Benefits of Acrylic, PVC and Yard Signs

Square Signs offers signs for all sorts of purposes. But how much do you know about the acrylic material and what it’s good for? What is the best use for an acrylic sign? What about a PVC sign? Or a yard sign?

We’re going to answer those questions and more, so if you have any questions about the best uses for these signs, we’ll answer them here. And if you have questions after that, you can contact our design specialists, who will be happy to assist you.

Let’s start by talking about one of our most popular sign types – acrylic signs. Here’s why they’re so common and so frequently used.


What Are the Advantages of Acrylic Signs?

Acryl is a form of clear, hard plastic that is very popular in sign making due to its smooth finish and transparency. It is one of the toughest, most durable, and most popular types of hard plastic. It is frequently compared to glass because of its clear finish and smooth surface, but acrylic has a number of huge advantages over glass.

In addition to being lightweight, durable, and highly customizable, the hard plastic that makes up acrylic signs is also very weather-resistant. That means they can be used over long periods of time either indoors or out. They require very little maintenance and are easy to clean.

Acrylic signs are also extremely versatile in terms of their aesthetic nature. They maintain a professional appearance when displayed indoors in office buildings or other professional settings. They can be used along with standoffs to create a three-dimensional feel when wall-mounting.

example of how signage can be used at the storefront for displaying working hours

Alternatively, they can be made in a number of different sizes and shapes to fit different needs. There are countless uses for these signs, and they can be as unique as you want to design them. They’re a great choice for branding, providing directions, or advertising an event or sale. Smaller acrylic signs are even a great-looking and functional choice for nameplates on employee desks.
Of course, some signs aren’t meant to be left in one place forever. Some need to be set up in multiple different places, regularly. That’s not a problem because acrylic signs are exceptionally easy to transport. They can be moved from place to place, and because they’re resistant to damage, you don’t need to worry about special arrangements to transport them safely. They’re durable enough to be moved without any special arrangements, though it’s best to keep them away from sharp objects, as it is possible to scratch the surface of the acrylic.


example of how signage can be used in the hospital for displaying the exit direction for people with disabilities


What Are the Advantages of PVC Signs/Plastic Signs?

Rigid plastic signs are affordable, versatile, and durable. They don’t generally have the thickness of acrylic signs, making them lighter and even more portable.

Rigid plastic signs can be used for directions, at tradeshows, for architecture, and are particularly popular for real estate signs. You will frequently find them hung up on walls, hung from ceilings, or mounted in the ground on as a yard or floor sign.

Because of the versatility of locations you can use them in, rigid plastic signs can be printed two-sided, and contour-cut into any shape. This allows you to make an impact with these signs regardless of which direction people see them from.

These rigid plastic signs are made of a durable vinyl material that is built to last over five years with proper care and management. While they can be used indoors or out, it is best if they are not left in direct sunlight for extended periods of time, as even our UV-resistant ink will fade after enough time.


What Are the Advantages of Yard Signs?

Yard signs are similar to rigid plastic signs but are made of a different material known as corrugated plastic. This twin wall plastic material is far lighter and not as durable as our rigid plastic or acrylic signs, but it is still plenty strong enough to stand up to regular wear and tear over an extended period of time.

Better still, yard signs are some of the most affordable and highly customizable you can get and are an absolute staple during political campaigns.

They’re also extremely easy to set up, with installation usually taking less than a minute. You just stick the frame into a patch of soft ground, then slip the sign onto the wire frame (which we will supply if needed).

Yard signs can be printed double-sided, no matter if you want the same image on both sides or a different one. They can also be made in any size or shape you need. It is possible to contour cut them into any shape, and while the average size is something simple like an 18” x 12”, it’s possible to make them as small as 6” or as large as 96”. However, we do not recommend anything smaller than 10”, as this is the minimum size that will fit on our wire stakes.

While the average yard sign doesn’t have the longevity of a rigid plastic or acrylic sign, it can still last well over two years with proper care, and the cheaper price point means you save a lot of money if you only need them for a temporary or one-time event!