Park Entrance Signs

Routed Plastic Sign Design

With a talented design staff, Vacker is committed to excellence in design development, ensuring that every panel design reflects an appropriate image and identity for its site.

While clients are encouraged to select a preferred sign shape, text, and express a desired “look” or style at the outset of the design process, every panel is custom designed to achieve the proper proportions, elements, and type styles. Virtually any font, logo or design element can be incorporated into our signs.

Vacker offers both flat routing and dimensional V-groove auto-carving. V-grooved text and elements add dimension and a look of distinction. Complex logos and graphics can also be achieved with use of a logo insert.

In this case, a “pocket” is routed-out to accept a separate printed graphic. Our printed inserts utilize a premium quality protective over-laminate, ensuring excellent resistance to vandalism and the elements.

Colors

Vacker offers bi-color HDPE sign board in 14 color combinations as indicated below. Bi-color sign board is one color on the outside with a second contrasting color on the inside. When the material is routed or carved, the contrasting interior color is revealed.

Other color combinations are available by special order in limited quantities. HDPE sign board material is recyclable and contains some recycled content.

Colors shown are approximate. Color appearance can vary from one computer monitor to another. Please request a color sample to verify actual panel colors.

Shapes

Early in the design process, clients are encouraged to select a desired panel size and shape.

Then, based on the text, logos, and graphic elements to be included in the panel layout, the desired shape is refined to achieve pleasing visual proportions.

Following are some sign panel shapes for consideration, though custom shapes are possible.

Common Mounting Methods

Routed plastic signs can be mounted several different ways. Mounting with “outbound” posts, where the sign mounts between two posts, can be achieved a couple of different ways: 1) slotted posts, 2) angle brackets. With the slotted post method, a slot is routed into the posts to accept a sign panel “extension” as also shown below. Another method is to utilize angle aluminum brackets. Vacker does not provide posts or brackets. Angle aluminum is typically available at your local metal supermarket. Clients should consider their geographic location and associated footing recommendations when determining appropriate post lengths.

Expansion and Contraction

HDPE plastic sign material will expand or contract in response to temperature fluctuation. For large signs, it is recommended that mountings compensate for an expansion/contraction rate of about 1/32″ per 40 degrees of temperature change. The material should be allowed to move freely. It is suggested that holes be drilled oversized by a minimum of .125”-.25”. Any bolts / fasteners should not be overly tightened and provide for free movement of the panel.