Opening a new office block is a step in the right direction for any business looking to extend its services to clients. However, before the office becomes operational, you need to install signage at various points in your office. For instance, the office doors and washroom doors might need engraved signage to provide direction to clients while in the building. That said, you have to select the right material for your engraved signs. One such material is wood, but laser engraving results vary depending on the type of wood you choose. This article highlights tips for selecting the right wood for laser engraved signs.
Sap Content -- One critical factor you need to consider when choosing wood for laser engraved signage is the content of sap in the wood itself. Most businesses do not know that sap or resin affects -- to a great extent -- how wood burns. For example, wood with high sap content burns darker during laser engraving. Therefore, only use this type of wood if you want darker signage that goes well with a bright surface. On the other hand, wood with low sap content tends to burn lighter, making it ideal for wood-engraved signage meant for dark backgrounds.
Minimal Mineral Streaking -- For a sign to meet its purpose, the engraved information must be readable from afar. It is only possible if you engrave on wood that has as little mineral streaking as possible. The term "mineral streaks" refers to marks on wood resulting from mineral content, and although they add value to the wood, they are your enemy for wood-engraved signs. The reason for that is that burning through the mineral content can make the engraved characters illegible. Furthermore, the streaks distract from the wording on the piece. Therefore, when looking for wood for laser engraving, ensure you choose one that has the lowest amount of streaks. Additionally, the streaks present must be of consistent grain for less distraction.
Wood Color -- Unlike metal and acrylic, whose colours can be manipulated before the laser engraving begins, you cannot manage the base colour of an etched wood sign (although you can stain the wood after). Therefore, you need to carefully choose the colour of wood for your signs before you begin the engraving process. If you fail here, the chances are high that you will end up with an engraved wood sign that with an unfavourable base colour. This is because the base colour of the etched regions follows the wood's colour. For instance, dark wood will obscure laser etching marks, consequently making engraved text challenging to read. On the other hand, lighter wood will develop a deep burn when etched, thereby producing well-defined marks visible from afar.
For more information on signage, contact a sign supplier.
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