Focus on Sheet Materials Boundless opportunities
The idea of sheet materials is traditionally focused on wood, aluminium, PVC and PVC-free rigid materials; however, sheet materials doesn’t necessarily focus on what is known to be traditional – with all the new products on the market we explore traditional sheet materials and other materials that you may not have known can be used for the job.
I
n sign making sheet materials, also known as substrates, are the foundation of any great signage. These materials determine a sign’s
rigidity, durability, appearance, and sustainability for indoor or outdoor applications and are available in various compositions, thicknesses, and finishes.
Let’s take a look First up, lets start with acrylic, otherwise known as plexiglass or perspex. This glass-like transparent plastic is
lightweight, shatter-resistant, and offers a sleek, modern, or high-gloss finish. It can most frequently be seen used for indoor signs, dimensional letters, and illuminated lightboxes due to its light-transmitting properties. Corrugate plastic is another type of substrate and is a hollow fluted polypropylene material which resembles plastic cardboard. This waterproof and inexpensive material is a great fit for temporary outdoor signage, such as estate agent signs. Aluminium is also another type of
substrate, it’s lightweight, strong and corrosion-resistant. Its properties make it ideal for long-term outdoor use, think
road, safety and shopfront signage. Similar in its suitability for outdoor use to aluminium is aluminium composite material (ACM) or DIBOND. This material consists of two thin sheets of aluminium bonded to a solid polyethylene or plastic core. It is highly durable and weather-resistant, making it perfect for large, flat outdoor signs and architectural applications. You will also find other sheet materials
within the industry such as: High-Density Urethane (HDU), a material that can be made to look like wood. And a more traditional type of sheet material is trusty wood, it generally does require more maintenance that the other materials mentioned but it’s effect and aesthetic is highly sought after.
The use of roll media and sheet materials A lot of sheet materials are the base for signage and graphics applications, however most of the materials are not the end product, having been painted, wrapped, cut to shape. With every sheet material, there is a roll
material helping shape the desired sign and graphic that the customer is after. In this feature we also highlight the roll
material that works well with the sheet materials mentioned above and that can elevate a project. For instance architectural vinyls are a
| 54 | September/October 2026
Conclusion No matter the sign and its function, there will be a material out there suitable for its purpose. From lightweight foam boards to heavy duty aluminium, along with roll media that helps create the finished product. Once you have developed a clear
grasp of which material will be suitable, the selection process becomes a little simpler, faster and more effective. After all, sign making combines skill,
creativity and artistry with material effectiveness.
www.signupdate.co.uk
great fit for sheet materials as it tends to lean towards natural patterns such as wood, marble and stone, which can help create a desire effect on sheet materials such as ACM or acrylics.
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