Acrylic signs offer both form and functionality to any area where high-tech sophisticated looking signage is required.
Acrylic signs are cost-effective and can help bring a modern look and feel to any office or building.
If you’re looking for a flexible signage option that will make a great first impression, and provide a professional, eye-catching design, there’s no better material than acrylic.
No matter if you’re creating internal or external signage, promoting your brand at a trade show, or wanting to create an eye-catching display,
acrylic signs are a perfect choice.
What Is an Acrylic Sign?
Acrylic is colorless, durable, and transparent polymer material that looks and feels exactly like glass. However, it weighs but a fraction of a similarly sized piece of glass and won’t shatter into a million little pieces if accidentally dropped or hit.
Acrylic can also mimic
frosted or etched glass, or you can color it if you’re looking for something less visually transparent. It comes in many brand names such as Plexiglas®, Acrylite®, and Lucite®, to name just a few.
How to Make Acrylic Stand Out
If you’re looking to make your signage stand out, even more, there are a few design tips that you can incorporate to help make it even more eye-catching:
- Add a border
- Use a non-glare acrylic material
- Use clear acrylic, then add a solid background color for a 3-D effect
- Use a combination of colors on the front and the back
How Can You Customize an Acrylic Sign?
Acrylic is created in thin sheets or thicker blocks and then customized in one of many different ways. It can also have numbers, letters, or visually stunning color logos printed onto it in UV inks.
Since it’s transparent, you can achieve different looks by printing on the front or backside. If you’re looking for a deeper sheen which can prevent the ink from rubbing off or getting scratched, it’s best to print on the back side of the material.
Many companies will use acrylic as part of their
wayfinding signage. Whether it’s a directory, office door sign, or desk name sign, acrylic offers a very clean and modern look for a fraction of the cost of glass signage.
You can polish the edges of the signs or opt for a frosted glass look. A polished edge results in a very smooth edge that has a shiny finish. You can also cut acrylic into 3-dimensional shapes, letters, or numbers. When coupled with an LED lighting system, the entire sign turns into an eye-catching way of displaying your company logo.
Acrylic Sign Installation Ideas
It’s recommended to install acrylic signs on flat, clean surfaces. They won’t adhere very well to stucco-type walls unless you use a form of an anchor bolt that’s drilled into the wall. The different
mounting options will also complement the natural look and feel of the material.
One of the most popular ways to install an acrylic sign is to drill four small holes into a flat wall and insert
nickel standoffs, which will create for a visually-stunning offset look. A very slight natural shadow will appear on the wall under natural or office lighting, and this will add a 3-dimensional visual effect.
When acrylic is heated, you can shape and form it into one of many different types of unique signs such as:
- Exhibition signage
- Informational/wayfinding signage
- Illuminated signage
- Nameplates and name tags
- Freestanding cardholders and signs
If drilling holes into the walls isn’t an option, you can always use Velcro or other durable adhesive material since acrylic is so lightweight. Suction cups are another option and offer a unique visual effect when mounted on storefront glass windows.
Acrylic Sign Maintenance
While acrylic is much stronger than glass, it still can get scratched or chipped if not handled carefully. Because it’s transparent, the scratches and chips will show up more easily.
They’re best used for indoor purposes, although they will work quite well for outdoor use in temporary situations. They are susceptible to heat and can warp if exposed to sunlight for long periods.
Cleaning acrylic signs is a cinch. Simply take a cloth with warm water and gently rub it across the surface area. It’s not recommended to use household cleaning sprays as they can contain certain chemicals which will harm the inks or mar the surface.
AlphaGraphics of New Bern
At AlphaGraphics of New Bern, we can help you design and create the perfect acrylic sign for your office or next event. To learn more about how AlphaGraphics of New Bern can produce and design your next project, you may email us, request a quote or call us at (252) 633-3199.