Choosing the Right Substrate for Your Sign

Choosing the Right Substrate for Your Sign

Choosing the Right Substrate for Your Sign

    Beginning this week, we will be posting blog articles about the many different sign materials we use.  There are so many substrate options for interior signs, exterior signs and even banners.  In an effort to help our customers with determining the right material for their sign project, we’ll explore a new product each week.  This week we will discuss using PVC for Signs.

    Using PVC For Making Signs

    This week we’ll begin by talking about PVC or, Polyvinyl chloride. Wikipedia has a detailed description of PVC, specifically they mention that it is “cheap, durable, and easily worked”. Unlike the PVC used in pipes and even clothing, sheet PVC used for sign making  is a very durable formed flat sheet. PVC boards are available in a variety of thicknesses including 1/8″, 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″. Most commonly PVC is available in 4′ x 8′ sheets, but some thicknesses can also be available in 4′ x 10′ for larger projects.

    Can You Cut and Shape PVC?

    We can cut and shape PVC signs using a saw or router.  PVC can be cut into sign shapes, sign letters, or logos and it can even be carved like wood or High Density Urethane (HDU). Unlike wood or HDU.  With PVC, you do see the pores of the material when it is V-Grooved.  However, priming and painting often fills these pores so they are not really visible on the finished sign product.

    PVC is a very durable material for carved signs.  It will never delaminate, rot or split like wood.  Because PVC is porous you can make a thicker material without the additional weight and cost of thicker wood or HDU. 

    Vinyl is another form of PVC that is a plasticized PVC that is very thin and can be cut using a plotter…but that’s for another week!

    PVC offers an exceptionally smooth surface which is ideal for applying digital graphics. This is why we use it for many of our Site or Project signs. It allows us to create up to a 4′ x 8′ sign with full color graphics that is durable and fast to manufacture. It requires no painting unlike MDO or wood and makes turning around a quick job easy for us.

    PVC Signage:

    Let’s be clear and as non-technical as possible in the description of PVC signs. The chemicals and the molecular makeup are the same as the pipe referred to in the opening of this article. The best way to help in differentiating the two as that the signs are more lightweight and porous, meaning full of pores. How does this translate to what you want to know? With all those tiny little pores in a PVC sign, it means it will accept liquids. In your case, it means they can accept ink, and thus we can create graphics on the sign you want for your company. 

    PVC signs have a matte finish, which means it eliminates glare or reflection. It makes your graphics easier to read. If you really feel you want a shinier gloss finish, we can do a decal print and affix it to your sign.

    Sign Comparisons:

    Because of its composition, these signs don’t tend to crack, split, or rot like most traditional wood signs. PVC signs are similar to acrylic ones, but don’t have the glare and aren’t as expensive. They’re also a bit more durable than acrylic, as well. On the note of durability, PVC is a bit more expensive than coroplast signs, but much more long-lasting. It is more affordable and easier to handle than aluminum. In all, PVC comes with a greater flexibility than many other sign materials, which makes it a well-round choice for indoor sign usage.

    Indoor vs Outdoor:

    PVC signs are ideal for extended messaging inside. They should only be put into play outside for a very temporary length of time. While they are better at handling precipitation than their traditional foam board sign cousin, they are still susceptible to water if exposed for any real amount of time. If the sun is left to beat down on PVC signs, they will end up warping. Having to replace a product because of that can certainly get frustrating for you, and we don’t want that to happen. Being vigilant in your efforts will help maintain and extend the longevity of your sign. Overall, like foam signs, PVC is not produced to have to deal with outdoor elements. If you require something like PVC for outdoor use, call us to go over some details. We have many government agencies who use an alternative version of the PVC Palight product we generally use. There are a few different ways for displaying your sign inside. It can be at ground level resting against a flat surface. It can be hung, but common sense says that the thicker, heavier a sign is, it should be anchored by mounting it on a wall. This can be done easily and in a few different ways. You can use screws, double-sided tape, an adhesive, or our handy blind fastener system, which adds a bit of class to the display.

    Here are the 5 reasons aluminium outshines the competition:

    It's one of the strongest materials in the sign industry

    Aluminium is known for its strength and rigidity. Even though it is thin and incredibly lightweight, it's strong, and the thicker it is, the greater the panel strength. It comes in primarily 5 thicknesses, but three of them are most common. Thin, small signs (like real estate signage) are typically made with the .040 gauge thickness. Sturdier street signs, (like your neighborhood stop signs) are made with the .080 gauge aluminium. The thickest and strongest gauge, .125, is reserved for heavy-duty signs (like the hazardous materials or evacuation signs at construction sites). When you need a sign material that is rock solid – one that won't split, warp, bow, or shatter – aluminium is an excellent choice.

