Aluminium Composite Shop Letters

Bespoke flat cut letters

Aluminium Composite is a lightweight product made by sandwiching two thin sheets of aluminium which is bonded together with a polyethylene plastic centre. Because of the way the material is manufactured, there will be a visible black or grey boarder which runs around the side of the letters because the material is made up of layers which are visible when the material is cut and formed.

Designed originally for outdoor signs but now commonly used for indoor signs, Aluminium Composite has a very hard wearing powder-coated surface finish and comes in a range of colours and finishes (matte or gloss). Alu-composite is also weather and rust resistant which makes it ideal for long lasting shop signs.

The term “Flat Cut Letters” comes from the manufacturing process where the shop sign letters or logo are cut from a single flat sheet of Aluminium Composite using a CNC router which has a large cutting bed so you get the best results and it allows for extra-large letters and logos to me machined.

The reason most sign makers use Aluminium composite is for reducing material costs as solid metal letters can be an expensive option. Aluminium Composite is also a very light weight product and can be cut and prepared a lot faster than solid metals. Available only in a 3mm thickness, the letters can be machined and made in a vast range of fonts and sizes.

Aluminium Composite Letters: Flush Fixing

After the aluminium composite letters are cnc-cut and cleaned, a commercial-quality double sided adhesive tape is applied to the reverse side of each letter. Upon installation, the protective film which covers the adhesive tape is removed so the letters can be easily fixed onto the surface. A template is supplied which is placed into position on to the wall which indicates exactly where each letter needs to be positioned. By using the adhesive tape, it ensures a clean method of fixing and avoids any contact with messy glue. The adhesive tape forms a strong bond between the letters and the wall surface which ensures the letters are firmly fixed for the foreseeable future.

Aluminium Composite Letters: Raised-off-the-wall Fixing

After the aluminium composite letters are cnc-cut and polished, a two part wall bracket (known as a locator fixing) is used to securely fix the letters to the wall. The male part of the fixing is fitted onto the reverse side of each letter and the female part of the fixing is fitted onto the surface of the wall with a small screw and wall plug. Upon installation, a paper template is positioned up onto the wall which clearly marks out where all the female fixings need to be positioned. Then, once all the female fixings are in position, the letters with the male fixings pop into place. This method of installation allows for the sign to be moved at a later date (providing the template is kept). The fixings ensures a strong fixing for the foreseeable future, however for a more permanent fixing, an adhesive can be used to fuse the fixings together so that they can’t be removed. The distance to which the letters are raised from the wall is between 12mm to 25mm depending on which fixing is used. If a greater distance is needed then please contact us where a member of the sales team will be able to advise you on an alternative method.