10 Best Materials to Use for Your Indoor Signage

AUGUST 12, 2019| SpeedPro East Bay

Although exterior signage is very important in attracting traffic to your business, your interior signage is just as important in keeping people around and wanting to come back. Imagine your exterior has a fresh face, however when customers walk inside everything is outdated and rundown. This could be crucial to your customer retention and success. When you partner with us at SpeedPro East Bay, we offer a full variety of options and solutions for interior signage. Here are your top 10 best materials to use when it comes to your interior decor.

1. ACRYLIC

Acrylic is a rigid material that can either be completely transparent (clear) or have a backlit look to it when it has a milky coating. This substrate can be printed directly for a softer look, however, if you’re looking to achieve a richer color, we can mount adhesive vinyl to the front or back. Acrylic is best used in artistic settings or for a 3-dimensional appearance. These are often seen in offices or restaurants when trying to display artwork and for installation, they’re simply mounted with metal standoffs.

2. ADHESIVE VINYL

Adhesive vinyl can be used for many different surfaces. The first and probably most impactful option is for wall murals. Our adhesive vinyl can be printed into large panels that can be installed side by side to create one giant wall mural masterpiece. These are perfect for lobby’s, offices, and conference rooms. These are also fully customizable so the print can be anything you imagine. Another option for adhesive vinyl is using it for window graphics. This can be a full window blockout or window accents. This can also use adhesive frosted vinyl or specialty films that can be used for privacy in offices. Finally, adhesive vinyl is great for brand reinforcement. Contour cut lettering is the perfect way to display your logo or mission statement in a simple but visually appealing way.

3. COROPLAST (CORRUGATED PLASTIC)

Corrugated plastic is the perfect indoor temporary signage solution. Although this material is most commonly used for exterior yard signs, this cardboard-like material can have multiples uses for indoor signage. Coroplast is essentially two sheets of plastic with waffle-like flutes running up and down it which allows for h-stakes to fit. When using coroplast indoors, directional signage and point of purchase displays are perfect options. These can be contour cut to any shape and the production time is fast and easy while also affordable.

4. DIGITAL SIGNAGE

Digital signage may not be just one material but it is becoming even more popular. When it comes to digital signage, this option is great for businesses with messages that constantly change, for example, restaurant menus. This gives you the ability to change your menu in a more affordable way, rather than reprinting new menu boards every time a price or item changes. Digital signage is also great for advertising local businesses and/ or upcoming promotions.

5. FABRIC

Dye sublimated fabric is the most popular option when it comes to eye-catching event graphics. This can be something as simple as a dye-sublimated table cover to a full-on backdrop that can be installed to a back wall. This can really help your trade show booth pop and it’s also super lightweight for setting up and breaking down. If you really want to make an impression, there are also backlit fabric display options as well.

6. FOAMCORE

Foamcore is most certainly an interior preferred material. It’s very lightweight with a paper coating on the outside and foam in the center. This means any water that comes in contact with it will ruin it as well as if the wind is strong outside, it’ll easily get blown away and damaged. Foamcore is best used as easel signs, contour cut promotional signage, point of purchase displays, and more. It’s not only lightweight but also very affordable and professional looking for presentations.

7. GLASS

Glass can be fully customizable whether it’s direct printing or enhancing the existing glass. Glass can be similar to acrylic where you would use it as an artistic or dimensional way to strengthen the interior. However, you can also have fun with the glass doors and windows on the inside. For privacy purposes, there are frosted films that can be applied to the glass allowing for light to shine in but still block for privacy. This doesn’t have to just be solid film either. There are different design options with geometric patterns as well as etching. With etching, we’re able to create any logo or image in the frosted film and apply to the glass for a “stencil” look on your window and reinforce the branding. If you would like to do a full window blockout, the adhesive vinyl is the perfect solution to achieve a rich graphic and still send a message of full privacy.

8. METAL

Metal is the ideal solution for outdoor signage but it can also be great for indoors as well. Metal has become popular for wayfinding signage where we can print directly onto it whether it’s brushed or solid coated and then apply this throughout the building with room numbers and names. Because it’s so durable and rigid, this material will last for years with a highly professional finish, especially indoors.

Metal is also common with artists and photographers. Printing directly to metal can give a unique finish that regular paper or canvas cannot achieve making it the go-to option when exploring new areas of printing.

9. PAPER

Paper is the everyday option that never goes out of style. At SpeedPro East Bay, we have a variety of different poster paper finishes so we can fit your needs every time. These include matte, satin, gloss, and high gloss photo paper.

Whether you’re framing images and want just a simple poster print, or maybe you’re putting together a full-on wall collage, we’ll find the best poster paper for you.

10. WOOD

Wood is the more “old school” version of making signs but it is still popular today. Wood can be cut into almost any shape and it can be finished in different ways. It can have a very polished surface, a more rustic and flat look, or it can be completely wrapped with adhesive vinyl. Wood is a great way to add a more natural feel to your interior signage.