213-768-9330 Email info@laprimesigns.com
Quick Quote
Two red restroom-themed reserved parking signs on a white background
Blue Peeping Tom’s main entrance sign mounted on a gray brick wall
Side view of a metal-faced panel cross-section with a dark core
Colorful security-camera warning graphic on a flat rectangular sign

Custom Dibond Signs

Flat, rigid aluminum-composite panels for signs that need a metal-faced appearance without the weight and edge of solid plate.

  • Aluminum Composite Panel — Thin metal faces bonded to a rigid core create a flat, relatively lightweight sign blank.
  • Custom Panel Production — Customer-supplied final dimensions, sections, seams, and cuts are approved before printing.
  • One or Two Viewing Faces — Print direction, finish, exposed edges, and backside appearance are defined up front.
  • Approved Mounting Preparation — Holes or a pattern are included only from installer-approved dimensions in the written quote.
The story A flat panel with a lot going on Material notes —

ACM earns its keep by staying flat while keeping a large panel manageable. The aluminum faces accept direct print or applied graphics, while the core adds stiffness without turning the sign into a slab of solid metal.

It works well for wall signs, directories, parking information, display panels, and post-mounted graphics when the support and edges are designed with the panel. Standoffs can create separation from an interior wall; rails, framing, or posts may be more appropriate outdoors.

The panel is only one part of an exterior system. Sun, coastal exposure, wind, cut edges, fastener compatibility, and field conditions can all affect the graphic finish and installed assembly. The customer or qualified installer confirms mounting design, property criteria, local rules, and any required engineering before approving production.

Quick answer

Direct answer: Dibond is a brand of aluminum composite material, or ACM: thin aluminum faces bonded to a rigid core. It is commonly chosen for smooth printed panels that need more stiffness than PVC foam board and less weight than solid metal plate. A quote should state whether branded Dibond or a comparable ACM is required.

Key takeaways

  • Use ACM for rigid display, wayfinding, storefront, or parking panels when low panel weight and a smooth metal face are useful.
  • The customer or installer chooses panel thickness and support from finished size, span, wind exposure, hardware, site conditions, and the selected manufacturer’s guidance.
  • Provide vector artwork, customer-verified final dimensions, quantity, viewing sides, exposure, and an approved hole diagram when drilling is required.

Specs & options

Specs

Material
Aluminum composite material; the written quote identifies the exact product and whether a requested brand is available
Construction
Aluminum faces bonded to a rigid core; exact composition depends on the selected product
Thickness
Selected from panel dimensions, support, exposure, handling, and available sheet stock
Panel size
Custom to customer-supplied final dimensions and the approved panel or seam plan
Graphics
Direct print, applied vinyl, or laminated print evaluated for the project scope
Exposure
Interior, protected exterior, or exposed exterior with finish and mounting reviewed accordingly
Mounting preparation
Holes or a pattern only from customer- or installer-approved dimensions; attachment design is not included

Options

  • Panel Size — Custom dimensions or planned multi-panel sections based on the approved stock and seam layout.
  • Thickness — Choose after the panel span, support spacing, handling, and exposure are known.
  • Mounting Preparation — Pre-drilled holes or a pattern produced from an installer-approved dimensioned drawing.
  • Print Faces — Single- or double-sided graphics with viewing direction and backside finish specified.
  • Edge & Shape — Square or radius corners and custom contours where tooling, support, and safe handling allow.

Need help preparing files? See Artwork Setup.

Good fit for

  • Parking & Site Direction — Facility parking, garage, and directional panels using approved messages and locations.
  • Storefront Branding — Wall-mounted logos, identification, or promotional panels planned around the facade and landlord criteria.
  • Wayfinding — Campus maps, building directories, arrows, and navigation systems with repeatable panel specifications.
  • Lobby & Interior Displays — Printed plaques, dimensional presentations, or standoff-mounted brand panels.
  • Real Estate & Construction — Site information and property marketing panels with suitable framing or post support.
  • Retail & Restaurant Displays — Menu boards, promotional graphics, and identification signs for interior or reviewed exterior placement.

How it works

  1. 1) Share final specs + artwork

    Send customer-verified width and height, quantity, viewing faces, exposure, vector artwork or the best available file, and any approved hole diagram.

  2. 2) Review the proof

    Confirm artwork scale, trim, panel seams, print faces, edge treatment, colors, and exact hole locations.

  3. 3) Confirm fabrication

    The quote identifies the ACM product, thickness, graphic method, cut shape, sidedness, and selected mounting preparation before production.

  4. 4) Produce + prepare handoff

    The approved panels are printed, cut, finished, inspected, and protected for customer or third-party-installer handoff.

FAQ

How long do Dibond signs last outdoors?

There is no single service-life number for every ACM sign. Panel product, graphic system, sun direction, coastal exposure, cleaning, cut edges, mounting, wind, and maintenance all matter. Share the site conditions so the material and finish can be quoted for the intended use without a blanket durability promise.

Do Dibond signs require permits?

Requirements depend on the jurisdiction, property, sign type, size, height, lighting, placement, and attachment. The customer or qualified installer confirms current municipal and property criteria before approving production; LA Prime Signs does not research or obtain permits.

What is the difference between Dibond signs and aluminum signs?

Dibond and other ACM panels use thin aluminum faces bonded to a rigid core, while a solid aluminum sign is metal throughout. ACM is often lighter for a comparable panel size, but edges, impact behavior, fastening, fire or building criteria, and finish differ. The right choice depends on the complete application.

What thickness Dibond should I choose for outdoor signs?

Choose thickness from panel dimensions, unsupported span, framing or posts, fastener spacing, wind exposure, edge treatment, handling, and the selected manufacturer’s guidance. A thicker panel is not a substitute for an appropriate support and attachment design.

What arrives with a Dibond or ACM sign order?

The finished order contains the approved ACM panels with the quoted print, cut, edge treatment, sidedness, and selected drilling, protected for handoff. Hardware is included only when selected and listed in the written quote. Field measurements, site surveys, mounting design, structural or electrical decisions, permits, code compliance, access, and installation are not included.

Is Dibond the same as aluminum composite material (ACM)?

Dibond is a specific brand within the broader aluminum composite material category. Other ACM products may have different face thicknesses, cores, finishes, ratings, and fabrication limits. State whether the brand is required so the quote identifies the actual panel rather than using the names interchangeably.

Production parent

See commercial printing for rigid-panel artwork, proofing, printing, cutting, and production handoff.