Signage materials

For safety & compliance signs

Rigid media and substrates for signs

Depending on what the sign is needed for, how long it is needed for and where the sign will be displayed will heavily encourage the decision of what material is best to use. We stock and can supply signs on a huge range of materials from temporary corriboard to long term aluminium. If you are unsure of what material is best to use please feel free to contact us.

Dibond - ACP

Dibond panel, also known as aluminium composite panels (ACP), Alucobond, or Dilite, is an excellent material for both indoor and outdoor use. These panels consist of two thin aluminium layers with a polyethylene core, offering weather and rust resistance. With their flat surface and robust construction dibond is a versatile and durable providing a high strength-to-weight ratio. We produce our aluminium panel signs using 3mm thick composite sheets with full colour printed graphics. These panels can be customised for various applications, including trays, covers, and unique display solutions. Popular uses include general signage, external safety signs, directional signs, shop fronts, event or exhibition displays and building site signage and hoarding.

Corriboard

Corriboard, or Correx, offers a cost-effective and durable signage solution. Made from fluted polypropylene, it is sturdy, UV-resistant, and weatherproof, suitable for temporary or medium-term outdoor use. Available in various sizes and shapes, Corriboard is lightweight and can be used both indoors and outdoors. Our high-resolution, full-color printing with UV stable inks ensures long-lasting vibrancy, with optional matte or gloss lamination for extra protection.

Corriboard comes in 3mm, 6mm, and 10mm thicknesses and is ideal for event promotions, roadside signs, auction boards, construction notices, directional signs, election materials, and point-of-sale displays. Easy to install, it is a versatile choice for many applications. 

Foamex - Foam PVC

Foamex, also known as Foam PVC, Foamalite, Forex, or Palight is an excellent choice for both indoor displays and outdoor signage. This material is a durable yet lightweight plastic, available in thicknesses of 3mm, 5mm, 10mm, and 19mm. Foamex signs are low maintenance, weather-resistant, and offer a smooth surface perfect for adhering vinyl to. The rigid nature of foam PVC boards allows them to be drilled or cut into custom shapes, making them versatile for various signage needs. Our Foamex signs are suitable for mounting on walls without frames and can be laminated with a matte or gloss finish to protect and enhance the graphics and extend the life of the graphic. Common applications include exhibition signs, raised lettering, directional signs, shaped displays, shop signs, and retail displays.

Rigid PVC

High Impact rigid PVC is a semi-rigid, lightweight hardened plastic, ideal for signage. This material is perfect for vinyl application due to it’s flat surface. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, High Impact PVC resists warping and curling, ensuring durability in many environments. It offers an affordable solution for both temporary and long-term signage needs, combining rigidity and cost-effectiveness. 

Aluminium

Aluminium signs are incredibly durable and ideal for outdoor use. Available in 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, or 3mm sheets. Known for their strength and longevity, they are commonly used for street signs, shop signs, road signs, and entrance signs, particularly in areas with harsh weather conditions. Aluminium signage provides a sturdy and enduring solution, making it perfect for industrial, construction, and agricultural settings. For a professional and long-lasting signage option, aluminium is the top choice. It also offers the added benefit of being reusable with updated graphics in the future.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a clear thermoplastic material known for its exceptional strength, rigidity, and optical clarity. It serves as an excellent glass substitute, being lighter, more durable, safer, and more economical. Acrylic sheets offer glass-like qualities such as brilliance and transparency but weigh only half as much and are significantly more impact-resistant. Additionally, acrylic outperforms many other transparent plastics in terms of weather resistance. This material is commonly used for retail displays, exhibitions, photographic prints, nameplates, custom printing, and corporate branding.

Digital printable materials

The substrate is only one part of the sign. Equally as important is the media on which the sign is printed and what will be ultimately mounted onto the substrate. The most common printable material is self adhesive vinyl which is a thin sheet of PVC that absorbs the ink printed on it. 

Digital printable materials just like substrates come in many different forms and for many different uses, life spans and quality. What material is best to use depends on what the sign is needed for, where the sign is going and how long it’s needed for. 

Below is a breakdown and explanations of some of the most common printable materials we use. 

Monomeric Vinyl

Monomeric vinyl is a type of vinyl film commonly used in the signage and graphics industry. It is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and contains plasticizers to make it flexible and easier to apply. Here are some key characteristics and uses of monomeric vinyl:

Characteristics

  • Short to Medium Term Durability: Monomeric vinyl is generally suitable for applications lasting up to 3-5 years, depending on environmental conditions.
  • Cost-Effective: It is less expensive compared to polymeric or cast vinyl, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.
  • Thickness: Typically thicker than polymeric vinyl, providing ease of handling and application.
  • Shrinkage: More prone to shrinkage over time compared to other types of vinyl, especially in high-temperature environments.
  • Surface: It usually has a less conformable surface, making it suitable for flat or slightly curved surfaces but not for complex curves or contours.

