There are so many types of signs that it is impractical to have a web page for each and every type. Many sign types and processes will be shown on their own web page. However, we can show you some basic information that may help you choose a sign type that is right for your application. This section addresses sign faces as opposed to sign systems with frames or illumination. These sign faces can be used with or without a sign system.

MARKING TYPES
Many of the processes for marking signs will be covered on their own pages. These include silk screening, photo polymer, painting, cast metal, injection molding, formed plastic, neon, sandblasted, machine and laser engraving and routing, and digital imaging. This page is dedicated to vinyl marking, as this is the most common type of marking for low volume signs.

TYPES OF VINYL
Intermediate Vinyl – This is the economy end of the sign business. The vinyl comes in 2, 3, 4, and 5 year outdoor durability. The length of outdoor service is the manufacturers own rating and is not warranted. It is used on indoor signs, shorter term outdoor signs. We use only the 5 year material. It is used for indoor signs like posters and foamboard signs and on outdoor signs like banners and real estate signs.

Premium Vinyl – Also know as opaque vinyl or high performance vinyl, this is the product of choice for most permanent outdoor applications like vehicle lettering, window lettering, and most long term sign faces. Manufacturers do warrantee their premium vinyls for 7 years or more. In our experience, these products actually last much longer than the warrantees. We have an outdoor sign of ours that has been in use for (11) eleven years with no signs of fading, cracking or peeling. A variation on premium vinyl is “metallic”. Metallic vinyl has a finish like a metallic paint for automobiles with specs of metal.

Translucent Vinyl – Is a special vinyl used for backlit signs, it has a very smooth but flat appearance. It is more expensive than premium and therefore used only in special applications.

Reflective Vinyl – Is used for applications when nighttime marking is desirable for either safety reasons or for when advertising opportunities arise. For example, many trucks are on the road day and night. A truck is like a 2 or 3 sided billboard and it is possible to get just as much night time advertising exposure as in the day light hours. It is more expensive, but if your business is one that can benefit from the night time exposure, it’s definitely something to consider.

SUBSTRATES
Substrates are the material to which the lettering and graphics are applied. For example, glass is the substrate for window graphics and the vehicle is the substrate for vehicle graphics, boat graphic, snowmobile graphics, etc.

Acrylic – We use a translucent acrylic (brand names like Plexi-glass or Lucite and others) mainly as the faces for backlit signs like box signs. It also makes a very good looking, high tech background for high end signs in hotels and office buildings. Acrylic is frequently used as the face color of illuminated channel letters. Clear acrylic can be decorated from the back to make many color combinations. This subsurface decoration not only looks very “high end” but it completely protects the graphics.

Polycarbonate – Polycarbonate is often used in the same applications as acrylic. You may have heard of it under the brand name of Lexan by GE. Polycarbonate is much more resistant to breakage than acrylic. Keep in mind that a large sign face is like a sail on a boat and has to fight extreme wind resistance in high winds. Polycarbonate is more expensive than acrylic, however in some cases it is the only alternative. Polycarbonate comes in larger pieces than acrylic. It is often supplied on large rolls or spools. This should give you some idea of its flexibility over acrylic.

Aluminum – Aluminum is usually supplied with a factory baked on finish that will last many years. When combined with premium vinyl it provides a sign that will last a very long time. It comes in several thicknesses for different applications. Thinner gauges are good for mounting to supported surfaces such as walls. Heavier gauges can be supported on or between posts. Many architectural signs are constructed of aluminum because it never rusts like steel signs.

PVC – Polyvinyl chloride is a material used in making pipes for plumbing. It is durable and weather resistant. It comes in various thicknesses for different applications. It can be used for indoor or outdoor signs, however the thicker gauges are more suited to outdoor signs. Some thicknesses come in colors, however they tend to fade in prolonged direct sun light. It is often more advisable to use white and use vinyl for the colors.

MDO – Medium Density Overlay is an exterior plywood product with a sooth overlay on one or both sides. It is very rigid in a ½” thick board and a 4’ x 8’ sheet can support itself between two posts. It is often used in medium term signs of around 5 years, however, additional life can be obtained by specially treating the edges of the material. This product is typically used in job site signs, billboards and real estate/construction projects.

Corrugated Plastic – This is a very economical material that while inexpensive, it is still quite durable in outdoor applications. It is used in promotional signs like in a frame on the side of a bus. It is used for golf outing sponsorship signs, inexpensive real estate related signs. In fact, it can be used in the place of a banner in many cases. Although banners can be rolled up for shipping and for future use and corrugated plastic cannot be rolled. Heavier corrugated plastic can be used in place of MDO for shorter term projects. Some corrugated plastic comes in colors and since it is a shorter term product, fading is not usually a problem.

Banners – Banners are flexible, can be rolled and are for promotional signage. (See banners page)

Poster Board – Poster board is heavier than that used by most schools. It comes most frequently in 28” x 44” sheets and is most commonly used in 28” x 22” signs. Posters are frequently used on easels at tradeshows or in floor based sign holders at stores, restaurants, hotels or malls. Custom sizes are also used. Posters are for indoors only. They can be used with as little as one color graphics or with continuous tone digital prints.

Foam Board – Foam products come in various thicknesses and durability. Foamcore is the most common, used for tradeshow graphics. It is rigid, yet the least expensive of the foam products. It does damage easier than other foam products. Gatorfoam is a more expensive yet more rugged foam product. Factors that help determine which product is right include: Who is going to handle it? Is it for one or two time use? How expensive is the whole project? How and how often will it have to be transported and stored?

Paper Signs – These are short term, promotional, through away signs. Indoor use only. Otherwise, the same applications as banners.