For these signs, the raceway-mounted backer panels help provide a clean appearance, create a higher contrast than the building façade alone would and draw attention to the letters with a ‘picture frame’ effect.
Construction materials
Backer panels are typically constructed of aluminum, which is light but offers high tensile strength and strong corrosion resistance, providing compelling advantages over other material options.
The added cost of a backer panel depends on the size of the entire project and of the individual letters. If the panel can be cut from a single 1.2 x 2.4-m (4 x 8-ft) aluminum sheet, for example, that will add less to the project cost than if the design requires multiple sheets or a larger sheet size, like 1.5 x 3 m (5 x 10 ft).
As mentioned, backer panels are typically painted
in a custom colour, which is chosen both to optimize the appearance of the sign and to provide a higher level of contrast than the building façade. That said, custom paint colours are not the only way to enhance the effectiveness of a backer panel; another option is
to apply vinyl, which
can even carry graphics.
An important element
Through their various design possibilities, esthetic purposes and material options, backer panels have proven an important and effective element of sign design, particularly in terms of increasing visibility and exposure.
John Baylis is marketing director for Direct Sign Wholesale. For more information, contact him via e-mail at jb@directsignwholesale.com.
