Investing in eye-catching exterior signage can help improve foot traffic and ensure the right message is sent in your marketing campaigns. Deciding on fonts, colours, models, etc, can be a fun challenge for your team, but have you considered what materials the signage should be made from? Australian weather can be harsh on exterior signage, especially in the hot months, so you need to choose an option that stands up to the task without breaking or fading quickly. We’ll look at some of the best features of outdoor signage materials in this blog to help you make your choice. If you’re still unsure, our team can help you decide during our consultation process.
The Best Options of Signage Material Types for Your Business Needs
First up, we’ll consider materials used for banners, such as those on construction sites or to launch your newest advertising campaign outside your retail store. Vinyl is a popular choice as it allows for a wide colour range for printing. You won’t have to compromise on matching your brand’s colour palette, and the sharp, bright images are sure to catch customers’ eyes. Longevity is an important factor when making your material decision, and vinyl offers a long-term solution as it won’t fade or tear easily. This makes it a good choice for longer marketing campaigns or to advertise upcoming events over several weeks or months. It’s weather-resistant and waterproof too, so it won’t be damaged easily in rain or windstorms. Adhesive vinyl is also available for your indoor signage materials to put on flat surfaces like windows and mirrors. This is simple to apply and easily removed for short-term campaigns or seasonal changes.
Mesh banners offer even more wind resistance than vinyl, so they’re a great choice for construction companies who are advertising their brand on the scaffolding they’re currently working on or for advertising on fences while you set up an outdoor event, for example. The small holes in the mesh don’t disrupt the image or compromise on colour choice, but they do allow air through, keeping the signage stable. It’s another durable choice that won’t quickly tear or fade and is lightweight, so it should be easy to move to a new location should you need to, making it a great choice for long-term campaigns. It’s considered waterproof too, so if your area is prone to a downpour or two, you don’t have to worry.
This makes mesh especially popular for industries like property and development, where durable real estate signs in Melbourne need to withstand ongoing site exposure while promoting agents or upcoming listings. And for businesses seeking even more visibility, integrating LED display screens in Melbourne with static banners can provide dynamic messaging that complements your material choices.
Mesh and vinyl banners are perfect for use with UV-treated inks. This adds another layer of protection against the elements, ensuring you won’t need to take your banner down for a long time to come.
You can also choose a sign board material sheet for banners, typically made of polyester. These are lightweight, so easy to move, and can be printed with vibrant colours. It’s easy to finish these banners with eyelets or silicone edges so you can place them in wall boxes that are frequently changed, such as advertising current joining offers at a gym. While the look of these banners is generally pleasing to potential customers, they’re not as weatherproof as mesh or vinyl. If they’re only getting limited outdoor exposure, though, such as at trade shows, they can be a great way to advertise your company.
Finally, we’ll look at corflute banners. These are a budget option compared to vinyl and mesh, so great for helping your bottom line, but they don’t have the same level of weatherproofing. This makes them a good choice for a short-term campaign, such as a seasonal sale or to direct around a temporary outdoor event like a music festival. They can be easily shaped to match your event theme or business branding and can be printed with vibrant colours, but this will fade fairly quickly. You’ll get a longer result if you use them inside instead, especially if they’re away from the direct sunlight coming through the windows. These banners are quick to produce and lightweight, so easily moved.
When you’re searching for ‘weatherproof outdoor signs material’, mesh or vinyl are the best for long-term vibrancy while corflute is easy to customise and a budget option and fabric is a lightweight choice but both are best for short-term use outdoors.
The Pros and Cons of Acrylic Signage Material
Next, we’ll consider the material choices for more permanent signs like your business name on the outside of your building. Acrylic is a popular option because it’s lightweight, allowing for easy installation and offering a shiny, polished look that catches the eye and elevates your building. It can be lit if you need to be seen from a further distance, and it’s easy to customise the shape and colour so your branding will be clear. It’s UV and weather resistant, so it holds up well on exteriors of buildings, but it will need some maintenance to prevent warping over time in the heat. It’s a budget-friendly option compared to other materials, but it does have the possibility of being scratched. Small scratches can be polished out, though, so with regular cleaning and maintenance, these signs are durable.
PVC sign board material is another lightweight choice for simple installation. It’s easy to mould, cut, and print on, so the customisation options are vast. It’s affordable and weatherproof, making it a durable choice for an exterior sign. It requires little to no maintenance after installation, but it can fade or break after an extended time in the sun. There are concerns about by-products in the production of PVC, and it’s not easily recycled, therefore consider your climate footprint when making this choice.
Those are the budget choices, so we’ll now consider a more expensive choice, which is metal signage. These are easy to customise with shape and size to create a long-lasting logo. There are several finishes too, such as painted to incorporate your brand palette or polished metal to create an eye-catching shine. They are heavier, so harder to install, but once up, they require little maintenance and are easy to clean. They are the most weatherproof option, too, so although they’re a higher initial cost, they’re worth the investment for the longevity they provide.
At LF Sign Group, we offer these choices and more to consolidate your brand identity. We’ll start with a thorough consultation where we learn your business story and goals and decide on the best signage material specification for you. Read more about our 3D signage here.
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