Signage Materials
More Than You Ever Wanted o Know About Signage
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There a variety of materials that can be used in signage. So many, in fact, that it would be hard to list them all. However, we will try to list and describe the most common types of materials that are used in making signs. We will also go over what types of material can be used in making a specific type of sign letter.
Pan Channels: Pan Channels are usually constructed with aluminum. They can also be made from steel. Faces for pan channels are typically made from colored Acrylic.
Reverse Pan Channels: Reverse Pan Channels are most commonly made from Aluminum or Steel that is then primed and painted. They can also be made from brushed or polished Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze, or Copper.
Flat Cut Letters: There are many materials and material combinations that can be used in Flat Cut Letters. Aluminum, Acrylic, PVC,HDU, and Gatorfoam are all frequently used. Also, Acrylic, PVC, and Gatorfoam can have thin metal laminates glued to their faces to give the appearance of full metal letters at a fraction of the cost. Metal laminates can be virtually anything like brushed or polished silver, gold, bronze, copper, brass, etc. Other metals such as Brass, Copper, and Bronze can also be used in making Flat Cut Letters but they get to be very expensive.
Materials can be split up into 4 main categories: Metal, Plastic, Foam, and Wood.
METALS
The most common types of metal used in signage are aluminum and steel.
Aluminum: Does not rust. Can be brushed, polished, or painted.
Steel: Can rust with age as paint and primer deteriorates. Less expensive than aluminum.
Stainless Steel: Does not rust. Very expensive. Typically it is either brushed or polished.
Copper: Will rust over time (think of pennies). It can be expensive.
Bronze: Will rust over time. Expensive.
Brass: Will rust over time. Expensive.
PLASTICS
Acrylic: Comes in many colors. Can be translucent or opaque. Can be used both indoor and outdoor.
Lexan: Typically comes in only white or clear. Used mainly outdoors in lightboxes and monument panels.
PVC: Should only be used for interior applications. Inexpensive
FOAMS
Gatorfoam: Very inexpensive. Paper faces and foam will deteriorate and fall apart over time. Best to use for only indoor applications (though many people use it for outdoor signs as well). Outdoor lifespan can sometimes be as short as 2 years or less.
HDU: HDU (High Density Urethane) foam is engineered for both indoor and outdoor use. It will last much longer than Gatorfoam. Is much more versatile than Gatorfoam. Also, it is much more expensive than Gatorfoam.
WOODS
In theory, virtually any piece of wood can be made into a sign. It can be carved, routed, cut, etc. However, there are a couple types of wood that are used more specifically in the sign industry:
MDO: MDO (Medium Density Overlay) is an outdoor rated ply material that works great for outdoor sign lettering. The glue between the wood layers is designed to resist the moisture and heat/cold environment of the outdoors. The cross ply in the wood gives it additional strength. The top comes with a white primed surface for easy painting.
MDF: MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is a fibre ply material that is formed by breaking down softwood into wood fibers and combining it with wax and a resin binder. High heat and pressure is then issued to make it into useable sheets. MDF should only be used in indoor applications. It easily becomes waterlogged in adverse weather and it swells and shrinks with changes in humidity. Recently, we have seen a trend in other sign companies selling this product for outdoor signs and sign letters. We highly advise against this! Use it mainly for wood carvings to be hung underneath a covered porch or on an interior wall.
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