Common Uses

  • Promotional Graphics: Ideal for short-term promotional signs, banners, and displays.
  • Indoor Signage: Suitable for indoor advertising, retail displays, and exhibition graphics.
  • Vehicle Graphics: Often used for simple, flat vehicle graphics where long-term durability is not a primary concern.
  • Window Graphics: Applied to windows for advertising or decorative purposes.
  • Wall Graphics: Used for indoor wall decals and murals.

Monomeric vinyl is chosen for its affordability and ease of use, making it a versatile option for a wide range of short to medium-term applications.

Polymeric Vinyl

Polymeric vinyl is a type of vinyl film used extensively in the signage, graphics, and vehicle wrapping industries. It is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and contains polymeric plasticizers, which give it enhanced flexibility and durability compared to monomeric vinyl. Here are some key characteristics and uses of polymeric vinyl:

Characteristics

  • Medium to Long Term Durability: Polymeric vinyl is designed for applications lasting 5-7 years or more, depending on environmental conditions.
  • Reduced Shrinkage: It has lower shrinkage rates compared to monomeric vinyl, making it more stable and reliable over time.
  • Flexibility: More flexible and conformable, making it suitable for surfaces with moderate curves and contours.
  • Thickness: Typically thinner than monomeric vinyl, providing a more professional finish.
  • Resistance: Better resistance to UV light, weather conditions, and chemicals, contributing to its longevity.

Common Uses

  • Vehicle Wraps: Ideal for wrapping vehicles, including cars, trucks, and boats, where the material must conform to light curves and maintain durability.
  • Outdoor Signage: Suitable for outdoor signs, banners, and displays that require long-term performance.
  • Fleet Graphics: Used for branding and advertising on company vehicles.
  • Architectural Graphics: Applied to building exteriors and windows for advertising or decorative purposes.
  • Interior Decor: Used for wall graphics and decals in indoor settings, providing a high-quality, long-lasting appearance.

Polymeric vinyl is preferred for projects requiring longer-lasting and more durable applications. Its enhanced flexibility and reduced shrinkage make it a versatile and reliable choice for a variety of uses.

Cast Vinyl

Cast vinyl is a premium type of vinyl film widely used in high-end signage, graphics, and vehicle wrapping applications. It is made using a casting process that results in a very thin, flexible, and durable film with superior conformability and performance characteristics. Here are some key features and common uses of cast vinyl:

Characteristics

  • High Durability: Cast vinyl typically offers the longest lifespan among vinyl types, often lasting up to 10 years or more, depending on environmental conditions.
  • Superior Conformability: Its thin and flexible nature allows it to conform easily to complex curves, contours, and surfaces, including rivets and corrugations.
  • Minimal Shrinkage: Cast vinyl exhibits very low shrinkage over time, maintaining its shape and appearance better than monomeric or polymeric vinyl.
  • Stable Thickness: It maintains a consistent thickness across the film, providing a smooth, high-quality finish.
  • Resistant to Fading and Cracking: Enhanced resistance to UV rays, weather conditions, and chemicals, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use.
  • Wide Range of Colors and Finishes: Available in a broad spectrum of colors and finishes, including gloss, matte, metallic, and special effects.

Common Uses

  • Vehicle Wraps: The preferred choice for full and partial vehicle wraps due to its ability to conform to complex shapes and surfaces.
  • High-End Signage: Used for premium outdoor and indoor signs where durability and appearance are critical.
  • Fleet Graphics: Ideal for branding and advertising on commercial fleets that require long-lasting and high-quality visuals.
  • Architectural Applications: Applied to building exteriors and interiors for decorative and promotional purposes.
  • Marine Graphics: Suitable for boats and other marine vehicles, offering excellent resistance to water and UV exposure.

Cast vinyl is the go-to material for applications demanding the highest level of performance, durability, and visual appeal. Its advanced properties make it a versatile and reliable choice for professional and long-term projects.

Reflective Vinyl

Reflective printable vinyl is a specialized type of vinyl film designed to reflect light, making it highly visible in low-light conditions. This vinyl is commonly used in safety and promotional applications where visibility is crucial. Here are some key features and common uses of reflective printable vinyl:

Characteristics

  • High Visibility: The primary feature of reflective vinyl is its ability to reflect light, making the printed graphics stand out in low-light or nighttime conditions.
  • Printable Surface: Designed for use with digital printers, it can be printed with high-resolution graphics, texts, and images, maintaining vibrant colors even with the reflective properties.
  • Durability: Reflective vinyl is typically durable and weather-resistant, suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
  • Flexibility: Available in various thicknesses, reflective vinyl can be applied to flat and slightly curved surfaces.
  • Adhesive Backing: Comes with a strong adhesive backing that ensures the vinyl stays in place once applied.

Common Uses

  • Safety Signage: Used for creating signs that need to be seen at night or in low-light conditions, such as road signs, emergency exits, and warning signs.
  • Vehicle Graphics: Ideal for emergency vehicles, trucks, and other vehicles that require high visibility at night.
  • Promotional Displays: Used in advertising and promotional displays that need to catch attention after dark.

