"SignForce.Sign definitions and types"

Custom made, world-class signs, delivered & installed anywhere in Southern Africa

Information links
Home
Ideas Bank - a gallery of ideas!
Make Contact - how can we help you?

You are currently at Sign Types

All information
HOME • Action required • BEE status • BLOG • Client comments • Contact us • Cut out letters • Image Bank • Links • Our Clients • Road Map to factory • Values • Vehicle decoration

Sign Types
There are so many different types of signs and they go by so many different descriptions, that it is often difficult to find a common language for discussing or describing signs.
For this reason, SignForce has taken the initiative in setting down a frame of reference for signage so that we can easily understand one another.
The descriptors we have used follow much of the industry norms and have been adjusted where we felt appropriate.

Type of sign
click on any type for more detailed information Pictures to view in Ideas Bank
Find Ideas - go to Ideas Bank

3D Letters & Logos 9
Banners 2
Billboards 5
Cut out Letters 63
Door & office signs 32

Engraved signs 4
Illuminated & Neon signs 27
Modular signs 14
Plaques & Award 6
Pylons,Billboards & free standing 26
Safety & Mandatory signs 13
Sandblast & Interior Design 32
Sign writing 41
Vehicle Decoration 43

More detailed descriptions & information

Type of sign Also known as . . Detailed description and information

Plaques & Awards
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Awards, wall sign, metal sign This covers flat (2 dimensional) signs - like a doctors engraved brass sign to creative 3D awards - and everything in between.
These signs are a recognition of achievement,status or co-memorative and their style reflects the occasion. Traditionally Doctors and Lawyers have engraved brass signs on a wooden panel. Awards have moved far beyond the traditional silver cup to truly wonderful creations.

Banners
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
PVC banners, Promotional signs, roll-up signs, tear-drop banners, folding wall signs Flexible, designed for easy installation (and removal), banners are generally intended to have high impact and a short life span. This category has no developed to offer a great variety of shapes, (like tear drop), styles (roll up, fold out, instant "walls", triangular banner stands (as seen at sports events) and folding banners.
As banners are generally temporary in nature, they were the first type of sign to use digital printed PVC (in the early days of PVC printing, the inks had a relatively short life - and were thus unsuitable for signs intended to have a reasonable life span). Part and parcel of banner manufacture is the provision of ropes and eyelets to fix the banner in position. This led in recent years to some manufacturers providing banner material already manufactured with ropes and eyelets in position. Banners are now very creative signs and have shown a great change following the introduction of digital printing techniques.

Sign writing
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Painted walls, Window signs, Stick on signs This term strictly speaking refers to the now outdated way of doing signs - actually doing it all by hand with a paint brush and pounce. But the term signwriting or sign writing has remained and is today the generic term for sign manufacture. As the sign making or sign writing industry evolved, traditional sign writing techniques were replaced by cut out self adhesive vinyl lettering and shapes, also called "stick on" letters. Much of the creativive of the "artist" has been sacrificed in the interests of speed. This also meant that a different type of sign making skill evolved - competence on the computer. Today cut out vinyl signs are rapidly being replaced by full colour digital printing techniques. This has required a return of more creative types to the industry, but the speed and convenience that digital printing gives, is at the expense of long lasting signs.

Billboards
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
signboards,company sign, corporate sign Billboards generally refer to large advertising signs- most often in high vehicular traffic areas. Sizes are generally 9m x 6m upwards. Most sites are owned by a media company and one rents the space on a monthly basis. Siting of billboards requires strong motivation with residents and the local council as there is more and more consumer pressure against proliferation of advertising media in residential areas. Billboards are generally a flexible medium as opposed to a permanent sign. However there are a number of companies who have been able to erect a large billboard on their own property, and the billboard becomes a permanent advertising medium for that company, at a far more competitive rate than renting space from a media company.

