What are Acrylic Signs?

Acrylic signs are made from a cast polymer that is colorless, transparent, and durable, and is a perfect substitute for traditional glass. Because of their depth, clarity, and beauty, they are often used as the lobby, directional, and architectural signage.

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How do I order Acrylic Signs

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What Are Acrylic Signs?

Acrylic signs are made with UV ink printed directly onto the material. However, they can also be used as rigid substrates for attaching vinyl lettering or print films like opaque and clear window decals.

Acrylic signs are excellent choices for a simple yet beautiful look for any office, business, or professional setting. They are 100% customizable and one of the best ways to showcase your logo or brand.

Print Surface

Acrylic signs can be printed on the front or back of the surface, both of which offer different advantages. Printing on the front of the sign is called “Standard” while printing on the backside of the acrylic is called “Second Surface”.

While Standard printing is cheaper, for most custom acrylic signs, we recommend second-surface printing. This type of printing creates a depth and sheen that Standard printing does not have, as well as being less likely to be scratched or damaged once installed.

Bright lights can sometimes cause some glare on signs printed with the option of Second Surface. Softer and indirect lighting negates this potential drawback of Second Surface printing, and it is still the more commonly ordered print surface.

Thickness

The default thickness for our acrylic signs is 1⁄8″ thick. For almost all uses, this thickness will be sufficient.

Nonetheless, for a thicker acrylic with added durability and rigidity, we offer a 1⁄4″ thick option at a slightly more expensive price. The thicker acrylic also offers greater light refraction for more sheen and depth.

Both thickness options do have some bendability to them. When ordering either thickness, we recommend that you select centered top and bottom drilled holes in addition to the four corners for added support for all signs greater than 60″.

Shape Options

The Standard Shape option is to have your acrylic sign be a square/rectangle in the size selected.

The Custom Shape option (also known as Contour Cut) allows you to have your sign cut into any custom shape.

The Custom with Border Shape option (also known as Halo Cut) allows you to have your sign cut into any custom shape with an added border around the edge of the sign.

Polished Edges

Standard:

This is a raw machine cut, leaving acrylic with a frosted looking, unpolished edge.

Polished:

This finish gives the edge of the acrylic a smooth polished edge with a sheen. Only available on signs under 48″.

Drilled Holes & Standoffs

The predominant way of displaying your custom acrylic sign is mounted on a rigid surface such as a wall. For easy hanging, we offer optional drilled holes for your sign.

We offer drilled holes in:Each of the four cornersTop and bottom centers
Top corners only
Corners and top and bottom center
Custom hole placement

The perfect pairing with drilled holes is our gorgeous brushed anodized aluminum standoffs. These standoffs are an optional purchase and measure 0.5″ in diameter and 0.75″ in length.

To install your acrylic with our aluminum standoffs please refer to the installation notes included with the standoffs.

Taking Care of Your Acrylic Sign

Acrylic easily scratches and can chip or shatter when mishandled. To prevent damage to your acrylic sign we recommend that you properly install, maintain, and care for your acrylic. In the event that you need to clean your acrylic sign, we recommend using a damp non-abrasive cloth to wipe the surface. Avoid contact with any sharp objects that may scratch the printed surface or acrylic. When storing your acrylic sign be sure to cover it with soft fabric or packaging wrap to prevent scratches from occurring. Do not place any objects on or against your acrylic sign during storage. For increased longevity install your sign in locations that aren’t in direct sunlight for extended periods.

Removing the Protective Film

The surface of acrylic signs is easily scratched. In order to protect your acrylic signs during shipment we add a protective blue film to the acrylic surface.

This film is normal and isn’t a permanent part of your acrylic sign. The process to remove the blue film takes only a minute or two. Simply begin at one of the corners of the sign and start pulling the film from the surface of the acrylic. Once the protective film is removed your sign is ready for installation.

Additional Specs

Weight

Thickness

Details

Uses

Print Method

Estimated Lifespan

Common Sizes

.69 lbs per square foot (about the weight of 7 Snickers Bars)

.125″ (about the thickness of 32 sheets of copy paper)
.25″ (about the thickness of 64 sheets of copy paper)

Gorgeous professional signage that is 100% customizable. weather resistant, printable on either front or back and safer than traditional glass. Transparent were not printed.

Indoor/Outdoor. Office, hallways, conference room, building signage, lobby, directional, etc.

