Contents
Light & Signage
Basics & Installation
Types of Signage
Using Type
Reflective Signage
2-3
8-9
Basic Materials
Front-lit Signage
4-5
10-11
Forming Shapes
Back-lit Signage
5
12-13
Synthetic Materials
Inner-lit Signage
6
14-15
Mounting & Finishing
Wire Signage
7
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Light & Signage
Using Type
Light & Signage
Using Type
300 mm +
125 mm +
Block
Roman
Script
Gothic
When creating signage it is important to choose an appropriatetype of lettering. While a gothic typeface may be applicable for a wayfinding sign or a hairdresser’s, it would seem somewhat outlandish if it were used for a criminal court or a prison.
UPPER CASE lower case
65 mm +
12.7 mm +
All the above type is shown at half size to format it to this page.
Environment - 300 mm + Drive - 125 mm +
It is important when designing signage to consider the correct scale and placement of lettering. The type examples above show the recommended minimum sizes of type according to their application. Several factors such as reading distance and movement affect this.
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Walk - 65 mm + Read - 12.7 mm +
Title Case
small caps
After having decided on an appropriate typeface, it is important for a sign designer to specify how they want the typeface to be written. There are four main ways of doing this, UPPER CASE, Title Case, lower case, and SMALL CAPS. The correct choice of display method
depends entirely on the message and aim of the sign. For example a sign may which to be bold and grab attention, in which case it may use the upper case, however if it wished to remain subdued and alternative it may use the lower case. 3
Basic Materials
Light & Signage
Basic Materials & Forming Shapes
Light & Signage
Metals
Glass
Wood
Stone
Green
Cutting & Casting
The most common sign material currently in use. Metal is a flexible and durable material which can be used for structural framing, visible surfaces, and dimensional elements.
Increasingly common choice of material for interior and exterior signage. Can be backlit, edgelit, or made into dimensional forms.
Less durable for signage than other materials and can darken with time regardless of location.
Can be used for sign panels or bases, providing stability and integration with surrounding landscapes and architecture.
‘Green’ materials not only have recycled content but also take into account manufacture, its by-products, modularity, and life span or ease of disassembly for recycling.
Fabricating panels, custom shapes, dimensional letters, and custom mounted pieces requires constituent parts to be accurately cut or cast. Materials are often machine cut from a digital template.
Typically, signage metals are allowed to maintain their metallic lustre and are polished, brushed, or satin coated as a means of finishing. Graphics can be etched, carved, painted, enameled, or adhered to metal surfaces, or conversely metal may be cut to form a desired graphic. Aluminium : the most common metal used in the signage industry. Can be coated or appear in natural cool grey colour. Low cost, lightweight, strong resistance to wear.
Painting, etching, carving and sandblasting are the most common ways to treat glass surfaces. However the material can be used alone to enhance other materials. The application of graphics and textures to either the front, back or inner surface of a glass feature changes the effect of the sign. Tempering and lamination allows glass to be highly durable and shatter resistant. Float : standard choice of uniform glass. Greenish colour, low to moderate strength, good durability, low cost, recyclable.
Stainless Steel : has a warm grey colour due to nickel content. Very versatile, high cost, recyclable, extremely durable, heavyweight, stain, rust, and corrosion resistant.
Low Emissivity : this glass is covered with a micro thin coating to reduce heat gain. Has a clear white colour, high strength, high durability, can be tempered and laminated, high-cost, recyclable.
Bronze : mainly a copper-tin alloy, offers established historic feel. High cost, recyclable, malleable, durable, heavyweight, low resistance to corrosion and rust.
Borosilicate : elements help resist thermal shock, fair to high strength, high durability, can be tempered and laminated, high cost, recyclable.
Brass : mainly a copper-zinc alloy, adds sparkle to signage. Moderate cost, recyclable, malleable, durable, medium weight, low resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
Fritted : ceramic patterns are baked onto surfaces in production. High strength, high durability, can be tempered and laminated, moderate to high-cost, recyclable.
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Type and graphics typically applied or etched. Wood may also be used for surface texturing or detailing in conjunction with other materials. Sustainable sources should be considered.
Type and graphics can be srud mounted to the face of the stone or incised into stone surface by carving, sandblasting or water-jet cutting.
