Sacramento, CA – Sign Making 101: Aluminum Composite Material | Sign Shop News

Most business owners don’t know what aluminum composite is and why it’s a great sign product. This article covers why aluminum composite is a superior material for sign making.

What is Aluminum Composite Material?

Aluminum composite material, or ACM, is composed of two sheets of thin, lightweight aluminum sandwiched around a polyethylene core. It is commonly referred to as Dibond®, which is a registered product produced by 3A Composites.

Benefits of ACM for Custom Signs

Aluminum composite material has several advantages over other sign materials. Its durability cannot be understated as it will last for years even under the harshest conditions.

ACM is lightweight, with only half the weight of solid aluminum. It is made in various colors, thicknesses, and finishes, providing a lot of options to the sign maker.

Why ACM is Better than Aluminum

Even though aluminum has numerous benefits in the world of sign making, ACM is still preferred by many sign fabricators.

ACM is more cost-effective than solid aluminum simply because less material is required to make the panel. It is also much easier to cut and shape, further saving time and money.

ACM can be purchased pre-finished, cutting out labor-intensive tasks like sanding and finishing of the panel which are needed before the sign making process begins.

Different Types of Signs Made with ACM

• Building signs: Many types of building sign components are made from ACM. It is the best choice for these signs because it is heavy-duty, rigid, and weather-resistant.
• Parking lot signs: Many parking lot signs are made entirely from ACM. Choosing ACM for these signs ensures they won’t need to be replaced as often.
• Channel letter signs: Some elements of channel letter signs are crafted with ACM including the return (side) of the letters. ACM is the best choice as the returns will house a lighting element which needs to be protected form moisture and damage.
• Construction site signs: In busy and dangerous areas like job sites, ACM is the best substrate to use for signs like warning signs, danger signs, and caution signs.
• A-frame signs: The panels which attach to the signs can be made from ACM. This ensures they wont peel or warp if the sign is caught in the rain. Also, it makes the sign easy to carry and store.

At FASTSIGNS® of Sacramento – Arden-Arcade, CA, we make custom signs for all types of companies across all industries. Contact us today to get started on a custom sign package.