Interpretation Panel Materials

There are a lot of interpretation panel materials available on the market. Some are cheap and cheerful, others are of a higher quality are more expensive. Some materials are long lasting and some have a very short lifespan. Some interpretation materials are kind to the environment, others are very harmful. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different materials will help you spend your money more wisely!

GRP / Fibreglass Embedded Interpretive Panels
Designs are printed onto paper or directly onto laminate which is then faced with a clear styrene or epoxy resin top layer.

GRP gel coat interpretive panels
Designs are screen printed directly onto a GRP / fiberglass gel coat surface.

Vitreous Enamel / Porcelain Enamel Interpretive Panels
Designs applied as a glass-like finish over a sheet steel base.

Baked Paint Enamel / Printed Enamel Interpretive Panels
Graphic image is painted or screen printed using a plasticized paint onto a metal base sheet and cured by baking to a high temperature.

Melamine Laminates
Designs are printed onto paper or screen-printed onto a plastic or aluminum substrate and and faced with a thin sheet of melamine

Acrylic Interpretive Panels
Designs are printed onto paper or screen-printed onto a plastic or aluminum substrate and and faced with a thin sheet of high impact acrylic

Polycarbonate
Designs are printed onto paper or screen-printed onto a plastic or aluminum substrate and and faced with a thin sheet of polycarbonate

Etched Stainless Steel
Monochrome artwork is photographed and the image chemically etched into the steel. ESS is popular for viewpoint indicators, but where ink is also used (e.g. to pick out text), it can get scraped off. Can be difficult to read when reflecting directly in the sun.

Sandblasting on Wood and Stone
Sandblasting creates a surface of raised lettering and designs. It is not a good method for detailed pictures and text, but offers interesting tactile surfaces.

Photosensitised Aluminium
Designs are printed onto photosensitive aluminium plates and the image is sealed for protection. An unusual material.

Cast Signs
Signs can be cast in bronze or aluminium. These are very tough, but expensive.

Enamel
Text and images are painted or screenprinted onto sheet metal which is enamelled for protection. An old technique that was once common for advertising panels but is now very unusual and very expensive.

Aluminum Backed Interpretation Panels
Designs are printed onto paper or vinyl which is attached to an aluminum backing plate. This is sometimes faced with a thin sheet of acrylic.

Self Adhesive Vinyl Interpretive Panels
Vinyl interpretive panels are made using a thin (around 70 micron)sheet of vinyl. The vinly sheet is printed on to a plasticised film which is backed with a permanent acrylic based adhesive. It comes supplied with a backing paper, which is removed before application. It is suitable for application to clean, smooth surfaces both internally and externally.