Signs and Plaques
Short answer
Signs and plaques are made in plastic, acrylic, composite and metal — by printing, laser cutting or engraving. Size and material follow viewing distance and environment: a facade sign needs outdoor-grade material, while door and desk plaques are indoor items.
'Signage' is one word covering entirely different tasks: a facade sign that must be visible from the street, a door number read from a metre, a desk plaque, and safety markings. Each needs a different size, material and production technique. This page covers what each type requires and how letter height is calculated from viewing distance.
Key facts
- Materials
- Plastic, acrylic, composite, metal
- Techniques
- Printing, laser cutting, engraving
- Facade signs
- Outdoor material, large letters
- Door plaques
- 1 m distance, small format
- Desk plaques
- On a stand, double-sided possible
- Letter height
- Assess size, contrast, typeface and viewing distance
- Installation
- Agreed separately
- Quote
- Timing by agreement
Letter height and viewing distance
Choose letter size from the actual viewing distance, typeface, contrast, lighting and viewing angle. Review the full message at the intended scale; there is no single distance-to-letter-size formula that works for every sign.
- Assess size, contrast, typeface and viewing distance
- 10 m — ~30 cm letters
- 3 m — ~9 cm letters
- 1 m (door) — ~3 cm letters
- Calculate before designing, not after
Types and their requirements
A facade sign is the most demanding: it needs outdoor-grade material, weather-resistant printing and reinforced fixings. Door plaques (room numbers, job titles, company names) are indoor items where material choice is freer — acrylic and plastic are the most common. Desk plaques can be double-sided and are often made with their stand. Safety signage is a separate category: its symbols and colours are normally defined by standards, and we produce them to the specification you supply.
- Facade signs — outdoor material, reinforced fixings
- Door plaques — acrylic or plastic
- Desk plaques — with a stand, double-sided too
- Safety signage — to your supplied specification
Printing, cutting or engraving
Three techniques give three different results. Printing is the most flexible: multi-colour imagery, photography, gradients — all possible, and it is the most economical option. Laser cutting cuts the shape itself: cut-out letters or a logo silhouette give a dimensional effect and read as considerably more valuable. Engraving leaves a mark in the surface — it works especially well on metal and acrylic and is the most durable, because the image is in the material rather than applied to it.
Sign types and conditions to confirm
| Type | Viewing conditions | Design and installation considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Facade sign | Outdoor, distant viewing | Type size, lighting, wind and fixings |
| Entrance sign | Approaching visitors | Direction, contrast and mounting height |
| Door plaque | Close viewing | Name readability and door surface |
| Desk plaque | Seated or standing viewer | Viewing angle, reflections and dimensions |
| Safety sign | Site-specific requirement | Applicable requirements and approved symbols |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine the sign size?
Are 3D letters and signs the same thing?
Do you install as well?
Should the sign be visible at night?
Which material lasts longest?
Can you cut to a logo shape?
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