Bill board signage on a 42ft x 8ft trailer for hwy billboard mounting questions

[Norman Clifton]

looking at printing and installing fully printed Bill board signage on a 42ft x 8ft trailer for hwy billboard - would use 10.5 acm panels of 4x8 ft screwed and washers directly to side of trailer - should we allow 1/8 inch expansion gaps
3mm acm with vinyl mount and uv laminate

 

[JBurton]

Have you considered ordering a billboard face instead? It would save a lot of money in production and installation.
Otherwise, I've never bothered with expansion gaps, the acm will buckle a bit when it heats up, but unless you are going to overdrill the acm and install the screws loose to the acm face, the joints won't help.

 

[Norman Clifton]

i didnt like the idea of gaps either -- curious whats a billboard face - unfamiliar with that one ? thought acm would last longer and be easier then trying to wrap the trailer

 

[Norman Clifton]

chloroplast 10 mm was the other option

 

[JBurton]

curious whats a billboard face

Lightweight, low resolution banner. Something that size would cost around $200 printed and delivered. It won't last nearly as long as a good print on acm panels, like six months looking good before it fades, but you can get it hung in a couple of hours or so and replace it readily at that price. If your customer wants a premium option, acm is the way to go, but when I hear billboard, I think of those cheap banners.

 

[Norman Clifton]

minimum 1 year and client wants better quality - but thanks for the suggestion - looks like on right track with the ACM and not gaps - thanks again

 

[ProSignTN]

I've installed hundreds and oversaw thousands of Vinyl Flex Billboards and they will last much more than 1 year. Color starts fading after about 2 years. As you can see from the pics, Migliores is three years old at '53'. We only replaced the number snipe each year. It is now '54' and the original flex from 50 is starting to fade enough to consider replacing the background banner in 56. The high school coolage banner is now six years old and could use replacing. You could replace the Vinyl Flex banner four, five or six times for what ACM panels would cost. And from highway speeds it would look fantastic with no seams Your client is just uneducated in the art of advertising efficiency. This one is a no brainer for me and I would explain to the customer that I am the professional and I'm here to help.

 

[Norman Clifton]

thanks for the option and supporting info/photos

 

[victor bogdanov]

, like six months looking good before it fades,

Anything printed on a brand name printer with OEM inks will last much longer. I have banners going on 4 years look almost new in TX sun. Only way it would fade in 6 months in if printer with $10/ liter china inks

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

i agree with victor... banners i get from s365 last about 2-3 years before fading. 1 year is short term. ACM panels last 4-5 years with printed vinyl and are a PITA doing 10 in a row like that.

 

[Bonzai901]

There is some kind of system with some heavy duty banner material that has a top and bottom track and is streched it, I'm not sure what people call it, I'll see if I can find some pictures of it.

 

[tulsagraphics]

I've only done this one time, but it worked great. I ordered a banner from S365 -- w/ top+bottom pole pockets (and grommets on the sides for good measure). The banner was the same size as the trailer plus an extra 5 or 6" on top and bottom (I think the pole pockets were 3"). I simply notched a few inches out of each pole pocket every 4 feet. Customer ran conduit through the pole pockets, hooked onto the conduit with ratchet straps wrapped around the trailer. It was a pretty clean install (good tension, no seams, no sags, and the hardware pretty well hidden). Side note: The trailer was on loan for an acreage sale -- they weren't allowed to pierce it with fasteners.

 

[david chaims]

When you order this size 8'x42' billboard banner with top/bottom pole pockets from signs365 price is $524 delivered, we order from echodgraphics.com, price is $332.64 delivered,

 

[victor bogdanov]

When you order this size 8'x42' billboard banner with top/bottom pole pockets from signs365 price is $524 delivered, we order from echodgraphics.com, price is $332.64 delivered,

well if you select the same quality and options as S365 echo is more expensive. $567.84 for UV print and seamless of echo. But good to know there are cheaper/lower quality alternatives available

 

[david chaims]

well if you select the same quality and options as S365 echo is more expensive. $567.84 for UV print and seamless of echo. But good to know there are cheaper/lower quality alternatives available

EchodGraphics.com UV fade resistance option is a 5 year fading warranty, which is not needed for most billboards.
But i dont think s365 offers such a warranty option.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

I just ran a price though echodgraphics and it's not comparable. They FOLD the banner, turn-around time is longer, and when you add grommets the price is the same as s365

 

[david chaims]

I checked now for 8'x42' banner with pockets top and bottom, with grommets on the sides, as this was the original recommendation by T, is a total of $347.64 including delivery by echodgraphics.com, when i check this banner size with grommets at s365, total is $567.84

 

[tulsagraphics]

I just ran a price though echodgraphics and it's not comparable. They FOLD the banner, turn-around time is longer, and when you add grommets the price is the same as s365

S365's $10 overnight shipping is also hard to beat.