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.

 

[print321]

For outdoor signs, durable and weather-resistant materials are important to ensure long-lasting performance. Common outdoor sign materials include:

• Aluminum Signs: Lightweight, rust-resistant, and ideal for long-term outdoor use.
• PVC Boards: Affordable and suitable for temporary outdoor signage.
• Acrylic Signs: Provide a clean and professional appearance for business displays.
• Corrugated Plastic (Coroplast): Popular for yard signs and short-term promotions.
• Vinyl Banners: Flexible, waterproof, and great for events or advertising.
• Mesh Banners: Designed for windy outdoor areas such as fences and construction sites.
• Foam Boards: Better for semi-outdoor or covered display areas.

The best material usually depends on the location, weather conditions, installation method, and how long the sign will be used outdoors.

 

[Boudica]

Geez Goatshaver, why ask on a professional sign forum when you could have just asked Chatgpt like Print321 did?
/s

 

[Stacey K]

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.

This is what I do. Order a couple 4x8 sheets from your distributor and cut it down with a circular saw outside or in the garage. I have a 6' straight edge for short cuts and use the second sheet for long cuts. I set them both down on my cornhole boards, use some clamps and I promise it cuts super easily. Then just take a metal file, some sandpaper or a sander and go over the edge quick so there's no sharp edges. Keep the scrap for other signs.

You can call your distributor directly and ask them if they can cut it down for you, I've never asked but they probably can? If you don't have a saw you can ask a neighbor, your dad, your son or someone...my dad and sons know stopping at my house to visit typically involves cutting something down for me LOL The farmer himself, if a friend certainly has a circular saw and could cut it for you. Then you can drill some holes and use some stainless screws with stainless washers so they don't rust. You can also poke the screws into cardboard and paint them (and the washers) to match the background. I use spray paint.

 

[JBurton]

Geez Goatshaver, why ask on a professional sign forum when you could have just asked Chatgpt like Print321 did?
/s

It's a self service model ya see. Real questions on real forum get asked, answered, so that the ai can scrape it, so that the ai can provide it's own answer, so that the ai can self reference, so that the answer has a 'proven' citation. Pretty soon the ai will be able to come up with it's own dumbass questions. If only Elon had backed off the epstein junk, then he could have had his case against openai move forward, which would clearly allow openai to return to a nonprofit status, which would obviously generate future ai improvements for the betterment of mankind, instead of bulleted lists and bold headlines. F*ck I hate this timeline.

 

[10sacer]

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)

For durability - direct print to anything for extended outdoor use is not a good option. Always print and apply a quality laminated vinyl suitable for outdoor use to something with an aluminum face on it. Preferrably, wrap the vinyl around to the back of the sign by about 1" - 2" to keep it from peeling on the cut edges, too.

 

[Joseph44708]

Print directly to 1/4" ACM then spray it with Automotive Clear Coat, three or four light coats.
Automotive paint shop can put in a rattle can.

 

[Paul from Enduralox®]

try enduralox.
Anodised. Single system. No peeling. message under anodic surface.

 

[John Miller]

Something else to consider, why the heck is this a hanging sign? I have trouble seeing the sense in having this 3x5 piece of whatever swinging in the wind and presenting an unnecessary risk of failure. Attach the panel to two cross bars, one top, one bottom.