When you found our website and saw that we sell PVC signs, the first image that might have popped into your head was something like this:
We wouldn’t blame you if that was what you envisioned regarding the material the signs are made of. PVC pipes are thick, hard, and would honestly hurt if you got hit by one. PVC signs are not of this thickness or rigidity. The pipes are PVC in its purest form, where in signs it is more of an expanded foam. What do the initials PVC stand for and mean anyway? Those initials are PolyVinyl Chloride. PVC is a synthetic plastic polymer and the world’s third-most widely produced material of its kind. About 40 million tons of PVC are produced each year. It comes in two basic forms: rigid (the pipes in the picture above) and flexible (signage). There’s your initial introduction. Let’s talk about PVC and signs that you would use for advertising and promotion.
PVC Signage:
Let’s be clear and as non-technical as possible in the description of PVC signs. The chemicals and the molecular makeup are the same as the pipe referred to in the opening of this article. The best way to help in differentiating the two is that the signs are more lightweight and porous, meaning full of pores. How does this translate to what you want to know? With all those tiny little pores in a PVC sign, it means it will accept liquids. In your case, it means they can accept ink, and thus we can create graphics on the sign you want for your company.
PVC signs have a matte finish, which means it eliminates glare or reflection. It makes your graphics easier to read. If you really feel you want a shinier gloss finish, we can do a decal print and affix it to your sign.
Sign Comparisons:
Because of their composition, these signs don’t tend to crack, split, or rot like most traditional wood signs. PVC signs are similar to acrylic ones but don’t have the glare and aren’t as expensive. They’re also a bit more durable than acrylic, as well. On the note of durability, PVC is a bit more expensive than coroplast signs but much more long-lasting. It is more affordable and easier to handle than aluminum. In all, PVC comes with greater flexibility than many other sign materials, which makes it a well-rounded choice for indoor sign usage.
Indoor vs Outdoor:
PVC signs are ideal for extended messaging inside. They should only be put into play outside for a very temporary length of time. While they are better at handling precipitation than their traditional foam board sign cousin, they are still susceptible to water if exposed for any real amount of time. If the sun is left to beat down on PVC signs, they will end up warping. Having to replace a product because of that can certainly get frustrating for you, and we don’t want that to happen. Being vigilant in your efforts will help maintain and extend the longevity of your sign. Overall, like foam signs, PVC is not produced to have to deal with outdoor elements. If you require something like PVC for outdoor use, call us to go over some details. We have many government agencies that use an alternative version of the PVC Palight product we generally use. There are a few different ways for displaying your sign inside. It can be at ground level, resting against a flat surface. It can be hung, but common sense says that the thicker, heavier a sign is, it should be anchored by mounting it on a wall. This can be done easily and in a few different ways. You can use screws, double-sided tape, an adhesive, or our handy blind fastener system, which adds a bit of class to the display.
We carry three grades of thickness for our PVC signs. The thinnest runs at one-eighth of an inch. Our mid-level thickness is one-quarter of an inch thick. Our boldest PVC is a half inch. Thicker than that is a bit atypical, but if you have your mind totally set on one thicker than what we stock, we can certainly get it for you. Let us know, and we’ll gladly make it happen.
PVC signs are widely used as wall graphic messaging, as point of purchase displays, informational and directional signs, menu boards, and more. They are affordable and versatile and can last several years when used indoors. For any questions or to order yours, call us today at (800) 614-8040. We look forward to the opportunity to take care of you and your needs.