When choosing products to be used in business signs, it’s important to focus on materials and components that ensure durability, visibility, and attractiveness. The products selected should be tailored to the type of sign, whether indoor, outdoor, illuminated, or temporary. Below are some of the best products to consider for various business signage applications:

1. Substrates (Base Materials)

These are the foundational materials on which the signs are printed or fabricated.

Acrylic (Plexiglass)

• Use: Popular for both indoor and outdoor signs, including illuminated signs and high-end branding.
• Benefits: Lightweight, durable, and versatile. Can be backlit, painted, or laser-cut for custom shapes.
• Product Example: Plexiglas® G Sheet – Known for optical clarity and durability.

Aluminum

• Use: Ideal for outdoor signs, particularly for storefronts, directional signs, and parking signs.
• Benefits: Rust-proof, durable, and weather-resistant.
• Product Example: MaxMetal Aluminum Composite Panels – Combines aluminum with a polyethylene core for strength and lightweight performance.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Foam Board

• Use: Frequently used for indoor signage, displays, and trade show signs.
• Benefits: Lightweight, rigid, and easy to cut or mold into different shapes.
• Product Example: Sintra® PVC Foam Board – Known for its smooth surface and durability.

Coroplast (Corrugated Plastic)

• Use: Ideal for temporary signage like yard signs, event signs, and election signs.
• Benefits: Lightweight, inexpensive, and weather-resistant.
• Product Example: Coroplast Sheets – Sturdy, water-resistant corrugated plastic.

Wood

• Use: Suited for rustic, handcrafted, or vintage-style signs, especially in outdoor settings like shops, cafes, or lodges.
• Benefits: Customizable and provides a warm, natural look.
• Product Example: Cedar and Redwood Boards – Durable woods with natural resistance to rot.

Aluminum Composite Panels (ACP)

• Use: Used for both indoor and outdoor signs, especially large format or building-mounted signs.
• Benefits: Lightweight, durable, and ideal for large-scale signage.
• Product Example: Dibond® Aluminum Composite Panels – Known for their smooth surface, perfect for high-quality prints.

2. Printing and Finishing Materials

Vinyl

• Use: Ideal for wrapping surfaces, creating decals, and adding custom graphics to various sign substrates.
• Benefits: Versatile, comes in various colors, finishes (glossy, matte), and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
• Product Example: 3M Controltac Graphic Film Series 180 – Durable vinyl with pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy application.

Reflective Vinyl

• Use: Used for safety, traffic, or nighttime visibility signage.
• Benefits: Reflects light, increasing visibility at night or in low-light conditions.
• Product Example: Avery Dennison Reflective Vinyl – Provides high visibility and is ideal for outdoor applications.

Banner Vinyl

• Use: Best for promotional banners, event signage, and temporary outdoor displays.
• Benefits: Weather-resistant, flexible, and easy to print on.
• Product Example: Oracal 631 Banner Vinyl – Durable and easy to install for temporary banners.

Laminates and Overlaminates

• Use: Protect signs from UV damage, abrasion, and weather, extending their lifespan.
• Benefits: Can provide either a glossy or matte finish while offering additional protection.
• Product Example: 3M Scotchcal Overlaminate 8518 – Offers UV protection and enhances gloss and durability.

UV-Resistant Inks

• Use: Essential for printing outdoor signage that is exposed to sunlight.
• Benefits: Prevents fading and ensures vibrant, long-lasting colors.
• Product Example: HP Latex Inks – Water-based, eco-friendly inks that offer excellent durability for outdoor signs.

3. Illumination Products

LED Modules and Strips

• Use: For illuminated signs, including channel letters, lightboxes, and backlit signs.
• Benefits: Energy-efficient, long-lasting, and available in various colors and brightness levels.
• Product Example: SloanLED Prism Modules – Widely used in illuminated signage for their brightness and energy efficiency.

Neon Tubes

• Use: For retro or artistic signage with a classic glowing effect.
• Benefits: Provides a unique, vintage aesthetic, though less energy-efficient than LEDs.
• Product Example: Voltarc Neon Tubing – Durable and customizable for neon signs.

Lightboxes

• Use: Ideal for storefront signs, menu boards, and retail displays that need backlighting.
• Benefits: Provides even, bright illumination across a large surface area.
• Product Example: Luxillume LED Lightbox Panels – Slim and bright, ideal for backlit signs.

4. Mounting and Installation Products

Standoffs

• Use: For mounting acrylic, glass, or metal signs off the wall, creating a 3D effect.
• Benefits: Adds a professional and polished look to signage.
• Product Example: Zinc Alloy Standoffs – Provides strength and durability for wall-mounted signs.

Adhesives

• Use: For attaching lightweight signage to various surfaces like windows, walls, or vehicles.
• Benefits: Provides strong, long-lasting bonds without damaging surfaces.
• Product Example: 3M VHB Tape – An industrial-grade double-sided adhesive tape ideal for mounting signs.

Screws and Anchors

• Use: To securely attach heavier signs to walls, posts, or buildings.
• Benefits: Provides reliable, sturdy mounting for long-term installation.
• Product Example: Stainless Steel Screws – Rust-resistant and durable for outdoor installations.

Frames and Brackets

• Use: For mounting signs on poles, walls, or suspended in the air.
• Benefits: Ensures secure installation, especially for large or heavy signs.
• Product Example: Sign Brackets and Iron Hangers – Designed for hanging or projecting signs.

5. Coatings and Protective Layers

UV-Resistant Coatings

• Use: Applied over outdoor signs to prevent fading and damage from sunlight exposure.
• Benefits: Extends the life of printed signage, keeping colors vibrant for longer.
• Product Example: ClearShield UV Protective Coating – Shields signs from UV rays and environmental elements.

Anti-Graffiti Coatings

• Use: Protects signs in urban areas from graffiti and vandalism.
• Benefits: Makes it easy to clean off graffiti without damaging the sign.
• Product Example: Sherwin-Williams Anti-Graffiti Coating – A protective layer for easy graffiti removal.

Summary

The products used in business signs vary depending on the sign type and application. Acrylic, aluminum, vinyl, and PVC are popular substrates for long-lasting and versatile signage, while LED lighting, reflective vinyl, and UV-resistant inks ensure high visibility. Installation products such as standoffs, adhesives, and mounting brackets secure signs, and protective coatings like UV-resistant and anti-graffiti coatings help prolong their life. Selecting the right products for the specific environment, use, and aesthetic goals will result in effective, attractive, and durable signage for your business. Click here for more information and details.