Four color process, eco-friendly, weather, fade and abrasion resistant UV ink

5+ years with proper placement and care

12″x12, 24″x12″, 36″x18″, 2’x4′, 4’x4′, 4’x8′

Acrylic vs Glass

While acrylic has some similar properties to glass they are completely different materials. Acrylic maintains the clarity of glass but still has the ability to shatter or scratch due to intentional or unintentional efforts to do so. So while acrylic may be called a “glass substitute” this is due to its beautiful printed appearance and not fundamentally different durability when compared to traditional glass. When handled with care, your acrylic signs will provide a stunning yet professional look on a clear rigid material.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Product Specs

What is acrylic? Is it glass? Plexiglass? Are acrylic signs the same thing as plexiglass signs?

Acrylic is not glass but hard plastic. While it is a lightweight yet durable sign, it is not shatterproof. Acrylic signs are generally used indoors but can be used outside as well. Acrylic or polyacrylate (a type of plastic) is simply the type of material itself. Different brands, including Plexiglas, Perspex, and Lucite, are all in fact acrylic but carry their own brand name. Thus, acrylic (signs) is the same thing as plexiglass (signs). There are some types of acrylic that are different, including Lexan. Lexan (a polycarbonate) is used as bulletproof glass, among other applications, but is not typically an ideal material for signage due to its proneness to yellowing in the sun, susceptibility to scratching, and prohibitive cost.

How thick is your acrylic? Do you offer different thickness options?

Our acrylic signs are .125” or approximately 3 mm thick. The .125” acrylic is the default thickness offered on our website. You can also select 6mm (1/4” or .25”) during the design process.

How do I know where my acrylic sign will be clear?

Clear is indicated by the gray and white checkered area on our site. If you want any part of your acrylic sign to be clear, that background must be visible on your proof. To get that checkered area, simply go to the color panel and select “Clear” while you have your whole sign (or the object you want clear) selected. If you have uploaded a JPG file to the site with a white background, we will print the white of that background. If you want that to be clear instead, please upload a PNG with transparency. If you need any help with your sign, please utilize our free design help.

Why does shipping cost so much if you offer free shipping?

Shipping on orders over $99 is free. However, this excludes rigid signs over 36″ or any order that requires freight shipping. Large rigid signs require special packaging and oftentimes trigger freight shipping, which is significantly more expensive. Unfortunately, the 36″ threshold is a shipping industry rule of thumb, and it is beyond our control in our ability to ship these large signs in any other way…

Can I just drill my own holes?

Yes. You can absolutely drill your own holes if you wish. Though if you are drilling your own holes, then we are unable to replace, repair, or refund the sign due to any damage resulting from your efforts to drill holes. Any common drill with the proper bit will work with your acrylic sign.

I need holes drilled in custom locations / Can I get more than four drilled holes?

Yes, you can. Simply select the “Custom” option within the “Drilled Holes” dropdown in the design tool. For these requests, please specify your requirements in the customer comments section of the checkout page. Custom-drilled holes will add an additional charge to your order.

What sizes do you offer? Are there minimum or maximum dimensions my sign has to adhere to?

Acrylic signs truly come in every shape and size. We offer any custom size you may need, so long as the dimensions aren’t smaller than 4” or bigger than 96”. Standard acrylic sign sizes we offer include: 12″x12″, 24″x12″, 36″x18″, 2’x4′, 4’x4′, 4’x8′.

What is the lifespan of your custom acrylic signs?

The lifespan of your acrylic sign will largely depend on how you use it and what kind of care it receives. With proper care and placement, your acrylic sign should last a minimum of 5 years.

Will my design increase the cost of the sign? / Does 1 or 2 color printing reduce the cost?

We always print in full color, which means we don’t charge more or less based on your graphic. For any type of design, we offer free design services if you need help designing your sign. Thus, the cost of your sign will depend on its size, any options that may be selected, and how many you order.

Do you offer double-sided acrylic signs?

For the clear/transparent acrylic that is offered on our website, a double-sided sign is not possible. The best way to get a double-sided look is to purchase two signs and place them back-to-back. If this is what you are looking for, please be sure to avoid any clear areas on your sign so that you can place them back-to-back without being able to see through them.

Can I get my acrylic signs routed or cut into specific shapes?

Yes! There are several different shape options to choose from for your acrylic signs, including Square/Rectangle, Rounded Corners (¼” or 1″ radius), Circle/Oval, and Custom or Custom with Border. The Custom shape option (previously known, or sometimes referred to, as Contour Cut) allows you to either upload a custom shape to our design tool or have us create a custom shape for your sign based on your design. The Custom with Border shape option (previously known, or sometimes referred to, as Halo Cut) is similar to the Custom shape option but will leave a small border around the edge of your design. While there are limits on the thickness of the cut (too thin and it will not be durable) in most cases we can cut your sign to shape. Any acrylic sign that is ordered as a Custom or Custom with Border shape that may prove to be problematic will be reviewed by us before being produced. In these cases, we will contact you to review your options and help you create the custom sign you want/need.

