Acrylic Signs Vancouver
Plexiglass Acrylic Signs for Business
Acrylic signs are fabricated from various sizes and colors of acrylic sheets. Acrylic sheets are a popular substrate for sign making as they are versatility and cost effective. Sign faces, washroom signs and reception signs are all popular acrylic sign types.
Inherently, acrylic signs are durable, and can be used for both indoor and outdoor signage applications. Acrylic comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them perfect for any business sign needs.
Another quality attribute of acrylic signs are that they can be illuminated. When inserted into a light box or backed by light, an acrylic sign face will defuse the light creating an even and consistent illumination. Translucent vinyl graphics on the acrylic face will also illuminate and be visible during low light conditions and at night time.
With the correct tools, acrylic signs can be customized with logos or text, acrylic signs offer businesses an effective way to promote their brand or message.
What are Acrylic signs?
Plexiglass Acrylic signs are signs made using acrylic, a rigid plastic substrate durable for interior and exterior signs. Printed graphics and cut decals are applied to the surface acrylic to create acrylic signs.
Plexiglass or acrylic is sometimes referred to as Perspex, Optix, Acrylite and various other trade names. Acrylic sheets are an extremely popular sign substrate due to its smooth appearance and natural luster.
Uses for Plexiglass Acrylic signs
As an industry favorite, acrylic sheets are used for making outdoor sign faces, pylon sign faces, plaque signs, door signs, name signs, house address and much more. It’s a rigid sign substrate that finds its way into many signage applications. Due to Acrylic signs versatile nature and great reputation as a highly durable signage material, Acrylic Plexiglass is used in a variety of settings both indoor and outdoor signs. Acrylic also comes in a variety of based colors and finishes. The design options when using acrylic for your business signs is plentiful.
Benefits of Acrylic Plexiglass Signs
Acrylic plexiglass provides depth and a beautiful sheen when used for sign faces and sign displays. Plexiglass Acrylic comes in a variety of colors. One of which is clear making acrylic an excellent alternative to traditional glass. However unlike traditional glass, Acrylic plexiglass has the added benefit of being much easier to work with and more durable. This makes it easy to use acrylic sheets to produce custom size acrylic signage and acrylic plaques.
Acrylic can also be chemically joined, heat bent and machined. When used to produce acrylic signs, acrylic sheets are usually used in combination with vinyl, machined into custom shapes or printed on directly.
Acrylic Plexiglass Printing
Acrylic printed signs are directly printed on or created using vinyl stickers. Signage made of acrylic can make use of both decals and printed vinyl graphics. Acrylic sheets are usually finished on both sides so signs can be printed on both sides. Printing on the front side of Acrylic is called 1st Surface Printing, whereas printing on the backside of Acrylic is 2nd Surface printing. A combination of printing on both front and back is also possible to create unique acrylic signs.
1st Surface Acrylic Printing
1st Surface Acrylic Printing, also known as Standard Surface Acrylic Printing, applies the ink directly onto the front-facing surface of the Acrylic Sign. By printing “front side” on Acrylic, you will be able to see and feel the ink on the surface of the Acrylic Sign, creating a matte finish wherever the ink has been applied. Printing the Acrylic “standard” is quicker and more cost effective than printing on the 2nd Surface, but with the ink side exposed, 1st Surface Acrylic Print Signs can be more prone to weathering, damage and scratches.
2nd Surface Acrylic Printing
2nd Surface Acrylic Printing, also known as Back Side Acrylic Printing, is when the ink is applied to the back side of the Acrylic Sign. By printing on the 2nd Surface of Acrylic, this allows patrons to look through the Acrylic’s 1 Surface and onto the print, giving a more modern and dimensional appeal. This method of printing provides more depth to Acrylic Sign Displays and keeps the entirety of the Acrylic Sign looking beautiful and glossy. Printing on the back side of Acrylic can also help maintain and protect your print since it won’t be directly exposed to weathering and potential damage or vandalism. 2nd Surface Acrylic Printing is more expensive than 1st Surface Acrylic Printing, as it takes more time and resources to produce. With the added benefit of extra depth and print protection, we recommend 2nd Surface Acrylic Printing, especially when it comes to Acrylic Signs that require more visual appeal.
