Acrylic and PVC letters, in any color you need.
Acrylic is the workhorse of dimensional signage: crisp edges, any color by paint or print, and thick enough to stand off the wall. PVC is its economical cousin for big painted logos, and laminated letters put a thin metal or foil face on an acrylic or foam core for the look of metal indoors.
Why acrylic is the default
Cut acrylic gives a clean, sharp edge and a face that takes color well. It runs from 1/8 inch to 1 1/2 inches thick and from 3/4 inch to 95 inches tall in one piece, so the same material covers a suite number and a wall-filling logo. The acrylic is an impact-modified, UV-stable grade, so it shrugs off knocks in a busy lobby and holds its color next to a sunny window.
Four ways to color it
- Colored through. The color runs all the way through the sheet, so the edge matches the face. Black, white, and optical clear are the most economical.
- Painted. About 45 standard colors, or a custom match to a PMS number or a paint brand's color.
- Printed. Full-color UV print on the face, for logos with gradients, photos, or fine detail. It prints in CMYK, so for an exact PMS match, paint is safer.
- Clear. Optical clear acrylic, for a glass-like edge that picks up the light.
The printed option can also build raised detail and texture into the face, such as a wood grain or a marble finish, for a sign that looks layered without being built in layers.
Acrylic, PVC, or laminated?
| Material | Looks like | Thickness | Letter height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Crisp edges; colored through, painted, printed, or clear | 1/8 to 1 1/2 in | 3/4 to 95 in |
| PVC | A smooth painted finish in any color, metallics included | 1/4 to 1 1/2 in | 2 to 95 in |
| Metal laminate on acrylic | A thin real-metal face on an acrylic core, 15 face finishes | 1/8 to 1 1/2 in | 3 to 45 in |
| Metallic foil on acrylic | A metallic foil face, 10 finishes | 1/8 to 1/2 in | 1 to 22 in |
| Laminate on foam | A metal or acrylic face on a thick charcoal foam core | 1/2 to 3 in | 4 to 46 in |
When PVC is the right call
PVC is light, smooth, and painted to order in standard, custom, or metallic colors, and it is the sensible way to make a big logo: the letters come with their mounting hardware and a mounting pattern. Two rules shape a PVC design. Letters start at 2 inches tall (3 inches once the stock is 3/4 inch or thicker), and strokes need to be at least 0.188 inch wide, or 0.25 inch if the letters are taped or stud mounted. We check every line of your logo against those numbers on the proof.
One we installed
The logo wall at Brandon J Roofing is painted PVC. The full badge is 59.6 inches wide and 48 inches tall, cut from 1/4 inch stock, painted a lighter gray in gloss to sit tone-on-tone on a darker gray wall, and flush mounted on hidden studs from a full-size template. More on that job on our lobby signs page.
Mounting acrylic and PVC
- Flush studs need letters at least 1/4 inch thick. The studs go into drilled holes and the letter sits tight to the wall.
- Studs with spacers hold the letters off the wall for a floating look and a shadow line.
- Double-face tape suits light letters on a smooth wall, and leaves no holes.
Acrylic 3/8 inch and thicker gets a traced, full-size pattern on a durable sheet that marks every hole. Thinner stud-mounted letters use a paper drill pattern, and taped letters a stencil. Either way, the letters go up where the proof says they go.
Where it works
- Reception and lobby logos, the most common job. See lobby signs.
- Conference room names, suite numbers, and door signs, in the same material as the main sign.
- Retail and restaurant feature walls, menu walls, and photo walls.
- Gym and studio walls, where a big logo is part of the room.
For solid metal, see metal letters, and for every material side by side, dimensional letters and logos.
How big should the letters be?
Enter the viewing distance and who is reading, and the letter height calculator gives the smallest letters that still read and the size that really stands out.
Built right, start to finish.
Any color
Colored through, painted to your brand color, or printed in full color.
Crisp, thick edges
Cut acrylic from 1/8 inch to 1 1/2 inches thick.
Flush or floating
Hidden studs, spacers for a shadow line, or tape for light interior pieces.
Good to know.
Still curious? A quick message is the fastest way to a real answer.
Get a quoteAcrylic or PVC for a lobby sign?
Both look sharp indoors. PVC is the economical choice for big painted logos and comes with its mounting hardware and pattern. Acrylic gives you a crisper edge and more ways to color it (colored through, printed, or clear). Big sign and a tight budget: PVC. Detailed or full-color logo: acrylic.
Can we put letters up without drilling?
Often, yes. Light acrylic, PVC, and laminated letters can go up with double-face tape on a smooth, sound wall, which leaves no holes. Heavier pieces and textured walls need studs. Send a photo of the wall and we will tell you which it needs.
What thickness should we choose?
Thicker letters read as more substantial from across a room, and flush studs need at least 1/4 inch. For a main lobby logo, a thicker edge is usually worth it; small door and suite lettering can be thinner. We are happy to price two thicknesses side by side so you can decide.
Can you print our full-color logo on acrylic?
Yes. Full-color UV printing handles gradients, photos, and fine detail. It prints in CMYK, so if an exact PMS match matters more than detail, we will recommend paint instead.
Are laminated letters real metal?
The face is. Metal laminate letters have a thin layer of real metal bonded to an acrylic core, and foil letters a metallic foil, so the face looks like solid metal while the price stays well below it. For solid metal, see metal letters.
Ready to get your brand out there?
Whether it's a vehicle wrap, a wall mural, or a stack of business cards, let's talk about your project and make it happen.