings ▪️ Use adhesives designed specifically for acrylic ▪️ Let laser‑cut parts “rest” before assembly ▪️ Avoid exposing stressed acrylic to solvents We touch on these fundamentals in The First Drill and Signage Bootcamp, because crazing is one of those issues that quietly costs sign shops time, money, and reputation.

I came across a UK post this week that’s gone viral for all the wrong reasons... and it really highlights a few important lessons for our industry. A restaurant owner proudly shared a photo of her new sign being installed. It was a big moment for her: taking over the family business, investing in her brand, and celebrating the craftsmanship behind a 23.75‑karat gold‑leafed sign. But the post backfired. Not because of the sign… but because the installers were photographed standing on the roof of their van. No access equipment. No fall protection. A clear breach of Working at Heights legislation... and the internet noticed. A few things stood out to me: 1. Clients do value quality when we communicate it well. We often tell ourselves that clients only buy on price. But here’s a client proudly talking about luxury materials and craftsmanship. If she’d been told proper access equipment was required, she likely would have paid for it. Instead, the unsafe installation has now overshadowed the quality of the work and damaged her brand moment. 2. We underestimate our own value. The sign itself was clearly a labour of love. Hand‑painted, gold‑leafed, crafted by skilled people. But when we don’t believe in the value we bring, we default to competing on price… and that’s when corners get cut. This company should have been competing on reputation and skill, not trying to shave costs on safety. 3. Safety is non‑negotiable AND the public is always watching. The comments weren’t just from sign companies. Construction workers, H&S professionals, and the general public all weighed in. Some defended the installers, but the reality is simple: When someone’s safety is put at risk to win a job, people should be outraged. Everyone deserves to go home safely after a hard day’s graft. Our industry is incredibly visual. People see how we work just as much as what we produce. This is why we must charge for our value, work safely, and uphold professional standards every single time.

I’ve just uploaded a free Installation Preparation Guide to the Classroom, and I wanted to share a bit of the “why” behind it. Across the industry, one of the biggest areas where sign companies unintentionally lose profit is during installations - not because the work is difficult, but because the installer didn’t have the right information before arriving on site. Missing details, unclear artwork, assumptions during fabrication, or clients not preparing the area… it all adds up to delays, rework, and unnecessary stress. I see this happening everywhere - from small shops to large teams - and it’s completely avoidable with the right prep. So I pulled together the most common gaps I see and turned them into a simple, practical guide you can use with any installer you work with. It’s not a rulebook. It’s not a lecture. It’s just a tool to help you protect your margins, reduce on‑site surprises, and deliver smoother installs. You’ll find it under Classroom → Installation Preparation Gude → download it, adapt it, and make it part of your workflow if it helps. And if you’ve got suggestions for what else would support you in this space, I’m all ears.

Our first trade expert is locked in — and it’s a good one. Dylan will be joining us for an upcoming live session focused entirely on LEDs.From modules and drivers to heat management, compliance, troubleshooting and real‑world installation challenges — this is your chance to get clarity from someone who lives and breathes illuminated signage. We’re still finalising the date, (should be in the next 2 - 3 weeks) but I’d love your input before we lock in the structure. Drop your questions for Dylan below. Anything you’re unsure about, anything you’ve always wanted to ask, or anything coming up in your workflow that you want expert eyes on. If you’ve got large or technical illuminated projects on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to think ahead and get your questions in early. Your questions will shape the agenda - so don’t hold back. Looking forward to this one.🙂

Whether you're in the workshop, on the road, or taking a well-earned break, I hope this Easter gives you a moment to recharge and spend time with the people who matter most. And yes… I absolutely hope it involves ridiculous amounts of chocolate 🍫 In an industry that rarely slows down, these moments matter. So here’s to rest, connection, and a little sweetness along the way. Happy Easter from Make It Happen ANZ... and from me, your resident Signoholic.