Illuminated Acrylic Plexiglass Signs
Acrylic Plexiglass is available in a wide array of colours and can be illuminated for great effect. The most commonly used colors of acrylic signs are clear and “sign white”. Sign white is a sign industry term given to Acrylic Plexiglass that is white and has the ability to diffuse light. When acrylic is used for sign faces, translucent print graphics and cut decals can be mounted to the face of the Acrylic Plexiglass. A light source can then be installed behind the acrylic sign. LED, neon and fluorescent lights are used to back light the acrylic. As the light source passes through the Acrylic Plexiglass, it defuses and illuminates the sign face graphics. Sign faces made of acrylic are a great choice for backlit acrylic sign applications. The illuminated acrylic sign face helps to attract extra attention and can be use at night or in dimly lit areas.
Cutting Plexiglass Acrylic Signs
Acrylic Signs can be cut and routed into custom letters and shapes. All acrylic sheets can be machined and cut the same to make acrylic signs. Your acrylic sign can be transparent, opaque or even a wide array of custom finished acrylics. For a clean finished acrylic sign, cutting acrylic requires the use of specialty plastic cutting tools for the best results. Acrylic sheets can be cut down to make your acrylic signs with the use of a router, table saw, band saw and even a reciprocating saw when used correctly.
Once your acrylic signs are cut to size, the edge of your acrylic signs, can be finished by flame polishing the edge of your acrylic sheets. A flame polished acrylic edge will resemble the finish of your acrylic sign face. The treated edge of your acrylic sign will be smooth and have a high gloss finish. The flame polish melts the acrylic and seals it so your acrylic sign will not have any hard edges. Alternatively if a finish is not desired or the edge is not visible, leaving the edge as is on your acrylic sign will produce a subtle milled finish.
What sizes Acrylic Signs are available?
A unique property of acrylic is it comes in standard sheets as well as in large rolls. Sheets of acrylic are commonly referred to sheet stock acrylic and acrylic purchased in roles is referred to as acrylic roll stock. The fact that acrylic can be purchased in rolls allows acrylic sign faces to be manufactured extremely long and without joins unlike other materials. Acrylic signs are by far the most popular face option for light boxes and pylon signs.
How thick are Acrylic Signs?
Acrylic Plexiglass Signs are typically made with 1/8” (3mm), 3/16” (4.5mm), or 1/4” (6mm) thick Acrylic. For larger projects acrylic signs can also be made from thicker acrylic stock all the way up to 30mm thick. When making an acrylic sign used as a sign inserts in pylon signs or lightboxes its recommend to use 3/16” for best durability to weight ratio. Make sure the acrylic sign you are making will fit into the extrusion of your sign cabinet.
Shipping and Production of Acrylic Signs
Once your custom acrylic signs are cut and/or printed they can be picked up curb side at our Greater Vancouver Sign shop in Surrey BC. If you prefer that your coroplast signs are shipped to your business, they would ship from the same location in Vancouver.
Common Applications of Plexiglass Acrylic Signs
Depending on the placement and applications, Acrylic Rigid Signs may be more susceptible to the appearance of dirt, dust and fingerprints. With regular cleaning and maintenance, Acrylic Signs can keep their appearance for a very long time.
Common Applications of Acrylic Plexiglass
Sign Inserts for Fascia Light Boxes
Pylon Sign Inserts
Company Logo Displays
Lobby Signs
Architectural Signage
Directional Signs
Plexiglass Barriers & Acrylic Sneeze Guards
Door Signs & Office Markers
Washroom signs
Directory Plaques
Home Address Numbers