Vista™ frame extrusions are available in 3 finishes (black, gold or satin). End caps can be plastic (black, gold or gray) or metal (black or satin). In addition Vista frames can be equipped with reversible lenses that are a gloss finish on one side and have a matte finish on the other. Please contact our sales dept. today for innovative and cost effective solutions to your signage needs.
Products listed are readily available in 2-ply 1/16”.
Most products can be produced in 2-ply 1/32” or 1/8” and 3 ply 1/16” or 1/8”. Call for specific details on availability and/or minimum order
Types of engraving and which is right for my application
There are 3 basic types of engraving. Front, Reverse and "In Relief". Knowing how engraving plastic is manufactured and the different types is key to understanding the differences. Engraving plastic is, at minimum, 2 layers of different color materials. Material for front engraving has a thick solid core layer (bottom) that is veneered or covered by a thin "cap" layer (top) of a differing color. Material for reverse engraving is also 2 layer but this material has it's core on top as a layer of clear material and the color or "cap" layer is applied to the back (bottom) side. This "cap" layer comes in many different colors. Keep in mind that it's always the "cap" layer that gets engraved and you can better understand the differences between front and reverse engraving.
Front engraving is exactly what it sounds like. The top or "cap" layer is engraved away and what you see when viewing it is the core layer. If you run your finger across it you will also be able to feel it. It is the most inexpensive type of engraving. Popular uses are desk nameplates, name badges, interior office names/numbers, etc.
Reverse engraving is used when a smooth front face is desired for signage or other applications. In this process the back side (cap layer) of the material is engraved away (of course the engraving has to be mirrored) and results in a smooth front surface with the engraving color filled with paint or sometimes a printed graphic is placed behind it to create a unique effect. As for paint options, those can be virtually anything. Day-Glo, fluorescent, stone, flat, gloss or anything else that can be had in a spray can from the local hardware. In certain cases custom colors may be called for and those can be utilized as well. Until color filled or without a background the engraving is "see-through". Reverse engraved signage can NOT be felt from the front side by running your finger across it. Popular uses are interior/exterior and/or lighted signage, machine control faceplates, etc. See our Reverse Engraving Explained page for further explanation.
"In Relief" engraving can be done on either front or reverse material and is best explained as engraving around text or a logo. Shown below is a picture of engraved white Corian - the BGSU is engraved "in relief".
Front engraving is exactly what it sounds like. The top or "cap" layer is engraved away and what you see when viewing it is the core layer. If you run your finger across it you will also be able to feel it. It is the most inexpensive type of engraving. Popular uses are desk nameplates, name badges, interior office names/numbers, etc.
Reverse engraving is used when a smooth front face is desired for signage or other applications. In this process the back side (cap layer) of the material is engraved away (of course the engraving has to be mirrored) and results in a smooth front surface with the engraving color filled with paint or sometimes a printed graphic is placed behind it to create a unique effect. As for paint options, those can be virtually anything. Day-Glo, fluorescent, stone, flat, gloss or anything else that can be had in a spray can from the local hardware. In certain cases custom colors may be called for and those can be utilized as well. Until color filled or without a background the engraving is "see-through". Reverse engraved signage can NOT be felt from the front side by running your finger across it. Popular uses are interior/exterior and/or lighted signage, machine control faceplates, etc. See our Reverse Engraving Explained page for further explanation.
"In Relief" engraving can be done on either front or reverse material and is best explained as engraving around text or a logo. Shown below is a picture of engraved white Corian - the BGSU is engraved "in relief".
Color and material choices for engraved products
Color and material choices can only be described as HUGE! Engraving plastic is manufactured in many basic colors not to mention woodgrain, metal and granite patterns. The most popular colored engraving plastics encompass 3 basic surface finishes - Satin, Gloss and Matte but again there are the textures, similar to the modern appliance texture that is resistant to fingerprints and smudges. The standard Rowmark catalog of plastic engraving materials is overwhelming in itself but then there are colored/anodized metals (aluminum, brass, etc.) as well as different colored acrylics. Wood can also be easily engraved and then there are the solid surface materials. The choices for engraving materials are truly mind boggling. Your application will narrow this to a less than an infinite choice but rest assured that there will still be a myriad of selections to pick from for even the most specialized application.
Can you engrave "this stuff" ?
This stuff" can cover a lot of ground as they say but generally the answer is probably. It may require some extra set-up or specialty tooling and there are limits to what will fit in our machinery but usually if we can get it in there and hold on to it then chances are we can engrave it.
Why are there no prices listed for your products?
Simply because almost everything we do is custom. Everything from material to fonts to shipping can have an effect on price. It's simply impossible for us to have a "standard price list" under those conditions. We pride ourselves on having very competitive pricing for our products and we will supply an up front and fully understandable quote to you before any work is done. Our standard pricing policy is "delivered to your door" without any hidden charges of any kind. Simply put, the price we quote is the price you pay.
Oxidizing brass or aluminum engraving
Brass and aluminum when engraved will have a natural etch on them. Oxidizing is simply turning
the lettering/graphic/logo (whatever the engraving happens to be) black through a simple process of applying a oxidizing solution to that etch. Of course it makes the engraving clearer and easier to read since it increases the contrast between the natural finish of the aluminum/brass and the engraving.
the lettering/graphic/logo (whatever the engraving happens to be) black through a simple process of applying a oxidizing solution to that etch. Of course it makes the engraving clearer and easier to read since it increases the contrast between the natural finish of the aluminum/brass and the engraving.
What does the "indoor use only" note on plastic materials actually mean?
It simply means that the material is not UV stable and is not meant to "live" outdoors. It will fade quickly when exposed to direct sunlight for any length of time and may warp due to weather conditions.
Acceptable artwork formats
We can accept most vector formats but prefer Illustrator (.ai) or drawing (.dxf) files. Of course we can convert bitmaps and raster artwork but it can be time consuming and costly. Of course once it's done correctly, your artwork/logo will be scaleable to virtually any size desired or needed and engraving or printing it is effortless at that point. It's a one time cost that can really pay dividends in the future.
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