Wood has not lost is value as a material for manufacturing sign graphics even though plastics and synthetics materials are increasingly becoming more popular in the sign industry. This is because wood is a material that is easy to work with and it is readily available anywhere at a reasonable price range. Although wood is still the favorite among the materials that can be used for signage, its only disadvantage is that if you put it in highly wet or humid environment, it will tend to warp, split or crack.

Making signage on wooden material here is possible either by hand carving the design using a chisel or by using a routing machine which is controlled by a computer, known as CAD/CAM. There is also a machine called a pantograph machine in which letters are stencil-cut and a stylus is used to form letters using the outline of the small letters of the stencil. There are a host of other machines that can be used to put signs in wood, and these use the latest technology of computer cutters such as lasers, plasma, water jets, used with large cutting areas, and any type of letter or logo can be cut out in any size.

Another method of putting messages on signboard is by sandblasting, which is also useful for concrete signs, architectural foam boards and glass, and this is done first of all by covering the material with rubber masking material, cutting out the letters and then blasting it with fine sand. The depth of the letters can be determined by the softness of the material and the amount of time that the sand is blasted before it goes through the rubber and destroys the surface. To avoid splintering and having uneven edges, it is recommended that sandblasting only be done to wood that have even grade, like the redwood, for example. Any size of wood will do if sandblasting is the method used.

Plywood is the best type of wood used for signage using another method of sign manufacture called lamination. Douglas fir exterior is the source of plywood to use for lamination. To use plywood for lamination, care must be exercised by applying filling and sealing all flaws and edges before the final steps are done. Weather-protecting exposed upper edges has to be done so that the plywood will not warp and the lamination will not be destroyed. View website of some of the best signage manufacturers and designers.

Consider wood the next time you make an outdoor signage. With proper maintenance, using the right kind of wood for your signage will last for a long time. Once fading sets in, it is good to repaint the sign and coat it with ultra violet protective coating so that you are sure to last long and give you years of advertising exposure.