Vehicle signage
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Vehicle sign, Vehicle branding, Vehicle livery,Full wrap advertising, Vehicle marking, Vehicle graphics, magnetic signs Use of a vehicle for promotional or advertising purposes. This covers signs as simple as the company logo on the door of a passenger saloon, to full scale advertising messages on delivery vehicles. The signage covers rigid surfaces (like a cars bodywork, to flexible tarpaulins on the sides of trucks.
The use of one's vehicle as an advertising medium can be a cost effective communication. Vehicle branding can be as simple as having one's company information on the doors and back (often referred to as vehicle marking) to treating the whole vehicle as an moving advertisement(called full wrap signage, or full wrap advertising). Vehicle graphics is now also entering a new area where digital printing has made almost any creative concept possible. The new vinyls that are being developed also help to make application simpler (application is still very labour intensive, also requiring a moderate degree of skill to ensure the vinyl is applied correctly).
Magnetic signs are just what the name implies. They are signs where the substrate (backing) is magnetic and will adhere to metal surfaces. The face of these magnetic signs can be decorated in virtally any of the traditional sign writing techniques, as well as by digitally printing vinyl and applying this to the magnetic substrate

Illuminated signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
back lit sign, backlit box, halo effect sign, rear illuminated sign, illuminated sign,front illuminated sign or front lit sign, LED signs
(Neon signs are in a category of their own)
All these terms refer to signs that are illuminated. There are three types of illumination - internal illumination, external illumination and edge lit. These type of signs are frequently used as shop front signs, shopping mall signs, fast food signs, banks and corporate signs.
Internally Illuminated signs in turn have different types of illumination. But in all cases the light travels through the face to the viewer. This gives a rich and vibrant image that goes beyond just illumination - it adds value to the sales message. The most common for light boxes (generally a single or double sided "box" with messages on the face and a source of illumination inside), is the use of fluorescent tubes. One also can use neon and normal incandescent globes - the latter produces a great deal of heat though. More and more LED's are being used to replace neon and now also fluorescent tubes (as the LED's are being designed to project their light in more general patterns). Common examples of internally lit signs are found outside institutions like banks, inside shopping malls, hospitals,fast food signs - product advertising inside pharmacys and so on.
Front lit signs as the name implies is the opposite of back lit signs. The big difference is that light is reflected from the face - as opposed to light traveling through the face. These signs are not as bright as internally illuminated signs (though this can be a contentious issue depending on the light source for either type of sign) and the colours are not as "clean". Common examples of this kind of sign are billboards or advertising billboards.
Edge lit signs are a specialised form of lighting, using the medium of the face of the sign to transmit the light. Generally the medium of the face is a specialised form of Acrylic like Perspex or Plexiglass. These edge lit signs can be illuminated using almost any light source that is placed adjacent to the edge of the sign. However the most commonly used illumination source used today is LED's and flourescent tubes. LEDs are generally used when space is at a premium. Illuminated "mats" are now available that are placed on the supermarket floor and are only about 8m thick - and are illuminated. Even thinner signs are found at the point of sale on supermarket shelves - signs that are not only illuminated - but can also flash too! The applications of edge lit signs is increasing and is more and more commonly being used in specialised point of sale displays, particularly inside retail outs or banks, where image is important and where space is small. For example an edge lit display need only be 10 - 15mm for a 1500mm wide sign. The same sign illuminated with fluorescent tubes would generally be a minimum of 90mm deep. This has significant impact of aesthetics and for interior designers.

Sandblast signs & effects
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Sandblasting effect, window tinting, window sunblock, interior effects Sandblast vinyl Originally patterns were created on a surface - most often glass - by literally blasting the surface with sand. This is still done today, but the application of a adhesive vinyl that creates the same effect is far more prevalent. The principle reason for this is that it can be done in situ, quicker and with the minimum of mess and disruption. This form of decoration and screening of areas whilst allowing the passage of light is finding more and more favour with the interior designer. A patterns can be cut into the sandblast vinyl, the design options are virtually limitless and this enables designers and corporate institutions to have their image projected in many exciting ways.
There are a number of different tyes of sandblast giving subtle differences in the sandblast look. This varies from a difference in "grain" and "sparkle" to differences in colour and now even patterns. Sandblast vinyl can be obtained in dots, strips and basic square designs in addition to the regular continous sandblast look.
Window tinting There are also specialised forms of vinyl for glass that is used to tint windows to prevent light (or reduce light), to block light (often called sun block) or to prevent people seeing through windows - as well as for basic decorative purposes. This has evolved into even more specialised areas such as security - prevents smash and grab - protection from blast damage etc. This still has application for interior designers and architects as these vinyl films are frquently used on the outside of large glass fronted building to limit the solar energy entering these buildings - whilst giving an attractive design from the outside and allowing those inside to see outside. Some designers and architects are have created patterns in these specialised vinyl's creating even more exotic designs and applications

