Guide to Acrylic Signs – Including their 3 Main Advantages

TSC Signs – Your Specialists in Traffic & Construction Signs

In the third of our series of blogs, TSC Signs provides a guide to Acrylic Signs including their 3 Main advantages. The team at TSC Signs has over 30 years of experience in producing traffic signs and can help and guide customers where required.

So, what are Acrylic Signs?

Acrylic signs are made of a colourless, transparent, durable polymer material, formed into plastic sheets, that resembles the clarity of glass. Acrylic is much stronger and lighter than glass and can be UV printed onto with ease, allowing signs of this material flexibility to include images, text, and colours.

Able to be printed with a full scale of colours, acrylic signs provide a clean, sophisticated look to virtually any space.

Acrylic may also be referred to as Plexiglas, Acrylite, Perspex, or plastic glass, among others.

Uses of Acrylic Signs

Acrylic is a very versatile material some uses for Acrylic Signs include:

Freestanding signs and cardholders
Wayfinding Signs
Fire awareness and extinguisher Signs
Office Signs
Door Notices
Construction wall mounted signs
Name tags and name plates
Informational signs
Directional signs
Room identification signs
Exhibition signs

Installing Acrylic Signs

Due to its relative light weight when compared to glass, you can install an acrylic sign almost anywhere. UV and weather resistant inks will help protect it both inside and outside. Acrylic signs are usually displayed on a clean, flat surface with standoffs. The instalment process is simple and only require a screwdriver, level, ruler, and a drill.

Most often, custom acrylic signs include pre-drilled holes (such as those produced by TSC) and can be installed with traditional screws or aluminium or brushed nickel standoffs. Standoffs allow the sign to be displayed at a distance from the wall, creating a three-dimensional, clean, sophisticated effect.

3 Main Advantages of Acrylic Signs

Acrylic signs stand out as a great sign making material thanks to the material’s versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Being available in lots of formats and sizes allows for total control and customisation with great designs.

1. Versatility/Durability

Acrylic Signs have very high Versatility and Durability they are therefore suited for both inside and outside usage. The tough plastic material is not fragile like glass, and it is resistant against all kinds of weather. They also act as a protection against moisture and UV light

Acrylic is a tough material and significantly lighter in weight than glass, making transportation and installation easier. It also lowers the risk of dropping and breaking. These qualities allow acrylic to last longer than other signage materials, an important factor for signage

Features of Acrylic Signs include:

Highly Water resistant
UV resistant
Shatter proof
Strength – 10x
Lightweight

2. Acrylics Finishing Properties

Acrylic Signs have a variety of properties that make them stand out from other material within the sign industry

High Resolution and clarity – Acrylic is optically superior, naturally without tinting commonly seen in glass. This optical purity makes it a great option for displaying and protecting prints. The glass-like transparent quality of acrylic looks clean and sophisticated when used as a background for simple text or graphics, such as a company logo.
Three Dimensional – Due to their transparency, and clear backgrounds, Acrylic Signs can create A 3D effect.
Effects – Acrylic properties allow for effects to be added, such as; a thin, outside border added to the edges of the sign can help keep the eyes focused on the text inside, this is particularly effective in safety, fire, and wayfinding signs
Non-Glare finish – Non glare finishing to acrylic signs is a huge advantage to indoor sign usage, particularly when situated near bright fluorescent lights

3. Design – Customisable

Acrylic Signs are highly Customisable and known for their professional and attractive look and display over other materials

UV printing and flatbed technology has allowed sign companies with large flatbed printers to provide acrylic displays with almost any design and colour chart. Combining this with the naturally transparent and professional look of Acrylic it makes acrylic some of the best material for design.