Dimensional letters give a shopfront the kind of depth and shadow that flat signage can't reproduce, but which material you pick changes the look and the price more than most people expect going in.
- Acrylic — the most common choice; crisp edges, cost-effective, and diffuses light evenly when illuminated
- Aluminium — lightweight, corrosion-resistant, holds a painted or brushed finish well
- Stainless steel — the strongest option for coastal or salt-exposed sites, at a higher material cost
- Brass — a premium, traditional finish suited to heritage buildings, hotels and upmarket retail
Illuminated or not changes more than the night-time look
Front-lit, backlit and halo-lit letters each give a different effect after dark, while non-illuminated letters keep the depth and shadow appeal at a lower cost, relying on daylight and ambient shop lighting instead. That decision affects fixing method and material thickness too, so it's worth settling early rather than adding illumination as an afterthought.
What actually decides the right material
Budget, whether the sign will be lit, how exposed the site is to sun and salt air, and how long you want it to last before a refresh — those four questions are usually enough to land on the right material without overthinking it.
Not sure which finish suits your shopfront?
Send us a photo of the facade and we'll talk you through which material and lighting combination fits both the look and the budget.