ABS Vacuum Formed plastic letters are an excellent choice of a sign letter for exterior applications.
ABS Vacuum Formed plastic letters are well suited for interior or exterior applications from business names to signage for schools, churches, government institutions, etc. If your looking for a professional looking sign for your business at do-it-yourself pricing, ABS Vacuum Formed plastic letters will fit the bill. They can be very easy to mount with your choice of Stud, Flange, Combination, Combination all, Pads, or Adjustable Pad mounts. Ordering a full size mounting pattern to guide you will enable you to install your sign like a professional.
ABS Vacuum Formed plastic letters and numbers are made from co-extruded Plexiglas.
Plexiglas is 10 times stronger than competing brand name products. It also has higher color retention in outdoor environments. Unlike softer materials used for vacuum forming, the adhesion of the mounting hardware in the backs of the letters does not produce dimpling of the face, caused by the melting of the plastic with adhesives. This material is easy to sovent weld, has excellent color stability and incomparable weather-ability under the most severe outdoor exposures.
While the letters themselves are not brand name, Plexiglas is a household name, used for countless products. We are so confident in this type of letter, we guarantee them for the lifetime of your sign. No fading, cracking or chipping.
There are 17 standard pigmented colors to choose from as well as an array of painted colors. Custom painted colors are also available using PMS matching or using a manufactures color such as Sherwin Williams, PPG, etc. ABS Vacuum Formed plastic letters are the same type of letters that a sign company would sell and install for you. Buying these letters online and installing them yourself can save you more than half of what you would pay a sign company to do.
Standard ABS/PLEX Pigmented Colors
5687 White
2025 Black
9718 Ivory
2037 Yellow
2030 Green
2119 Orange
2662 Red Orange
2793 Red
2240 Maroon
2050 Dark Blue
2860 Med. Blue
2648 Light Blue
3210 Teal
8838 Silver
9497 Gold
2418 Brown
*Disclaimer: Colors on a computer monitor vary widely between monitors. Actual paint color, hue and vibrance may differ than that shown on your monitor. We will not be responsible for color interpretations based on monitor or user.
Sample color swatches are NOT available. If you need a color sample you will have to buy a letter in the color you wish to see. Product does not carry a return value for colors that do not meet your specifications when delivered.
3130 Bronze
Baked Enamel Painted Colors
5687 White
4310 Dove Grey
0209 Grey
2025 Black
2718 Ivory
8090 Safety Green
2037 Lemon Yellow
2000 Yellow
0217 Citrus Yellow
0218 Sundance Yellow
0254 Schoolbus Yellow
2119 Orange
2662 Red Orange
0256 Rampart Orange
2793 Red
1875 Brick Red
2280 Black Cherry
2240 Maroon
2410 Magenta
2287 Purple
0246 Violet Toner
2767 Midnight Blue
2050 Dark Blue
2860 Med. Blue
3000 Blue
3555 Spring Green
0259 Federal Green
0222 Emerald Green
2108 Light Green
2030 Dark Green
2162 Hunter Green
0400 Brilliant Gold
2756 Metallic Gold
0401 Aztec Gold
0253 Copper
0402 Aztec Copper
2418 Brown
0312 Med Bronze
0314 Old Copper
3130 Duranodic Bronze
*Disclaimer: Colors on a computer monitor vary widely between monitors. Actual paint color, hue and vibrance may differ than that shown on your monitor. We will not be responsible for color interpretations based on monitor or user.
Sample color swatches are NOT available. If you need a color sample you will have to buy a letter in the color you wish to see. Bear in mind that color batches can have some variation between batches of color mixed at the factory. Also bear in mind that we serve many manufacturers and that a color may vary slightly between manufacturer's. Product does not carry a return value for colors that do not meet your specifications when delivered. PANTONE, PPG and SHERWIN WILLIAMS color matching is available on request. Some manufacturer's charge a per color matching fee.
8886 Metallic Silver
The following photos are provided courtesy of Museum Quality Framing, taken during assembly of their signs using Metallic gold, ABS/PLEX Vacuum Formed sign letters in the Architectural Bevel Faced Font.
Assembling the hardware
Drilling for studs. (We recommend NOT drilling through the pattern)
Marking
stud locations with a punch will avoid tearing the pattern.
Laying out the pattern and taping to the substrate prior to marking / drilling
Note the numbered letters. A corresponding number will be found on a tag
in the back of each letter. It's important to match each letter with its corresponding
number on each pattern.
Sign is finished and ready to hang.
Framing sign very nicely done
Printing Sign
Stand off View
Holding space for price table
As you can see from the image at left, ABS/Plex Vacuum Formed Sign Letters are hollow in the back and require some type of additional hardware for mounting purposes. We allow you to purchase without mounts assuming you have some other way to affix them. Please note that ordering without a mount will require you to return them to the factory at your expense, if you later decide you want mounts. The same goes for mounting patterns.
A small flange is left around the outside back of the letter which ranges from 1/8" to 3/8" wide depending on the size of the letter. You can use this flange to secure the letters with small screws through the flange. Not available on small sizes.
