Printed Signs in Calgary: PVC, ACM and Acrylic Panels Without the Wiring
Not every sign needs to glow. A rigid panel with your printed graphics gives a sharp, flat sign with no electrical work and nothing to switch on: a fascia above the door, a building directory, a door plate or a reception sign.
We print on three materials: PVC, aluminum composite (ACM) and acrylic. The print is the same; the panel is chosen for where the sign will hang and how long it has to last. Prices start at CAD $45 per panel plus CAD $6.50 per square foot, plus GST.
- Free site visit & measurement
- Design included
- 2-year warranty
- Own workshop in Calgary
What a Printed Sign Is
A printed sign is a flat, rigid panel with your logo, name and any extra information printed directly on its face. We use single-sided UV print without lamination, so the colours sit right on the panel surface.
One panel can be up to 4 × 8 ft. A wider sign band is made of several panels mounted side by side; the joints are visible, so we place them where the layout allows. The mounting method depends on the wall and is chosen at the site visit.
Because an unlit sign cannot rely on glow to grab attention, the design does more of the work. Strong contrast, a short message and letters sized for the reading distance make a flat panel far more effective. The guide how to choose the right letter height explains the sizing rule we use.
PVC, ACM or Acrylic: How the Materials Compare
All three take the same print. They differ in what they are made of, where they last and how they look:
| PVC (Sintra) | ACM (aluminum composite) | Acrylic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Expanded closed-cell PVC: a light, rigid plastic sheet | Two thin aluminum sheets bonded to a plastic core | A clear or coloured plastic sheet with a glossy, glass-like surface |
| Best place | Indoors; outdoors only short-term | Outdoors and indoors, including permanent outdoor signs | Indoors; outdoors with care |
| Look | Low-gloss, satin surface | Smooth and flat, stays straight across a wide fascia | Premium, glass-like gloss |
| Watch out for | Heat and sun: the maker gives 60 °C as the maximum service temperature | Costs more than PVC | Heavier; sun and impacts shorten its life outdoors |
| Price | CAD $45 per panel plus CAD $6.50 per square foot, plus GST | CAD $85 per panel plus CAD $6 per square foot, plus GST | CAD $85 per panel plus CAD $35.50 per square foot, plus GST (3 mm) |
Acrylic also comes in 4.5 mm and 6 mm; thicker sheets cost more. The calculator shows the price for each thickness.
Which Material for Which Sign
Start with two questions: is the sign inside or outside, and is it permanent or for a season? The answers usually decide the material.
ACM for storefronts and buildings
ACM is the panel for permanent outdoor signs: fascia panels above the entrance, building names, unit numbers and directories in multi-tenant buildings. The manufacturer of Dibond, a well-known ACM brand, lists long-term outdoor use of up to 5 years, good UV and weather resistance and a service temperature of up to 80 °C.
PVC for interiors and short-term signs
PVC is light, cheap and easy to cut into shapes. It suits indoor wayfinding, menu boards, office and door signs, and outdoor signs that only need to last a short time, such as a temporary sign for an opening. Its maker describes it as designed primarily for interior use, with limited UV resistance outdoors, so for a permanent outdoor sign we recommend ACM instead.
Acrylic for reception areas and premium interiors
Acrylic gives the most polished look: a glossy panel on standoffs behind a front desk, at a clinic door or in a salon. It is heavier than the other two and is best indoors; outdoors, sun and impacts reduce its lifespan.
If the business is open after dark or must be seen from far away, a lit sign works harder. See channel letters or light boxes.
Why Businesses Choose Printed Signs
A printed panel is the quickest way to put a clean, readable name on a building:
No Electrical Work
No wiring, power supply or electrician to plan for.
Flat, Crisp Graphics
A rigid panel keeps the print straight across a wide fascia.
Full-Colour Branding
Logos, photos, gradients and several lines of text.
A Sensible Budget
Fewer parts than a lit sign of the same size.
Easy to Replace
A new panel goes up when the branding changes.
Made for Daytime
If you close before dark, you may not need lighting at all.
