Glossary of Sign Materials
How do I know which material is right for my sign? What are the differences in these materials? How long will they last? Which is the most cost effective for my project? These are important questions that will determine your sign's price, strength and durability. It is important to determine the use of the sign before selecting the materials.
Vinyl
There are different vinyl's for different uses. Some are used for their cost savings, while others are used for their durability. Some are needed for their ability to let light through them, while still others are used for their reflective ability. The following are the many different types of Vinyl we offer:
Intermediate vinyl is a vinyl like all others except when it is made with a lower cost process than other high-performance vinyl. This, in turn means a lower cost for you, the purchaser! Intermediate vinyl is usually thicker than its high performance counterpart and will not have a high gloss factor. This vinyl is a standard vinyl; it is suitable in most applications where intense heat or direct sunlight is not a factor.
This is the best! High Performance vinyl's give you the widest color range of all types of vinyl's, highest sheen (shine) of any vinyl and can be applied to any substrate (banners, magnetics, PVC etc...), regardless of temperature extremes. High performance vinyl can be costly, but the quality is so much better.
If the sign is backlighted, it's the only vinyl that should be used. All the signs you see that are illuminated have translucent vinyl on them. The thickness is about the same as high performance. One thing to remember is the color you see on the sample chart is not the same color when it is lit up.
These vinyl's have reflective crystals in them. They are used mostly for street signs, emergency vehicles, truck lettering and other "night time" applications.
Etched vinyl will give you a very realistic blasted glass look without the cost or the hassle. It is a frosted vinyl that usually either comes in mint or clear.
Substrates
Banners can be made out of many different substances, the most popular of which is vinyl. Other banner materials include Tyvek, nylon and canvas among others. Vinyl banners are the only type of banner material we suggest you use. It is stronger than most of the others and provides the smoothest surface. (Tyvek and nylon tend to wrinkle). Banners are almost always used outdoors and are intended for temporary usage. Banners are NOT permanent signs. You should be conscious of where the banner is going to be hung and for how long.
This is exactly what it says. It is a magnetic material that is approximately 1/ 16" thick. This material is commonly sold in 12"x24" format and mainly used for vehicles (Car Magnets).
Several popular substrates are made from PVC, which stands for polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic. You're probably familiar with the PVC pipe used in plumbing. PVC is used in many products utilizing several different manufacturing processes and in a variety of densities.
This high-density urethane board can be sandblasted, carved, routed or machined just like wood. It can be used indoors or outdoors.
Acrylic is used for many reasons. It has a nicer surface than P.V.C. due to its high gloss factor (P.V.C. is a matte surface) and is requested in many "image conscious" areas for that reason. Acrylic is the only choice for illuminated light boxes due to it's translucent feature. You can add that extra touch of class to your sign by getting the edge's of your acrylic beveled and polished to a high gloss shine.
Lightweight, weatherproof and economical, corrugated plastic sheet gets a lot of use in sign shops. Coroplast comes in white 4mm, and 10mm thickness, plus 11 colors in 4mm. Most popular color is white. Coroplast accepts vinyl , paint or inks and can be used inside or out. These signs you see most on the roadside advertising specials, some service or event.
This aluminum composite panel has a cellular corrugated plastic core and aluminum faces. Lightweight and strong, the panel requires no edge sealing. The paint system is guaranteed for 10 years, with a 20-year guarantee available. Alumalite is 5mm or 12mm thick, and is made in 48 and 60 in. widths in lengths up to 12 ft. It comes in 10 stock colors.
This is what is used for the famous "Real Estate Sign". It is basically a nice piece of plywood with an overlay to ensure that the surface is perfect. This can be single-sided or double sided and will typically be 1/2" to 3/4" thick. It is mostly used for Commercial Real Estate signage. Either a water-based or oil-based paint will work for the coatout.
This is mostly used for street signs and often required by law. Examples are Handicap parking signs, stop signs, speed limit signs etc. Most come with vinyl overlay.
This is very similar to the poster board we all new when we were kids (remember the collages?) The difference is, the board we suggest using is thicker, stronger and better looking that other stuff. It is called Crescent Board. Poster boards can be scratched easily and the corners will dent if you are not careful. This is meant for interior short term usage only.
This product is a light foam sheet with paper overlay on either side. This paper isn't as strong as the paper on the poster board so be really careful. It not only will warp with water and fade in the sun, but will blister if you pull the transfer tape off to quickly or transfer tape is squeegeed down to hard and you then try to remove it. Interior usage only.
Very similar to foam core with one major difference....the overlay is cardstock and more durable. Gator Foam does have a foam core to it that can vary from 1/4" up to 2".
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