Sign Material
Dibond Aluminum Composite
A rigid, lightweight panel of two aluminum sheets bonded to a solid polyethylene core — the workhorse material for flat, durable signage that holds its shape indoors and out.
On this page
At a glance
- Type Aluminum composite
- Use Indoor / Outdoor
- Lifespan 10+ years
- Thickness 3–6 mm
- Finishes Matte / Gloss / Brushed
Spec Sheets — 3A Composites
Specs, thicknesses & finishes
Routing, folding & handling
Material safety & handling
UL signage recognition
Overview
What is Dibond?
Dibond is an aluminum composite material (ACM) made of two thin aluminum face sheets fused to a solid polyethylene core. The result is a panel that stays remarkably flat and rigid while weighing far less than solid metal of the same size.
It’s one of the most widely specified signage substrates in NYC for a reason: it cuts and routes cleanly, accepts direct printing and vinyl, and resists warping, rust, and weather — making it equally at home on a storefront facade or a lobby directory.
Specifications
Key properties
| Durability & lifespan | 10+ years outdoors; resists rust, warping, and UV fading |
|---|---|
| Indoor / outdoor | Suitable for both — a standard choice for exterior facade signage |
| Standard thicknesses | 3 mm and 4 mm (most common); 6 mm available for larger spans |
| Finish options | Matte, gloss, brushed, and a range of solid colors |
| Fabrication | CNC routed, cut, and drilled; direct UV print or applied vinyl graphics |
| Weight | Roughly half the weight of solid aluminum at equal dimensions |
Where it's used
Common applications
Flat facade panels and fascia signage built to weather the street.
Clean, rigid panels for interior and exterior navigation.
Professional reception and dimensional logo backers.
Freestanding ground signs for property and real estate use.
Site hoarding, project boards, and temporary identification.
Durable backers for code-required interior signage.
Honest assessment
Strengths & considerations
Strengths
- Stays flat and rigid without the weight of solid metal
- Excellent weather and corrosion resistance outdoors
- Takes direct print and vinyl with sharp, vivid results
- Cost-effective for large flat panels and runs
- Clean routed edges and easy mounting
Considerations
- Flat panel only — not a dimensional letter material
- Core can show at cut edges unless finished
- Less premium feel than brushed acrylic or real metal
- Large unsupported spans may need bracing
Working with Signs New York
How we fabricate Dibond signs
Dibond is a workhorse in our shop. We CNC-route it to shape, print or apply graphics, and finish the edges clean — scaling from a single storefront panel to a building’s worth of wayfinding. Clients across the five boroughs and throughout New Jersey lean on us for the full path from proof to mounted sign.
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