What is flex face signage?
If you're hoping to grab people’s attention day and night with highly visible signage you may want to consider a flex face sign. Predominantly used when the size of the sign is too big to have a rigid face or where you are trying to avoid unsightly joins in the face. Flex face signage is the go-to solution for external mid-size to large applications. The most common applications include retail-parks, sporting stadiums, petrol forecourts, shop fronts. And all other large signage applications.
▬▬ What are Flex face signs? ▬▬
The term Flex face refers to the primary feature of the system. Which is the flexible PVC banner (often referred to as the skin). Which stretches over the face of the box or frame to create a similar application to a drum. The advantages of the flex face system are that they can be made to virtually any size. The PVC skin comes in rolls, the largest being 4980mm wide x 50m. Any larger and we can seam 2 skins together, although the seam may be visible close-up, step back and the seam becomes less noticeable.
Brownings use the Signcomp. suite of Flex face signage products which utilise the tension clip method for Flex face signs. A two-part clip is clipped onto the edge of the skin before the installation of the sign. The signs carcass is then fixed up and then the skin can be lifted separately. The tension clips round the skin will then slide into a notched channel on the carcass of the box. As they slide down the channel, they will create tension on the skin to leave you with seamless, stunning signage.
Other benefits of choosing flex face signage include:
○ aluminum systems, robust for outdoor applications.
○ Guaranteed against blowout.
○ Custom shapes, flex face letters and convex signs are all achievable.
○ The PVC skin can be printed to block out in certain areas. this helps accentuate logos or certain aspects of the sign with led illumination, whilst also reducing running costs.
○ easy maintenance, simply de-tension the skin for access to the led’s.
○ illuminated and non-illuminated signage options
▬▬ Choosing the right flex face sign: ▬▬
Flex face signage has many different versions, from non-illuminated frames to illuminated boxes. Standard rectangle shapes to flex face letters. Please see a brief overview of what's available.
For Illuminated flex face signage. you have the greatest choice of profiles. Single-sided profiles range from 135mm deep to 220mm deep with a 220mm double-sided profile also available. The extrusion can be cut, slashed, and welded back together again making it versatile. Using this method we can create shaped flex face signs along with flex face letters. Not all shapes and letters are achievable, tight radius' or very acute angles may make it unachievable. We would recommend getting in touch with our dedicated team who will advise.
What we refer to as wrap-around signs, which are flex face signs. which join on the corner of a building as oppose to being 2 stand-alone signs. Achieved by using the frame mitre profile, which we weld where the corners meet on the signs and this lets each face take its own independent skin. Alternatively, we can weld angle behind the skin if you prefer to have the skin in one. This may cause some shadowing behind the skin, so this method is more commonly used on blocked out skins.
One profile growing in trend is Signcomps Glowline extrusion, it's basically an Econoflex flex face sign. with an opal diffuser to the bottom side of the box. This allows the light from the box to shine through the face of the skin and also illuminated below the signage. These signs can be utilised to illuminate shop fronts. ATM's as a security feature or it's most commonly used on petrol forecourts to help illuminate the station.
We can also manufacture Convex Signs, which you commonly see in retail parks. To achieve this we utilise the Retro frame. and use the same cut and slash method and then weld the frame to a fabricated curved backbox. This ensures the flex face signs match the structural design of the retail park.
For non-illuminated flex faces, we have two options. The slimmest profile being Signcomps Fascia frame. at only 30mm deep. The Fascia frame. is just a two-part extrusion which runs around the perimeter of the sign. The body is installed first and then the cover clips over the top once the skin has been installed. As the Fascia frame. has no internal supports it relies on you getting good strong fixings, as these will take the tension of the skin. If you are fixing to a cladded building for example where you are unsure of fixing points. The Retro frame at 89mm deep comes with internal supports. These supports take the load of the fixings as they take the strain of the printed flex once it's tensioned. If the signage needs to be illuminated externally, we also offer trough lighting. which is a cheaper alternative to backlighting a flex face sign. And offers great illumination to the face of the printed skin.
▶ To view how we set up the flex skin to be printed and how to pre-clip the skin. Click here to ensure the skin fits right for your flex face signs.
▶ For Flex face sign installation please visit our Sign fitters directory These companies will be able to install flex face signs for you.
Thanks
Bradley Robinson
