Your outdoor business sign is the handshake your brand extends to every potential customer. But how do you create a sign that doesn't just exist, but captivates? This guide dives deep into the art of impactful signage, from groundbreaking design to the best materials for outdoor signs that make them last.
Choosing the Best Material for Outdoor Signs: Factors to Consider
When selecting the best material for outdoor signs, it's not a one-size-fits-all decision. A multitude of factors come into play. Each of them significantly impacts the sign's longevity, appearance, and overall effectiveness. Consider the following crucial elements:
- Durability & Weather Resistance – The resilience of the outdoor sign material directly influences its longevity.
- Visibility & Readability – Sign exposure at a distance relies on color vibrancy, light reflection, and sharp text, crucial for all hours.
- Aesthetics & Brand Image – The visual style of the outdoor sign material, like sleek metal or warm wood, needs to reflect your brand and what you want people to feel.
- Maintenance Requirements – How much cleaning, painting, or repair does the outdoor sign material need over time? Impacts long-term costs and effort.
- Weight & Installation – The weight of the outdoor sign material affects shipping costs, mounting complexity, and installation expenses. Lighter exterior sign materials are generally easier to install.
- Cost (Initial & Long-Term) – Balancing the upfront purchase price with potential future replacement or maintenance costs. Investing in quality often saves money over time.
- Local Regulations & Permitting – Compliance with local laws regarding outdoor sign material, size, and placement. It’s important to avoid fines or removal.
- Environmental Impact – Whether the outdoor sign material is recyclable or has a low ecological footprint aligns with sustainability goals.
Best Outdoor Sign Material Choices
Not all exterior signage types are built to brave the outdoors, and choosing the wrong outdoor sign material can cost you visibility, durability, and money. The outdoor sign board material is just as important as the message itself, impacting everything from its longevity to how well it captures attention. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most reliable outdoor sign materials, weighing the pros and cons to help you invest in signage that holds up in rain, shine, or snow.
Aluminum Signs
Aluminum offers weatherproof outdoor sign material, a resilient choice that shrugs off harsh elements while delivering a striking impact.
- Best for: Storefronts, directional signs, parking signage, real estate signs
- Weather resistance: Excellent
- Finish: Glossy with matte printing
- Durability: 10+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Standoffs, command strips, zip ties, and easel backs
- Design tip: Go bold with high-contrast colors like black on white or red on silver for maximum readability. Stick to clean sans-serif fonts in larger sizes for high visibility at a distance.
Dibond Signs
With rigid aluminum faces and a solid polyethylene core, Dibond is the best material for outdoor signs that provides exceptional strength while remaining surprisingly lightweight.
- Best for: Long-term business signage, building directories, architectural displays, museum or gallery signage
- Weather resistance: Excellent
- Finish: Smooth, matte finish
- Durability: 5+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Standoffs, command strips, zip ties, easel backs, suction cup, and hook
- Design tip: Use high-resolution graphics and minimalist layouts. White space, balanced text-to-image ratios, and a refined color palette (like navy, charcoal, or deep green) make the most of Dibond’s upscale finish.
Brushed Aluminum
Brushed aluminum sports a textured grain that lends a modern edge. This is another outdoor sign material matching the formidable strength and durability of solid aluminum.
- Best for: Office plaques, lobby signage, upscale branding, architectural signs
- Weather resistance: Excellent
- Finish: Textured, brushed metallic (non-reflective)
- Durability: 10+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Standoffs, command strips, zip ties, and easel backs
- Design tip: Keep designs minimal, dark or black text on the brushed silver background has a refined look. Avoid busy images. Focus on typography and spacing to emphasize the natural finish.
Reflective Aluminum
Coated with a high-visibility film, reflective aluminum is a weatherproof outdoor sign material that illuminates brightly when lit, perfect for enhancing safety and visibility after dark.
- Best for: Traffic signs, safety signage, directional signs, parking lots, construction zones
- Weather resistance: Excellent
- Finish: Glossy, reflective
- Durability: 10+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Standoffs, command strips, and zip ties
- Design tip: Use dark, bold fonts (like black or navy) on a light background for maximum contrast. Avoid overly detailed graphics. Simple icons and concise text work best for visibility at night.
PVC
Known for its smooth surface and rigid structure, PVC plastic outdoor sign material creates professional designs suitable for both indoor and brief outdoor applications.
- Best for: Menu boards, indoor displays, wall signs, trade shows, temporary outdoor signage
- Weather resistance: Good (best for mild climates or short-term outdoor use)
- Finish: Smooth, matte
- Durability: 3+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Standoffs, command strips, easel backs, suction cup and hook
- Design tip: Use bright colors and simple layouts for clarity. PVC’s matte surface keeps glare down, so light backgrounds and bold fonts highlight your message without overwhelming the eye.
Acrylic
Acrylic: a chameleon of light and form, this weatherproof outdoor sign material transforms any design into a glass-like statement.
- Best for: Office branding, lobby signs, nameplates, retail displays, directional signage
- Weather resistance: Good (UV and moisture resistant)
- Finish: Glossy (transparent, opaque, reflective options available)
- Durability: 5+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Standoffs, command strips, and easel backs
- Design tip: Use clean, minimalist designs with negative space to highlight the material’s clarity. White or metallic lettering looks especially sharp on clear or frosted acrylic.
Coroplast
Coroplast is a corrugated plastic outdoor sign material known for being lightweight, weather-resistant, and cost-effective. This is a weatherproof outdoor sign material for temporary usage.
- Best for: Yard signs, event signage, real estate signs, political campaigns, directional arrows
- Weather resistance: Good
- Finish: Matte
- Durability: 3+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Spider stakes, H-stakes with zip ties, grommets, and command strips
- Design tip: Use bold colors and large fonts to ensure readability from a distance. High contrast (like black on white or red on yellow) works best, especially in open outdoor environments.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a flexible, vibrant outdoor sign material that clings to surfaces, making your message pop and withstand the elements with ease.
- Best for: Business and promotional signage, trade shows, seasonal events, celebrations, and milestones
- Weather resistance: Excellent
- Finish: Glossy or matte (depending on the vinyl type)
- Durability: 5+ years outdoors
- Mounting options: Zip ties, hanging clips, pole pockets
- Design tip: Use high-contrast colors and bold fonts for maximum visibility. Large images work well, but keep critical text simple and easy to read from a distance.
Start Designing Your Exterior Signs with Our Durable Materials!
Your outdoor sign material must defy the elements and make a lasting impact. We offer the best material for outdoor signs that provides essential strength. With our intuitive design tool, complete with smart features and templates, creating your weatherproof outdoor sign material is simpler than you think.
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Start Designing from Scratch
Our intuitive online design tool empowers you to build your sign from the ground up. Craft every detail exactly as you imagine, creating something truly one-of-a-kind, choosing the best material for outdoor signs. Read our guide about designing a business sign for more information.
How to Create Your Design on Our Platform:
- Step 1. Open the design tool and get started on your project.
- Step 2. Pick your sign type and select the product you need.
- Step 3. Choose sizes, options, and accessories.
- Step 4. Start blank or upload your art. Add text, backgrounds, and elements.
- Step 5. Add to cart and complete your purchase.
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Need Help Choosing & Designing? Talk to Our Sign Expert (FREE)
Navigating the array of outdoor sign material types can be daunting, especially when complex design choices also weigh in. Don't leave your vital first impression to chance. Our dedicated sign experts offer personalized guidance to clarify your options, perfect your vision, and ensure your sign performs. Connect with them for tailored solutions and confidently launch your project with the best material for your outdoor signs.