Door signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Office signs, Office designation, Office locator, plastic sign, stick on sign There are obviously many kinds of sign that can be used on a door. Generally the purpose of these signs is to demarcate an area or function that takes place in a room (e.g. board room) or the name of the person or group that occupies the space the other side of the door. Whilst Perspex or plastic signs are still in use, more and more aluminium signs are finding favour with sign makers and sign writers as well as their clients.
In particular systems have been developed that make for signs that look good are functional yet lend them selves to easy and cost effective changes. See Modular signs below.

Safety & Mandatory signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Fire safety signs, fire signage, mandatory signs, warning signs, safety directional signs, restrictive signs In South Africa the SABS has set down the standards for safety signs in buildings. Whilst building owners still have the choice of photo luminescent or plain safety signs, more and more the emphasis is o providing clear instructional signs in highly adverse conditions.
The SABS regulates the manufacture of these signs but building owners are still given some latitude to fit these signs into the decor of their buildings.

3D letters & logos
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Fabricated signs, fabricated logos, 3D signs, pan lettering, open pan lettering, reverese pan lettering The industry term "fabricated" refers to the fact that 3D letters need to be manufactured, by hand, on a one-off basis. The faces are usually cut to shape and the returns hand shapes and fixed to the faces. Perspex is the most commonly used material for this. And this leads to the obvious advantage of being able to illuminate the shaped sign from within (the light passes through the Perspex).
In many cases the letters or logo is not illuminated but painted or treated in some way to give the desired finish. In the USA where the labour costs are so much higher, machines have been developed to manufacture 3D letters. The returns are aluminium and the faces can be either aluminium or Perspex, depending on any illumination requirements.
Open pan letters (so called because of the similarity to a baking pan) are often constructed to hold neon to illuminate them. This gives an effective 3D sign in daylight, with an attractive and visible sign at night.

Engraved signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Etched sign, engraved plaque, brass plate sign Traditionally this kind of sign used brass or aluminium (steel is rare and expensive as it it so hard to engrave). Today, most frequently a plastic substrate is used in place of brass or aluminium. This plastic substrate is a lamination of different layers of differently coloured material.When one engraves away the top laminate, one reveals the differently coloured laminate below. This system has the advantage that one does not have to ink in the design (as is the case with one of the metals) and is quicker to manufacture.
Again traditionally all signs were hand engraved. Today, almost all will be engraved with a specialised computer linked engraving machine or LASER. The introduction of the laser engraver has created the opportunity of engraving on glass and other exotic substrates.
An Etched sign uses a completely different process. THe sign is masked, exposing just the areas to be decorated. These exposed areas are then etched away with acid. Usually the etched elements are not filled with paint, but the effect relys on the different texture between the original surface and the etched elements.

Modular signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Way finding signs, MCFT signs, curved aluminium signs, directional signs, sign systems, universal signs The most popular of these door sign systems, both in Southern Africa and the rest of the Western world, is the Modular Curved Frame Technoloy system (MCFT). As the name implies the curved face gives the sign aesthetic appeal. The curved structure also allows for a clear removable cover to remain secure on the face without additional fixing screws etc - resulting in very clean lines.
These signs - being modular - can be scaled to suit almost any requirement. For these reasons architects, interior designers and other specifiers are specifying this kind of sign with increasing frequency.
These signs can be decorated with individual cut out vinyl letters, digitally printed panels or combinations of both. Frequently people are able to change their own signs at the same time as they move offices or change their title.

Neon signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Strip lettering, neon lettering, glowing letters Neon lettering is a special kind of illuminated sign, where the lighting source IS the sign. You are probably familiar with the glowing signs in shops that say "open", "vacancy" in motels, or the retail outlets name written in glowing letters. THese are all examples of neon letters.
Neon has the advantage over fluorescent tubes in that it is brighter and can be formed into a variety of shapes. Where required - as in signs that need to be seen from a distance - neon can be doubled (doubling the light output). It is often used to outline lettering (called double neon) and used to illuminate signs - both from the inside and outside.
Traditionally it was only neon that could supply a wide range of different colours - achieved by varying the relative percentages of gasses within the neon tube. More recently LED lighting has challenged this dominance and is technically more flexible than neon. At the time of writing, LED and neon lighting are about the same price (in South Africa) but the price of LED lighting is falling rapidly and looks set to be cheaper than neon.

