Our Materials: Features & Benefits

Ordering signage for your business but not sure which material to choose? At Safety Signs Australia, we offer four kinds of materials: aluminium, Colorbond, hi-impact poly and laminated vinyl decals. While each of our materials has its own benefits and advantages, they also have their own unique applications e.g. aluminium signs are recommended for outdoor use.

To help make the ordering process simpler, we’ve put together a guide to the features and benefits of our sign materials.

Aluminium Signs

Aluminium is one of the most popular and highly sought after materials we have to offer. This material is ideal for outdoor applications — waterproof, weather-resistant and rust-resistant, aluminium signs can last for decades without cracking or fading in the sun.

Our aluminium signs are 1.6mm thick.

Pros	Cons
Strong and durable Weather-resistant Rust-resistant Great for outdoor use	Very rigid Slightly pricier than other materials (to match its longevity)

 

Colorbond signs

Colorbond is a household name in Australia thanks to its roofing and fencing prowess. Colorbond is pre-painted steel with a Zincalume core, making it both strong and lightweight — perfect for outdoor use. The material undergoes strict design, manufacturing and testing procedures to ensure it’s built to last, which is why we offer Colorbond as a signage material.

Our Colorbond signs are 0.55mm thick.

Pros	Cons
Durable — will last for years to come Excellent for outdoor use Lightweight material Weather-resistant Rust-resistant Great for building and construction sites	More flexible than aluminium

 

Corflute

Corflute (from Corex) is the industry name given to corrugated polypropylene, a fluted plastic that’s both lightweight and rigid. The plastic is extruded to have rectangular flutes all the way through it, giving it extra strength. Corflute is popular in the signage industry because it’s cheap, sturdy, and easy to cut to size. 

Our Corflute signs are 5mm thick.

Pros	Cons
Cheaper than aluminium and Colorbond Steel Lightweight and durable Medium outdoor longevity Retains ink and colour well in the hot Aussie sun Comes with eyelets for quick mounting and to help prevent tearing.	Temporary signage only. Better utilised for special events, construction sites and any other area that requires short-term signage.

 

Hi-impact poly signs

Hi-impact polystyrene is a lightweight plastic that is often used for displays, model making, packaging applications, ID cards and of course, signage. The material is tough, rigid and impact resistant but is recommended for indoor use — hi-impact poly signs are only for temporary use outdoors because it has limited weatherability.

Our hi-impact poly signs are 1.6mm thick.

Pros	Cons
High-impact resistance Lightweight material Printable on both sides Ideal for indoor use	Very flexible Not recommended for outdoor use (temporary use only)

 

Laminated vinyl decals

After a vinyl decal has been printed, we add a clear laminated layer to add an extra level of protection. Adding lamination provides an extra layer of UV protection to reduce ink fading and protects the sign against scratches, wear and tear. Generally speaking, laminated vinyl decals are for temporary use only and must be applied to clean surfaces, otherwise they will not stick.

Pros	Cons
Lamination provides UV protection Fade-resistant Resistant against scratches, wear and tear	For temporary use only Must be applied to a clean surface

 

Contact us for more recommendations and advice about ordering signs online

If you need help choosing the right material for your business, get in touch with the team from Safety Signs Australia. We can provide recommendations based on your business and where you plan to display your signs, so you get the very best use out of your signs.