Aluminum Panel & Building Signs in Colorado Springs
Non-illuminated aluminum composite and solid aluminum panel signs for building walls, entrances, and tenant spaces, with printed or cut vinyl faces made for high-altitude sun.
APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics produces and installs aluminum signs in Colorado Springs: flat aluminum composite (ACM) and solid aluminum panels with printed or cut vinyl faces, mounted to building walls, raceways, rails, or standoffs. ACM is two thin aluminum skins bonded to a polyethylene core, commonly 2 to 4 mm thick. It weighs roughly half as much as solid aluminum at similar stiffness, which makes it the usual choice for large wall panels. Printed faces are laminated for UV at 6,035 feet. Most panel signs take one to two weeks to produce once the proof is approved, plus permit review, and every exterior wall panel counts toward the building's allowed sign area.
A panel sign is one of the quickest ways to put a clean, durable name on a building. Getting it right is mostly about the face, the fasteners, and the wall behind it.
Aluminum panel signs are flat signs made from aluminum composite material or solid aluminum sheet, with the graphics printed or cut in vinyl on the face. They are among the most common non-illuminated building signs in Colorado Springs because they handle sun, wind, and snow well, generally cost less than individual letters, and can carry full-color logos that would be hard to build in three dimensions.
Non-illuminated building signs usually take one of a few forms: dimensional letters on a raceway or directly on the wall, aluminum panels, wall lettering, or building-mounted logo shapes. This page covers the aluminum panel side: when a panel beats individual letters, ACM vs solid aluminum, face options, mounting on stucco, brick, and metal, and the permit. For individual letters, see our dimensional letters page.
- Provider
- APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics, Colorado Springs, CO
- Materials
- Aluminum composite material (ACM) and solid aluminum sheet
- ACM construction
- Two pre-painted aluminum skins bonded to a polyethylene core, commonly 2 to 4 mm thick
- Faces
- Printed vinyl with laminate, or cut vinyl lettering and logos
- Mounting
- Direct to wall, standoffs, rails, raceways, or posts
- Illumination
- Non-illuminated
- Typical timeline
- One to two weeks for production after artwork approval, plus permit review
- Permit
- Exterior building signs need a sign permit and count toward allowed sign area
When a panel beats individual letters
A panel sign is usually the better choice when the logo is detailed, the wall is rough, or the budget is tight. Individual letters look more custom from the street, but they generally cost more per square foot and need a clean wall surface to mount to.
- Full-color or detailed logos. Gradients, photos, fine lines, and small taglines print cleanly on a panel. The same artwork would be difficult or expensive to build as cut letters.
- Rough or uneven walls. Split-face block, heavy stucco, and corrugated metal make individual letters hard to align. A panel spans the texture and gives the graphics a flat, consistent background.
- Tenant turnover. In multi-tenant buildings, a panel in a standard frame or on rails can be swapped without new wall holes when the tenant changes.
- Budget. For the same visible size, a printed panel generally costs less than a set of dimensional letters.
Letters win when the wall is clean and the brand calls for a more premium, three-dimensional look. Many buildings use both: dimensional letters for the main name and aluminum panels for tenant signs, entrances, and secondary walls. Our guide to channel letters vs flat cut letters covers the letter side of that choice.
ACM vs solid aluminum
Most building panels are aluminum composite material because it is flat, light, and rigid at large sizes. Solid aluminum sheet is used for smaller panels, routed shapes, and signs that need a tougher edge.
| Aluminum composite (ACM) | Solid aluminum sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Two pre-painted aluminum skins on a polyethylene core | Single sheet of aluminum, painted or bare |
| Common thickness | 2 to 4 mm overall | Thin gauges for small signs; thicker plate for routed shapes |
| Weight | Roughly half the weight of solid aluminum at similar stiffness | Heavier at large sizes |
| Flatness | Stays flat on large panels and resists oil-canning | Thin sheet can flex or ripple on large panels |
| Edges | Core is visible at cut edges unless trimmed or returned | Clean metal edge that can be painted |
| Best for | Wall panels, tenant signs, large building signs | Small signs, routed logo shapes, signs in heavy contact areas |
ACM can dent from hard impacts and its painted skin can scratch, so panels mounted within reach of carts, trucks, or snow plows get extra thought on placement. Our guide to acrylic, aluminum, and PVC sign materials compares these with other substrates.
Printed vs cut vinyl faces
The face is what people read, and it is the part that takes the sun. There are two main ways to put graphics on an aluminum panel, and the right one depends on the artwork.
- Printed vinyl with laminate. The artwork is printed on outdoor vinyl, covered with a clear UV laminate, and applied to the panel. This handles full-color logos, photos, and gradients.