Pylon signs & free standing signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Free standing signs, architectural signs, retail pylons, landscape signs, advertising signs, Pylon signs by their very nature are large signs and are supported by a central column - although today the term pylon refers to signs that are large and free standing - with one or more supports. Typically one sees pylon signs in retail shopping centres advertising the tenants or services in the centre. Double sided signs are most common, but 3 and 4 sided structures are also called pylons or pylon signs.
The term free standing sign refers to a large category of signs that are supported above the ground on poles of some sort (as opposed to hanging). Examples are road signs, estate agents "For sale" or "To Let" signs.

Cut out letters (2D)
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Vinyl lettering, aluminium letters, brass letters and numbers, free standing letters, raised letters, letters on pins Cut out letters come in a number of forms.
Vinyl cut out lettersThis is still the basic technique for most signs being produced today. Vastly quicker than sign writing and more robust than digital printing. The cutting and application of vinyl cut out elements or cutout letters to various substrates is seen everywhere. The system lends itself to outdoor, exposed environments where clear simple messages are required. Digital printing can give a more photo-realistic image whereas cut out vinyl lettering is limited to flat colours and shapes.
Rigid cut out letters This form of cut out letter or logo is frequently seen on the exterior of buildings. Usually manufactured from Perspex or aluminium, though in Europe and especially in the USA, treated wood lettering is frequently seen. The lettering can be applied directly to the wall (or other) surface. However when the lettering is raised away from the mounting surface on pins it gives a simulated 3D appearance - at a significant cost advantage. Quite often these cut out letters are illuminated from behind ( see - halo illumination).

Electronic signs
Back to list of sign types
To Ideas Bank
Moving signs, LED signs, electronic billboards The advent of digital technology has seen quite a substantial growth in the size and effectiveness of electronic signs. Once limited to single colour moving lines of text (banks, queues) this has now developed to signs that are equivalent to massive TV sets and massive building size signs that flash and rotate. We have a veritable Picadilly Circus in every major city!
In many cases the electronically programmable signs are actually a medium, rather than a sign. In many cases - like the signs on street corners that run adverts as well as some information - the sign is a medium.
In contrast to this, the large - single brand/message signs like "Drink CocaCola" - that adorn large building in many cities are generally a combination of neon,fluorescent tubing and/or LEDs. The final choice between these is a calculation based on required light output, component capital cost, cost of installation, cost of maintaining and projected energy consumption and heat pollution.

