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Best Materials for Dimensional Signs
Impression Signs and Graphics’ Top Material Choices for Stunning Indoor Dimensional Signage
If you want to make a striking impression, dimensional signage is an excellent option. Also known as 3D signage, dimensional signage stands out—literally. It’s raised off its mounting surface and is highly customizable to help reflect your industry and brand. While dimensional signage can be mounted indoors and outdoors, this article will explore materials best suited for interiors and how 3D signage can help enhance the atmosphere inside your business.
Material Options for Dimensional Letters and Logos
Materials vary greatly in terms of durability and overall impact, so it’s important to know your options. At Impression Signs and Graphics, we offer an array of choices. This makes customizing your sign exciting and also helps ensure your letters and logo accurately reflect what your business is all about. Professional, well-planned signage can even boost your bottom line, so let’s take a look at the options and what they can mean for your business.
Acrylic: Versatile + Cost-Effective
Southdale Center – 1″ Acrylic Dimensional Signage – Edina, MN – by Impression Signs & Graphics
Acrylic is a lightweight thermoplastic, which can also be referred to as Plexiglass. Dimensional acrylic letters and logos offer a sleek, modern look with high optical clarity. Acrylic signs can be designed in a wide range of colors and are durable, affordable and lightweight, making them both a customer favorite and one of Impression Signs & Graphics’ as well.
Common industries: tech companies, schools, and universities for names, logos, and mascot signage.
Aluminum: High-end + Durable
1541 Numbers – Dimensional Aluminum Signage example by Gemini
When it comes to interior dimensional signage, you’ll often see an aluminum sign on the wall behind a reception desk or on another prevalent office wall. Aluminum signage is not only strong and durable, but it also has a high-end appearance. Choose between a brushed matte finish or a polished reflective look to suit your brand.
Common industries: property management and manufacturing companies for wayfinding and reception signage.
Bronze & Brass: Timeless + Professional
City of Oakdale – 1.4″ Copper Metal Dimensional Signage – Oakdale, MN – by Impression Signs & Graphics
All metal letters and logos look professional, but bronze and brass take it to the next level. They offer prestige, tradition, and a rich, classic aesthetic. These materials resist tarnishing, so they maintain their brilliance over time.
Common industries: law firms and financial institutions for timeless, professional signage.
Foam: Lightweight + Cost-Effective
Kruger Products – Dimensional Foam Signage with Painted Face – by Gemini
If you’re searching for affordable indoor dimensional lettering with extra thickness, custom-painted foam is a great option. A thin layer of metal or plastic can be added for a refined look at a lower price point.
Common industries: convention centers, transportation companies, colleges and universities.
Plastic: High-Quality Appearance + Cost-Effective
Coca Cola – Dimensional Plastic Signage example by Gemini
Plastic letters and logos are cost-effective and highly customizable. They can mimic the look of acrylic or metal and even be backlit for maximum impact. Plastic is often used for logos that need to be vibrant, bold, and affordable.
Common industries: retail stores, restaurant franchises, trade shows, and lobby signage.
Wood: Wild + Rustic
Heritage Financial Advisors – Brushed Aluminum Dimensional Signage w/ Wood – Oakdale, MN – by Impression Signs & Graphics
Wood is one of the most distinctive and eco-friendly signage materials. From sandblasted rustic finishes to clean-cut natural looks, wood can enhance your space with texture and warmth.
Common industries: bars, restaurants, hospitality, wellness brands, and convention centers.
Other Things to Consider Before Choosing a Material
- Brand Identity: What message are you sending to your customers? Consider how the material aligns with your brand's tone—whether that's fun and innovative or timeless and trustworthy.
- Budget: Some materials offer high-end finishes at a premium. If needed, flexing on certain design features can help meet your budget.
- Durability: Consider traffic and placement. Materials closer to touchpoints may need to withstand more wear.
- Customizability: Think through what each material offers. Do you want a high-gloss look? Bright colors? Subtle elegance? Customization is key to making the right impact.
Our Impression Signs and Graphics sign shop, located in Oakdale, is a convenient stop for customers in Woodbury, St. Paul, and around the Twin Cities metro. Want to chat more about materials? We’d love to help. Contact us or ask us for a consultation to get started on your own custom interior signage project.
If you’re interested in learning more, we’d love to talk. Give us a call, send an email, or stop by the shop.📞 651-328-6600 | 📧 info@ImpressionSigns.com |
Project Highlight: Reell Manufacturing
Exterior Signage
The Ask: Create & replace illuminated exterior signage so they can be seen in the dark and update their brand identity at the same time.
The Project: Design, manufacture and install a monument sign cabinet that can be seen during the day and at night, and create an illuminated channel letters sign for the back of the building to help people find the building from both sides.
