Signage and Interpretation Guidance
08/04/10 15:13 Filed in: Interpretation
Lavastone / Stoneware
Lava stone has been used for roadside signage for over a century. The natural aspect of lava, gives a unique finish to all visual features, and exceptional depth of colour.
Unaffected by the heat, cold, sea air and exceptionally resistant to any form of aggression (graffiti, scratching and boring) enamelled lava provides a long-lasting signage with excellent staying power.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel panels provide a robust and versatile option. They can be direct printed onto the steel. The printing can be done as screen printing or digital printing. The advantage of screen printing is that they will not fade within 10 years - digital printing will last 5 years.
GRP
These are panels produced using a resin process - the image is printed digitally onto vinyl and then “baked” or “sunk” into the resin sheet. This is then attached to a foamex plastic base with a plywood or aluminium backing. The whole thing is then framed. These panels are typically robust and weather resistant. Good colour and illustration reproduction can be achieved making these panels ideal for nature situations or map presentation. The process can be used for most locations although once attacked by vandalism or external elements can look tired and sad very quickly.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
Polycarbonate Type Panels
The image is reverse printed digitally onto clear vinyl and then attached to a clear polycarbonate.This is then attached to a foamex plastic base with a plywood or aluminium backing. The whole thing is then framed. These panels are not usually as robust as GRP and the polycarbonate is often glossy which can affect readability. Good colour and illustration reproduction can be achieved making these panels ideal for nature situations or map presentation.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
Engraved and etched signs
These are acid etched or engraved signs. Manufactured from Brass, Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Wood, Signroc, Avonite or Plastic. These are often seen in industrial or heritage situations. This process, together with detailed text and illustrations is the perfect solution for long-lasting quality historical interpretation panels.
Good effects can be achieved using the process but they are not really appropriate for illustrating maps or willdife. Interestingly they are perfect for adding braille elements to the sign.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
Audio signs
These are MP3 players that can be built into more traditional or tactile signs providing a truly accessible option
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
Metal Photo Panels
These are simple steel panels with screen printed mono photos printed onto them. They are cheaper than other panels and provide a classic look to some heritage sites.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
Engraved and tactile signs
These are wooden routed or engraved signs. These are often seen in heritage and natural situations - they are low maintenance and very robust. Good effects can be achieved using the process including tactile maps and wildlife illustrations.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
Lava stone has been used for roadside signage for over a century. The natural aspect of lava, gives a unique finish to all visual features, and exceptional depth of colour.
Unaffected by the heat, cold, sea air and exceptionally resistant to any form of aggression (graffiti, scratching and boring) enamelled lava provides a long-lasting signage with excellent staying power.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
- UV resistant over 10 years
- Removal of graffiti by all types of solvents
- Resistance to scratching and boring
- Excellent quality - screenprinting managed by skilled craftsmen
- Does not freeze, is unaffected by heat, cold and sea air
- Unusual shapes All shapes possible
- Natural and recyclable
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel panels provide a robust and versatile option. They can be direct printed onto the steel. The printing can be done as screen printing or digital printing. The advantage of screen printing is that they will not fade within 10 years - digital printing will last 5 years.
- UV resistance
- Removal of graffiti by all types of solvents
- Resistance to scratching and boring
- Excellent image quality
- Versatile - allows for digital and screen printing depending on location
- recyclable
GRP
These are panels produced using a resin process - the image is printed digitally onto vinyl and then “baked” or “sunk” into the resin sheet. This is then attached to a foamex plastic base with a plywood or aluminium backing. The whole thing is then framed. These panels are typically robust and weather resistant. Good colour and illustration reproduction can be achieved making these panels ideal for nature situations or map presentation. The process can be used for most locations although once attacked by vandalism or external elements can look tired and sad very quickly.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
- UV resistant over 5 years
- Removal of graffiti by all types of solvents
- Resistance to scratching and boring
- Excellent quality - digital printing is the usual type of printing
- Unusual shapes All shapes possible
Polycarbonate Type Panels
The image is reverse printed digitally onto clear vinyl and then attached to a clear polycarbonate.This is then attached to a foamex plastic base with a plywood or aluminium backing. The whole thing is then framed. These panels are not usually as robust as GRP and the polycarbonate is often glossy which can affect readability. Good colour and illustration reproduction can be achieved making these panels ideal for nature situations or map presentation.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
- UV resistant over 5 years
- Removal of graffiti by all types of solvents
- Resistance to scratching and boring
- Excellent quality - digital printing is the usual type of printing
- Unusual shapes All shapes possible
Engraved and etched signs
These are acid etched or engraved signs. Manufactured from Brass, Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Wood, Signroc, Avonite or Plastic. These are often seen in industrial or heritage situations. This process, together with detailed text and illustrations is the perfect solution for long-lasting quality historical interpretation panels.
Good effects can be achieved using the process but they are not really appropriate for illustrating maps or willdife. Interestingly they are perfect for adding braille elements to the sign.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
- UV resistant over 10 years
- Removal of graffiti by all types of solvents
- Resistance to scratching and boring
- Tactile and braille options
- Unusual shapes All shapes possible
Audio signs
These are MP3 players that can be built into more traditional or tactile signs providing a truly accessible option
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
- UV resistance depending on signage
- MP3 player can be programmed to take audio files that can be changed easily
- Accessible and audio
- Interactive
Metal Photo Panels
These are simple steel panels with screen printed mono photos printed onto them. They are cheaper than other panels and provide a classic look to some heritage sites.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
- UV resistance upto 5 years
- Cheap to produce and replace
- Classic
Engraved and tactile signs
These are wooden routed or engraved signs. These are often seen in heritage and natural situations - they are low maintenance and very robust. Good effects can be achieved using the process including tactile maps and wildlife illustrations.
Here are some key points about this type of signage:
- UV resistant over 10 years
- Tactile and braille options
- Unusual shapes All shapes possible