Real Estate Signs... Aluminum or ACM?

[rickmdc]

Hey Everyone, I'm looking to make some real estate signs for some Realtor clients of mine. They are wanting the hanging sign panels for their posts. I've usually printed them on the .040 Aluminum blanks, but recently someone mentioned ACM panels. Is one recommended over the other? If so, Why? These will be mounted reflective vinyl. Any help and insight is greatly appreciated.

** 8/23/23 UPDATE** Thank you everyone for the help. I was doing Alum this entire time but wanted to switch to ACM. Some of you mentioned I could buy ACM pre-punched, which would be DOPE. Nonetheless, I'm going to try the ACM route and drill holes prior to grommets. Most of my realtor clients have the metal frames so I wouldn't need to punch more than 1 out of every 10 signs I print for them. Of course, that can add up as I continue to grow. Thanks again!

 

[ikarasu]

We use 3mm alupanel or .081 allum if they want really long lasting.. .040 would be pretty bendy imo for a hanging sign.

 

[Boudica]

We will generally use ACM... Most of them are pretty miserly though , so they go for coro. All has to do with the cost, and how much they will invest in signs.

 

[visual800]

I would rather use 1/ coro flatbed printed for these. lightweight but strong

 

[GaSouthpaw]

Since you can order pre-punched blanks, I'd personally stick with the aluminum. If you switch to ACM, is the price comparable, considering you'll need to cut them yourself?

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

Since you can order pre-punched blanks, I'd personally stick with the aluminum. If you switch to ACM, is the price comparable, considering you'll need to cut them yourself?

No need to cut yourself, you can buy them in different sizes

 

[chester215]

ACM. If you are using reflective vinyl, it is sort of a waste to put them on coro.

 

[Billct2]

We use ACM. Biggest pain is adding grommets

 

[gnubler]

I use ACM also, no realtor is going to pay for actual aluminum.
Have to drill holes first before punching grommets.

 

[Boudica]

grommets with ACM are easy if you drill it first.

 

[JBurton]

We use ACM. Biggest pain is adding grommets

.....you are drilling first, right?

 

[Billct2]

Yes, we drill, but our hand grommet press doesn't like ACM so we have to hand set

 

[JBurton]

Yes, we drill, but our hand grommet press doesn't like ACM so we have to hand set

Like a regular old stimpson? Try running that set screw down some more.

 

[rickmdc]

No need to cut yourself, you can buy them in different sizes

This would be awesome! Do you have a resource where I could order these? I get my alum blanks from GSG, but they don't have them pre-punched, nor the ACM panels.

 

[rickmdc]

Yes, we drill, but our hand grommet press doesn't like ACM so we have to hand set

I was at the ISA show this year and there was a vendor that had this punch press that punched through ACM like BUTTER. It had a hole die and a corner rounding die. It was a little out of my budget since I'm just starting, but after doing so many signs, it is looking like a really good investment. I'll share the vendor once I find their flier LOL

 

[rickmdc]

I use ACM also, no realtor is going to pay for actual aluminum.
Have to drill holes first before punching grommets.

Thanks man, I appreciate the insight. I've just been pushing the aluminum on them. Is there a specific type of grommet I should use for ACM? I've only ever grommeted coro and banners, so I'm assuming the same grommets work for ACM?

 

[Boudica]

Thanks man, I appreciate the insight. I've just been pushing the aluminum on them. Is there a specific type of grommet I should use for ACM? I've only ever grommeted coro and banners, so I'm assuming the same grommets work for ACM?

Yep, same grommets

 

[rickmdc]

Since you can order pre-punched blanks, I'd personally stick with the aluminum. If you switch to ACM, is the price comparable, considering you'll need to cut them yourself?

Thanks southpaw! Which vendor do you recommend for the pre-punched blanks? None of my TX vendors provide them, that I'm aware of at least.

 

[JBurton]

Thanks southpaw! Which vendor do you recommend for the pre-punched blanks? None of my TX vendors provide them, that I'm aware of at least.

Reach out to a vendor like Reece, they're in your neck of the woods, or GSG if you have an established account, and see if they would recommend someone that orders tons of ACM to get odds and ends from. Best case scenario, GSG trucks them between shops on their regular route. Another reason it's a good idea to know your delivery guy and treat him kindly.

 

[ikarasu]

You guys grommet your acm?

We usually just drill holes, never had them rip or anything... Except one time when some dumbass hung a 24in wide by 24 "Ryder," through it and we had a huge wind storm.

We don't get much windy weather though so maybe it's just not a problem for our area