Businesses That Often Choose Printed Signs
Signs for Plaza & Strip-Mall Tenants
Signs that meet landlord criteria and still get noticed among your neighbours.
Signs for Real Estate & Property Managers
Office signs for brokerages and building signage for property managers and landlords.
Office & Reception Signs
Reception logos, lobby signs and building signage for offices and corporate spaces.
Retail Store Signs
Storefront signs that stop passers-by and interior signs that guide them inside.
Printed Sign Prices
Prices depend on the material and the area. Each panel has a base price plus a rate per square foot of print: PVC costs CAD $45 per panel plus CAD $6.50 per square foot, plus GST, ACM CAD $85 per panel plus CAD $6 per square foot, plus GST and 3 mm acrylic CAD $85 per panel plus CAD $35.50 per square foot, plus GST. For example, a full 4 × 8 ft panel comes to about CAD $253 in PVC, CAD $277 in ACM and CAD $1,221 in 3 mm acrylic.
That is the manufacturing price for single-sided UV print without lamination. Installation is quoted separately (guide: about CAD $100 per hour plus GST), and the exact price is confirmed after the free site visit.
- Material and, for acrylic, the thickness
- Sign size and the number of 4 × 8 ft panels
- Mounting method and the wall surface
- Height and access for installation
For a quick estimate, use the printed sign calculator.
Calculate the Price of Your Printed Sign
Choose PVC, ACM or acrylic, enter the width and height, and see how many panels the sign needs and what it costs.
Want a clean sign without the wiring?
Send a photo of the wall and your logo. We will measure for free and suggest the material that suits the spot.
How a Printed Sign Project Works
Printed signs are among the quickest projects; most are done in about two weeks. We handle all the sign permit paperwork: we prepare the drawings, specifications and documents and submit the application on your behalf. If you prefer to apply yourself, you get the complete package from us, ready to submit.
Request
Send us your logo, a photo of the wall and approximate sizes through the form or by email. We reply with a rough price.
Free site visit & measurement
We come to the location, measure the wall, check the surface, power and access, and note anything the landlord or City may ask about.
Design concept
Your panel is laid out at full scale on a photo of the facade so you can check readability and proportions. Design is included.
Permit documents
If your sign needs a permit, we prepare the drawings, dimensions and specifications for the application and walk you through it.
Fabrication
The panel is cut, printed and prepared for mounting in our workshop.
Installation & warranty
We mount the panel securely to suit the wall. The sign carries a 2-year warranty on sign structure, materials and installation.
Printed Sign Questions
Each panel has a base price plus a rate per square foot: PVC CAD $45 per panel plus CAD $6.50 per square foot, plus GST, ACM CAD $85 per panel plus CAD $6 per square foot, plus GST, 3 mm acrylic CAD $85 per panel plus CAD $35.50 per square foot, plus GST. For example, a full 4 × 8 ft panel comes to about CAD $253 in PVC, CAD $277 in ACM and CAD $1,221 in 3 mm acrylic. Installation is quoted separately.
For a permanent outdoor sign, ACM. PVC suits indoor and short-term outdoor signs, and acrylic is best indoors.
One panel is up to 4 × 8 ft. A larger sign is made of several panels mounted side by side.
No. If the sign must be seen at night, consider channel letters or a light box.
No. We use single-sided UV print without lamination.
It depends on the sign and the building. We handle all the sign permit paperwork: we prepare the drawings, specifications and documents and submit the application on your behalf. If you prefer to apply yourself, you get the complete package from us, ready to submit.
Yes. Many businesses start with a printed panel and add illuminated letters or a light box later. Mention it on the site visit and we will plan the layout with that in mind.
Sources
- Laird Plastics: SINTRA® expanded PVC sheet (3A Composites), specifications and FAQ, accessed November 4, 2026
- 3A Composites: DIBOND® aluminum composite material, product properties, accessed November 4, 2026
- Vanderbilt University Printing Services: Choosing the right sign material, accessed November 4, 2026