    It's remarkably affordable

    For the level of sturdiness and longevity, you would expect this sign material to be one of the most expensive. It's not. In fact, it's one of the least expensive. When compared to substrates like redwood and even some plastics, aluminium continues to beat out the competition with respect to pricing. It's strong, durable and affordable!

    It gives a very professional finish

    And, in this case, affordable doesn't mean cheap! Aluminium signage might not cost you a fortune, but it certainly can look like it did. Metal finishes typically give a very classy, professional look. Whether it's a brushed, polished or mirrored finish, aluminium signs stand out! For that reason, it's often seen in professional offices – i.e. attorneys' offices, courtrooms, higher education facilities, etc. Its shiny finish is super attractive!

    It's very versatile

    Whereas acrylic and PVC are not recommended for outdoor signage, aluminium is. And, although most types of wood can be mounted both indoor and outdoor, not all of them can hold up to extreme weather without treatment and edge-capping. Aluminum is perfect for both indoor and outdoor signage! Outdoors, it's rustproof and waterproof, and therefore weather-resistant. That's why it is the ideal substrate for street signs – aluminium will last many years without the material breaking down or failing, which can't be said for plastic or wood. And, indoors, where there's no concern about the effects of sunlight or inclement weather, aluminum will last for decades. It's extremely versatile!

    It's super easy to customize

    Need to screen print on top of aluminium? No problem. Need to apply colored vinyl lettering or decals to it? No problem. Want to custom cut it into a unique shape or do specialized cutouts? Again, no problem. Aluminium is super easy to customize! You can give your signage great personality by adding just a little creativity. Aluminium is the ideal canvas for all of your great ideas!

    There are numerous benefits of choosing aluminium for your signage. The strength, weather resistance, and affordability make it ideal for you. And, that shiny, professional exterior with custom design makes it appealing to your customers. It's a win-win situation with aluminium! When compared to other substrates, it steals the limelight.

    Stainless Steel Signs

    Stainless steel signs are not only strong, durable and scratch resistant but also offer an unsurpassed detailed appearance that stands out in any application. As a single-source manufacturer, Roemer Industries, Inc. is able to fabricate precision quality stainless steel signs to meet your exact specifications.

    Stainless steel signs are a popular option due to its excellent outdoor rating and performance in demanding corrosive, harsh and industrial environments. Other characteristics for a stainless steel sign from Roemer Industries include:

    Heat resistance

    Chemical resistance

    Abrasion, dent and scratch resistance

    Excellent strength and durability

    ACRYLIC SIGNS – 5 REASONS YOU NEED ONE

    There are many different types of signage for different uses. From banners to neon signs, window graphics and vinyl letters. Acrylic signs are ideal for those who are looking to give a first impression of professionality and formality. (Acrylic signs are also known as perspex or plexiglass signs.)

    The following article features our top five reasons why you need an acrylic sign for your work premises.

    AESTHETIC

    Acrylic signs are eye-catching yet subtle and tasteful. They are ideal for companies who are looking to add signage to their office which is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. It’s even possible to “float” the letters of the sign to create an attractive 3D effect.

    DURABILITY

    One practical reason why many people use acrylic signs is that they are very durable and need little maintenance. They can withstand any weather condition including snow, rain, hail high winds and temperatures.

    CUSTOMIZABLE

    Although an acrylic sign includes a relatively simple and straightforward design, there is still room for a high level of customization. The plate itself can be frosted, clear or even a solid colour. The design can include a simple name in a wide range of colours, or even logo designs.

    BRANDING

    Acrylic signs offer an excellent opportunity to improve the branding and brand visibility of your company. Acrylic signs allow for simplicity, which means you are free to use whichever typography or imagery necessary to communicate your brand.

    PROFESSIONAL

    We offer a variety of different signage solutions, but when it comes to combining visibility and professionalism, acrylic signs are the best solution and reflect the class of your company. Most signage is appropriate for B2C, but acrylic signage is primarily for B2B companies.

    Glass Stone

    The glass stones are plaster finishings that is mixed with a high-quality silica sand and gold glass chips, which adds luxury to a building when the sun shines.
Glass chips are safely made of waste glass, and their glittering effect makes a building even more beautiful.