Type of sign	Also known as . .	Detailed description and information
Plaques & Awards Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Awards, wall sign, metal sign	This covers flat (2 dimensional) signs - like a doctors engraved brass sign to creative 3D awards - and everything in between. These signs are a recognition of achievement,status or co-memorative and their style reflects the occasion. Traditionally Doctors and Lawyers have engraved brass signs on a wooden panel. Awards have moved far beyond the traditional silver cup to truly wonderful creations.
Banners Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	PVC banners, Promotional signs, roll-up signs, tear-drop banners, folding wall signs	Flexible, designed for easy installation (and removal), banners are generally intended to have high impact and a short life span. This category has no developed to offer a great variety of shapes, (like tear drop), styles (roll up, fold out, instant "walls", triangular banner stands (as seen at sports events) and folding banners. As banners are generally temporary in nature, they were the first type of sign to use digital printed PVC (in the early days of PVC printing, the inks had a relatively short life - and were thus unsuitable for signs intended to have a reasonable life span). Part and parcel of banner manufacture is the provision of ropes and eyelets to fix the banner in position. This led in recent years to some manufacturers providing banner material already manufactured with ropes and eyelets in position. Banners are now very creative signs and have shown a great change following the introduction of digital printing techniques.
Sign writing Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Painted walls, Window signs, Stick on signs	This term strictly speaking refers to the now outdated way of doing signs - actually doing it all by hand with a paint brush and pounce. But the term signwriting or sign writing has remained and is today the generic term for sign manufacture. As the sign making or sign writing industry evolved, traditional sign writing techniques were replaced by cut out self adhesive vinyl lettering and shapes, also called "stick on" letters. Much of the creativive of the "artist" has been sacrificed in the interests of speed. This also meant that a different type of sign making skill evolved - competence on the computer. Today cut out vinyl signs are rapidly being replaced by full colour digital printing techniques. This has required a return of more creative types to the industry, but the speed and convenience that digital printing gives, is at the expense of long lasting signs.
Billboards Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	signboards,company sign, corporate sign	Billboards generally refer to large advertising signs- most often in high vehicular traffic areas. Sizes are generally 9m x 6m upwards. Most sites are owned by a media company and one rents the space on a monthly basis. Siting of billboards requires strong motivation with residents and the local council as there is more and more consumer pressure against proliferation of advertising media in residential areas. Billboards are generally a flexible medium as opposed to a permanent sign. However there are a number of companies who have been able to erect a large billboard on their own property, and the billboard becomes a permanent advertising medium for that company, at a far more competitive rate than renting space from a media company.
Vehicle signage Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Vehicle sign, Vehicle branding, Vehicle livery,Full wrap advertising, Vehicle marking, Vehicle graphics, magnetic signs	Use of a vehicle for promotional or advertising purposes. This covers signs as simple as the company logo on the door of a passenger saloon, to full scale advertising messages on delivery vehicles. The signage covers rigid surfaces (like a cars bodywork, to flexible tarpaulins on the sides of trucks. The use of one's vehicle as an advertising medium can be a cost effective communication. Vehicle branding can be as simple as having one's company information on the doors and back (often referred to as vehicle marking) to treating the whole vehicle as an moving advertisement(called full wrap signage, or full wrap advertising). Vehicle graphics is now also entering a new area where digital printing has made almost any creative concept possible. The new vinyls that are being developed also help to make application simpler (application is still very labour intensive, also requiring a moderate degree of skill to ensure the vinyl is applied correctly). Magnetic signs are just what the name implies. They are signs where the substrate (backing) is magnetic and will adhere to metal surfaces. The face of these magnetic signs can be decorated in virtally any of the traditional sign writing techniques, as well as by digitally printing vinyl and applying this to the magnetic substrate
Illuminated signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	back lit sign, backlit box, halo effect sign, rear illuminated sign, illuminated sign,front illuminated sign or front lit sign, LED signs (Neon signs are in a category of their own)	All these terms refer to signs that are illuminated. There are three types of illumination - internal illumination, external illumination and edge lit. These type of signs are frequently used as shop front signs, shopping mall signs, fast food signs, banks and corporate signs. Internally Illuminated signs in turn have different types of illumination. But in all cases the light travels through the face to the viewer. This gives a rich and vibrant image that goes beyond just illumination - it adds value to the sales message. The most common for light boxes (generally a single or double sided "box" with messages on the face and a source of illumination inside), is the use of fluorescent tubes. One also can use neon and normal incandescent globes - the latter produces a great deal of heat though. More and more LED's are being used to replace neon and now also fluorescent tubes (as the LED's are being designed to project their light in more general patterns). Common examples of internally lit signs are found outside institutions like banks, inside shopping malls, hospitals,fast food signs - product advertising inside pharmacys