Custom Acrylic Signs

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 a 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 the 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 which are different including Lexan. Lexan (a polycarbonate) is used as bullet-proof glass but is not typically an ideal material for signage due to its proneness to yellowing in the sun, perceptibility 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. Lastly, we also offer 3/16” thick signs. The 3/16” signs are currently unavailable on the website and require a custom quote to order. Please contact us for a quote and any additional help needed to order these signs. The thicker acrylic signs are heavier and more durable, but also more expensive.
• 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 $75 is free. However, this excludes rigid signs over 36” which 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 6” nor 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 is given. 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 upon 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 - we can route or cut your custom acrylic sign to any shape you desire. 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.  If you want the sign cut, you simply need to select what kind of cut you want during the ordering process. Contour cut means it will be cut exactly to the shape while halo cut leaves a small border around the edge of your design. Any acrylic sign that is ordered as a contour or halo cut that may prove to be problematic will be reviewed by us before being printed. 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 a 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 or shiny 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 your 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 that 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, and standoff tube and cap. The standoffs themselves are .5” in diameter and 1” in length. If you select standoffs you do not need to select drilled holes. Additional standoffs can be purchased by contacting us.

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 dentist, physician/doctor, lawyer, and accountant’s offices due to their aesthetic appeal and professional look. Lastly, acrylic (see: plexiglass) signs can be used as the rigid portion of backlit signs. Couple with our backlit material they make for a great backlit sign in situations where a light box or light source is in place for such a sign.
  
• 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 being said acrylic can be perceptible to scratches. To avoid scratching your sign, take care when handling, posting and storing your sign so that it doesn’t come into contact 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 bend. It is much more noticeable with larger signs. Whether you order a small or large sign the pliability with the acrylic should not be a concern for day to day use. Acrylic is not glass but a 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 out. 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 in 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 remains 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.