3D Letters

Sourced from sign trade manufacturers, I supply and install 3D letters in Dundee and the surrounding region.

Outsourcing provides my clients with access to the widest range of bespoke dimensional signs in the UK. I source shaped signs fabricated by manufacturers who specialise in making built-up and flat-cut letters. Doing so enables me to manage your project for the most efficient result.

Which type of raised letters is best for your business?

There’s lots of materials to choose from. Metals, plastics, woods, and composites, in varying thicknesses, colours, and finishes.

Begin by choosing the mood you want your sign to convey. 100mm thick, back illuminated, stainless steel letters will express differently than 5mm thick, glued-on plastic letters.

Establish your budget too. Often, larger and/or thicker letters will cost more than flatter letters. Illumination and other add-ons such as specific colours will increase costs.

Location, positioning, and viewing angle are also important. Protruding letters perform best when they’re visible from all angles. Otherwise, save your money and opt for flat panels.

Planning consent may also be required for raised letters and 3D signs. Depending on your sign’s location and any previous signage on or near the premises, your local authority may want to know. Check with your landlord or council planning department if you’re unsure about permission for exterior signs.

Flat cut letters

Flat cut letters are individually cut out from sheets of rigid substrates, commonly shaped on CNC routers, as well as laser and water jet cutters.

They can also be layered. Separate layers glued together make thicker letters or outlines and paneled backgrounds.

Flat-cut letters and shapes can be installed directly onto non porous surfaces with adhesive tapes or glue.

They can also protrude from the surface with studs, rods, or packers attached to the backs. The fixings on the backs protrude the flat cuts off of the background to make them appear as if hovering in front of the surface. This creates a neat drop shadow.

Aluminium letters

• Aluminium sheets are available from less than one millimetre thick. Aluminium is non-corrosive and is a sensible choice for marine environments. Aluminium’s key benefit is its strength in comparison to its weight. Flat-cut aluminium letters are often spray painted or powder coated. They can also be covered with vinyl.

• Aluminium composite is typically three millimetres thick. The substrate has a dense plastic core, sandwiched with very thin aluminium. Available in a limited selection of factory finish colours with options of brushed and metallic effects, aluminium composite can also be painted or covered with vinyl. Compared to other substrates, it’s more cost efficient with most alumnium composite options suitable for exterior environments.

Steel, brass and copper letters

• Brass holds well in most exterior environments. It’ll turn darker over time but will not corrode. Preferable for coastal environments, brass lettering can also be lacquered to extend its lustre.

• Copper is similar to brass but not as robust. Exposed copper in exterior conditions will also darken over time and can be lacquered to prevent the metal patina. Alternatively, mirrored copper finish vinyl is applied to the face of similar rigid substrates to mimic a copper finish.

• Mild steel flat cuts are ideally suited when welded to frames, rods, or metal structures. Less expensive than aluminium sheets, mild steel must be painted for durability in exterior environments. Although heavy, mild steel is a good option for fixing letters into stone.

• Stainless steel is extremely durable. Polished and brushed effects make for a classy looking sign. Marine grade stainless steel also provides greater corrosion resistance and is recommended for coastal environments.

• Gold finish stainless steel is a not-so-common sheet material. Available in a satin or polished finish, it’s durable and weatherproof. Often used as architectural cladding, the material can be laser cut into letters and fixed flat or raised off of the surface. A real head turner with a gleaming effect.

Plastic Letters

• Acrylic is a hard, rigid plastic available in a large range of thicknesses, colours, and finishes. Commonly known as Perspex, cast acrylic is often fixed to fascia signs with stud locators. Acrylic performs well outdoors and has a super smooth finish. Gloss acrylic is easily tarnished and care is necessary for maintaining the materials’ finish.

• Foam PVC (commonly known as Foamex) ranges up to 19mm thick in a limited selection of matt and gloss colours. Lightweight and ideal for interior spaces, foam PVC flat-cut letters can also be painted. Their key attribute is simulating built-ups at a fraction of the cost. Although weatherproof, foam PVC’s drawback is that it tends to expand and contract in extreme temperatures.

