Acrylic
An extremely versatile, highly durable plastic sheet that comes in a variety of colors. Acrylic is primarily used for long-term interior and exterior signage. Some common uses are internally illuminated signs, architectural signs, wall directories, permanent retail signs, menu boards and trade show signs. Acrylic is an excellent product if you desire a high quality gloss finish.
DiBond
DiBond is a lightweight product designed primarily for either short or long-term outdoor use. DiBond is a metal substrate, with a baked enamel finish, that is recyclable, lightweight, and sturdy. It is resistant to weather and rust. Although it is lightweight, DiBond is one of the most rugged sign materials available.
Redwood
Wood and composite materials will give you years of outdoor service. They are suitable for large format signage, are weather resistant and have a rigid, flat surface. Wood products can be painted to match custom colors for signage use in commercial real estate, construction firms and property leasing companies. Some composite materials come in a wide range of colors. Others are only available in white.
Aluminum
Aluminum is designed primarily for outdoor applications. It is stocked in a variety of colors and will not rust. Aluminum is lightweight, yet sturdy. It is the ideal choice for real estate and traffic signage.
Expanded PVC
Expanded PVC, also known as Foam PVC, may be used indoor and outdoors for limited amounts of time. Its matte finish reduces glare and makes for easy readability. Expanded PVC can be shaped and is lightweight, yet sturdy. It is an excellent product for trade shows signage, menu boards, point-of-purchase displays and architectural graphics. PVC is available in a variety of colors.
High Density Urethane
High Density Urethane is the best choice for long lasting, high end custom routed or carved signs. When installed properly will give years of use. These signs will not rot or rust!
MDO
MDO plywood and other composite materials are great for many outdoor and indoor applications. They are easily routed for custom shapes and can be used to create sturdy, light, and unique signs for main identity, or just promotional use.
Permanent Materials: Acryllic
Acrylic is an extremely versatile substrate with a glossy finish. It is the perfect product for achieving a sophisticated, high-tech look. Acrylic is a plastic product that can be heated to conform to many different shapes. Its versatility allows you to design boxes, holders for brochures or a sign and easel all in one. Other applications include the following:
- Point of sale
- Menu boards
- Trade show exhibits
- Retail signs
- Restaurants
- Nameplates and namebadges
- Directional and informational signage
- Showroom signs
- Office building signs
- Acrylic – What is it?
Acrylic is also known by the brand name Plexiglas®. It is an excellent product when you want a high-quality finish. A three-dimensional effect (giving the perception of depth to the finished product) can be achieved by using clear acrylic and applying the background color to the reverse side.
Note: Acrylic signs may be subject to glare problems.
Acrylic is best suited for long-term indoor or short-term outdoor use where protected by an overhang or awning (this does not include when acrylic is used in light box signs).
Sizes
Acrylic is available a variety of lengths, widths and thicknesses and is typically stocked in 4′ x 8′ sheets.
Thicknesses
The most commonly used and/or stocked size is 1/8″ thick, but acrylic is available in other sizes.
Value-Enhancing
There are several ways in which you can increase the value and effectiveness of your acrylic sign:
- Adding striping and/or borders
- Using bent easels
- Applying additional lettering colors
- Adding a logo
- Incorporating a graphic symbol
- Designing custom applications
- Using multiple layers of acrylic to enhance quality image
Installation and Care
Do not leave acrylic in direct sun or in a hot car; it may bow or bend if not laying flat. Handle this product with care because it easily scratches and can shatter or chip upon impact. Acrylic signs may be displayed in several ways:
- Self-supporting (bent easel)
- • Hanging
- • Velcro®
- • Glued
- • Double-sided tape
- • Suction cups
Permanent Materials: DiBond
DiBond is a lightweight product designed primarily for either short or long-term outdoor use. Durable, with a baked enamel finish, DiBond is weather and rust-resistant. Typical applications include the following signs:
- Pool and spa rules
- Real estate
- Car parks
- Service
- Directional and informational companies
- Industrial
- Project signs
- Traffic signs
DiBond – What is it?
DiBond is a metal substrate that is recyclable, lightweight, and sturdy. It is resistant to weather and rust. Although it is lightweight, DiBond is one of the most rugged sign materials available.
Sizes
DiBond is available in a variety of lengths, widths and thicknesses, and comes in sheets up to 1500 x 3000mm (4′ x 8′).
Thicknesses
The stocked thickness for DiBond is commonly 3mm gauge, but is also available in 1mm and 2mm gauges.
Value-Enhancing
There are several ways you can increase the value and effectiveness of your corrugated plastic signs:
- Adding striping and/or borders
- Using additional lettering colours
- Adding a logo
- Using a graphic symbol
- Designing custom applications
- Using frames or stakes
Installation and Care
When installing your DiBond sign, take precautionary measures. While the baked enamel finish is extremely resilient to weather, it is brittle and scratches easily.
DiBond signs may be displayed in several ways, including:
- Fixed to posts
- Framed and staked
- Adhered to walls
- Formed into Trays for faceless fixing
- Wired to fencing
Permanent Materials: Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight product designed primarily for either short or long-term outdoor use. Durable, with a baked enamel finish, aluminum is weather and rust resistant. Typical applications include the following signs:
- Pool and spa rules
- Real estate
- Parking garages
- Service
- Directional and informational companies
- Industrial
- Project signage
- Traffic Signs
Aluminum – What is it?
Aluminum is a metal substrate that is recyclable, lightweight, and sturdy. It is resistant to weather and rust. Although it is lightweight, aluminum is one of the most rugged sign materials available.
