Materials in Signage
Here at Mint Signs, we can create your signage from a range of different materials. Some are versatile and others may be specific to certain signs. For instance, PVC banner material isn’t going to look great if used as an A-Board. In contrast, you aren’t likely to see a heavy wooden banner mounted up high.
So, what materials are best for your signs? Read on for our breakdown of the various materials we use and what for.
PVC
PVC comes in various forms within the signage industry. There is a rigid option, commonly known as Foamex, which has different thicknesses available (3mm, 5mm, 10mm & 19mm). This is a very affordable and lightweight option for many interior signs. Foamex signage can also be mounted in various ways depending on budget and the look you are going for.
Our other popular PVC option is the PVC Banner material. As the name suggests, it is used mainly for banners. We offer two options: the standard PVC banner material and a Mesh banner. The mesh banner is used to reduce the effect that wind has on a banner that is hung up high.
PVC is one of the more affordable options available, however it is not well suited to all signs. It wouldn’t make the best swing-signs in case you were wondering.
ACM
Aluminium Composite Material, known commonly as ACM, is comprised of three layers. It has two aluminium outer sheets that are bonded to a polyethylene layer in the middle. It’s a strong, rigid material that can be cut to various shapes and direct printed with any colour or artwork.
It is a versatile material, which we use to create fascia signs, sign trays and flat panels where required. It sits in the middle ground for affordability, being more expensive than PVC, yet slightly cheaper than woods, other metals, and acrylic.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a great option for businesses looking for a sign with a bit more style. It comes in a range of colours and opacities, as well as thicknesses. It is often used in addition to ACM in fret-cut Sign Trays and where illumination is required. We laser cut your acrylic signs for complete accuracy and a clean finish.
Our team can also print any design directly onto acrylic and can even reverse print on clear for depth and effect. It can be mounted using stand-offs, spacers or directly with a double-sided tape depending on your preference.
It is a slightly more expensive material, but the final product is always guaranteed to impress.
Vinyl
Probably our most used material, Vinyl can be found on the face of, or with many of the materials mentioned above. It is a very affordable material that can be used for wall or window graphics as well as lettering and logos. The most popular use, however, is for vehicle wraps and graphics. It comes in a whole host of colours and finishes and can be cut on a plotter to a variety of shapes.
For more on our the Vinyl we use, check out Our Guide from last month.
Wood
Wood is often used for a more traditional looking sign such as the framed sign. We use a range of different types of wood including ply board and MDF. One of the most popular signs in the retail industry is the A-board, which we build using MDF the majority of the time. Other wooden signs can include swing-signs and wayfinding signs. Wood, at the time of writing this, is one of the more costly materials to get hold of, however the finish is very often of the highest quality.
The Final Word
These are just a few of the more common materials that we use as sign makers, although we are open to working with more than just the above. Contact us today with your ideas or for advice on your next sign!