The material you choose for your business signage will be just as important as the lettering, size and all other such details. Some sign materials will be more durable than others, and some materials may actually affect the visibility of the sign. You also want to choose a material that will look good against your building or in your building's lobby, or wherever else you will have the sign located. To ensure you choose the right material for your business sign, note a few pros and cons of your various options.

Metal

Metal is very durable and offers a modern look that works well for many office buildings. For an exterior sign, to avoid rust, choose aluminium, which naturally resists corrosion. This material is very lightweight, so it can be used for large signs without causing damage to the building or lobby walls. However, this also means that aluminium may be more prone to denting and other such damage when installed outside, if exposed to hail or other debris. Very shiny and buffed metal can also reflect light, causing a glare and interfering with the sign's overall visibility.

Acrylic

Acrylic is very durable and is good for both indoor and outdoor use, as it won't rust or corrode, and it also won't reflect light very well, so it doesn't create a glare. The material can be very heavy because of its density, so it may need additional connectors and anchors to keep it from falling away from its installation point. Also, if acrylic should crack or chip, it typically needs to be replaced, as the material is difficult to repair without unsightly marks being left behind.

Foam and PVC

Foam is lightweight yet durable, and it comes in a wide variety of thicknesses. If you prefer a sign that you can hang yourself, but want something that looks more upscale than a standard poster, opt for a very thick foam. This thickness also makes the sign more durable and less likely to bend or crack. Foam is also a good material for portable signs, like those you would use for a temporary display, or for signs you take with you to shows and exhibits; it's also very inexpensive, so it might be used for multiple displays, such as for enlarged photos of your product. PVC is similar to foam but is more rigid and durable and less prone to absorbing moisture, so it can be the best material for lightweight exterior signage, or for something more permanent than a thin foam. There are also PVC foam signs that combine the features of both materials.