Do your acrylic signs have a matte or gloss finish?

Our acrylic signs will have a slightly satin feel to them where they are printed. Otherwise, the acrylic signs have a glossy sheen to them. This is particularly so for signs that are printed on the back side (“second surface”) of the acrylic. This sheen is simply a glossy type look that makes the sign look extremely good without negatively affecting the readability of the sign.

Do you print onto the acrylic, or is there a piece of vinyl overlay?

For all of our signs, including acrylic, we print directly onto the material. In our experience, printing directly onto the acrylic gives a more durable finish to the sign.

Can my sign have a laminate covering or enamel placed over top to protect the printed portion of the sign?

Yes, we can overlay laminate on the printed portion of your sign. To do so, you need to contact us to discuss this option. We recommend instead that if you are concerned with the printed portion of the sign, you select “Second Surface” when designing your acrylic sign. This will ensure the design is printed on the back side of the acrylic and will be protected from inadvertent scratches or damage to the printed portion of the sign.

What color is the default acrylic?

Our standard acrylic is a clear/transparent material.

Are standoffs included with my acrylic signs?

We provide standoffs for your custom acrylic signs as an additional option. You can select this option while designing your sign on the design tool. Simply select the option, and your acrylic sign will come with a package containing standoffs. More specifically, it will include wall anchors, screws, a standoff tube, and a cap. The standoffs themselves are .5” in diameter and 3/4” in length. If you select standoffs you do not need to select drilled holes. Additional standoffs can be purchased by contacting us.

Do you offer polished edges for your acrylic signs?

Yes. Our acrylic signs can have polished edges so long as they are under 48″. This can be selected on the design tool.

Usage

What can the acrylic signs be used for?

Acrylic signage can be used in a variety of ways. The most common uses include internal signs in office settings, including room plaque and number signs, receptionist areas, building directories, etc. Acrylic signs are also often used for exterior purposes, including business signage in commercial business parks and entrance signs. They also look great in professional service settings such as dentists, physicians/doctors, lawyers, and accountants’ offices due to their aesthetic appeal and professional look.

Are your acrylic signs suited for outdoors?

Yes. Acrylic signs are a great option for both indoor and outdoor uses. While using them outdoors increases the chances of being scratched or damaged, they are perfectly capable of being used outside. We would recommend that signs intended for outdoor use be printed “second surface” to help keep the printed portion crisp and free from potential damage.

Will my acrylic signs fade or scratch?

In normal everyday usage, your acrylic should not scratch. That said, acrylic can be susceptible to scratches. To avoid scratching your sign, take care when handling, posting, and storing your sign so that it doesn’t come into contact with or rub against other sharp surfaces or objects. The actual printed area of your sign should not fade over time. We print directly onto the acrylic surface with UV ink, which is weather, fade, and abrasion-resistant. Printed portions of the sign can scratch or rub off. Thus, we recommend printing on the back side of the sign whenever possible.

Will my acrylic sign bend?

There will be some bend to your sign. Depending on the size of your acrylic sign, you will see more or less bending. It is much more noticeable with larger signs. Whether you order a small or large sign, the pliability of the acrylic should not be a concern for day-to-day use. Acrylic is not glass but hard plastic. For very large signs, we recommend some kind of middle support as well.

Installation & Care

How do I install my acrylic signs / Where can I post my sign?

Acrylic signs can be placed or posted both inside and outside. Regardless of where they might be posted, they are generally affixed to rigid surfaces such as wood, metal, concrete, or even drywall. We recommend selecting drilled holes and standoffs when ordering your sign so that you can easily post your sign in the desired spot. The standoffs come with wall anchors and screws that can be used to post your sign. To install your sign, you should drill a pilot hole before inserting the anchor. You can then drill your screw into the anchor on the rigid surface. Lastly, screw on the standoff cap for each drilled hole on your sign. Acrylic signs can also be hung using the drilled holes and a variety of accessories, including rope, bungee cord, zip ties, etc. As acrylic signs are generally a more professional sign, we recommend mounting them with standoffs to obtain the best look.

How do I wash my acrylic sign?

You can clean your acrylic sign by using a non-abrasive wet rag or cloth with water or a mild detergent. Regular cleaning will ensure that your sign and the printed portion of the sign remain clear and vibrant.

How do I store my acrylic signs?

Storing your acrylic signs is very easy to do. Simply store them in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Avoid scraping or rubbing them against abrasive or sharp objects to avoid scratching. We recommend covering them or inserting some kind of soft fabric in between signs if you are storing more than one together.