Mar 14 2009
Signs
So that fabric, temporary banner appearance won’t do. Let’s move up to rigid substrates – metal, sign plywood, plastic, aluminum composite panels, fiberglass – lots of choices. All are long lasting, weather resistant signs for business, resorts, parking, roadside, construction, etc.
Vinyl, digital or reflective messages are available on all these products, one and two sided.
Metal or metal composites – A favorite for those in extremely harsh environments or requiring long life expectancy – available with vinyl, digital, or reflective lettering and graphics. More expensive, but if your horizon for the application is years, the cost benefit it there.
Sign quality wood signs – Clearly the most commonly use for everyday use. Again, businesses, jobsites, commercial property management and development, residential real estate are typical. Even with sealed edges, eventually weather will win the battle – but it will last years, 3-5 in most environments, upwards of 10 years in many cases. Again the cost benefit for that period can be attractive.
Plastic – Solid plastics, common brand names Sintra, Komotex, Trovicel, have their place. Most common applications are indoor / outdoor for business, directional, tradeshows, and parking. Depending on location and environment, expect 3-5 years. Application significantly affects the life expectancy. If outdoors, attach to a flat surface, avoid fastening to posts especially in cold climates where the plastic can crack or break upon impact or vandalism. The most common thicknesses are 3mm (1/8th) and 6mm (1/4”), the latter a favorite with parking management companies.
Light weight plastics – Corrugated plastic that resembles cardboard are great for temporary signage, directional’s, real estate, elections, estate sales, and one time events. Common brand names are Corex and Coroplast. Inexpensive metal stakes are available that are inserted into the flutes of the signs. Be sure you order your signs with vertical flutes if you require stakes. Also, vertical flutes are helpful in high wind areas to help resist horizontal fractures. Grommets for hanging the signs are common.
Back lighted sign faces – The translucent polycarbonate faces are designed to be back lighted to highlight the graphics on the sign all hours. Most common graphics and lettering are produced from translucent material to bring out the color. Opaque material is also used in which case the light will go around the lettering. Black is commonly opaque since there is little benefit for a translucent effect. The panels are costly but the life expectancy and performance resemble metal. Faces may yellow over time due to UV exposure, but he process is gradual. Typical applications are “tenant changes” at leased office complexes. New back lighted sign boxes require permits and qualified electrical contractors for installation. Electrical sign companies provide the necessary services. The panels are hardy and as one salesman said years ago, “they’ll take a bullet”!
Plexiglas – Classy appearance indoor applications for business and building signs including suite signs, directional’s, and reception areas. Different colors are available but clear panels can be back printed any color. A popular application is the entry to offices where we back print the Plexiglas and mount off the wall with stand off fasteners to provide a dimensional effect – makes an impressive statement, similar to dimensional letters.
Trade show polycarbonate signs – These signs are most commonly used in conjunction with traveling displays. The material is hardy and can be rolled up for traveling displays. High impact graphics are back printed which offers maximum protection and Velcro is attached for affixing to the display face.
These above substrates and applications are the most common. There are additional products available – if you have a unique application just contact us at info@instantsignfactory.com or call toll free 877-778-7446.