Sizes
Aluminum is available in a variety of lengths, widths and thickenesses, and comes in sheets up to 6′ x 20′.
Thicknesses
The stocked thickness for Aluminum is commonly .040 gauge, but is also available in .063, .080, .100, .125, .187, and .250 gauges. The standard thickness used for safety and ID signage is .080
Value-Enhancing
There are several ways in which you can increase the value and effectiveness of your aluminum sign:
- Adding striping and/or borders
- Using additional lettering colors
- Adding a logo
- Using a graphic symbol
- Designing custom applications
- Using frames or stakes
Installation and Care
When installing your aluminum sign, take precautionary measures. While the baked enamel finish is extremely resilient to weather, it is brittle and scratches easily.
When installing your aluminum sign, take precautionary measures. While the baked enamel finish is extremely resilient to weather, it is brittle and scratches easily. Aluminum signs may be displayed in several ways, including:
- Framed and staked
- Glued to walls
- Riveted or bolted to walls
- Wired to fencing
Permanent Materials: Expanded PVC
Expanded PVC is also known as Foam PVC. It projects a high-quality and professional image for your business or event. Typical applications include the following:
- Point of sale displays
- Menu boards
- Directional and informational signage
- Name plates and name tags
- Trade show signage
Expanded PVC – What is it?
Medium-weight and durable, expanded PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is easily installed and transported. Its matte finish hides fingerprints and is easily cut into shapes, allowing for custom applications.
This product is best suited for long-term indoor or short-term outdoor applications. When used outdoors, it must be sheltered and used in low-humidity areas, as some brands may absorb moisture and mildew when left in exposed locations. Without proper handling, it can be scratched.
Some common brand names for expanded PVC are Trovicel® and Sintra®.
Sizes
Expanded PVC is available in various lengths, widths and thicknesses and comes in sheets of up to 4′ x 8′.
Thicknesses
The stocked thickness for Expanded PVC is generally 3mm, but is available in other sizes up to ¾” .
Value-Enhancing
There are several ways you can increase the value and effectiveness of your expanded PVC sign:
- Adding striping and/or borders
- Using bent easels
- Adding lettering colors
- Using a logo
- Incorporating a graphic symbol
- Cutting into unusual shapes or designs
Installation and Care
Expanded PVC tends to warp when exposed to heat or sunlight for extended periods of time. Do not leave this product inside your car.
It may also absorb moisture and mildew when left in exposed outdoor locations. Therefore, carefully install PVC in sheltered dry areas when possible.
Expanded PVC signs may be displayed in several ways:
- Self-supporting (bent easel)
- Hanging
- Velcro®
- Suction cups
- Double-sided tape
- Frames
Permanent Materials: HDU (High Density Urethane)
- Warranty
- HDU Sign Foam unfinished is warranteed for 10 years, indoor or out, against deterioration, warping, and cracking. It is 100% waterproof, unaffected by temperature and will not rot or decompose. This material is preferable on most projects, and a must on large projects. If a client insists on a wood pattern, suggest the HDU sandblasted with a wood grain. For more information, please visit www.signfoam.com.
- Advantages
- SignFoam will not warp, crack, or bow like solid wood when exposed to the elements. It is slightly lighter that wood, which might be a consideration for a dangling sign, and saves in shipping. SignFoam can be blasted with a Simulated Wood Grain Finish that, in most cases, looks better than a real wood grain.
- Disadvantages
- SignFoam is slightly flexible, which might cause problems on long, narrow signs. If a dimensional sign is going between posts, or in a situation where it might take abuse from wind or pedestrians, consider having us laminate a backing for reinforcement.
Permanent Materials: MDO and Laminates
There are occasions when wood or any one of several other composite materials is the appropriate substrate to use for your outdoor signage needs. There are a number of different materials that can fill these requirements. Medium Density Overlay Plywood (MDO), Alumalite®, Omega® board, DiBond® to name a few. All are durable and versatile, materials designed for a wide variety of outdoor uses including these types of signage:
- Site Signs
- Directional Signs
- Identification Signs
- Canopies
Wood and Composite Materials – What are they?
Medium Density Overlay, MDO, is dense plywood with a very thin paper film on either one or both sides. Its rigid, flat surface is ideal for painting.
- Alumalite® consists of aluminum outer surface with a corrugated plastic core.
- Dibond® consists of aluminum outer surface permanently bonded to a solid polyethylene core.
- LusterBoard® is exterior plywood with prefinished aluminum face on one or both sides.
- Omega SignBoard® offers a white vinyl surface over a hardwood plywood core stronger and lighter than MDO.
Most of these materials are not commonly stocked in house, therefore extra time is needed at the time of your order.
Common sizes
Wood and Composite Materials can be cut to various lengths and widths, maximum size is 48″ x 96″.
Thicknesses
Available in the following thicknesses:
- MDO: 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″ 1″
- Alumalite®: 6mm thick (approximately 1/4″)
- Dibond®: 2mm, 3mm and 4mm
- LusterBoard®: 1/4″ and 1/2″
- Omega SignBoard®: 1/2″
Value-Enhancing
There are several ways you can increase the value and effectiveness of your wood signs:
- Adding striping and/or borders
- Using custom color
- Applying additional lettering colors
- Customizing your installation
- Adding a graphic symbol
- Adding a logo
Installation and Care
Professional installation is recommended. Signs made from wood can be displayed in several ways:
- Bolted to posts and planted in the ground
- Bolted to walls
- Hanging