Advantages

  • Enhanced Safety: Reflective properties improve safety by ensuring visibility in dark or low-light environments.
  • Customizable: Can be printed with custom designs, making it versatile for various applications.
  • Long-Lasting: Durable and weather-resistant, ensuring that the reflective quality and printed graphics remain effective over time.

Reflective printable vinyl combines the benefits of high visibility with the versatility of printable vinyl, making it an essential material for safety, promotional, and functional applications where visibility is a priority.

Prismatic reflective

Prismatic reflective printable vinyl is a high-performance material that enhances visibility through its unique prismatic structure, making it highly effective for safety signage in low-light conditions. Here’s an overview of its key features and uses:

Characteristics

  • Prismatic Reflective Technology: Utilises a pattern of microprisms embedded in the vinyl, which reflect light more efficiently and brightly than traditional glass bead reflective vinyl.
  • High Visibility: Provides superior reflectivity, ensuring maximum visibility from greater distances and various angles, even in low-light or nighttime conditions.
  • Printable Surface: Engineered for compatibility with digital printers, allowing for high-resolution graphics, text, and images while maintaining reflective properties.
  • Durability: Highly durable and resistant to weather, UV rays, and harsh environmental conditions, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
  • Flexibility: Can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including flat, curved, and complex shapes.
  • Adhesive Backing: Comes with a strong, reliable adhesive that ensures secure application to surfaces.

Common Uses

  • Traffic Signs: Ideal for road signs, highway signs, and other traffic control devices where high visibility is essential for safety.
  • Emergency Vehicles: Used on police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and other emergency vehicles to enhance visibility and safety.
  • Safety Apparel: Applied to safety vests, helmets, and other personal protective equipment to increase the visibility of workers in hazardous environments.
  • Commercial Vehicles: Suitable for branding and safety markings on trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles.
  • Marine Applications: Effective for boats and other marine vehicles where visibility on the water is critical.

Advantages

  • Enhanced Reflectivity: The prismatic structure reflects light more efficiently, offering better visibility than standard reflective vinyl.
  • Long-Lasting: The durability of prismatic reflective vinyl ensures that it maintains its reflective properties and appearance over time, even in harsh conditions.
  • Versatile Applications: Can be used for a wide range of applications, from safety and traffic control to commercial and promotional uses.
  • Customisable: Allows for custom designs and high-resolution printing, making it a versatile choice for various signage needs.

Prismatic reflective printable vinyl combines advanced reflective technology with the versatility of printable vinyl, making it an ideal choice for applications where superior visibility and durability are required.

Lamination

Though not a digital print media lamination for signs is a process where a protective layer of film is applied to the surface of printed signage. This extra layer enhances the durability, appearance, and lifespan of the signs. Here’s an overview of the key aspects and benefits of lamination for signs:

Types of Lamination

  1. Gloss Lamination:

    • Appearance: Provides a shiny, high-gloss finish that makes colours appear more vibrant and eye-catching.
    • Protection: Offers excellent protection against moisture, dust, and UV rays, preventing fading and discolouration.
    • Applications: Ideal for promotional signs, retail displays, and any signage that benefits from a bright, glossy appearance.
  2. Matte Lamination:

    • Appearance: Delivers a non-reflective, smooth finish that reduces glare and gives a sophisticated look.
    • Protection: Protects against fingerprints, scratches, and environmental damage while maintaining a subtle finish.
    • Applications: Suitable for indoor signs, informational signage, and environments where glare needs to be minimized.
    • Protection: Provides a balanced level of protection while enhancing the look of the sign with a slight sheen.
    • Applications: Often used for high-quality prints, exhibitions, and corporate branding

Benefits of Lamination

  • Enhanced Durability: Lamination protects signs from physical damage such as scratches, abrasions, and impacts, extending their lifespan.
  • Weather Resistance: The protective layer helps guard against weather elements like rain, wind, and sunlight, making signs suitable for outdoor use.
  • UV Protection: Laminated signs are less likely to fade over time due to exposure to UV rays, keeping the graphics vibrant and clear.
  • Moisture Barrier: Lamination prevents moisture from penetrating the sign material, which is crucial for maintaining integrity in humid or wet conditions.
  • Ease of Cleaning: Laminated surfaces are easier to clean, as the protective film resists dirt, grease, and other contaminants.
  • Improved Appearance: Depending on the type of lamination, signs can have a glossy, matte, or satin finish, enhancing their visual appeal and making them stand out.

Lamination is a crucial step in the production of high-quality, durable signs. It not only protects the investment in signage but also enhances the overall look and effectiveness of the signs in various environments.

For short term signage lamination is sometimes an unnecessary step and can be left off to save money. 

Feeling confused? 🤔

We're here to help!

Don’t worry, as part of our process we always advise on what material makes most sense, what would be best for use and most importantly what one is best for the budget.

If you would like a quote for safety, compliance, building site signage hoarding please reach out to our friendly team via email to [email protected] or by phone on (01) 699 1388 and we’d be more than happy to help. 

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