This is how light box signs are made at Posterboy Printing
If you are thinking about updating your light box they are often very easy to change, I’d say the skill level required is if you can handle a screwdriver and climb a ladder you’re good to go.
You need to consider a few things before taking on the project, if you get a red flag on any of these, then you are better off getting a professional in.
1. Look at the ground directly beneath the sign, you want it to be flat and level so you can use an a-frame ladder.
2. Look at access to the side of the frame, make sure the acrylic sheet can slide out. In the image I have used above, it is not possible to slide the sheet out the side because of the awning.
3. Measure the thickness of the acrylic, these are usually 3mm or 5mm, you want to make sure you can get the same thickness. A 5mm sheet won’t fit into a 3mm slot!
4. When you measure the sign, make sure you get the actual size,not just the visual size. The sheet tends to be about 10mm bigger in each dimension than the area visible within the frame. That is not standard though, so don’t take my word for it.
5. Acrylic comes in standard sheet size of 1200 x 2400mm. Your required sheet size is likely much smaller than that. But you will be paying for the whole sheet whether you use it or not. So take the measurements and look around, see where you might be able to use the offcuts. You might as well get value for money.
An overhead lightbox sign is a must have for any business with a retail store front. They are best to hand perpendicular to your store front across the foot path so passing traffic can see where your business is.
These signs are often the first thing that a potential customer sees of your business, so they need to look good. A run down sign will give a poor first impression, no matter how good the business is.
Light box signs will be viewed from a long distance and for possibly only a few seconds. So the graphic design of the sign needs to be simple and direct, a business name, or a summary of services in one or two words.
If the fitting is already in place, then replacing the face is a simple job. The face is made of acrylic/perspex and slides into the frame, so removing the existing piece is generally just a matter of opening one of the sides and sliding the piece out. Inserting a new piece is just as simple.
It is possible to reuse the existing acrylic sheet, but not recommended. The cost of the time spent cleaning and restoring the sheet is likely to be more than the cost of replacing it with a new sheet. There is also the possibility of damaging the sheet during cleaning. Lightboxes are particularly unforgiving with damage as they light up any scratches of marks.
With all that dones, and your graphic design done you can get in touch with a sign maker or printer to have the thing produced. Make sure that you ask for a freight cost. Shipping anything over 1.5 metres often attracts very high freight costs because the freight company will need to use a bigger vehicle to transport it.
You can read more here about the steps of our production process and some tips to update your light box sign.
For prices please contact us or request a quote (it’s free and with no obligation)