39 Issue 253 - June / July 2024 email: news@signlink.co.uk RIGID SUBSTRATES There is no overstating the importance of material choice when it comes to producing sign applications. To put it simply, if you get this wrong and opt to work with a material not well suited to the piece, or of poor quality, then the integrity of the whole job is at risk. This in turn could cost you repeat business from valuable clients. For this reason, it is critically important that sign-makers take their time when selecting the type of material they want to work with. This is especially true when it comes to using rigid substrates, with these playing a major part in many sign projects. Only by carrying out your due diligence on the options available and speaking with specialists can you be sure that you make the right choice. Here, we catch up with several experts within the world of rigid substrates to find out about how sign-makers can identify the solution best suited to each job and to gain an insight into some of the latest materials available to the market. Scope for Innovation First up is Indasol, which offers a range of technical tapes, adhesives, sealants, protection tapes, marker pens, and other consumables to the market. Owner Martin Sadler says while the company is able to support businesses across a number of industries, it has developed certain solutions especially for the sign-making sector. Among these is Signblock, a rigid polyurethane bonding product that can be CNC cut or hand crafted to look like heavier materials such as wood and stone. The solution has been around since 2010 and has proved popular with sign-makers across all manner of sign and display applications. “Signblock is made in such a way that it is completely bubble-free throughout,” Sadler says, adding: “Sold in 25mm thick 1m x 2m sheets, it comes in a range of densities to suit and can be laminated together to create thicker sheets using Indasol Probonder Spray Adhesive. Being bubble-free, safe to cut, and easy to paint, Signblock is like no other substrate on the market and offers huge scope for creating interesting shapes as well as regular letters and signs. “Being lightweight, Signblock can be handled by a single operator and is easy to CNC cut and can then be lightly sanded, primed, and painted to create whatever finish the client desires. We offer the specific primer in house and as mentioned also the correct laminating adhesive to build the product up into thicker sheets.” In terms of how Signblock is being used, Sadler offers various examples. One that stands out is when the Titanic Museum in Ireland wanted to create a detailed piece for a long-term exhibition, staff came to STANDING STRONG Material choice plays a major role in the overall success of signage projects. Here, we focus on rigid substrates, looking at some of the latest products available and how to identify the best solution for your business ▲ Foamalux Xtra from Brett Martin is manufactured using reclaimed foam PVC
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