Look around, you’ll find that you interact with more plastic components than you probably realized. Your phone, your keyboard, your garage door opener, television, pens, water bottles, and on and on. The great part about plastic materials is that they work across a multitude of applications—even those that aren’t at the front of your mind. They are highly conformable, which makes them able to take the shape of nearly any intended design. They are relatively inexpensive when compared to other alternatives. They have a reliable level of durability. And they work well in concert with other materials and components.
环顾四周，即使是你没有注意到的地方，到处都充斥着塑料制品，比如你的手机、键盘、车库门摇控开关、电视机、笔、水瓶等等。大量的塑料制品在我们的生活中起着重要的作用，甚至有些用处你都想象不到。由于它的材质的实用性，使得它能够完成几乎任何预期的设计。并且，与其他同类商品相比，它们相对便宜而且具有可靠的耐久性。他们能与其他材料或组件相互配合，出色地完成工作。
What does this mean in the sign world? Well, quite a bit. For starters, plastics provide another option to sign makers that want an alternative to metal, wood or other common substrates -- an outlet to give customers variety. Additionally, there are choices within the plastics family that can add to the brilliance of a sign project.
那么，对于标识世界来说，这意味着什么呢？这意味着对于相当多的创业者来说，塑料制品的存在为标识制造商提供了一个新的选择，即用塑料制品替代金属、木材或其他常见基材，为客户提供多样化的产品制作渠道。另外，选择塑料制品来完成标识项目也可以增加标识的美观性。
Characteristics
不同的特点
Polycarbonate and acrylic materials are widely used in the sign world. And both are comparatively different when it comes to their characteristics.
PC材料和亚克力材料都广泛应用于标识世界，但两者有着不同的特点。
“Acrylic typically offers a broader color palate,” says Cindy Race, marketing/communications at Covestro. “Polycarbonate is available in most colors, but sometimes requires a large minimum order quantity. Both polycarbonate and acrylic can be can be direct-printed. Digital printing is replacing many traditional decorating methods including painting and silk-screening.Both products are compatible with first surface vinyl decoration, but thermoforming with applied vinyl can be a little trickier with polycarbonate.”
Covestro营销通讯公司的Cindy Race说：“亚克力材料可以提供丰富的色彩选择，虽然PC材料的颜色选择也非常多，但有时PC材料较大的尺寸需要小的起订量。PC材料和亚克力材料都可以直接进行印刷处理。数字印刷正在取代许多传统的装饰方法，包括绘画和丝印。两种材料均可以与表层为乙烯介质的装饰品兼容，但是热成型的应用乙烯基可能会使PC材料的处理变得有些棘手。”
So, obviously, for sign makers there are considerations to ponder when selecting the best plastic substrate to use in a project. And the decision should not be taken lightly.
所以，答案显而易见，对于标识制造商来说，在为工程项目选择合适的塑料基板时，应该多对材料的选择进行思考，不可草率下决定。
“Polycarbonates tend to be stronger and more impact resistant than acrylics,” says Matt Buckley, business development manager with GPA Specialty Substrate Solutions, “whereas acrylics are usually less expensive than polycarbonates, but can be scratched more easily.”
GPA特种基板解决方案业务开发经理Matt Buckley说：“PC材料比亚克力材料更坚固，抗冲击性更强，而PC材料通常比亚克力材料更便宜，但非常容易留下划痕。”
But each have strengths when it comes to implementing them in a sign project.
在标识项目具体实施的过程中，每种材料都有其优势。
Sign Makers' Need
标识制造商的需求
Many of the reasons why sign makers choose to use plastic products in their jobs can be broken down into distinct categories. A few of those are the listed here with some insight provided by seasoned manufacturers.
标识制造商在他们的工作中选择使用塑料产品的原因可以被分为以下几类。以下建议是由一些具有敏锐洞察力且经验丰富的制造商提出的。
Lifespan—It’s important for sign professionals to have an idea of how long their sign materials will last in each project. Many factors can go into how signage will hold up in different circumstances. Is it an outdoor sign facing tough weather conditions? Is it located in a place that is subject to vandalism? Does it contain elements that may cause failure?
使用寿命——对于标识制造的专业人员来说，了解他们的标识材料的在每个项目中的使用寿命是非常重要的。许多因素可能都会对标牌有着不同的影响，你经常需要思考：室外标牌会受到恶劣天气的影响吗？标牌所处的地方是一个容易遭到破坏的地方吗？标牌本身是否有瑕疵？
“General purpose acrylic has a long lifespan due to its excellent resistance to UV damage, acrylic is prone to breakage, however,” says Race. “Co-extruded polycarbonate sheet can be expected to last 10 years without significant yellowing and is virtually unbreakable.”
Race说：“常规的亚克力材料由于其优异的抗UV损伤特点而具有很长的使用寿命，但亚克力材料易于破裂。共挤PC板的寿命预计可以持续10年，期间不会有明显的老化褪色现象，并且不易破裂。”
In addition, polycarbonate offers greater heat resistance than acrylics, and has a higher impact strength with increased resistance to breakage. These traits of both polycarbonates and acrylics will contribute to the life expectancy of the overall sign.
