Terminology

Unlike JPEGs, GIFs, and BMP images, vector graphics are not made up of a grid of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. These paths can be used to create simple drawings or complex diagrams. Paths are even used to define the characters of specific typefaces.

Because vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size and not lose any image quality. If you blow up a raster graphic, it will look blocky, or "pixelated." When you blow up a vector graphic, the edges of each object within the graphic stay smooth and clean. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, which can be small enough to appear on a business card, but can also be scaled to fill a billboard. Common types of vector graphics include Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand, and EPS files.

CNC means Computer Numerical Control. This means a computer converts the design produced by Computer Aided Design software (CAD), into numbers. The numbers can be considered to be the coordinates of a graph and they control the movement of the cutter. In this way the computer controls the cutting and shaping of the material.

Flat cut letters refers to a rigid material based letter. The materials can include perspex, acrylic, foamex, aluminium and stainless steel to name a few. The flat cuts can be fitted either by direct binding to the fascia / surface or fitted with locators to give a stand off effect.

Built-up letters are created using a variety of methods in metal or acrylic. Known as 3D letters or channel letters due to the channel created when a letter face and return are secured together. Built-up letters are created from a choice of flat faced, rim and return, rimless, beveled and prismatic letter styles. built-up letters are available in Premium metal, Standard metal and acrylic options depending on project requirements and are used for shop signs, display signs, way finding signs and directional signs.

Stainless steel built up letters can be in either a brushed matt finish or in a mirror polished finish. Aluminium built up letters can be powder coated to a RAL reference. The built up letters can be combined with acrylic for a variety of visual effects. They can then be internally illuminated using the latest LED technology. Halo type illumination effects are produced when the built up letters are internally illuminated but the faces remain opaque allowing the light to spill out from behind the built up letters creating the "halo" effect

PVC foam sheet (Foamex) is a lightweight material with good mechanical and insulation properties. It has good chemical resistance with low water absorption and is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. It has low impact strength and due to its range of colours it is often used for signage and displays.

Corrugated plastic also known as Correx refers to a wide range of extruded twinwall plastic-sheet products produced from high-impact polypropylene resin with a similar make-up to corrugated fiberboard. It is a light-weight tough material which can easily be cut with a utility knife. Manufacturers typically offer a wide variety of colors and thicknesses. It is widely used in the signwriting industry for making signs for real estate sales, construction sites and promotions.

Acrylic is a useful, clear plastic that resembles glass, but has properties that make it superior to glass in many ways. It is an excellent glazing, signage, window or display material that is unaffected by moisture, and offers a high strength-to-weight ratio. Acrylic offers high light transmittance and can be easily heat-formed without loss of optical clarity. It has a transparency rate of 93% which makes acrylic the clearest material known. Acrylic is not only available in clear but also a huge variety of colours and tints.

Aluminium Composite Material has a Polyethylene core sandwiched between 2 thin aluminum panels. The result is a light weight sheet with excellent flatness and flexural stiffness, which is ideal for interior and exterior applications. The three layers are bonded onto the core during the manufacturing process and it is virtually impossible to separate once they have been bonded.

Aluminium can be painted in any kind of colour, and are produced in a wide range of metallic and non-metallic colours as well as patterns that imitate other materials.

A enclosed sign lighting unit using high powered LED or florescent tubes. Suitable for use as an up or down lighter, or to provide side illumination, a distance of up to 750mm can be illuminated by the Trough Light. Coverage distances may be affected by the colour of the surface illuminated, with reductions possible when illuminating dark coloured signs and displays.

Often installed at heights with limited access, trough lights created with LEDs provide longevity and a robust, durable construction. As an alternative to illumination from uorescent tubes, LED Trough Light provides reliability and is suitable for external and internal installations.

Lightboxes enhance a business’ directory and way-finding signage, monument signage and dimensional lettering and make your business easier to find at night. The wide variety of lightboxes and materials lend to eye-catching lighting effects that improve the perception of your brand.

Lightboxes are offered in various styles from units with ultra slim aluminium profiles backlit with LED light panels generally used for illuminating posters, up to super large Flex Face light boxes often used as illuminated shop signs. Poster display lightboxes are available in standard poster sizes A3, A2, A1 and A0 from stock for next day delivery or you can have any display lightbox custom made to suit your requirements.

Internally illuminated signs can have a variety of visual effects depending on the products used and the method of manufacture. When built up letters or built up logos are combined with internal illumination, using the latest LED technology, and the faces remain opaque a halo illumination effect is produced.

A number of different effects can be produced by using fret cut and push through clear or opal acrylic faced with either opaque acrylic, digital print or vinyl. Alternatively stand off locators can be applied to solid opaque built up letters which allow light to appear from behind the letter or logo creating a different halo effect.