A great sign starts with a strong foundation, which is why choosing the right material substrate for your signage is key. Fortunately, Erie Custom Signs offers a wide assortment of sign materials. This allows you to select the best option for your project’s budget and the building’s décor. 

If you’re unsure which types of signage material would best fit your needs, our team can help. Just let us know the desired thickness and color of the sign during the quoting step of our sign-ordering process. We’d be happy to offer a recommendation!

When you order custom signage from us, you can look forward to a finished product that’s attractive, durable, and perfectly suited to your needs. 

At Erie Custom Signs, each department is staffed by skilled technicians who have experience working with the various types of signage materials we have available. Plus, we use top-of-the-line equipment that can cut, shape, engrave, and finish virtually any type of material substrate.

Here are the sign materials you can choose from…

ADA Alternative is a product line from Rowmark, a leading plastics supplier. Made from modified acrylic, this line is specially designed to comply with ADA guidelines. It includes 48 vibrant, visible shades—all of which have been approved for use in ADA-compliant signs. Each option has a matte, non-glare finish. Additionally, you can choose your desired thickness from at least three options. 

There are several benefits to opting for Rowmark ADA Alternative:

• The acrylic is incredibly durable and long-lasting.
• It offers great value without compromising quality.
• It makes it easy to match signs to branding or décor.

High-pressure laminate is one of the most popular sign materials available—and for a good reason. Signs made from this material retain their color for years, ensuring the longest possible lifetime for ADA-compliant signs in any facility. We get our laminate from top brands such as Pionite, Formica, and Wilsonart, so you can feel confident about the quality of your signage.

Some of the advantages of high-pressure laminate include the following:

• It’s a low-maintenance option that’s easy to clean.
• It can mimic the look of wood, stone, or marble without the weight.
• It’s highly durable and resistant to graffiti.

Chemetal is manufactured by a building materials supplier of the same name. The collection includes a wide variety of metal and metal laminate designs, many of which are made from aluminum. Recently, it has become a trendy option for commercial spaces. That’s because It combines the reflective sheen associated with popular metals with a clean, sharp appearance. Additionally, its lightweight construction makes it a great alternative to traditional metal. At Erie Custom Signs, we offer Chemetal signs in finishes such as aluminum, bronze, copper, and more. 

Here are a few benefits of choosing Chemetal for signage:

• It comes in many different styles and colors to complement any space.
• The polished, shiny surface captures light and draws attention to signage.
• It gives engraved text and graphics greater dimension. 

Frosted acrylic is another one of the most popular sign materials we offer. It mimics the appearance and fragility of glass without running the risk of cracks, shattering, or sharp edges. At Erie Custom Signs, we get our frosted acrylic from Rowmark to ensure the quality of every sign. Additionally, we use precise laser cutting to create intricate designs on signs made with this material.

Some advantages of using frosted acrylic for signage are as follows:

• It allows painted or engraved text to stand out on signage. 
• It is a more durable and affordable alternative to glass.
• It offers a simple, modern appearance that can fit many spaces.

Along with standard, first-surface-printed acrylic, we also offer acrylic with subsurface areas. With this option, second-surface printing is used to apply graphics and other elements to the back of the material—whether it’s clear or frosted. Opting for this material and design method gives an added touch to take signage to another level.

• It provides more depth and a 3-dimensional effect.
• It offers an attractive, glass-framed look to signage.
• It is just as easy to clean and maintain as regular acrylic.

To choose the right material for signage, you need to factor in design, placement, and budget. All of the sign materials we have available are great for interior displays. But to help narrow down the options, consider the following:

• Where will the sign be located?
• How long will the sign be up?
• What type of design do you (or your client) have in mind?
• What is the budget for your project?
• Does the sign need to comply with ADA guidelines?