and so on. Front lit signs as the name implies is the opposite of back lit signs. The big difference is that light is reflected from the face - as opposed to light traveling through the face. These signs are not as bright as internally illuminated signs (though this can be a contentious issue depending on the light source for either type of sign) and the colours are not as "clean". Common examples of this kind of sign are billboards or advertising billboards. Edge lit signs are a specialised form of lighting, using the medium of the face of the sign to transmit the light. Generally the medium of the face is a specialised form of Acrylic like Perspex or Plexiglass. These edge lit signs can be illuminated using almost any light source that is placed adjacent to the edge of the sign. However the most commonly used illumination source used today is LED's and flourescent tubes. LEDs are generally used when space is at a premium. Illuminated "mats" are now available that are placed on the supermarket floor and are only about 8m thick - and are illuminated. Even thinner signs are found at the point of sale on supermarket shelves - signs that are not only illuminated - but can also flash too! The applications of edge lit signs is increasing and is more and more commonly being used in specialised point of sale displays, particularly inside retail outs or banks, where image is important and where space is small. For example an edge lit display need only be 10 - 15mm for a 1500mm wide sign. The same sign illuminated with fluorescent tubes would generally be a minimum of 90mm deep. This has significant impact of aesthetics and for interior designers.
Sandblast signs & effects Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Sandblasting effect, window tinting, window sunblock, interior effects	Sandblast vinyl Originally patterns were created on a surface - most often glass - by literally blasting the surface with sand. This is still done today, but the application of a adhesive vinyl that creates the same effect is far more prevalent. The principle reason for this is that it can be done in situ, quicker and with the minimum of mess and disruption. This form of decoration and screening of areas whilst allowing the passage of light is finding more and more favour with the interior designer. A patterns can be cut into the sandblast vinyl, the design options are virtually limitless and this enables designers and corporate institutions to have their image projected in many exciting ways. There are a number of different tyes of sandblast giving subtle differences in the sandblast look. This varies from a difference in "grain" and "sparkle" to differences in colour and now even patterns. Sandblast vinyl can be obtained in dots, strips and basic square designs in addition to the regular continous sandblast look. Window tinting There are also specialised forms of vinyl for glass that is used to tint windows to prevent light (or reduce light), to block light (often called sun block) or to prevent people seeing through windows - as well as for basic decorative purposes. This has evolved into even more specialised areas such as security - prevents smash and grab - protection from blast damage etc. This still has application for interior designers and architects as these vinyl films are frquently used on the outside of large glass fronted building to limit the solar energy entering these buildings - whilst giving an attractive design from the outside and allowing those inside to see outside. Some designers and architects are have created patterns in these specialised vinyl's creating even more exotic designs and applications
Door signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Office signs, Office designation, Office locator, plastic sign, stick on sign	There are obviously many kinds of sign that can be used on a door. Generally the purpose of these signs is to demarcate an area or function that takes place in a room (e.g. board room) or the name of the person or group that occupies the space the other side of the door. Whilst Perspex or plastic signs are still in use, more and more aluminium signs are finding favour with sign makers and sign writers as well as their clients. In particular systems have been developed that make for signs that look good are functional yet lend them selves to easy and cost effective changes. See Modular signs below.
Safety & Mandatory signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Fire safety signs, fire signage, mandatory signs, warning signs, safety directional signs, restrictive signs	In South Africa the SABS has set down the standards for safety signs in buildings. Whilst building owners still have the choice of photo luminescent or plain safety signs, more and more the emphasis is o providing clear instructional signs in highly adverse conditions. The SABS regulates the manufacture of these signs but building owners are still given some latitude to fit these signs into the decor of their buildings.
3D letters & logos Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Fabricated signs, fabricated logos, 3D signs, pan lettering, open pan lettering, reverese pan lettering	The industry term "fabricated" refers to the fact that 3D letters need to be manufactured, by hand, on a one-off basis. The faces are usually cut to shape and the returns hand shapes and fixed to the faces. Perspex is the most commonly used material for this. And this leads to the obvious advantage of being able to illuminate the shaped sign from within (the light passes through the Perspex). In many cases the letters or logo is not illuminated but painted or treated in some way to give the desired finish. In the USA where the labour costs are so much higher, machines have been developed to manufacture 3D letters. The returns are aluminium and the faces can be either aluminium or Perspex, depending on any illumination requirements. Open pan letters (so called because of the similarity to a baking pan) are often constructed to hold neon to illuminate them. This gives an effective 3D sign in daylight, with an attractive and visible sign at night.
