I started doing work for a marketing firm, and they approached me for a quote on a pair of backlit sign faces. There is an existing sign can on a building coming out at 90 degrees from the building, it is 4" deep x 4' tall x 6' long. The design is up in the air, but the background is to be an opaque dark color. They then want custom routed acrylic or lexan letters (possibly 1/2" thick) affixed to the sign face, and to leave a bit of translucent sign face outlining the letters to give a halo effect. There will also be a logo element involved, a set of 4 leaves, roughly 24" in diameter.
My initial thoughts are a pan face sign out of 3/16" clear lexan. Apply a vinyl mask for the lettering and logo to the inside, then paint it desired color. The topcoat that with a gloss white to increase the reflectablility in the sign can. After removing the vinyl mask, adhere the routed letters and logo (from Gemini?) with some sort of bonding agent that I am sure exists. They were then thinking of coating the top of the letters with a brushed aluminum vinyl or something, and lighting the sign using small colored spotlights (blue, etc).
I have done backlit signs before, but nothing like this. Will this 'halo' type effect work with the florescent light source? They need to use this sign can because it is grandfathered in, they can't put up a new one. Any info appreciated, including the type of paint that will work to coat the inside of the sign face... Thanks!
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
I doubt the halo would be tooo effective (if I understood you correctly) I would go with push-through letters....SIMPLIFIED EXPLAINATION (routed out letter from aluminum panel, add milk plex backer, then apply dimensional acrylic letter to routed out area onto milk plex backer (Acrylic letters could be polished all around or satin finish)
Look at example..... Posted by Tyler Malinky (Member # 4693) on :
That looks like the look the client is going for. I will do some searches on the web this weekend, but any more info from anyone on milk plex backer? I assume it helps diffuse the light through the letters?
Also, is there any company that produces sign faces like this wholesale, as I don't have access to a router? Thanks again
Posted by Jay Nichols (Member # 2842) on :
Tyler, the white plex diffuses and smooths the light, and keeps the lamps from showing. You may be able to use the existing cabinet, but new retainers will probably have to be fabricated to accomodate the added thickness. Surely someone in your city can wholesale what you need so you can save on shipping etc. You are adding weight, so be aware of the supports.
