Sign guide
Which sign material should you pick?
Cost vs. how long it lasts vs. where it works. Compare coroplast, vinyl, PVC, aluminum, and acrylic at a glance.
Quick pick
Just for a few months?
Coroplast or a vinyl banner.
Permanent outdoor sign?
ACM (Dibond) or solid aluminum.
Premium indoor / lobby?
Acrylic or dimensional letters.
Rigid boards
Corrugated plastic
Coroplast, fluted polypropylene
Lightweight fluted plastic — the go-to for short-term outdoor signs.
Best for: Yard signs, real-estate, elections, events, directional.
PVC foam board
Sintra, Celtec, Palight
Smooth rigid foamed PVC — clean indoor look, holds up semi-outdoors.
Best for: Interior signs, directional, POP displays, semi-permanent.
Foam board
Gatorboard, foamcore
Rigid foam core faced with paper/plastic — indoor and short-lived.
Best for: Trade-show boards, retail displays, presentations, mounting.
Aluminum composite (ACM)
Dibond, Alumalite, MAX Metal
Two aluminum skins over a plastic core — the exterior workhorse.
Best for: Storefronts, building ID, permanent exterior panels.
Solid aluminum
.040–.080 gauge
Rustproof metal sheet — the most durable flat outdoor substrate.
Best for: Parking, traffic, regulatory, wayfinding, post-mounted.
Banners & graphics
Vinyl banner
13 oz scrim; mesh for wind
Flexible printed vinyl — the cheapest way to go big.
Best for: Grand openings, promotions, fences, events, backdrops.
Adhesive vinyl graphics
cast (long-term) / calendered (short)
Printed or cut sticker film applied to glass, walls, or floors.
Best for: Window & wall graphics, storefront lettering, decals.
Fabric / SEG
dye-sublimated polyester
Printed textile, often in a silicone-edge frame — soft, premium.
Best for: Trade-show displays, backlit SEG, retail soft signage.
Premium & dimensional
Acrylic
Plexiglas, Lucite
Glass-like panel — the premium look for interiors and lit faces.
Best for: Lobby logos, plaques, standoff signs, illuminated faces.
Dimensional letters
acrylic, metal, or foam
Raised 3-D letters and logos mounted off the wall or building.
Best for: Building ID, channel letters, reception-wall logos.
HDU (carved urethane)
high-density urethane
Dense foam carved or routed like wood — no rot, no warping.
Best for: Monument signs, HOA entrances, upscale carved storefront.
Lifespans are typical outdoor ranges; most materials last considerably longer indoors. Your sign specialist confirms the right substrate for your exact location and budget during the review.