The Advantage Of Edge-lit Ultra-slim Signage

Erik Sine · November 3, 2005

By Steven J. Vaccaro

Incorporating edge lighting with a new type of acrylic sheet is a recent innovation in the ultra-slim trend of illuminated signage. The innovation is a technological advancement, and it offers an alternative to the standard backlit sign. Backlit signage requires the use of deep sign cabinets to house the lamp fixtures and electronics, as well as to minimize heat build-up and surface hot spots. Illuminating signs from the edge—with a single neon bulb or a string of LED lights, for example—enables the construction of significantly slimmer and more versatile signs that are easier to install and cheaper to transport.

The use of edge-lit, ultra-slim acrylic signage offers the sign market significant advantages relative to regulations limiting the protrusion of signage from walls, as dictated by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA Title III Regulations provide a clause in section 4.4.1, General in the Standards for Accessible Design, which limits protrusion for wall-mounted signage to just four inches. In order to abide by this clause, a sign maker must either recess the sign into the wall—often at an exorbitant cost—or find another option to address the ADA rule.

Edge-lit acrylic signage has emerged as one of the most viable options in meeting ADA guidelines, and it gives sign makers the ability to provide a premium look at a reasonable price.

Why Acrylic?

Acrylic presents itself as the material of choice among designers seeking to produce ultra-slim edge-lit signage of quality. Acrylic possesses a number of traits that make it ideal for sign applications. It is versatile and suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. It does not yellow or deteriorate with age or exposure to outdoor elements. Lightweight and highly break-resistant, acrylic is also a safe choice for public spaces and is economical for shipping and handling. Since it does not shatter like glass, it minimizes the need for product replacement and re-shipping.

The light transmission of acrylic is also a crucial advantage to its use in signage. Acrylic light transmission is above 92 percent, far superior to that of glass (which only permits approximately 87 percent of visible light transmission). Acrylic clarity holds special significance for maximizing the brightness, visibility, and vibrancy of informational signs and advertisements.

Recent advancements now allow acrylic sheet to incorporate neutral-colored diffuser particles directly into its formulation. These particles ensure that light distribution is extra-bright and uniform, without affecting the overall sign color. This is a critical benefit for creating ultra-slim edge-lit signage.

Sign makers also have a wide range of performance options with acrylic, such as UV filtering, special surface treatments, and a myriad of color options. Modifying acrylic to provide advanced UV filtering properties can extend a sign’s service life by preventing the fading of graphic panels behind acrylic sheet. Acrylic treated with a scratch-resistant coating can maintain the pristine appearance and greatly extend the service life of a given sign. Acrylic non-glare finishes, furthermore, address another ADA stipulation that requires signs to minimize glare and provide a minimum contrast between the text of a sign and its background colors.

New technological advancements have also been able to provide designers with colored acrylic sheet that resists fading. It can be combined with colored neon, LED, and other lighting to attain distinct color blends. These blends may be utilized to achieve a desired visual effect or to match a specific color of a product or company logo, for instance.

Edge Lighting vs. Back Lighting

By moving away from the deep sign cabinets of backlit signage, innovative sign makers incorporate lighting within the framed edge of the acrylic sheet to construct ultra slim, illuminated signage that offers improved flexibility. Potential hazards and costs associated with installing signage in high-traffic areas are considerably reduced due to the minimal amount of hardware and installation time needed to mount edge-lit signage on walls and stands.

The flexibility of ultra-slim, edge-lit signage also greatly facilitates its handling, allowing its interior graphic panel to be changed both quickly and easily. The benefits of this become clear when applied to high-traffic areas with limited space, such as an outdoor bus shelter, for example. Advertising displays are able to maintain extra-bright messaging, and their graphic panels can be swapped at a low expense. Furthermore, the ultra-slim signage allows for more space to be utilized in confined spaces like bus shelters.

A Bright Future

ADA regulations that limit the amount of protrusion for informational and advertising signage have provided the sign industry with a key opportunity for innovation and advancement. Combining edge lighting with new acrylic technologies constitutes a natural progression within this industry, offering the market a sign construction that is both ADA-compliant and sleek. For sign makers looking to leave a lasting impression on viewers and positively impact sales of the advertised product or service, the future is clear: when making a sign or framed product, thinner is better.

Steven J. Vaccaro is marketing manager, sheet department, for CYRO Industries of Rockaway, New Jersey. For more information, call 973/442-6065 or 800/631-5384 or visit http://www.cyro.com.