Signs of the times

It could be said that there are almost as many needs for signs as there are signs themselves. With everything from the small, simple 'No Smoking' signs, and hugely important safety signs to identify emergency exists, to the enormous shop fascias and advertising promotion signs for events, concerts, products and sponsorships, we are faced with information presented in the form of signs almost everywhere.

Even when we are driving on our way to the shops which will almost drown us in advertisements, we rely on signs to indicate road condition and speed limits, alert us to hazards and help us with directions.

Yet, each signs is different, uniquely designed either in appearance, or in content, to ensure that the message is delivered as quickly and effectively as possible, presenting the right feel and tone to help engage with the targeted audience as effectively as possible.

The material with which signs are constructed varies upon a number of factors – whether it is to be place indoors, or outside, whether it is permanent or temporary, whether it is fixed or there is a need for portability, and whether there are any other considerations such as the risk of vandalism or theft.

Temporary signs, such as those advertising fêtes or special events which may only occur once, or very infrequently, are often constructed out of a soft, material like PVC, which can be printed onto, and then strung up with ropes fed through brass eyelets and then rolled up and packed away when not in use. Alternatives for those who need temporary or cheap signs are those made from a material called Coroplast, which is a corrugated layer of plastic sandwiched between two flat layers all bonded together for rigidity. These are frequently used by estate agents, or to alert people to temporary building works or security notices.

For more permanent signs, a rigid form of PVC, much thicker than the banners, can be used. In some cases, this layer of PVC can be attached to a backboard for extra strength and longevity. Foamex is another alternative, cheaper than reinforced PVC and considerably more lightweight. Foamex can be drilled, cut, screwed and even nailed or riveted, without risk of splintering or cracking, using standard tools.

For the longer lasting,but usually much smaller signs, acrylic is a popular choice. Acrylic can be made quite thick, often over 10mm. The advantage of acrylic is two fold. Firstly, it is extremely durable, often lasting many decades, representing the best investment over the long term. It is also transparent, and can have the lettering attached to the back of the sign, so that it is completely protected from weathering and vandalism. A popular way of using these signs is by fixing them a little distance from the wall, so that the light casts a shadow on the wall of the lettering, adding a very striking three dimensional look.

Certainly, with the wide range of signs available, it is necessary to take the opportunity to discuss your needs with a professional sign company, to find out what will be the best investment, and work best, for your individual needs.