此外，和亚克力材料相比，PC材料的耐热性好、抗冲击强、耐断裂性高。PC材料和亚克力材料的这些特点将有助于延长整体标识的预期寿命。
“The expected lifespan varies depending on the type of plastic being used and the conditions it is being used in,” says Buckley. “To achieve the best results and the longest life span, it’s important to select the right plastic for the specific needs of each project. Considerations like end-use environment, weight, and durability will help drive that decision.”
Buckley说：“材料预期的使用寿命取决于所使用的塑料类型和使用的环境。要达到一定效果的使用寿命，重要的是为每个项目的具体需求选择合适的塑料材料。对于客户的使用环境、材料重量和材料耐用性的考虑将有助于推动这一决定的实施。”
Price—Sign businesses want to make money; that’s not a secret. But being able to provide the best end-product without overspending is a very attractive option. Plastics in sign projects allow a shop to price jobs competitively.
价格——标识企业想赚钱是很正常的，这并不是什么秘密。但是如果能在预算不超支的情况下，提供好的终端产品就非常有吸引力了。因此，在标识项目中各个商铺会对塑料材料进行价格竞争。
“Historically, polycarbonate has been priced significantly higher than both GP Acrylic and Impact Modified Acrylic,” Race says. “This price delta has been shrinking over the past few years. In many cases polycarbonate may be procured with less cost.”
Race说：“从以往看来，虽然PC材料的价格明显高于常规亚克力材料和抗冲击亚克力材料，但是这些材料的价格在过去几年里一直在下降。在这种情况下，采购PC材料的成本会更低。”
This is something sign makers should certainly consider as they are choosing which materials to use for each job: price versus performance.
标识制造商应该考虑材料的价格和性能，来为他们的每项工作选择合适的材料。
Strength—Durability has always been an attractive quality for sign users. The customer wants to know that he can rely on his investment and, thus, the sign shop that provided it to him. The advantage to polycarbonate is that it is very strong and dependable.
强度——对于标识用户来说，耐用性是否持久一直是他们比较关注的问题。客户通过标识商铺给他提供的这一切服务来判断他的投资是否值得信赖。而PC板的优点就在于它非常坚固可靠。
“Polycarbonate is significantly stronger than acrylic and impact modified acrylic,” Race says, “especially after being thermoformed.”
Race说：“PC材料比常规亚克力材料和抗冲击亚克力材料更坚固，在热成型后这种现象则更加的明显。”
According to manufacturers, polycarbonates are far superior than acrylics in the strength category.
根据制造商的说法，PC材料在实用强度这方面远优于亚克力材料。
“Lighter than glass, Polycarbonate delivers more than 30 times the impact strength of acrylic, and 10 times that of impact-modified acrylic, so signs maintain their appearance over time, and can be used in areas of high vandalism,” says Jay Millhof, SABIC strategic account manager, image market—Polymershapes.
SABIC战略客户经理Jay Millhof说：“PC材料比玻璃轻，但是PC材料的抗冲击强度是常规亚克力材料的抗冲击强度的30倍以上，是抗冲击亚克力材料强度的10倍，所以使用PC材料制作的标识不会因为时间的推移而改变它的外貌，可用于高破坏性的地区。”
Against other substrates, plastics can also be looked at as a very trustworthy alternative, especially whenconsidering their complete compilation that enhances longevity.
和其他基材相比，塑料制品也可以看作是一个非常值得信赖的替代品，特别是考虑到它们的使用寿命较长这一点时。
Plastics can be engineered to be more durable than metal or wood; over time, they will not rust like metal or rot like wood.
通过加工，塑料制品可以比金属和木材更耐用。即使时间流逝，塑料制品也不会像金属一样生锈，像木头一样腐烂。
Used with LEDs
与LED一起使用
Lighting is a big part of today’s signage. Users who want to make sure their displays are seen everywhere – in the dark, in the back of a store, among other displays, and more – are turning to LEDs for an illuminated advantage. Plastics can team with LEDs to make sure the best results are achieved.
照明功能是今天标识标牌的重要组成部分。用户如果想确保自己的显示屏“无处不在”（黑暗中、商店背后、和其他显示器并排等等），就会使用LED光源以获得照明优势。塑料与LED光源的组合是确保显示屏实现“无处不在”的解决方案。
“Because synthetics can be engineered to provide varying levels of opacity, they can work very well with LED and other lighting systems,” says Buckley. “Some plastics have higher heat tolerances than others, and can withstand the heat from other types of lighting systems without warping or posing a safety hazard.”
Buckley说：“因为合成材料可以有不同程度的透明度，所以它们与LED光源和其它照明系统一起配合得相当好。并且比其它塑料具有更高的耐热性，因此可以承受部分照明系统的热量，不会翘曲或造成安全隐患。”
Polycarbonates, specifically, are great options for backlit and illuminated signage applications because of their ability to transmit high-clarity light. Sign makers should take note of the amount of light that is emitted through a sign face, especially in thin sign cabinets or closely configured applications.
