what different types of hanging Signs are there?

[Colin Crow]

We use Skybond for our hanging signs which doesnt bend like foam cored boards. Like Dibond but cheaper and available from europoint.

Colin

[Derek Heron]

Hi john what size is it i have a load of alupanel bits n pieces
might be just the job

Derek

[Robert Lambie]

cheapest version of dibond i know of is "skybond light" only comes in white though. 8×4 is about £36. your a uksg member so you will pay that or less… cant remember which. :lol1:

p.s. make sure you say "skybond light" not just "skybond" as thats a more expensive version, but still low costing. also, you want 3mm NOT 2mm.

[Steve Underhill]

MDF, a router and a jigsaw.
make your own sign blank, because unless he wants a square sign dibond will have to be routed anyway.

[Peter Normington]

quote Steve Underhill:

MDF, a router and a jigsaw.
make your own sign blank, because unless he wants a square sign dibond will have to be routed anyway.

You can use a jigsaw, or band saw on dibond Steve

I think by the time you have messed around making your own would be cheaper to use skybond light, and pre-cut to sizes required
Mdf is not a material I would use, nasty stuff apparently, and to paint would need at least 2 coats.

What size are the blanks John?

PS is the link to your website OK, it looks like an add for broadband…

Peter

Peter

[Steve Underhill]

Lol yes I know you can cut dibond with those,
but you still have to be pretty accurate with your cuts else it can go horribly wrong, its easier to ruin a piece of dibond compared to MDF, if you are shaping it, that was why I suggested it.
its also very easy to scratch dibond, plus the fact that I think as a hanging sign it looks cheap and unfinished due to the edges, unless its in a frame obviously.

I was just thinking that MDF is a thicker substrate and can be made to look very nice.
MDF is only a nasty substrate if not finished correctly, its a very versatile material.
Finished with acrylic paint it gives a lovely smooth gloss finish and looks great.
Its not what you use its how you use it as they say 😉

[Angelique Muller]

quote Steve Underhill:

Lol yes I know you can cut dibond with those,
but you still have to be pretty accurate with your cuts else it can go horribly wrong, its easier to ruin a piece of dibond compared to MDF, if you are shaping it, that was why I suggested it.
its also very easy to scratch dibond, plus the fact that I think as a hanging sign it looks cheap and unfinished due to the edges, unless its in a frame obviously.

I was just thinking that MDF is a thicker substrate and can be made to look very nice.
MDF is only a nasty substrate if not finished correctly, its a very versatile material.
Finished with acrylic paint it gives a lovely smooth gloss finish and looks great.
Its not what you use its how you use it as they say 😉

MDF for exterior use?!? Anytime I used it, even with several coats of paint (primers, undercoat, gloss etc) it would swell up like a sponge…

[Steve Underhill]

Yes, exterior grade MDF.
Its like using plywood outside instead of marine ply, it’ll bow and swell if you use the incorrect grade

Those sandblasted signs by the grain, the lettering in those is mainly made from exterior MDF, it’s as durable and waterproof as any other substrate and will last just as long.
Obviously prepared and painted correctly.
Its easy to work with, can be sanded with precision and is basically a good alternative to he plastics available.
Like I said though, it has to be finished right.

[Peter Normington]

Steve, exterior MDF still shrinks and warps after a few years, its not a good sign material, and that is only me speaking from experience. Exterior MDF is usually called medite (maybe a trade name) the face maybe weatherproof, but not any cut edges, even when prepped and painted will still take in moisture.

I would not recommend it, even to finish it right takes just too much labour, compared with either foam or composite, works out far more expensive.

Peter

[Steve Underhill]

Yes sure after a few years what type of sign doesnt get weathered etc, dibond will scratch/warp etc, wood will weather, aluminium can corrode, every type of material has a life.
Maybe it is a bit of work to get it finished nice, but on cut edges im afraid Ill have to disagree on that one, I see MDF lettered signs up from 3 or 4 years ago that have no signs of wear and tear, granted they have been finished to a very high standard, but nonetheless i dont think it should be dismissed.
My computer shop sign is also exterior MDF WITH cut and bevelled edges, its been up now for 7 years, it has not a single sign of wear or tear, no warping, nothing, it was airbrushed and laquered as a finish.
its got a date on there by the airbrush artist it says merv2001
Because some people may have had bad experiences with a certain material they tend to dismiss it, ALL of the exterior MDF or medite I have seen is as good as the day it went up, so I would say its down to the preparation & finishing of it.

Heres the sign, 7 years old and never been touched for any kind of maintenance whatsoever, its as good as the day it went up.
The blank bit on the right is where I have stuck vinyl over the parent company name who is no longer associated with us.

[Peter Normington]

Steve, John was looking for a cheaper, or similar priced alternative to foamalite, but "heavier"so we have already gone way of topic by talking about mdf, especially with the preparation costs, so I just think its not an option in this instance

Peter

[Steve Underhill]

Fair enough.
have you tried "versalite" from Righton.
10mm thick, reasonably heavy and not too expensive, only comes in white but the edges can be painted, has a thin sheet of plastic both sides so a little like foam but a lot sturdier.
the reason I suggested MDF was I thought it may be for an internal sign, as "a thin chain" was mentioned, I didnt think it would be for outside being hung on a thin chain.
Ill be quiet now

[Peter Normington]

I just dug out a sample of forex smart, its a lightweight version of foamex, sort of a polystyrene centre but a hard surface, I think europoint do it, but not sure on the maximum thickness it comes in, but worth asking about. Probably a variation of what Steve mentioned above
Peter

[Steve Underhill]

Ive had my letters cut out of it for my new shop sign, it holds a good shape and can be cut nicely, my only problem was it took a cnc router 2.5 hours to cut the letters they were so small.
That B+B sign in my portfolio is versalite, painted to suit.

[John Gregson]

Hi all,
Thanks for all your replies. I don’t do many signs, mostly vans, so thats why my knowledge on materials is very basic. Derek’s going to sort me out with an offcut and I think I’ll have to get myself off to either Amari or Pyramid to get some samples for future reference.

PS. Thanks for the broken link info Peter 😳 all fixed now.