Outdoor Sign Material

[Goatshaver]

I have a customer that is looking for a 3' x 5' sign to hang outdoors by the road to replace their exiting wood sign.
I was initially thinking a mesh banner but it's a year-round sign and thinking PVC would be a better option.

I was going to direct print on the sign, rather than print and mount. How would a UV printed PVC sign hold up in New England weather? (Summer isn't so much a worry as the winter months)

 

[unclebun]

Why are you considering temporary (mesh banner) and indoor materials (PVC) for a durable outdoor sign?

The common replacement for MDO plywood in signs is aluminum composite panel like MaxMetal, BeBond, etc.

 

[Goatshaver]

Why are you considering temporary (mesh banner) and indoor materials (PVC) for a durable outdoor sign?

The common replacement for MDO plywood in signs is aluminum composite panel like MaxMetal, BeBond, etc.

Because It's something I've never dealt with before. That's why I'm asking.

Would a direct print hold up on a metal sign? Just want to give them something that will last for several years.
It's going to have to have holes drilled for mounting as it's a floating sign that they wanted to replace with a new design.

 

[JBurton]

I'd go for MDO, I feel like ACM, even 1/4" thick, would blow too much in the wind and would end up bent or blown off the open hooks.

 

[Goatshaver]

My next question would be where can I can one printed?
Signs365 only offers aluminum and doesn't drill holes. B2 Sign only has ACM but like JBurton said that sandwich aluminum might bend under stiff winds.

 

[ecilop]

You might consider 1/4" ACM with a laminated print. Drill holes in the top and install grommets to hang it from the hooks. The weight would be close to what's there now. I would close the hooks.

 

[dannyd1962]

Your local Allegra, Image360, Signs by Tomorrow, etc... shops would be able to print this for you.....

 

[John_Smith]

My next question would be where can I get one printed?

If you are a sign maker, and have your own shop, shouldn't you be making your own signs?
What kind of signs are your Bread and Butter?
In my very personal opinion, this would be a good candidate for a whole new logo type of sign. Something that fits the business.
AND - if it is printed on both sides, they can rotate it every 6 months or so for equal exposure to extend its lifetime.

 

[Goatshaver]

I'm not a sign maker, I do wide format printing but signs aren't my day to day. I just have an existing customer that wanted to replace their sign with something new. They were going to order a canvas sign.
They are a small farm and not looking to spend a ton of money on a new sign.....I'd like to get them something fairly economical but will also last several years.

 

[Goatshaver]

Sounds like printing and mounting to ACM or or MDO material would be my best option and to drill and grommet the holes myself.
I have the capability of printing and mounting.

Is there a place where I can get substrate cut to size?

 

[JBurton]

How much do you want to get into on this?
Simplest thing would be to order it printed on acm, then mount to the existing plywood. You could get really fancy and just use F26 or SC77 so you would have bolt holes, but personally I'd bolt it anyways.

 

[Goatshaver]

How much do you want to get into on this?
Simplest thing would be to order it printed on acm, then mount to the existing plywood. You could get really fancy and just use F26 or SC77 so you would have bolt holes, but personally I'd bolt it anyways.

Since it's not my main thing....not really looking to get invested into it, but would be nice to gain a little signage experince.