Where drilling your wall is not desirable or not allowed by a landlord, the pad mount provides a way to surface mount the letters using silicon adhesive directly to a surface. Best for indoor applications as outdoors will make them easily stolen or subject to wind loss. Apply silicon caulk liberally to the pads and apply directly to the wall surface using masking tape to hold the letters in position while the silicon sets.
Same as the pad mount but with adjustable pads to allow for stand off. Adjustability is approximately 0" - 3/8". Other sizes can be requested.
One of the easiest methods to use is the stud mount. Threaded plastic blocks are glued into the backs of the letters at the factory and a threaded metal rod (stud) is screwed into the block. Using a mounting pattern (sold separately), drill required holes in the wall or mounting surface then fill holes and coat studs with silicon then push the entire assembly into the holes.
TIP: Be sure to drill holes slightly oversize. Studs should not be tight in holes to allow for expansion/contraction. Be sure to order the mounting pattern(s) with the letters otherwise you will have to return the letters to make one later. Also See additional notes bottom of page.
Same as the stud mount with the addition of stud through pads on the top part of the letters, fixed pads on the bottom of the letters. The stud through pads are adjustable and the rods are designed to go into pre drilled holes in your wall. This mount COMBINES the pad mount with the stud mount allowing for less drilling which may be desirable.
See additional notes bottom of page and review videos for proper install methods.
Stud through pads on ALL parts of the letters allow for maximum adjustability and standoff if desired. The stud through pads are adjustable and the rods are designed to go into pre drilled holes in your wall. Drilling is required for each stud/pad in the same way as the stud mount but also provides full adjustability for depth and uneven surfaces.
See additional notes bottom of page and review videos for proper install methods.
VERY IMPORTANT
All mounting hardware is added at the factory by hand. There are no specific locations for hardware to be placed in the back of the letter and therefore the locations of studs or combo/combination all type mounts will likely vary from letter to letter, EVEN WHEN THOSE LETTERS ARE OTHERWISE IDENTICLE !
When you order more than one set of identical letters for a project, YOU WILL NEED AN ADDITIONAL MOUNTING TEMPLATE!
When you receive your letters you will find a tag in the back of each letter that specifies to which position and which mounting pattern it belongs. It is vitally important that you match the letters to the mounting pattern BEFORE beginning installation.
Mounting Methods and Installation Tips
One of the most frequent questions we get is how to install the sign letters. Most people imagine some form of anchor is attached to the wall onto which the letters are mounted. Fortunately, it's not that complicated. Any tools you need you most likely have at home.
Types of Mounts
We sell a wide variety of sign letter products. Each type of letter has its own mounting requirement. There is no "one-method-fits-all." Some sign letters are hollow in the back and require either a stud or pad mounting to properly install. Other letters are solid material, like the flat cut-out acrylic letters and the flat cut-out aluminum letters. Because these letters are solid material and flat on the back, they can be mounted without hardware.
In general there are 2 mounting method categories to choose from.
Anchor Mounts:
Stud Only
Combination
Combination All
Bottom Stud
Flush Stud
Stud Boss
Welded Stud
Keyhole Mounts
Installing Sign Letters Using Anchor Mounts
You need a long bubble level or better still a laser level.
An electric drill and perhaps some masonry drill bits.
Something to blow debris from the holes you drill, a turkey baster works well or even the exhaust ports on your drill will often be enough to blow out the debris.
Lastly you need enough Silicon Caulk to fill all of the holes you drill.
A mounting pattern, is optional, but it will save you a lot of time and almost guarantee a professionally spaced and aligned installation. You you can order one from us. They are well worth their modest cost!
Adhesive Mounts:
Pad Mount
Flange Mount
Double-Sided Tape
Direct Adhesion with Silicon Caulk or Construction Adhesive
Installing Sign Letters Using Adhesive Mounts
Instructions apply whether you choose pad mounts, adjustable pad mounts or no mounts at all. For no-mount installations on a flat, dry surface, use small drops of silicon caulk on the back of each sign letter. This type of mount works better indoors.
For double-sided tape (tape provided with the letters or by you) use small drops of silicon caulk between the pieces of double-sided tape to ensure against the tape drying out after a period of time and no longer holding the letters.
THESE VIDEOS MAY TAKE A MINUTE TO LOAD - PLEASE BE PATIENT
Mounting Pattern for Sign Letters
Patterns come in several forms depending on the manufacturer of your letters.
For stud mounted installations, your pattern will be the actual, full-size of your finished sign. All letters, numbers, punctuation, and logos (if ordered) will be clearly drawn and properly spaced on the pattern. Signs that have multiple lines of text will be aligned to your specifications and all of the required stud locations are marked on the pattern.
For pad mounts or other adhesive based installation methods, you can buy a pounce pattern or use the free spacing tape offered with some of our products. The pounce pattern is a full size, fully aligned and spaced pattern. Instead of it being marked with mounting holes, the letters are drawn on the pattern and perforated around their outer edge. Just tape the pattern in place, rub chalk over the holes to leave a chalk outline on the mounting surface. Install your letters, then wash the off chalk. The free spacing tape only provides spacing information on where to place each sign letter in relation to the one preceding it. Vertical and horizontal alignment will be up to you.
THESE VIDEOS MAY TAKE A MINUTE TO LOAD - PLEASE BE PATIENT
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