Sign Details Info Center

One of the most common questions we get asked is “what type of materials should we make your signs out of”?

There are many good choices out there, but the decision needs to be one that considers what environment the sign is going to be in – is it going to be inside, outside, long term, short term, is it going to be mounted on a building or on post etc.

We have compiled some info to help everyone make better choices and to get the ultimate life span out of their signage.

HOW TO APPLY DECALS

ALUMINUM

This is a great substrate because it is outdoor durable with no rusting. It has a baked on finish so you don’t have to worry about the finish “chalking” like in the past with regular finishes.
Aluminum comes in a variety of thicknesses:

.040 is usually used for 8” x 10” or smaller signs unless it is going to be installed on a solid background.

.063 is one of our most popular thicknesses because it is great for SAFETY SIGNS,  NO PARKING SIGNS, and larger signs that need to be mounted onto a metal post.

.080 is the same thickness that most Department of Highways use for their signs on the highways, and can be used for larger signs such as 3’x 4’ or 4’ x 4’ for construction areas, Hazard signs or Stop signs.

ALUMALITE

This is an awesome product! It has all the great features of aluminum and sandwiches a piece of choroplast sign plastic in between to make a very rigid substrate for 4’ x 4’ and larger signs.

LEXAN

This is a polycarbonate plastic that is much more durable against breaking / shattering when compared to plexiglass or acrylic. Most commonly used in illuminated signs.

PVC

This is a plastic sign substrate that is perfect for indoor signage, it comes in a variety of colors, can be cut into shapes for more decorative signs.

SIGNFOAM

This substrate is a very dense foam board used for 3-D carved / sandblasted signs.

ULTRABOARD

This is a product that can be used indoors when you need a substrate to be a little more rigid than paper foam board, instead of paper on each side that can warp in humid situations, this has a thin plastic that won’t warp, perfect for mounting posters and training sessions as well as mounting graphics for trade show displays.

BANNER

Banner substrates are very versatile for advertising special events, or promotions / sales. Many of the schools have started using this for their ball field sponsorship signs because once the season is over they can simply roll them up without having to have a lot of space to store them out of the winter elements.

CHOROPLAST

This is one of the most economical sign substrates available, it is fluted similar to cardboard, but is plastic. This product us usually used for temporary signs such as election signs and short term outdoor advertising.

COLOR COMBINATIONS

CHOOSING COLORS THAT MAKE YOUR SIGNS HAVE THE IMPACT YOU NEED!

For best readability for your signs and the chance to be noticed, and remembered, especially from a distance use these colors for a quick reference for signs with ultimate impact.

SAFETY SIGNS – OSHA / ANSI SUGGESTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE SIGNAGE

OSHA has very specific headers that should be followed for maximum safety.
*For OSHA compliance please see their web site: www.osha.gov

WHICH HEADING SHOULD YOU USE?

Sign Details, Inc. suggest that you look at the following chart for a reference to the correct heading.