Most of the substrates used for signs and dimensional graphics are available in a standard sheet size of 48” x 96”. This is the case for acrylic, PVC, polycarbonate, MDO, sheet metals, MDF, HDU, metal laminates, styrene and many others. Two factors can significantly affect the cost, and profitability, of a sign: sheet yield and fractional allowance.
Sheet yield is the number of pieces that can be had from a standard sheet of material. Some classic examples:
The customer wants 24” x 36” signs. You can get four out of a 48” x 96” sheet. If the signs were reduced to 24” x 32” you get six from a sheet.
24” x 18” signs are specified. Ten will come from a 48” x 96” sheet. Change that to 24” x 16” and the yield is twelve signs.
Fractional allowance is where the savings really come in.
We all tend to think in whole dimensions so will automatically say, for example, 12” x 24”. But, except for a metal shear, all cutting tools have a kerf or cutter width, that removes material. So if a saw or router is used to cut the shapes at least 1/8” of material is lost. Now you can’t get those twelve 24”x 16” signs from a sheet but only eight! Change the size fractionally to 23-7/8” x 15-7/8” and you are back to a yield of twelve.
Good dimensions for signs: 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 96
Bad dimensions for signs: 18, 36, 60, 72
Most importantly, always think of those dimensions as nominal. Take off those money saving fractions; at least 1/8”, for larger shapes 1/4”. It will improve both the customer’s and your bottom lines.
Turning Fractions into Dollars
Most of the substrates used for signs and dimensional graphics are available in a standard sheet size of 48” x 96”. This is the case for acrylic, PVC, polycarbonate, MDO, sheet metals, MDF, HDU, metal laminates, styrene and many others. Two factors can significantly affect the cost, and profitability, of a sign: sheet yield and fractional allowance.
Sheet yield is the number of pieces that can be had from a standard sheet of material. Some classic examples:
The customer wants 24” x 36” signs. You can get four out of a 48” x 96” sheet. If the signs were reduced to 24” x 32” you get six from a sheet.
24” x 18” signs are specified. Ten will come from a 48” x 96” sheet. Change that to 24” x 16” and the yield is twelve signs.
Fractional allowance is where the savings really come in.
We all tend to think in whole dimensions so will automatically say, for example, 12” x 24”. But, except for a metal shear, all cutting tools have a kerf or cutter width, that removes material. So if a saw or router is used to cut the shapes at least 1/8” of material is lost. Now you can’t get those twelve 24”x 16” signs from a sheet but only eight! Change the size fractionally to 23-7/8” x 15-7/8” and you are back to a yield of twelve.
Good dimensions for signs: 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 96
Bad dimensions for signs: 18, 36, 60, 72
Most importantly, always think of those dimensions as nominal. Take off those money saving fractions; at least 1/8”, for larger shapes 1/4”. It will improve both the customer’s and your bottom lines.
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