Businesses need high-quality, custom signs to attract customers. However, with so many sign options available, it is difficult to know which sign materials, also known in the sign industry as substrate(s), is right for your needs. Coroplast is one of the best substrates for custom sign making and understanding a little bit about it will help you make the best sign decisions for your business. This article covers Coroplast, the benefits it offers, and how it’s used in custom sign-making.
What is a Substrate?
A substrate is the base material used to create a sign. Substrates are made from various materials, including wood, metal, glass, and plastic. Each type of substrate has its own benefits and drawbacks, which need to be considered.
What is Coroplast?
Coroplast, is also known as pp plate sheet, fluted polypropylene sheet, or simply corrugated plastic. Coroplast is a brand name used by Coroplast LLC for their corrugated plastic products. This product was developed in 1974 by Covema with Cartonplast technology.
Corrugated plastic boards, or plastic cardboard, are made of three layers of thin polypropylene plastic substrate. The product has a zig-zagged layer of plastic between two smooth layers of twin-wall plastic sheeting.
How is it Made?
The polypropylene resin pellets are first melted and then extruded through a die to create long sheets of thin plastic. These sheets are then passed through a series of rollers pressing them together to create the corrugated zig-zag shape. The twin-wall sheets are then fused with high pressure and heat.
What is Polypropylene?
Polypropylene, #5 plastic, or PP is a chemically stable thermoplastic. Polypropylene is well-suited to Coroplast projects since it is chemically inactive and has a neutral pH, which means it can be exposed to heat, cold, chemicals, and solvents without deteriorating.
Also, polypropylene is sufficiently chemical resistant. It may be combined with additives to produce a product with unique characteristics such as flame retardancy, UV protection, static resistance, and vivid custom colors.
What Types of Signs Are Made from Coroplast?
Coroplast is commonly used for political campaign signs, real estate signs, event signs, retail displays, and point-of-purchase (POP) displays. It is also a popular material because it is lightweight and easy to transport.
Benefits of Coroplast
- Lightweight yet durable, making it easy to transport and install.
- Weather-resistant, it can be used indoors and outdoors.
- Available in various colors, it can be customized to match your brand.
- Inexpensive, it’s a cost-effective solution for businesses on a tight budget.
- Shock absorbent due to the layered structure.
- Colorfast- meaning the colors will not fade over time.
- Recyclable material.
- Non-toxic and safe to use.
At FASTSIGNS® of Boise, ID, we use substrates like Coroplast to make custom signs. Contact us today to learn more. We are located across the street from The Boulevard Bar on Chinden Blvd in Garden City.
