Poll on MetroPCS banner

City Ordinances Stepping On First Amendment

Letter From The Editor

"Building wraps... why aren't there any in certain areas? Especially in Atlanta?"

Many advertising and marketing individuals, that I have met, have always asked me this when they learn that I deal with large format printing. It's a very good question, given that the population of Atlanta is little over a million and many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the Atlanta area. So why isn't there any advertisements like building wraps? Why isn't this option or idea being use?

Simple - city ordinances. Because of certain ordinances or zoning, many unique and creative advertisements are shut down. Though in certain cities, they are welcomed with open arms. Not in Atlanta.

Many printers believe ordinances like these aren't fair. One of them being KH Outdoor. This billboard company is responsible for the MetroPCS three sided building wrap on the historic and vacant Medical Arts Building on Peachtree Street and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard. However, what happens when the city cites it as illegal.

You appeal it. According to an appeal filed with the city, KH Outdoor claims Atlanta's planning department failed to follow standard procedure when they issued two citations to the KH Outdoor. (Interesting...) They also state that the city has turned a blind eye to other building owners, such as Turner Studios and the Georgia Dome. (If you ever drive by them, see if you can spot why they stated these two. Being in the print industry, you notice everything.) And the third claim, it is unconstitutional under state and federal law. (I may need an attorney to way in, is it?) I believe so.

The first amendment is freedom of speech. I also understand that it can be illegal if it causes a riot. However, I have not seen downtown Atlanta in a riot, nor have I seen car accidents because of this building wrap. You would also think that Atlanta would like this exposure. I know many times when I'm looking for the latest building wrap, which is usually in Europe, I think, "Man, I'd love to see that."

Another point to make is the building is vacant. I understand if the building was occupied. But it's not. It's just sitting there. Doesn't it make Atlanta look worse with vacant and boarded up buildings? Last fall, we did some prints for the Dirty Truth. The Dirty Truth basically pointed out that there are many boarded up buildings and houses around Atlanta, even children notice them. Why is this important? Because when you read some of the summaries of the pictures the children taken, you see what one abandoned building at lead to many problems. If this building is occupied with KH Outdoor, who are managing the banner, less drug addicted people can hide in there. Thus making the streets around there safer.

Do you think the MetroPCS banner is an eye sore?

*Disclaimer: These are personal convictions and not that of company, Speedpro Imaging of Greater Atlanta.

Turquoise Color of the Year

Dum dum du-num!!

After a grueling fight for the top, Pantone 15-5519 Turquoise was crowned Color of the Year by Pantone Color Institue. Having to battle with over 100 Pantone colors with dark secrets and light humility, Turquoise graced the stage with an relaxing yet confident walk.

When asked the judge, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, "Why Turquoise?" She replied, "It's believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that turquoise represents an escape to many-taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy."

I know one person who is living a fantasy now, and that's Turquoise, after getting such an honorary mention.

Hexis' New Cast Film

Carbon-fiber look is becoming more and more popular in the car world as well in the print world. Hexis has recently launched a cast vinyl with a carbon-fiber look, which is used to wrapping cars.

As part of the company's HX30000 Series, the Carbon cast is a multi-layered, 5-mil, cast-vinyl film with a carbon-fiber embossed pattern. This vinyl carries a solvent-based adhesive and a structured PE liner. Because of the liner, this enables the vinyl to allow air to egress during application. Also with the high flexibility and conformability attributes, Hexis' cast film is designed for heavily curved surfaces. Great for vehicles, furnitures, laptops, and cell phones.

It is currently available in 54" rolls .

For more information, please visit ilovehx.com.

Picture + Speedpro = Wonderful Canvas Piece

Here is one of our most recent projects at Speedpro. We had the opportunity to work with photographer, Brooke Hanna from 5 Petal Productions. She recently had a client come to her wanting one of their wedding pictures turned into a canvas painting. After many hours and days searching for someone to reproduce and stretch the image, she finally found us, Speedpro of Greater Atlanta.

With our experienced artist on hand, we were able to take care of her needs and desires. This project turned out really well. Printed on our Monet Canvas, we were able to purchase some stretchers at a near by art store and mount the canvas on it.

When it was time for Brooke to pick it up, she walked in with a big smile on her face. She was absolutely thrilled by the end result, and we were happy on being able to make her happy.

If more information about canvas, please visit our website, www.speedprometroatlanta.com.

Also please take some time to look through Brooke's wonderful portfolio by clicking here.

Atlanta Ballet + Speedpro Imaging

Photographics are credited to Charlie McCullers. Image above showcases dancers: Nadia Mara, John Welker, and Christian Clark in the portrait.