PC材料可以说是背光式标识和照明标识应用的理想选择，因为它们能够传输高清晰度的光线。标识制造商应该多关注通过标识表面发出的光亮，特别是薄灯箱和空间狭小的配置应用。
For instance, “SABIC’s LEXAN sign white SGC510D sheet provides uniform light diffusion to eliminate LED pinholes and a view of light sources, and superior light transmission for exceptional optical brightness at lower energy costs,” Millhof says.
Millhof说：“例如，SABIC的LEXAN标识，其白色的SGC510D片材能够均匀地将光扩散出去，以消除LED细孔和光源带来的视野问题，并以更低的能源成本提供好的光源传输。”
In the end, sign makers can consult with manufacturers to make sure they are using the best possible option for lighted signs.
最后，标识制造商可以咨询生产商，以确保他们正在使用的照明标识处于一个好的工作状态。
“Many manufacturers offer grades specifically developed for the sign industry,” Race says, “these include LED compatible grades and digital print grades.”
Race说：“许多制造商提供针对标识行业发展的专门分类，其中的类别包括LED光源兼容和数码印刷。”
Practicality for Sign Makers
标牌制造商的实践
For sign shops that are offering their services in plastic signage, it’s important to consider all of what the user wants in the sign. For example: Where is it being placed? What is the application?
对于将他们提供的服务显示在塑料标识上的标识商铺，最重要的就是思考客户需要在他们的标识上获得什么信息。例如：它在哪？它是什么？
“Polycarbonate signage is a durable and versatile option in a wide variety of applications,” Millhof says. “It’s an excellent choice for decorated outdoor signs, including cabinet signs and channel letters. LEXAN polycarbonate sheet comes in a variety of specialized sign grades, can be thermoformed with crisp detail, offers excellent aesthetics, and is tough enough to withstand high impact and abuse.”
Millhof说：“PC材料制作的标识在各种应用中都是耐用和多功能的选择，它是装饰户外标识的绝佳选择，包括灯箱标识和槽型发光字。PC材料可以制作各种专业标识牌号，在热成型的基础上保有清晰的细节，展现出色的美观性，并且足够坚固以抵御高冲击的外力和天气对其的恶劣影响。”
Even between polycarbonates versus acrylics, there can be some major differences. Sign makers should give thought to which option should be used per project.
在PC材料与亚克力材料之间，也可能存在一些重要的差异。标识制造商应该考虑清楚每个项目应该使用哪种材料。
“There are many differences in the materials when it comes to fabrication,” Race says. “Both products can be cut easily with saws and routers. Polycarbonate can be die cut, guillotined or sheared, which is common in thinner gauges. Acrylic cannot be cut with these methods. Polycarbonate, unlike acrylic, can be cold formed and bent in a brake press. Both products can be thermoformed, but polycarbonate needs to be pre-dried to release excess moisture, as the forming temperature is much higher than acrylic.”
Race说：“在生产的过程中，不同的材料会有很大的差异。两种材料都可以很容易地被锯开和切割。常见的较薄规格的PC材料可以被切割成型或直接切断，亚克力材料则不能用这些方法切割。和亚克力材料不同，PC材料可以冷成型并在折弯机中被折弯。两种材料也都可以热成型，但是PC材料需要预先干燥以释放多余的水分，因为它的成型温度远高于亚克力材料。”
And, again, keep in mind that the environment will have an impact on the integrity of the sign.
而且，请记住，周边的环境也会对标识的完整性产生影响。
“Acrylic sheet can be used both indoors and outdoors,” Race says. “Polycarbonate with a co-extruded UV cap layer, like Makrolon SL, is intended for outdoor use. General purpose polycarbonate should only be used in indoor applications.”
Race说：“亚克力板可以在室内和室外使用。具有共挤UV保护层的PC材料，比如Makrolon SL材料就可以用于室外，而常规的PC材料只能用于室内。”
As a sign maker, there are always a number of factors to consider when trying to implement the best signage solution for the customer. If plastics are potentially part of the project, then look at the following:
作为一名标识制造商，在为客户找寻标识解决方案时，总是会考虑许多因素。如果要把塑料列为项目的一部分，那么请仔细阅读以下内容：
What’s the budget? Plastic may be a more attractive option than other substrates, and acrylics are typically very affordable.
当你考虑预算问题时，塑料可能比其他基材更具吸引力，因为亚克力材料一般是非常实惠的。
How long does the customer want the sign to last? Polycarbonates have a very strong composition.
当你考虑客户的使用期限时，PC材料就是十分完美的选择了，因为PC材料的外表十分坚固，使用寿命比较长。
Will the sign be used in outdoor or in lighted settings? Check how each element will perform against the customer’s checklist.
当你考虑到标识是否会放置在室外或产生照明作用时，提前做好解决每一位客户问题的准备工作就十分有必要了。
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