I didn't really know where to post this. I am trying to make a back lit sign. Here are my ideas. I either use a white sheet of plexiglass and print on the front, or I use a clear sheet and print on the back.
Neither one seems all that great. The white sheet would require less work, but it would not protect the image since it would be on the outside. A clear sheet would require I do something, and that could mean I would block the light from coming through.
I don't even know how to print it. I have 4 choices:
1) Screen print
2) Vinyl
3) Dye Sub
4) Paint
Again, none of them seem that great of an option. I don't know if the screen print ink will allow light to come through. Same with the vinyl. I don't really know if that would matter, though, or if the light coming through the plexiglass would be enough to illuminate it. Dye sub would probably be the most translucent, but I don't know if I can dye sub plexiglass. Painting is hard, but might be the best choice.
I didn't really know where to post this. I am trying to make a back lit sign. Here are my ideas. I either use a white sheet of plexiglass and print on the front, or I use a clear sheet and print on the back.
Neither one seems all that great. The white sheet would require less work, but it would not protect the image since it would be on the outside. A clear sheet would require I do something, and that could mean I would block the light from coming through.
I don't even know how to print it. I have 4 choices:
1) Screen print
2) Vinyl
3) Dye Sub
4) Paint
Again, none of them seem that great of an option. I don't know if the screen print ink will allow light to come through. Same with the vinyl. I don't really know if that would matter, though, or if the light coming through the plexiglass would be enough to illuminate it. Dye sub would probably be the most translucent, but I don't know if I can dye sub plexiglass. Painting is hard, but might be the best choice.
I don't think that the light would shine through any of them. I think you can definitely rule out screen print and paint. I'm not sure if you can dye sub plexi, seems like it might melt, but might be the most translucent if it did work. Vinyl would look the best in the light but wouldn't let any light through either. Are you just trying to save money? If not, I would get it professionally done.
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Hard labor kills, make t-shirts instead.
Find a member on here who has a Roland Versacamm 540....They make translucent vinyl for doing iluminated signs....and the ink is transparent enough for the light to shine through...learned that at the ISS Long Beach show....was so cool...I bought one!....but wont be here til first part of Feburary!
__________________ The Shirt Shak-TSS Grafx-TSS Sporting Goods...Gettin it done since 2001
Hi,
I have done 2 of these types of signs. It was a learning experience to say the least. First you need CLEAR Plexiglass and then you need to use the translucent vinyl for the grafics. After you print the vinyl, you need to laminate it to protect it. This then gets put on the back. The translucent has very small holes for the light to go through it. You must realize it will still block some of the light like a light shade does, so the lighter the ink is printed the more light that goes through.
For a one off sign just print the image on poster paper and sandwich between clear and white plexi. Thats what I did and it was perfect, the light shines right through. I had the image printed using an HP DesignJet.
I have made more of these type signs than i can count.. I have done them two differant ways.. digitally printed and cut vinyl..
If you are talking about a back lite sign that is like outside a store.. or business.. We use a translucent (sp) plexiglass not transparent..
You dont want to be able to see the light source thru it.. ..
You get like a white translucent plexy (if you call a plastics company and tell them what you are using it for they will help you with your choice) We use paragon plastics in los angeles alot.. for our big plastics for this use.. they will even cut to size and such..
You then either lay the cut vinyl on it.. or the digital print.. that has been laminated..
If its printed you need to make sure the vinyl is translucent.. so printed digital material comes with a gray backing and you dont want that.. ..
If you are using cut vinyl to make the words or designs.. you just can use regular cast vinyl with a good rating as for how long it will last.. You dont want to see thru the cut vinyl jsut the plastic that is not covered.. ..
if that makes any sence..
I can't print vinyl. I can only cut it. I am trying to save money, though. The only place I found that would do it wants more than the whole project is worth. The sign I am replacing looks like a white piece of plexiglass with cut vinyl on the back side. I don't know if it's some kind of special vinyl, though.
I also cannot print back lit poster paper big enough for the sign. Mystysue's way is the only way I can actually do it. Is white translucent plexiglass transparent enough to put the vinyl on the back side? Would I need to stick it on the front? Should I also get a piece of clear plexiglass and do the whole sandwich thing with the vinyl?
I can't print vinyl. I can only cut it. I am trying to save money, though. The only place I found that would do it wants more than the whole project is worth.
And with all this headache....you gotta ask yourself is it worth it to me?....some times you gotta step back and say...Can't do it for that price......and let it go at that...rather than trying something and it not working...then your name is MUDD.....just words of experience...take it or leave it.
__________________ The Shirt Shak-TSS Grafx-TSS Sporting Goods...Gettin it done since 2001
I can't print vinyl. I can only cut it. I am trying to save money, though. The only place I found that would do it wants more than the whole project is worth. The sign I am replacing looks like a white piece of plexiglass with cut vinyl on the back side. I don't know if it's some kind of special vinyl, though.
I also cannot print back lit poster paper big enough for the sign. Mystysue's way is the only way I can actually do it. Is white translucent plexiglass transparent enough to put the vinyl on the back side? Would I need to stick it on the front? Should I also get a piece of clear plexiglass and do the whole sandwich thing with the vinyl?
These signs as a rule are not done with the vinyl on the back side but on the front side.. Good vinyl will last many many years outside..with not problem.. so that should not be a concern.. Most of the signs you see like this in any city are done with the vinyl on the front not the back.. ..
Check in any of the sign supply sites and you can find translucent vinyl and sign material just for back lite signs. Fellers and Ordway seem to cover most of what youre looking for.
New issue, I really need a red background. Would red translucent plexiglass work, or does it have to be white? I might have to find someone who can print vinyl. Can a Versacamm print full color?
I don't really know what the translucent red moire stuff is, but it looks cool. If it's translucent enough to use as a background, it would be more interesting than red plexiglass. Otherwise, I might just put it on in certain spots or even use it as a background on white plexiglass, but leave a white border around the edge.
Oracal makes a vinyl called "Oracale 8500 Translucent High Performance" that it specifically markets for backlit signage. It is a 3 mil, 7 yr outdoor durability film.
I haven't tried this film yet, so I can't offer any personal opinions on it. That said, here is the info from their product brochure:
"The Clear Choice for Backlit Signage"
"Oracal 8500 delivers lasting durability, unbeatable day-to-night consistency and maintains homogenous uniformity, reducing hot spots. Its dense silk-matte finish suppresses unwanted reflection.
"Thermal print compatible and approved for pre-thermoforming, this film has been especially designed for producing high-quality signs, backlit acrylic and glass surfaces and translucent banners."
making a Back Lit Sign? 
