One thing that may completely ruin a really nice sign is ugly fasteners. Once upon a time they were a necessary evil, but these days there are better options that will improve the look of your signs without sacrificing durability or safety. Here are some tips for eliminating tek-screws, self-tappers and rivets -
- Panelmounts - these are certainly fashionable right now. While I would never want to place bets on what will be fashionable in the future, I think Panelmounts are a stayer. Why? Because they are such an elegant solution to ugly fasteners. We might see the look of the cap itself change with fashions, but the basic idea will remain the same.
Mounting the sign off the wall adds a third dimension to the sign cost-effectively. A clear glass or acrylic sign mounted off the wall allows the designer to use the wall colour as a background. The fasteners themselves become an aesthetic addition to the sign, rather than detracting from the look.
- Double-Sided Adhesive Tapes - the main benefit of a tape is that it is instant. Application takes seconds, nothing needs to dry or cure. Money is generally saved through reduced labour costs. They are also hidden, and if the right adhesive tape is used, no mechanical fasteners are required.
Very High Bonding Tapes (such as our stylus 5300 series) can completely replace all mechanical fasteners and adhesives. Very High Bonding Tapes are basically pure adhesive, unlike most wet adhesives which contain fillers (to bring the price down). If there is a weak point - it won't be the tape, it will be one of the surfaces the tape is stuck to. They have exceptionally high sheer strength, unlike foam tapes or silicone adhesives.
Ideal situations for Very High Bonding Tapes are metal or plastics to other metals or plastics. They become less useful where the background surface is unstable, such as old masonry or painted plasterboard; the tape won't fail but the background may! The "achilles heel" of tapes is where one or more surfaces is very cold (less than 10 deg C) or contaminated; but either of these situations are usually not too difficult to remedy and the results are worth it.
Tapes also have a uniform thickness, so lumps and wobbles in the sign surface (caused by fastener pressure or adhesive thickness variances) are eliminated completely. This uniform thickness is also a benefit wherever dissimilar metals need to be stuck to each other, providing an insulating barrier against electrolysis that is usually adequate to prevent corrosion.
Other common DS Adhesive Tapes used in the sign industry are Foam Tapes. These are usually for lighter applications, usually indoors. They are also used occasionally to hold signs in place while an adhesive sets, although this can be a false economy as the bonding strength of the wet adhesive may be inferior to the bonding strength of the tape! This system can be quite an economical way to mount a light sign, though, particularly if the wall surface is rough.
We hope these tips help you to display your work in the best possible way! If you have any questions about Adhesive Tapes or Panelmounts, please don't hesitate to either call Aidan on 03 6272 3088 or email sales@marsdenbros.com.au with your enquiry. Pricing can also be found in our price list at http://www.marsdenbros.com.au/price_list Take advantage of our specialist knowledge, we are always happy to help.