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Acrylic signs come in a variety of finishes, giving the product a unique appearance and distinct design. They help you tailor the product to decorative, commercial, and informative purposes. You’ll be able to use them in offices, homes, retail spaces, and galleries. There are different acrylic sign finishes: glossy and matte. So what are the differences? What material comes in what finish? And which one’s right for you?
Key Takeaways
- Acrylic signs with glossy finishes are luxurious, shiny, and impressive. They’re ideal for business plaques that display logos and promotional deals.
- Matte finishes give acrylic plaques a velvety appearance, with soft designs and a modern touch. They work best for text-heavy displays.
- A properly chosen finish ensures clear legibility and instantly grabs attention. It helps you create beautiful and effective acrylic signs.
Differences Between Acrylic Sign Finishes
Acrylic signs, like few other custom signs, are available in glossy and matte finishes. Each finish is suitable for specific occasions and purposes.
Glossy
Clear acrylic signs have a see-through effect and 100% transparency. They are also the only material where the printing will look glossy. This finish gives the product a glass-like appearance, with imagery mirror-printed on the back of the plaque. Clear acrylic signs are standard decorative pieces used in home and office decor, retail spaces, and galleries.
Read our blog on acrylic signage ideas to boost your business.
Matte (Non-Glare)
The matte finish gives acrylic signs a soft, velvety, and glare-free look. Black, white, frosted, gold, and black transparent acrylic signs are all printed with a matte finish, since the ink is applied directly to the surface.
While the material of black and white acrylic signs is glossy, the graphics on them have a matte finish due to the printing technique. The technique involves applying the design directly onto the material, giving the product a matte touch. They’re suitable for galleries, lobbies, conference rooms, and hotels.
Frosted acrylic signs have an etched finish and are naturally non-glare and translucent. They’re used in bright rooms, private spaces, and modern interiors.
Black transparent and gold acrylic signs have a glossy finish, with the printing applied also being matte. These elegant products are perfect for studios, weddings, award ceremonies, beauty, and spa interiors.
Printing Methods for Acrylic Signs
We use two printing methods for our acrylic signs: standard and second-surface.
Standard Printing
Standard printing provides a matte finish, with graphics directly printed onto the plaque. This method is applicable for black, white, frosted, black transparent, and gold acrylic signs.
Second-Surface Printing
Second-surface printing is only applicable for clear acrylic signs. With this method, you’ll have your graphics reverse-printed on the transparent material, preserving its glossy surface.
Quick Guide on Acrylic Sign Finishes
Take a look at the chart below to view the printing methods, finishes, and other features of our acrylic signs.
| Material | Printing | Finish | Visual Style | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Acrylic | Second-Surface | Glossy | Glass-Like, High-Gloss, Crystal-Clear | Home Decor, Offices, Galleries, and Commercial Places |
| Black Acrylic | Standard | Matte With Glossy Unprinted Surface | Moody, Cinematic, Elegant | Galleries and Exhibitions, Lobbies, Conference Rooms, and Award Ceremonies |
| White Acrylic | Standard | Matte With Glossy Unprinted Surface | Minimalist, Airy, Gallery-Clean | Minimalist Home Decor, Gifts, Offices, and Galleries |
| Frosted Acrylic | Standard | Matte With Glossy Unprinted Surface | Soft, Velvety, Glare-Free, Translucent | Offices, Galleries, Bright Rooms, and Private Spaces |
| Black Transparent Acrylic | Standard | Matte With Glossy Unprinted Surface | Smoky, Cinematic, Translucent | Studios, Receptions, and Modern Office Interiors |
| Gold Acrylic | Standard | Matte With Glossy Unprinted Surface | Luxurious, Warm, Glamorous | Weddings, Hotel and Spa Interiors, and Award Ceremonies |
How to Choose the Right Acrylic Sign Finish
Choosing between different acrylic sign finishes isn’t about aesthetics or beauty. It has to offer clear messaging and good visibility.
Think of Your Messaging
The finish that you pick affects how people perceive your message. The glossy touch creates high color contrasts, enhances vibrancy, and sharpens imagery. It’s best for logos and promotional plaques. Acrylic signs with glossy finishes are more suitable in rooms that aren’t exposed to direct sunlight. The lighting creates extra glare and reflections, competing with the sign message.
The matte finish is perfect for text-heavy designs where readability matters. It gives the product a soft and refined look, reducing glare and reflections. This finish works best for directional and informational plaques.
Avoid using muted colors on matte acrylic signs. Muted colors softened tones, mixed with gray, black, or white. These tones are less vibrant and subtle. That’s why combining muted colors with frosted plaques will make the graphics look faded or obscured.
Consider Lighting and Visibility
Bright light influences how acrylic plaques look. Glossy acrylic reflects lighting and causes glare, leading to reduced legibility.
Matte finishes, on the other hand, minimize reflections and improve readability. They work best for acrylic signs that are installed near windows or under strong lights.
You can also read our blog on the benefits of acrylic, PVC, and yard signs to see which product suits your needs.
Get Your Signage Right
Choosing between different acrylic sign finishes is more than caring about its good appearance. It helps you enhance the colors of your display and make its content highly legible. Make sure you match your product to the environment and purpose to create plaques that instantly impress.