Oak : light tan with yellowish tint, hardwood, excellent durability, good finishing qualities, good workability, moderate price.
Granite : pink to dark grey or black hue. Distinct graining, excellent durability, good workability, high cost.
Cedar : mix of cream and dark red, is a softwood, fair durability, good finishing qualities, fair to good workability, inexpensive.
Limestone : often of grey hue however can also be found in yellows and pinks. Excellent durability, good workability, moderate to high cost.
Pine : light yellow to yellowishbrown hue, softwood, fair to good durability, fair finishing qualities, fair to good workability, inexpensive. Mahogany : reddish brown to medium red hue, hardwood, very good durability, excellent finishing qualities, excellent workability, expensive. Cherry : light brown to dark red, hardwood, excellent durability, excellent finishing qualities, good workability, moderate price. Poplar : creamy white to yellowish green hue, stable and durable. Ideal for framing, inexpensive.
Marble : wide range of hues available, purest being white.Variety of textures and grains available. Excellent durability, good workability, moderate to high cost. Sandstone : wide range of hues available, fair to good durability, good workability, high cost. Slate : grey to black hue, notable directional draining creates distinct texture. Excellent durability, low to moderate cost.
Many manufacturers now follow LEED and other manufacturing standards when developing new products. 3form Ecoresin : 40 percent recycled resin, recyclable at end of life cycle, available in many colours, has embedded patterns and graphics. Currently indoor use only. Accepts direct printing for text and graphics. Paperstone : 100% postconsumer-waste compressed paper using nontoxic adhesive or binder, minimal energy used for material manufacture, accepts direct printing or engraving. EverGreen Fabrics : PVC free, minimal energy use, no volatile organic compounds emissions during manufacture. Interior and exterior grades, accepts digital printing. Lightblocks : translucent sustainable resin sheet material, wide range of colours, recyclable. Alkemi : recycled composite aluminium, strong, durable, available in multiple colours. Plyboo : nontoxic, renewable.
Casting allows the designer to create a variety of dimensional forms to compliment other features. Laser Cut : a high-power laser aimed at the material cuts it either by melting, burning or vapourizing. Cut edges have a high quality finish. Water-jet cut : a high pressure stream of water plus an abrasive. Cuts stone and metal up to 2 inches in thickness. A.K.A. hydrocutting. Router Cut : rotating cutter shaped complex face and edge detailing, typically used with metal wood and stone. Die Cut : a manufactured steel-die presses and cuts out a particular shape, commonly used for custom shapes and unique forms, also refers to the final cut object. Casting : a method for the mass production of solid metal or plastic letters. Also used for high-end individual dimensional metal signs. Molten material is poured into a moulr, typically made of rubber, metal or sand. Once material has cooled it is finished by hand. 5
Synthetic Materials
Light & Signage
Mounting & Finishing
Light & Signage
Banners
Plastic
Composites
Attachments
Finishes
Made of fabric, plastic or other nonrigid materials, banners often require mounting structures on both top and bottom.
Plastics represent a broad category of synthetic materials. For signage they are typically cut from cast or extruded sheets of varying thicknesses. Sheets can be coloured or tinted and often add translucent properties to illuminated signage.
This category contains a broad range of engineered materials made of two or more parts with different physical or chemical properties. They often separate entities which have been duplexed like a stock.
Hardware used to affix signs to a structure. Attachment methods have to be altered for safety and also for aesthetic purposes.
Finishing determines the final look, colour, pattern, texture and quality for all visible aspects of a sign. A finish can either be a simple surface treatment or a covering for the material and is the best way to give a sign system visual unity. Finishes should also be considered for their green properties, as some finishes are very ecologically harmful
Banners can be digitally printed, screen printed, or decorated with applique. Often used in temporary exhibits, they may be used outdoors if materials are durable. Vinyl : polyvinyl chloride (PVC), gloss finish, interior and exterior use, high durability, moderate cost, off-gassing occurs because of PVC. Nylon : synthetic, easily cleaned fabric, satin finished, interior use, moderate durability, lightweight, low cost, nonrecyclable. Tyvek : a trademarked synthetic fabric that can be used for interior and exterior purposes. High durbaility and water resistancy, high cost, recyclable, manufacture is energy efficient. Poplin : woven cotton and/or polyster fabric. Matte finish, interior use, high durability, machine washable, moderate cost. Dacron : trademarked fine weave polyester fabric, interior and exterior use, high durability, high cost, nonrecyclable.
