Celebrating Dibond

One of the undoubted success stories in the area of signmaking materials is Dibond, which, following its introduction in 1992, has become the first choice for many signage projects. Val Hirst reports As far as new innovations go, the success of Dibond has been more of a slow burn than an instant, meteoric hit. Originally regarded by its manufacturers, Alcan Composites, as the natural successor to Alucobond, its first aluminium composite material, which is still a highly popular substrate within the architectural sector, Dibond was originally targeted at the POP market. Based on the same technology as its predecessor, Dibond, combines 3mm coil coated, aluminium cover sheets with a polyethylene core, to produce a rigid material, whose lightweight belies its inherent strength and durability. POP makers may have been the first to relish the fact that, with simple routing techniques, Dibond can easily be formed into a wide variety of different shapes, but gradually, signmakers have also grown to appreciate its versatility. Dibond is now often used in applications where, previously, aluminium or acrylic would have been the materials of choice, but whilst it provides a similarly pleasing final effect, it is easier to fabricate and install and is significantly cheaper too. Nowadays, the Dibond range includes seven solid colours, in addition to the initial white, plus three metallics, a mirror finish and is also available in butlerfinish, which offers an attractive brushed metallic surface. However its perfectly flat, smooth finish also provides the perfect foil for screen or digital printing, as well as applying with self -adhesive vinyl. Another important positive, and the one that in these more ecologically aware times, might eventually override all of the others, is that Dibond is the ultimate environmentally friendly material, being completely recyclable. Alcan’s Simon Philpott explains: “Choosing Dibond means not having to worry about quality issues orenvironmental compliance, since it contains no heavy metals and it is thus safe to recycle, added to which, the manufacturing process ensures a perfect surface with no imperfections.” He continues: “With Dibond, customers can choose exactly the right product for their application, from a range that’s being developed to meet their demands. New products like DIBOND digital, for example, are making a big impact in direct-to-substrate imaging. In the UK, we’ve developed a close working relationship with Robert Horne Sign & Display as our distribution partner and they provide a huge knowledge base in the industry. By working closely with them, we are able to offer customers the appropriate product solutions, together with outstanding support and nationwide availability.”

Robert Horne Sign & Display has been distributing Dibond, along with many of the other substrates manufactured by Alcan, such as Forex Classic Foam PVC, Foam-X and Kapa for many years and has thus been in a position to measure the rise of its universal appeal. Adrian Dennis, National Sales and Operations Director at Robert Horne Sign & Display, reports that it is his mission to ensure that,rather than just sticking to their tried and tested methods of production, signmakers are encouraged to realise the material’s full potential.

He explains: “It’s part of our aim to provide our customers with a total solution, rather than simply selling products. To this end, we try to work in tandem with the material manufacturers, by providing them with customer feedback, so that products can be tailored to meet all current market needs. At the same time, we need to learn as much as we can about the benefits of individual substrates, so that we can pass on appropriate advice and suggestions to customers, whenever our help is sought.”

In order to provide Robert Horne staff with as much knowledge as possible, Adrian arranged for them to visit the Alcan headquarters in Singen, Switzerland, so that they could see for themselves how the product is made and build on their existing knowledge.

He says:“My aim is to ensure that there is a Dibond specialist in every one of our branches. The itinerary began with a presentation providing a corporate overview of Alcan, followed by a technical discussion on the substrate’s composition and advice on its conversion into 3D shapes. We also saw the results of trials that have been carried out on both VUTEk and Mimaki flatbed machines, making it a leading product for use with digital inkjet flatbed printers.”

Other topics covered included Dibond’s suitability for use in different applications and bespoke finishes and colours, before a factory tour revealed the secrets of the manufacturing process. Adrian continues:“The team really enjoyed the opportunity to get hands-on experience when we were invited to use Dibond to make Christmas decorations.” He adds that this exercise also provided everyone with a hands-on opportunity to discover just how easy it is to work with, saying. “We always tell our customers that Dibond is famed for its ease of use, but now, our staff can make that claim with real authority. The net result of the two trips was that we returned to the UK with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and a better understanding of the material’s composition and possibilities, which we will be able to pass on to customers.”

One of Robert Horne Sign & Display’s signmaker customers is Harrison Signs, who recently used Dibond when it was commissioned to provide new signage programmes for 40 branches of Belvoir Lettings and Beaumont Estate Agents’ six offices in the Wakefield area.

The York based company, which was originally founded in 1909, now offers customers a thoroughly modern service, which includes exhibition graphics, banners, retail displays and of course, signage.

For the Belvoir signing, Harrisons Signs crafted a Dibond tray, wet sprayed in the requisite red, for the fascia signs, using white vinyl for the text, whilst the complementary projecting sign features CNC cut lettering. It also supplied prints for the windows and signs made from acrylic for the interiors of the franchise based letting agency With the Beaumont signing, Harrisons Signs, who offers its own in-house design and fabrication facilities, produced a fresh looking green and white fascia to replace the old turquoise coloured signs.

The fascia is enhanced with the addition of internally illuminated, prismatic acrylic letters, which serve to make the signs look as strikingly attractive by night as they are by day. To complete the new look, external fascia panels were sprayed a brighter green to harmonise with the acrylic lettering.

Harrisons Signs purchases its materials from the Leeds branch of Robert Horne Sign & Display, where David Filer is always on hand to provide any help and advice the company need.

Richard Hunter commented: “Nowadays we find that Dibond is our first choice for most sign projects as it is infinitely versatile, very cost effective and produces good looking signage that stands the test of time.”

Adrian Dennis concludes: “We believe that Dibond has still to reach its peak of popularity, but as time goes on signmakers are beginning to use it for all sorts of applications and with our enhanced level of product knowledge, we’ll be there to help them every step of the way.”

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