How to Make Coroplast Signs
A sign is an effective and efficient way to show your school spirit, alert passersby to a yard sale or to direct guests to and around your home. However, cardboard signs look tacky and paper ones are flimsy. Coroplast (a brand of corrugated plastic) is the perfect substitute, as it has many of the same uses as cardboard but has the advantages of durability and aesthetic appeal.
Preparation
Determine the purpose of the sign. Will it direct friends around your backyard or will it attract guests who might be driving by? The purpose will influence the design.
Decide on the contents of the sign. Be realistic about how much time you are willing to invest: the more complex the content, the more time and resources will be required.
- A sign is an effective and efficient way to show your school spirit, alert passersby to a yard sale or to direct guests to and around your home.
- Coroplast (a brand of corrugated plastic) is the perfect substitute, as it has many of the same uses as cardboard but has the advantages of durability and aesthetic appeal.
Plan out the size of the contents of the sign. As a rule of thumb, the height of a single detail (such as a letter of text) should be about 1/200 to 1/300 of the distance the viewer is from the sign. For example, if someone is reading the sign from 100 feet away, the letter “A” should be between 4 and 6 inches tall.
Determine the shape of the sign. Basic geometric shapes are easiest, but Coroplast is well suited to creating signs that are in the shape of a dog, a child, or nearly anything else. Consider how the size and shape of the contents of the sign will fit on the overall shape.
Creation
Prepare the Coroplast's surface by cleaning the side on which you will paint or draw the content. A mild soap or even watered down vinegar will suffice. Rinse the cleaning agent off thoroughly and dry completely.
- Plan out the size of the contents of the sign.
- Basic geometric shapes are easiest, but Coroplast is well suited to creating signs that are in the shape of a dog, a child, or nearly anything else.
Sketch the shape of sign and the contents onto the Coroplast sheet with a pencil. This provides a guide as you cut and paint. It is crucial to ensure that the plastic pleats are properly aligned: the stand will feed through them, so if your sign is not aligned with them, it will be lopsided when the stand is added.
Cut the Coroplast. Put the sheet on a flat surface. The utility knife will probably score the surface underneath the plastic, so take precautions. Either use an old piece of plywood or a thick layer of newspaper. Wear gloves and safety goggles.
- Sketch the shape of sign and the contents onto the Coroplast sheet with a pencil.
- It is crucial to ensure that the plastic pleats are properly aligned: the stand will feed through them, so if your sign is not aligned with them, it will be lopsided when the stand is added.
Paint or draw your design onto the plastic. Stencils work well for lettering. If you want the sign to be weatherproof, use water-resistant paint or markers. If you are adding several colors or designs, allow each to dry thoroughly before beginning on the next.
Wire the sign. Wire stands can be bought online or in hardware stores. These should slide easily through the pleats. Although less common, the sign can also be hung. To do this, drill two holes through the sign, one in each corner, about 0.5 to 1 inch from any edge. Thread string or ribbon through as desired.
- Paint or draw your design onto the plastic.
- If you want the sign to be weatherproof, use water-resistant paint or markers.
Tip
Some spray paints do not stick well to plastic. Select one that is intended for plastic.
Lightly sanding the surface can help paint stick.
When cutting the plastic, use long strokes instead of a sawing motion. This reduces the likelihood of jagged edges.
It is possible to cut through the back side of the Coroplast first and then bend it and cut the front side: this can help prevent jagged edges from being noticeable.
Corrugated plastic can be found cheaply on the Internet, in specialty plastic stores, and in many hardware shops. Manufactured sign blanks and wire stands can also be found online and in many stores.
Rubbing alcohol (also called isopropyl alcohol) is sufficient to clean most permanent markers off Coroplast. This can make a sign reusable or it can help you correct mistakes.
Warning
Be careful of any chemicals that are applied to the sign. Harsh chemicals, such as paint strippers that contain dichloromethane, can melt plastic. Many adhesives designed for plastic intentionally include dichloromethane for that very reason, but therefore require careful application. Even some cleaning agents, such as De-Solv-It or Goo Gone, will disfigure the surface. Coroplast is made from polypropylene resin, which is quite resilient, but always test any chemical on a scrap before applying to the sign itself.
It is possible to get paper cuts from the edges of Coroplast, particularly when it has been freshly cut. Always wear gloves when handling it.
Sanding the edges of plastic helps reduce the likelihood of cuts. Wear a mask when sanding plastic, however, as inhaling or ingesting plastic can be harmful.
Related Articles
References
Tips
- Some spray paints do not stick well to plastic. Select one that is intended for plastic.
- Lightly sanding the surface can help paint stick.
- When cutting the plastic, use long strokes instead of a sawing motion. This reduces the likelihood of jagged edges.
- It is possible to cut through the back side of the Coroplast first and then bend it and cut the front side: this can help prevent jagged edges from being noticeable.
- Corrugated plastic can be found cheaply on the Internet, in specialty plastic stores, and in many hardware shops. Manufactured sign blanks and wire stands can also be found online and in many stores.
- Rubbing alcohol (also called isopropyl alcohol) is sufficient to clean most permanent markers off Coroplast. This can make a sign reusable or it can help you correct mistakes.
Warnings
- Be careful of any chemicals that are applied to the sign. Harsh chemicals, such as paint strippers that contain dichloromethane, can melt plastic. Many adhesives designed for plastic intentionally include dichloromethane for that very reason, but therefore require careful application. Even some cleaning agents, such as De-Solv-It or Goo Gone, will disfigure the surface. Coroplast is made from polypropylene resin, which is quite resilient, but always test any chemical on a scrap before applying to the sign itself.
- It is possible to get paper cuts from the edges of Coroplast, particularly when it has been freshly cut. Always wear gloves when handling it.
- Sanding the edges of plastic helps reduce the likelihood of cuts. Wear a mask when sanding plastic, however, as inhaling or ingesting plastic can be harmful.
Writer Bio
Joel Tolson has been a writer for more than 20 years. With an M.A. in history, he is also an experienced teacher and administrator.
