Custom Building Signs
Posted by Drew Kyler on Tue, May 24, 2011 @ 12:23 PM
Custom building signs come in all shapes and sizes. Because each sign is built custom, they can be made any shape and size and to work with any type of building. There are many different factors in deciding which type of custom sign is best for your business or building.
The first question to ask is illuminated or non-illuminated. Do you want your sign to light up at night or not?
The most common types of custom illuminated signs are: channel letters and sign cabinets.
Channel letters are internally illuminated and the light can shine out the face or out the back. Those types of letters are referred to as face lit channel letters and halo lit channel letters, respectively. There are also two methods of illuminated for channel letters. LED illumination and neon illumination are both available, each with its benefits.
Sign cabinets are always face lit and also offer two types of illumination options. Those are florescent illumination and LED illumination. A florescent cabinet is typically 9” deep and an LED cabinet is typically 5” deep. Again, both have their benefits.
The most common types of non-illuminated signs are: acrylic flat cut out (FCO’s) letters, aluminum sign frame systems, and dibond signs.
Acrylic FCO’s are cut from ¼” or ½” clear acrylic into individual letters and shapes. From there, they’re painted with a polyurethane paint that is similar to the paint used on cars. When exposed to the elements the paint will likely last as long and well as an automotive paint. FCO’s are either stud mounted to buildings or mounted with double stick tape and silicone.
An aluminum sign frame system is basically a much narrower version of a sign cabinet that does not light up. There are two options here, aluminum faced or acrylic faced. Acrylic faces are less expensive. However acrylic FCO’s can be attached to aluminum faces offering more dimensionality. Sign frames systems are either 1.5” or 2.75” deep. They are custom built and can be made to any shape or size.
Dibond is a polymetal with a dense foam core and an aluminum extrusion. Dibond is an effective material for exterior building signs because of its light weight and low redemption value. Dibond comes in 5’ x 10’ sheets that are approximately 1/8” thick and can bet cut to any size or shape.
Finding the right type of sign for your business or building is almost as important as the sign design. There are many types to choose from when creating the perfect custom sign for you!