• High density urethane (HDU) is somewhat of a wonder material. It can be shaped, carved, and sandblasted for amazing signage. HDU is weatherproof and almost always painted for maximum effect. Especially impressive for landmark signs

• Polystyrene flat cuts are super lightweight. They can be cut and shaped from blocks, providing thicknesses that are more difficult to achieve with other substrates. Polystyrene can also be finished with water based paints.

Wooden letters

• MDF is in essence, compressed wood fibres. Its structure is held together with glue. Veneered MDF flat cuts’ main benefit is mimicking hardwood finishes at a much lesser cost than real hardwood. Ideally suited for interior environments, MDF requires extra attention when painting. Edges must be sanded and sealed to avoid the fibrous core shining through. Marine (exterior waterproof) MDF is also available at a significantly higher cost than MDF.

• Plywood flat-cut letters are available in varying grades and thicknesses. Exterior, marine grade plywood is advised for outdoors display and conservation area signage. Plywood can be stained or oiled to enhance the appearance of the wood grain, as well as painted in gloss, satin, or matt finishes.

Maintenance is necessary for permanent exterior wooden signs and should be factored into your choice of sign material.

Mirror letters

Mirror finish flat-cut letters can be made using rigid substrates, covered with mirror finish vinyl. Chrome, mirror gold, mirror rose gold, and a modest selection of brushed and glitter effect vinyls are available. Some mirror finish vinyl has a limited lifespan, especially in exterior conditions. Seek advice from your signmaker before deciding which mirror finish to choose.

Built-up letters

Built-up letters and shapes start as flat-cuts. The flat-cuts are the faces of the built-ups. The edges (known as returns) are added to the back of the flat-cuts by either welding or bonding strips of a substrate to the faces. The returns add depth and the dimensional effect.

In some circumstances, different materials have to be used to create the return. This depends on the substrate chosen to make the built-ups.

As such, not all of the above listed substrates can be made into built-ups.

Making 3D letters

There are also size and line width limitations when creating built-up letters and shapes.

Attaching returns to small or intricate letters may not be practical. Small and intricate shapes and letters can be made to look like built-ups by layering flat-cuts. This option often costs less than adding returns to the flat-cuts’ faces.

Plugs or threaded studs are attached to the backs of the built-ups. These pair with cylindrical fixings which are attached to the sign panel or sign surface. With no visible fixings, built-up letters appear as solid structures.

There’s lots of finishes and special effects which can be added to built-up lettering, including illumination.

Moulded letters

Moulded letters are single pieces of shaped acrylic. Flexible acrylic sheets are pressed between moulds to create the protruding letter.

Bevelled and prismatic moulds make the letter appear carved or chiselled. Additionally, the letters create their own shadows which can be emphasised with metal leaf or specialist paints. These finishes can mimic the appearance of solid gold or stone. Specialist paint finishes such as textured effects can also be applied.

However, due to manufacturing processes, there are limitations with moulded letters. The main drawback is a narrow selection of moulds. This limits the choice of typefaces available.

Illuminating 3D letters

Adding illumination to letters increases the visibility of the sign in dimly lit areas and when it’s dark.

Choosing which type of illumination for your sign is influenced by the type of 3D letter.

Face lit letters are acrylic. Flat-cut acrylic letters are made to fit into sign trays. Either flush with the face of the tray, sunk in or protruding.

Built-ups with illuminated faces are commonly made with metal returns. LEDs are sunk into the sign tray or inside the built-ups.

Halo lit letters provide a ray of light around the backs of the letters. The faces of the letters are opaque and don’t allow light through. This creates a soft glow effect with the LEDs pointing at the surface to which the letters are fixed.

Combining both face lit and halo lit is also an option.

LEDs can be almost any colour or mixed. The illumination can complement the colour of the letters, signs, and your business’ identity.

LEDs are suitable for exterior environments and are also energy efficient. They last much longer than conventional tube lighting too. Controllers can be included to adjust the type of lighting you prefer, whether constant, flashing, or multi-coloured.

To conclude, dimensional letters and shapes have more presence than flat signage. They level up your signs and add interest to your business’s visual identity.

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Need advice or a quote for your 3D letters in Dundee? Get in touch to find out more.