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Graphics can be printed, painted, silk-screened, or laser-cut (depending on material).
They can be used in many areas of signage from back plates to sign faces and can usually be cut into varying shapes.
Plastic is a key component of stock or modular sign systems. Despite this, plastic production has a detrimental effect on the environment.
A wide range of available textures and colours means that composites may be painted upon, surface printed, or used naturally.
Acrylic : interior and exterior use, moderate durability, low cost, excellent maintainability, clear, translucent, or opaque. Lexan : trademarked polycarbonate for interior and exterior use. High durability, excellent machinability, moderate cost. Cast Resin : interior and exterior use, high durability, high-cost, recyclable. Sintra : lightweight, rigid PVC with low gloss finish. Interior and exterior use, low cost recyclable. Photopolymer : photosensitive coating so can be etched to create tactile graphics. Interior and exterior use, high durability, low to moderate cost, nonrecyclable.
Phenolic Resin Laminates : heat-pressed sandwich of digital print, melamine and phenolic resin sheets. Great application for changeable outdoor graphics and maps. Interior and exterior use, high durability, high cost, nonrecyclable. Alucobond : sandwiched material of two sheets of aluminium over a plastic core. Can be used as flat cut sheets or bent to create curved forms. Interior and exterior use, high durability, expensive, partly recycleable. Fiberglass : glass fiber-reinforced polyster, can be used in sheets or moulded. Interior and exterior use, high durability, moderate cost.
Mechanical Fastening : prefabricated or custom detailed, typically nuts and bolts which hold a sign together. Blind Fastening : mechanical attachments hidden from view for seamless sign design. Tamper-proof, removable or permanent. A.K.A. concealed fastening. Pin Mounting : a threaded rod, drilled and tapped into the back of a sign panel or dimensional letter. Rod is then inserted into a hole on the mounting surface and secured with adhesive.
Footers Exterior signage requires secure ground attachments, a freestanding sign is anchored by a concrete footer to stabilise the sign against weather and tamperv. Can be visible or invisible. Common types of footer are direct embedded, break away foundation, j-bolted, tube sleeved and adhesive anchored.
Clear Coat : an extremely durable, clear lacquer finish with a variety of reflection options. In descending order of reflectance: gloss, semigloss, 20% gloss, eggshell, and matte. Powder Coating : a paint finish made from finely ground solid resins, usually applied electrostatically and then heat cured for durability.Very tough, flexible, and much harder to chip, crack, or peel than other coatings. Baked Enamel : a special enamel paint is sprayed or screen printed on a metal surface. It is then dried and cured with heat, resulting in a durable surface. Porceelain Enamel : powdered glass and pigment is sprayed or screen printed on a metal surface, then fired at a very high temperate, ensuring incredible durability.
Anodising : an electrochemical coating applied to metal to harden, protect, and enhance its appearance, durability, and corrosion resistance. Typically applied to aluminium, it may tint or colour the surface. Oxidizing : metal surface combines with oxygen to make an oxide. Oxidized metal looks weathered and rusted. Should be clear coated to maintain level degree of oxidization. Chrome Plating : an electrochemical process to plate steel, brass or aluminium with chrome to create a mirror finish. Nickel plating is a similar process using nickel to create the mirror finish surface. Brushed Metal : a nonreflective, textured finish created mechanically of chemically for decorative purposes. Grained effect is usually created using sandpaper. Long grain finish is usually created by hand or belt sander. Short grain finish is usually created by an orbital sander. Flame Polish : a method of polishing a material, usually thermoplastics or glass, by exposing it to a flame or heat. As the material melts, suface tension smoothes out the surface. Done properly, flame polishing produces the clearest finish, especially for acrylic surfaces.
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Reflective Signage
Light & Signage
Reflective Signage
Light & Signage
The photographs shown on the following pages aim to illustrate the visual difference between signs viewed at night and signs viewed in the day.
On the left hand side are signs seen in daylight, whereas on the right hand side the same signs are displayed at night.
