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A look at backlit signage
I’m a freak, a sign freak. I admit it, and I embrace it. There, I’ve said it. Nothing sets my freak meter on tilt like a well-designed, high-impact backlit sign. During my days running a commercial-sign company’s graphics department, I was like a kid in a candy store – high-output bulbs, neon, LEDs.
This month, we’ll look at my favorite type of signs, and different vinyl and substrates you’ll work with, to create your own backlit beauty. We’ll also examine some application guidelines that’ll help you succeed, as well as some new technology that’ll take illuminated signage to new levels.
Diffusing the situation
A backlit sign comprises several basic components: a sign cabinet, with high-output bulbs; a signface, typically decorated with translucent vinyl or other decoration; and a retainer system to hold the cabi¬net’s signface.
By design, today’s translucent, PSA vinyl films diffuse light. During the manufacturing process, the film’s pigment is reduced, both to allow light to pass through and coagulate, and to slow down the light transmission through the film before it hits your eyes. The net result eliminates “hot spots,” or the lightbulbs’ or neon’s outline.
Currently, cast, calendered and ultra-calendered translucent films are available. Choose cast and ultra-calendered films for medium- to long-term applications, such as corporate-identity programs. Use calendered films in such shorter-term applications as POP and multi-tenant signage. Your translucent vinyl may diffuse light, but it can’t do it alone.
Putting the pieces together
To complete the signface, the vinyl must stick to a substrate. Currently, the most popular and most readily available substrates are polycarbonate (Lexan or acrylic – both come in white or clear) and flexible signface material (available in white only). These substrates’ light-diffusing properties should all but eliminate hot spots. However, substrates differ per manufacturer, so read the technical bulletins carefully and test before actual selection.
For polycarbonates, remove the protective sheeting 24 hours before graphic application. The substrate may need to “outgas” once it arrives at the shop. You’ll recognize this if your freshly applied graphic suddenly appears to have a million small bubbles in it.
You can also use flexible-face, PVC-based material with bult-in UV protection and light-diffusing properties.
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