DESIGNING WITH GLASS IN SIGNAGE
Glass has many functions and is used extensively in signage today.
PROPERTIES OF GLASS
Glass is a primary material and is used in many ways in our living spaces, such as:
- Windows
- Building material in architectural designs
- Translucent glass signs on walls
- Glass skylights which display graphics
- Car dealership signage
Glass has a number of unique qualities, including:
- Aesthetic brilliance
- Light and clarity
- Versatility
- Strength
- Variety in style, type and thickness
GLASS TYPES AND FINISHES
Popular methods of glass manufacture have produced:
- Monolithical glass
- Tempered (toughened) glass
- Frosted film applied to glass
- Translucent film applied to glass
Monolithical glass is engineered and manufactured through a floating process utilising natural products and chemistry.
Tempered glass is produced through a heating and cooling process which creates small pellets of glass rather than big pieces of glass. It is widely used to make glass safer in certain applications. Window film can be applied to tempered glass and used to make signs.
Frosting first came onto the market in the 1970s as a window film and was known as sandblasted glass. In the window-film business frosted film is now known as ‘white translucent film’. Frosting is used in the sign-writing industry.
Translucent film is popular when applied to bathroom windows and is produced using vinyl substrates. Coloured transluscent film applied to glass is becoming popular in churches.
GLASS AND SIGNAGE
In signage, glass is used in the following forms:
- Transparent
- Translucent (semitransparent)
- Tempered
- Frosted
- Sandblasted
- Edged
- Stained
Glass signage applications include:
- Paint
- Texturing
- Adhered lettering and graphics
- Interior
or exterior
signage
- Vehicle signage
Glass has many benefits but is fragile and must be handled with care. Because of this, glass must be fitted correctly to avoid cracking at a later stage.
We at Signs360 offer the finest work in:
- Frosting of glass for signs
- Glass sign design and fitting
- Signage window-film application
We employ expertise, creativity, technical skills, boldness and imagination.
CASE STUDY: CAR DEALERSHIP SIGNS
Signage use in motor-car dealerships has improved in the last ten years. Dealerships in Europe, Australia, South Africa and the UK display clean-look showrooms with well-advertised branding.
Glass and signage are used to effectively display cars.
These products are used in the following ways:
- Sales consultants are separated by glass partitions
- Illuminated light boxes make the latest car models visible
- Stainless-steel letter signage is cut into the shapes of famous car
manufacturer symbols, and mounted on walls
- Large plate glass windows form the entire front façade making
cars more visible
- Window graphics are applied to windows as signs to promote new model
arrivals and seasonal specials
Customers are invited to use pleasant coffee areas. From here they can admire the quality and effective design surrounding them. The motor car industry is exciting and constantly changing.