Reflective signage is often combined with custom lighting to create particularly engaging displays, however the case studies above show that this is not necessary. Use of reflective lettering and wood allows features to be distinguished even in low light.
Reflective materials are also useful when formed into dimensional lettering. As light often hits such forms from one main direction, different sides are given varied shades, allowing for more contrast and distinction as well as a bolder more tactile feel.
Letter Glass
Air
Air
Air
Air
Letter
Naturally a key aspect of reflective signage is light. How a sign reflects depends not only on the reflective properties of the material, but also on the angle and quantity of light hitting it. A common reflective material is glass, which refracts light and also emits it on the other side. This allows light to be reflected and emitted depending on time. The angle at which light reflects off an object is equal to that which it hits it at. 8
Air
Air
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Front-lit Signage
Light & Signage
Front-lit Signage
Light & Signage
WORD A common method of lighting signage is by frontal lighting. A main reason for considering such a method is the comparatively low price and installation cost of the necessary components. Standard components include (but are not limited to) a halogen or LED light bar with corresponding holding bracket, pin mountings or mechanical fastenings, and a desired image to be illuminated. A common practice among those who design front-lit
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signs is the use of reflective materials to create the sign or graphic. Not only does this mean that the sign is more visible when illuminated, but it also allows the illuminating light source to be switched off during the day time. Such actions produce environmental and economical results as less electricity is used overall. One disadvantage of front-lit signs is that the light often exposes fittings and electrical wiring, making blind fastening more difficult. Naturally blind fastening is not needed, but aids high-end signage appear bespoke.
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Back-lit Signage
Light & Signage
Back-lit Signage
Light & Signage
LIGHT TUBE
Container
Container
Front of Sign
Wall
Back-lit signage provides a more decorative service than front-lit signage. This is not only due to its aesthetic features, but also due to the difficulty and cost of back-lighting multiple letterforms. Back-lit signage essentially functions through the precise containment and release of light. By fitting the light tube for a letterform within a contained box or case, an opening may be made to the rear to allow light to pass through and reflect of the wall upon which the sign is mounted. Once reflected off of the wall the light 12
continues toward the viewer but often dissipates due to the absorbative qualities of the wall. This dissipation allows for a smooth gradient from high light levels (at the border of the sign), to no light levels (a certain distance from the border of the sign). Due to the decorative nature of back-lit signage, it is common that shapes and letterforms are blind fastened. Not only does this produce more precise aesthetic effects, but it prevents the emitted light from being broken by the shadow of a fitting or pin. 13
Inner-lit Signage
Light & Signage
Inner-lit Signage
Light & Signage
LIGHT TUBE
By far one of the most common methods of lighting signage in commercial settings. High street chains are particularly fond of inner-lit signage, in part due to the clarity of the type being illuminated but also due to the high budget such chains can afford to spend on keeping a sign illuminated day and night.
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a matte material and keep it lit throughout the day, as this distinguishes them from competition. When designing such signage it is important to use a material which dissipates the light across it (as shown above). This creates a smoother, more consistent level of light across the whole sign. Furthermore use of a reflective material on the inside of the container further intensifies the light, making a brighter sign overall.
SIGNAGE
Sign Face
Sign Face
Use of a reflective material for the graphic features of an inner-lit sign allows the sign to avoid having to be lit in the daytime. Despite the ease of doing this, many of the aforementioned high street chains simply use
LIGHT TUBE
Container
Container
Front of Sign
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Wire Lit Signage
Light & Signage
One of the more popular and entertaining forms of signage can be seen in the use of wire lighting. Such signs are usually formed from neon light bars, which are heated and moulded to a desired shape. Aside from the obvious cost of altering the shape of the neon light bars, there are few costs for this method of signage (aside from mounting and maintenance).
convenience stores and late night food outlets.
These forms of signage are mainly used for businesses and services which operate during hours of darkness, namely night-time entertainment venues, 24 hour
One downside of such forms of signage is the maintenance and low durability from weather and tamper. Furthermore they can create large energy bills.
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A particular feature of wire lighting is the bright and varied hues which can be obtained. This is seen below, whereby a dull and faded sign in the daytime is transformed into a brightly coloured and engaging piece of signage.