Engraved signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Etched sign, engraved plaque, brass plate sign	Traditionally this kind of sign used brass or aluminium (steel is rare and expensive as it it so hard to engrave). Today, most frequently a plastic substrate is used in place of brass or aluminium. This plastic substrate is a lamination of different layers of differently coloured material.When one engraves away the top laminate, one reveals the differently coloured laminate below. This system has the advantage that one does not have to ink in the design (as is the case with one of the metals) and is quicker to manufacture. Again traditionally all signs were hand engraved. Today, almost all will be engraved with a specialised computer linked engraving machine or LASER. The introduction of the laser engraver has created the opportunity of engraving on glass and other exotic substrates. An Etched sign uses a completely different process. THe sign is masked, exposing just the areas to be decorated. These exposed areas are then etched away with acid. Usually the etched elements are not filled with paint, but the effect relys on the different texture between the original surface and the etched elements.
Modular signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Way finding signs, MCFT signs, curved aluminium signs, directional signs, sign systems, universal signs	The most popular of these door sign systems, both in Southern Africa and the rest of the Western world, is the Modular Curved Frame Technoloy system (MCFT). As the name implies the curved face gives the sign aesthetic appeal. The curved structure also allows for a clear removable cover to remain secure on the face without additional fixing screws etc - resulting in very clean lines. These signs - being modular - can be scaled to suit almost any requirement. For these reasons architects, interior designers and other specifiers are specifying this kind of sign with increasing frequency. These signs can be decorated with individual cut out vinyl letters, digitally printed panels or combinations of both. Frequently people are able to change their own signs at the same time as they move offices or change their title.
Neon signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Strip lettering, neon lettering, glowing letters	Neon lettering is a special kind of illuminated sign, where the lighting source IS the sign. You are probably familiar with the glowing signs in shops that say "open", "vacancy" in motels, or the retail outlets name written in glowing letters. THese are all examples of neon letters. Neon has the advantage over fluorescent tubes in that it is brighter and can be formed into a variety of shapes. Where required - as in signs that need to be seen from a distance - neon can be doubled (doubling the light output). It is often used to outline lettering (called double neon) and used to illuminate signs - both from the inside and outside. Traditionally it was only neon that could supply a wide range of different colours - achieved by varying the relative percentages of gasses within the neon tube. More recently LED lighting has challenged this dominance and is technically more flexible than neon. At the time of writing, LED and neon lighting are about the same price (in South Africa) but the price of LED lighting is falling rapidly and looks set to be cheaper than neon.
Pylon signs & free standing signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Free standing signs, architectural signs, retail pylons, landscape signs, advertising signs,	Pylon signs by their very nature are large signs and are supported by a central column - although today the term pylon refers to signs that are large and free standing - with one or more supports. Typically one sees pylon signs in retail shopping centres advertising the tenants or services in the centre. Double sided signs are most common, but 3 and 4 sided structures are also called pylons or pylon signs. The term free standing sign refers to a large category of signs that are supported above the ground on poles of some sort (as opposed to hanging). Examples are road signs, estate agents "For sale" or "To Let" signs.
Cut out letters (2D) Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Vinyl lettering, aluminium letters, brass letters and numbers, free standing letters, raised letters, letters on pins	Cut out letters come in a number of forms. Vinyl cut out lettersThis is still the basic technique for most signs being produced today. Vastly quicker than sign writing and more robust than digital printing. The cutting and application of vinyl cut out elements or cutout letters to various substrates is seen everywhere. The system lends itself to outdoor, exposed environments where clear simple messages are required. Digital printing can give a more photo-realistic image whereas cut out vinyl lettering is limited to flat colours and shapes. Rigid cut out letters This form of cut out letter or logo is frequently seen on the exterior of buildings. Usually manufactured from Perspex or aluminium, though in Europe and especially in the USA, treated wood lettering is frequently seen. The lettering can be applied directly to the wall (or other) surface. However when the lettering is raised away from the mounting surface on pins it gives a simulated 3D appearance - at a significant cost advantage. Quite often these cut out letters are illuminated from behind ( see - halo illumination).
Electronic signs Back to list of sign types To Ideas Bank	Moving signs, LED signs, electronic billboards	The advent of digital technology has seen quite a substantial growth in the size and effectiveness of electronic signs. Once limited to single colour moving lines of text (banks, queues) this has now developed to signs that are equivalent to massive TV sets and massive building size signs that flash and rotate. We have a veritable Picadilly Circus in every major city! In many cases the electronically programmable signs are actually a medium, rather than a sign. In many cases - like the signs on street corners that run adverts as well as some information - the sign is a medium. In contrast to this, the large - single brand/message signs like "Drink CocaCola" - that adorn large building in many cities are generally a combination of neon,fluorescent tubing and/or LEDs. The final choice between these is a calculation based on required light output, component capital cost, cost of installation, cost of maintaining and projected energy consumption and heat pollution.