Spelling It Out: The ABC's of Dimensional Letters
Ok, it’s confusing, I admit it. You’ve got metal letters, plastic letters, molded letters…so how do you decide what the right decision is for you? Let’s chat –
Plastic letters refers to a whole class of letters made of various substrates. This means acrylic letters, PVC letters, and molded letters are all examples. However, molded usually means they actually create a ‘mold’ for your custom business logo, then pour the plastic into it for a bubble effect. The rest are sawed or laser cut into their shapes. While many fonts come standard, some may be an additional charge. Here’s the fun part – after they laser cut your letters, they paint them to match your PMS Pantone color. Even if that cerulean blue your boss insisted on worries you, it will be matched perfectly.
Metal letters, on the other hand, are simply sawed into the desired logo shape or cast metal letters are used. You may choose a brushed aluminum letters, brushed gold letters, stainless steel letters or even brass letters. Either plastic or metal letters can be backed with foam to make them stand away from the wall. The shadowing is particularly awesome if you have track lighting or custom LED.
Changeable letters have been used to describe the plastic ones that go onto a letterboard for quick messages to the community or school. To be clear, metal and plastic letters are a permanent solution. I have never had the request to use them for a temporary sign and they cannot be easily moved from one location to another. A professional installer might try but be prepared to possibly replace a few.
The most important differentiation between plastic and metal letters is where you will use them. Certain plastics should not be used outdoors. It’s important to advise on what the application of the letters will be before the substrate and installation are decided. Not that we mind drilling into your historic building to give you some great metal letters…but your landlord might. Further, for a popcorn or highly textured surface, letters cannot be mounted with tape and must be screwed into the surface. Generally, as an outdoor application, letters are stud mounted and screwed into the surface.
For more ABC’s, post a comment!
Changeable Letters
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