Acrylic signs

Acrylic is primarily used in the sign industry because of its light weight, strength, and durability. It normally sells as a clear material, but it also comes in various colors. Customers tend to like the glossy finish which gives it a rich and sophisticated appearance.

There is one thing to be concerned about, however, when considering acrylic as a substrate for your sign. The primary problem is that it scratches easily. Consequently, I recommend that it not be transported from location to location. This is a sure way to destroy the fine glossy finish. But as a permanent fixture, acrylic is not easily outdone. Acrylic signs can be used as nameplates on office doors, directories, etc. Acrylic is also fabulous as a cover for both indoor and outdoor light boxes. The backlit view has become extremely popular. Usually, a poster is sandwiched between two acrylic sheets and a light from within the box illuminates the poster. LED (light-emitting diode) signs also use acrylic. In this case the acrylic is typically used in front of the LED.

I don’t want to get too technical here, but acrylic is a synthetic polymer (e.g., plastics like nylon or polyethylene) that is made from methacrylic acid. It is also known as Plexiglas (trade name). Acrylic was discovered in 1928 and was quickly brought to market as a substitute for glass in 1933. Its advantages over glass include its low density, resistance to shattering, transmission of more light (than glass), ability to be bent and formed at much lower temperatures (100 degrees C), and ease of sealing separate sheets together with “superglue”. Over the years, the uses of acrylic have skyrocketed from acrylic paints (essentially the polymer suspended in water) to laser discs.

Plexiglas was developed by a small group of scientists led by Otto Rohm, one of the cofounders of the Rohm and Haas Company – today, a 7 billion dollar company. Rohm and Haas Inc. introduced Plexiglas into the US in 1936 and immediately it caught the attention of the military as a replacement for glass in aircraft, ships, radar domes, and countless other products. It staggers the imagination at the number of products made out of polymers the company now sells.

Tony Nagy http://designasign.biz

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