Last fall in 2009, Atlanta Ballet opened the season with the production of Mark Godden’s “The Magic Flute”. Originally made as an opera, the Atlanta Ballet gracefully danced across the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center stage, as Godden’s exciting and open movement style blended with the beauty of Mozart’s music. With guest artist, Jeff Holland Cook, conducting the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra along with a company of noted vocal soloists, the show was showered with rave reviews.

Mark Godden’s second full-length ballet, “The Magic Flute” premiered with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 2003. Based on Mozart’s 1791 “Die Zauberflote,” the ballet tells a determined love story. In an attempt to link the 18th-century opera with contemporary life, Godden employs abstract design scheme that is sometimes at odds with his own storytelling purpose.

Speedpro Imaging of Greater Atlanta had to the pleasure on helping recreate some props in the ballet - the portraits. Single panel foam boards were used for the portraits. With high resolution photographs, we were able to produce what they needed.

Image below showcases: Christine Winkler, Christian Clark, and Nadia Mara in the portrait. Photograph credited to Charlie McCullers.

Latest Project

Check out our latest project for Man On Fire!

Having traveled from Albany, GA, Rex and his brother came to our chic studio in search for someone to help him get his 2004 Escalade wrap. He wanted to begin promoting his album and his music.

With a logo in place, Laura and Rex were able to collaborate an eye catching design that represented his album's name, Man On Fire.

Flames were thought of for the background, while an enlarged image of Rex was placed on each side of the wrap near the album's name. On the hood, you can find his album's cover picture. "I would have to say that this wrap really came out well. With certain situations, we were able to satisfy the customer, while not breaking any of the graphics... and I think it's EPIC," yelled Laura when asked her thoughts on the wrap.

Here are more images of the wrap:


For more information, please visit www.speedprometroatlanta.com.

Happy Birthday!

No man with a conscience can just bat out illustrations. He's got to put all his talent and feeling into them! - Norman P. Rockwell

Having been commissioned by some of greatest leaders in his era, like President Eisenhower, Norman P. Rockwell was born on February 3rd, 1894. He would have been 116 years old today.

Born to Jarvis Waring and Nancy Rockwell in 1894, Rockwell was able to harness his art talents at a young age of 14. His first major breakthrough came at the age of 18 with his first book illustration for Carl H. Claudy's Tell Me Why: Stories about Mother Nature. This breakthrough help lead him to various other opportunities.

From becoming art editor to Boy's Life to being commissioned for personal portraits, Norman Rockwell wasn't always as celebrated and well-liked as he is today. Many of Rockwell's works were not taken seriously by most contemporary artists and critics. They would often regard his paintings and drawings as "bourgeois and kitsch." He was branded an illustrator. As time went on, Rockwell began receiving more attention as a painter when he began choosing more serious subjects. Many of his pieces helped influence future movies and the American way of life.

Rockwell died on November 8th, 1978 of emphysema at the age of 84 in Stockbridge, MA. One of the many attendees at his funeral included First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

(February 3rd 1894 - November 8th, 1978)

For more information, please click here.

Latest Event

Last Thursday, January 28th, the Speedpro family of Atlanta went to their first event with new member, Laura Nuse. Having recently joined Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau (AVCB), we thought it would be a great opportunity to introduce many new and old clients to Laura.

The event was held at Legends Event Center near the Turner Field. This event hall is a wonderful, three storied, restored church, which is now being used for weddings, meetings, conferences, and other events. Once entering the beautiful brick church, you are welcomed to an open floor space. This space is big enough to hold your wedding ceremony. In the back wall, there's an open bar. From this main level, you can look up and see a lofty looking balcony.

The bottom level of Legends has a chic, sophisticated look. There are individual private rooms with big comfy couches great for relaxing after a long ceremony. I would recommend this for a small reception. There's a stage for bands and performers, and an open bar to serve drinks. The private warm feel makes it a perfect vibe for lounging around. (Trust me, the couches were amazing!)

The upper level has a glass balcony, where you are able to look down to the main floor. A side door opens up to an outside balcony that overlooks the city of Atlanta. The scenery and view is breathless. I would recommend this level for musicians that may be playing music during the ceremony.

We met a lot of amazing and nice people. I couldn't find my mentor that night. However, I did meet Tammy, from a landscaping company called Crabapple. She was a mentor for another group but she took me under her wing. We talked about the value of AVCB and getting to know people.

As time winded down, we all had a great time at the event! The food, the layout, and the game was fun and exciting.


For more information on joining Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau, please click here.

For more information on Legends Event Center, please visit here.

And for Speedpro's services, please check out here.