How We Did It: We worked with the city's planning department, an engineering firm, the client's electrician, and a landscaping contractor before ultimately building a monument sign with day/night film that allowed for higher visibility and contrast during both day and night.
Project Highlight: SPPS - Washington
SPPS – Digital Monument
The Ask: Replace an electronic message center sign that was destroyed in an automobile accident.
The Project: Create and install a digital monument sign with a programmable electronic message center to help raise awareness of school events, display recognition messages and enhance community pride.
How We Did It: We designed a monument that was similar to the original, but with several enhancements. A USA-based electronic message center vendor and a local fabricator then produced the monument sign while we helped obtain the required permit. The replacement sign was bigger than what is now currently allowed by the city, but since the original sign was grandfathered in, it was approved and later installed with help from the client’s electrician.
Project Highlight: Helix
HELIX – Multi-family Signage
The Ask: Update signage as part of a property rebrand & add additional wayfinding signage as part of a larger apartment building remodel.
The Project: Design and fabricate over 350 custom interior ADA signs, one illuminated monument sign, four post and panel signs, and a handful of custom parking signs.
How We Did It: We worked with the city’s planning department to ensure all exterior signage was properly permitted per city ordinance prior to fabrication and installation. Then we coordinated all sign installation with the client to ensure minimal disruption and maximum impact to all residents and visitors.
Project Highlight: Agiliti
AGILITI – Interior Signage
The Ask: Help create interior signage for a rebrand to enhance the corporate office environment, showcase the company’s products, and boost company culture through core values signage.
The Project: Work with the client’s design firm to create a company “Legends” wall, a wall mural, a dimensional sign for a curved wall, an illuminated lobby sign for the reception area, etched glass vinyl graphics for multiple conference rooms, and other multi-dimensional signs throughout the office.
How We Did It: We met with the client’s design firm to discuss possible solutions to bring their ideas to life then we performed a detailed site survey to validate the size of each space. We also provided suggestions that could help with their budget without sacrificing the project’s objective. From there, we continued to communicate with the client and their design firm until the whole project was approved, printed, and installed.
Project Highlight: Cobeck - Southdale
COBECK CO. – Comm. Construction Signage
The Ask: Provide signage for the new expansion area at Southdale Center as part of the Lifetime Fitness Edina project.
The Project: Supply illuminated channel letters, dimensional lobby signs, elevator signs, parking signs, and ADA compliant wayfinding signs for the new Southdale expansion parking ramp, elevator, and lobby.
How We Did It: After winning a signage bid on this construction project, we performed multiple site surveys at various stages of construction. We then created mockup submittals for all signage, and upon approval, manufactured and installed signage according to the commercial construction firm’s drawings and needs. We also provided extensive hands-on project management to source non-traditional fabrication requests and ensure on-time delivery to complete the firm’s entire construction project on time.
Project Highlight: Pizza Karma
PIZZA KARMA – Restaurant Signage
The Ask: Print and manufacture all necessary signage for a brand-new restaurant.
The Project: Manufacture exterior channel letters, swap out pylon sign panels in a multi-tenant pole sign, print and install large vinyl wall mural with a custom textured laminate, print and cut window vinyl, menu boards and various other interior wayfinding and branding signage.
How We Did It: We worked with an architectural design firm that specializes in restaurant builds to obtain brand assets we could use to design and layout several different types of signage. We installed all requested signage just in time for the grand opening, even with harsh weather conditions during the week of install.
Project Highlight: East Side Association
EASTSIDE NEIGHBOORHOOD DEVELOPMENT – Illuminated Signage
The Ask: Redesign and renew signage for businesses within the community to help foster economic growth and commercial development on the East Side of St. Paul.
The Project: Create exterior signage (both illuminated channel letters on a raceway and flat panels) to retrofit the space for 6 local businesses and help enhance visibility day and night while creating a more professional appearance for each.
How We Did It: We performed site surveys for each location, created design mockups for each business owner, and worked with the city to obtain required permits. From there, we coordinated installs with an electrician where applicable to ensure all illuminated signs provided maximum impact.
Project Highlight: Metro
METRO HEATING – Fleet Graphics
The Ask: Design & rebrand vehicle graphics to help build further brand awareness, build credibility, and enhance trustworthiness.
The Project: Create a new design, then print and wrap 30+ trucks and vans.
How We Did It: We created multiple design concepts to best incorporate Metro Heating’s ideas and represent not just their services, but also their values. From there, we printed the approved design, and scheduled install on both old and new fleet vehicles with a detailed weekly schedule to ensure on-time completion and minimal downtime for the client.
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