A Brief Glossary of Some of the Types of Signs & Materials Available

Aluminium Frame Sign
A very simple but effective sign consisting of an aluminium frame with an acrylic or composite panel. No fixings are visible so the end result is very tidy, also the panel is suspended in the frame and not susceptible to the problems associated with expansion and contraction. Example: Belgian Belly sign

Internally Illuminated Lightbox
Very common sign used everywhere from forecourt canopies to high street shops. The usual type is an aluminium box with fluorescent tubes inside and an acrylic face panel. Sometimes Fret-Cut Trays can be mounted on the front to give a different effect. Retail parks tend to have really large lightboxes with Flex-Face fronts instead of acrylic. Example: Multiyork lightbox

Tray Signs / Fret-Cut Trays
These are made from either aluminium or more commonly now, aluminium composite. The edges of a panel is folded all the way round to give a ‘return’, this gives the sign a depth. If letters are cut from the face and acrylic put inside the panel this is a Fret-Cut Tray and is usually used in conjunction with an Internally Illuminated Lightbox. Example: Fujifilm tray

Flat-Cut Letters
Made from a variety of materials in different thicknesses. The most common way of fixing these is with simplefix locators or metal studs. Example: Widnes Trade Park letters

Built-Up Letters
True 3 dimensional lettering. Typically made from acrylic or stainless steel, the acrylic types can internally illuminated with LEDs or Neon. Example: Westgate stainless steel letters

 

Materials Glossary

Aluminium Composite Sheet
An aluminium faced composite sheet with a polyethylene core. Finished in a polyester stove-enamelled lacquer with a choice of colours and finishes. Ideal for simple routing, can be folded into a variety of shapes. Used extensively for making TRAYS, cheaper versions used for HOARDING PANELS and SITE BOARDS.
Brands available include: Dibond, Reynobond, Alucobond, Gutbond

Acrylics
A very high quality plastic sheet material available in a wide range of colours. Two main types are cast and extruded. Cast has a high molecular weight, making it very rigid and less prone to cracking and crazing than extruded acrylic. Used in LIGHTBOXES and to make BUILT-UP LETTERS
Brands available include: Perspex, Plexiglass, Repsol

Polycarbonate,
A plastic sheet material with a superior high impact resistance. Usually only available in clear and opal, although hard to break polycarbonate scratches relatively easily. Used in areas where there may be a risk of damage or vandalism. Example: Barriers round the track of the Manchester Velodrome
Brands available include: Lexan, Makrolon

Foam PVC
A plastic with a uniform, expanded closed cell structure which gives it an ideal combination of strength and durability, resulting in a lightweight material with an excellent resistance to knocks and scratches. Available in a wide range of colours, also has a good fire rating.
Brands available include: Forex, Foamalux, Palite

PVC
An unplasticised calendered plastic sheet material with a high impact strength, good resistance to chemicals and an excellent fire rating. Usually available in white or clear, used for small signs. Example Health & Safety Signs and Fire Exit Signs.
Brands available include: Staufen, Huntsman

Magnetic PVC
A sheet material comprising of a white Gloss PVC laminated onto a flexible magnetic strip. Used mostly for removable Vehicle Graphics.
Brands available include: Bisbell, Fusion

 

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