Best material to route letters for sign face?

[biggmann]

Im working on a design for a store sign and the plan is to print a background with the logo on alupanel and then route the store name out of something thick. What is a good material to route letters out of, Komatex, Komacel? I thought acrylic but I want a thick look.

On a separate note, can anyone recommend a good frame for 6mm alupanel, I dont want the edges to look unfinished.

 

[J Hill Designs]

how thick?

sintra (komatex, komacel) @ 1/2 always looks good as dimensional letters

 

[biggmann]

I was considering Komatex or Komacell but I have read one is for indoors and one if for oudoors and then you have to worry about the material expanding and contracting and if I glue it down will it fall off.

 

[J Hill Designs]

one of the two is for exterior (I use sintra)

screw from the back to add some peace of mind

 

[TimToad]

We use 1/2" Simona board which is another brand of PVC, but IMO has a better looking surface and routes better with smoother edges requiring less handwork.

Xtira is an outdoor rated MDF material that routes nicely and takes paint very well.

 

[paul luszcz]

We've done hundreds of dimensional letters out of PVC, but we paint every one of them with acrylic urethane paint. Even when we want white letters, we paint the white pvc white. You can drill and tap the back and stud mount the letters. For very thin (6 mm) or interior letters you can use VHB tape.

Acrylic is a superior material if you can cut it properly. PVC will occasionally crack. Not often, but every now and again I see it happen. Painting it will prevrent warping, but it remains brittle in cold weather.