A push-through sign is an illuminated cabinet where thick, translucent acrylic graphics are pushed from behind through matching cutouts in an opaque face panel. This construction allows letters and logos to project past the metal surface. Interior LED modules light the acrylic from inside the cabinet.
How Push-Through Signs Are Built
The process starts with a metal face cut on a CNC router. Thick acrylic is cut to match but includes an oversized flange at the back. This stepped cut prevents the acrylic from falling outward through the face.
The acrylic is pushed forward, projecting past the metal face by a standard distance. It is fastened from the inside. When letters have internal cutouts, known as counters or islands, the metal centers are saved and attached to the acrylic face to complete the letterform.
Types of Illumination
- Face-lit and edge-lit: Light shines through both the front face and the exposed sides of the projecting acrylic.
- Edge-lit only: The acrylic face is covered with opaque vinyl or cut metal. Light only glows from the exposed side edges, creating a perimeter rim glow.
Project Drivers and Code Considerations
- Cost factors: Detail complexity, LED density, and acrylic thickness drive the manufacturing requirements.
- Detail limits: Small text details may be limited by the diameter of the CNC router bit used to cut the metal and acrylic.
- Sign codes: Sign permit rules vary by jurisdiction. Some municipalities classify edge-lit push-through signs as indirect lighting, while others treat them as standard internally illuminated cabinets.
Sign codes change and vary by zoning district and overlay. Confirm with the authority having jurisdiction before submitting a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far does the acrylic stick out on a push-through sign?
The acrylic typically projects 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch past the metal face. Heavier acrylic can project 3/4 inch or 1 inch for extra depth. The sign industry baseline standard is 1/2 inch thick acrylic.
Can small text or intricate logos be illuminated with a push-through sign?
Yes. Push-through construction works exceptionally well for complex logos and small typography. It is frequently used in situations where individual channel letters are too small to fit internal LEDs inside each separate character housing.
Can a push-through sign light up only on the edges?
Yes. Sign manufacturers can mask the front face of the projecting acrylic with an opaque film or metal laminate. This forces the internal cabinet light out exclusively through the exposed edges.
How do sign companies estimate price and check codes for a sign?
Vuely is AI sales software for sign companies. A rep visits a customer's site, captures a survey with photos and measurements, and Vuely generates a photo-accurate mockup of the sign on the customer's actual building, checks the design against the local city sign code, estimates price, and collects a signature before the rep leaves.
Vuely is AI sales software for sign companies: site surveys, mockups on the customer's own building, and sign code checks before the quote goes out.