If you’re hoping to grab people’s attention day and night with highly visible signage you may want to consider a flex face sign. Predominantly used when the size of the sign is too big to have a rigid face or where you are trying to avoid unsightly joins in the face. Flex face signage is the go-to solution for external mid-size to large applications. The most common applications include retail-parks, sporting stadiums, petrol forecourts, shop fronts. And all other large signage applications.

▬▬ What is Flex face signage? ▬▬

The term Flex face refers to the primary feature of the system. Which is the flexible PVC banner (often referred to as the skin). Which stretches over the face of the box or frame to create a similar application to a drum. The advantages of the flex face system are that they can be made to virtually any size. The PVC skin comes in rolls, the largest being 4980mm wide x 50m. Any larger and we can seam 2 skins together, although the seam may be visible close-up, step back and the seam becomes less noticeable.

Today we will cover the Signcomp suite of Flex face signage products which utilise the tension clip method for flex face signage. This is one of the best selling systems in the world. A two-part clip is clipped onto the edge of the skin before the installation of the sign. The sign carcass is then fixed up and then the skin can be lifted separately. The tension clips round the skin will then slide into a notched channel on the carcass of the box. As they slide down the channel, they will create tension on the skin to leave you with a seamless, stunning display.

Other benefits of choosing flex face signage include:

○ Guaranteed against blowout.

○ Custom shapes, flex face letters and convex signs are all achievable.

○ The skins can be blocked out in certain areas to help accentuate logos or certain aspects of the sign whilst also reducing running costs.

○ easy maintenance, simply de-tension the skin for access to the led’s.

▬▬ Choosing the right Flex face sign: ▬▬

Flex face signage has many different versions, from non-illuminated frames to illuminated boxes. Standard rectangle shapes to flex face letters. Please see a breakdown of the different options available below:

Illuminated flex face signs:

○ Econoflex:

The standard sign for illuminated flex face signs. The design of the ECONOFLEX system was customer-driven. It was suggested that the unique clip system was so easy to de-tension. That it would be faster to perform maintenance functions on a flex face sign by releasing the face. Rather than the traditional methods of hinged frames or removable access panels.

Available depths:

Single-sided flex face sign extrusions:

• 135mm deep

• 170mm deep

• 196mm deep

• 220mm deep

Double-sided flex face sign extrusion:

• 220mm:

○ Shaped flex face signs / Flex face letters:

The Econoflex lends it’s self very well to being manipulated and shaped. As long as there aren’t any tight radius’ or very acute angle’s. We should be able to create your shape. For advice please talk to our dedicated staff and they will let you know if it’s possible to create your desired shape.

Brownings are seeing a marked increase in the demand for built-up flex face letters. One of the key reasons for this is that clients are often surprised to learn that you can achieve more effective lighting results at less cost. By manufacturing and illuminating single letters rather than illuminating one single large rectangular box, the running costs are reduced. The finished boxes also look spectacular and create an eye-catching flex face signs that any sign maker would be proud of.

○ Glowline:

The Econoflex has had a makeover and introduced an acrylic diffuser to the underside of the box. Allowing light to shine down through the bottom of the flex face sign. This is commonly used on petrol forecourts. Or by banks who use the Glowline as a security feature to illuminate ATM’s

○ Wrap around Econoflex

For buildings with 2 fascias, we can create a flex face sign that mitres and meets on the corner rather than 2 stand-alone boxes. For the corner, you can utilise the frame mitre profile and capping which allows each side of the sign to take its own independent flex face skin.

○ Curved backbox and Retro frame:

To create convex signs which are commonly used on retail parks. You can fabricate a curved backbox and weld the Retro frame to the face. This creates a flex face sign that matches the structural design of the retail park.

Non-illuminated flex face signs:

(these could be illuminated externally via trough lighting or spot light if you choose.)

○ Retro frame:

At 89mm deep the Retro frame is the ideal solution for installation onto cladding. The Retro frame comes with internal supports as standard and these take the tension of the skin, which takes the load of the fixings. The Retro frame can also be utilised to turn an existing lightbox into a flex face sign. By retrofitting over the top of the existing lightbox it will turn the box into a flex face sign.

○ Fascia frame:

Only 30mm deep and great for Fascia signage. The fascia frame is slim and elegant and ideal for shop front signs. The Fascia frame requires good strong fixings as when the skin is tensioned the fixings will take the tension of the skin.

Thanks

Bradley Robinson

Browningsltd.co.uk