- Cut vinyl. Letters and logo shapes are cut from colored vinyl and applied to the painted panel. This suits one- or two-color designs, and solid-color vinyl holds its color well outdoors.
- Routed panels. Panels can also be routed into the shape of a logo, or letters can be cut through the face and backed with another color. These are still flat, non-illuminated signs.
Brand colors are matched on the actual vinyl and printer, and proofs are approved before production. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
UV and laminate at 6,035 feet
Sun is the main thing that wears out an outdoor panel face in Colorado Springs. UV is stronger at our altitude than at sea level, and south and west walls take the most exposure. That is why every printed face we install outdoors gets a UV laminate.
- Laminate protects the ink. A clear laminate filters UV and takes the scratches from wind-blown grit and snow, so the print underneath holds its color longer.
- Material grade matters. Outdoor-rated vinyl and laminate from a recognized film manufacturer are matched to the expected life of the sign. Ask each provider to identify the film series and laminate included in the estimate.
Our guide to what UV at 6,035 feet does to vinyl explains the altitude effect in more detail.
Mounting on stucco, brick, and metal
How a panel is attached depends on the wall. The goal is the same on every surface: fasteners that hold in wind, a mount that keeps water out of the wall, and a panel that sits flat.
- Stucco and EIFS. The surface layer is not structural. Fasteners need to reach solid backing, and penetrations are sealed so water does not get behind the finish. Standoffs can help a panel sit flat over uneven stucco.
- Brick and block. Anchors go into solid masonry, and mortar joints are often preferred because they are easier to patch at removal. Split-face block can call for rails or a spacer system.
- Metal buildings. Panels attach to the girts or structure behind the metal skin, or to rails fastened through the panel ribs, rather than to the thin skin alone.
- Raceways and rails. A horizontal raceway or rail system mounts to the wall once, and the panel attaches to it. This reduces wall penetrations and makes future face changes easier.
Freestanding panels on posts are covered on our post and panel signs page. Wind is a real load in Colorado Springs, so a large panel gets more fasteners and structure than a small one. Some sign projects require engineered drawings based on the sign type, size, mounting method, and site conditions. We confirm the applicable requirements as part of the project review.
Permits and sign area
An aluminum panel on the outside of a building is a wall sign, and in Colorado Springs it needs a sign permit like any other permanent exterior sign. The panel's area counts toward the total sign area allowed on that wall or building.
- Sign area includes the panel. A panel with a background color is generally measured by its full outline, not just the letters, which can use up allowed area faster than individual letters.
- Landlord approval. Most commercial leases require landlord approval of tenant signs, and some multi-tenant buildings have sign criteria that set panel sizes and colors.
Our guide to wall sign permits in Colorado Springs explains how sign area is calculated, and our sign permit services page covers how we prepare and submit the permit. If a landlord requires a sign type we do not offer, we review the requirements and discuss the options with you.
How an aluminum panel sign project runs
- Site visit and wall surveyWe measure the wall, note the surface and backing, and photograph the building from the street to set size and placement.
- Estimate and depositYou receive a written estimate with material, face type, and mounting. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
- Design and permitThe panel is shown on a photo of your building for approval, and the sign plan is submitted for permit review.
- FabricationPanels are cut or routed, faces are printed and laminated or cut in vinyl, and mounting hardware is prepared.
- Installation and walkthroughOur team installs the panel and reviews it with you. We handle the installation, including equipment coordination when needed, through the final walkthrough.
Is an aluminum panel sign the right fit?
Panels are the most practical building sign for many businesses, but not every building or brand.
A good fit when
- Your logo has full color, gradients, or fine detail
- The wall is textured, uneven, or metal
- You lease in a multi-tenant building with standard tenant panels
- You want a durable exterior sign at a lower cost than individual letters
- You need entrance, suite, or secondary wall signs that match the main sign
Look elsewhere when
- You need an illuminated sign for night visibility
- The brand calls for a three-dimensional look on a clean wall, where dimensional letters fit better
- Landlord sign criteria require a sign type APG does not offer
The Short Version
- Aluminum panel signs are flat ACM or solid aluminum panels with printed or cut vinyl faces.
- ACM is two aluminum skins on a polyethylene core, roughly half the weight of solid aluminum, and stays flat at large sizes.
- Panels beat individual letters for detailed logos, rough walls, tenant turnover, and tighter budgets.
- Printed faces get a UV laminate for Colorado Springs sun; ask for the film series and laminate.
- Mounting is matched to stucco, brick, or metal, and large panels need more structure for wind.
- Exterior panels need a sign permit and count toward the building's allowed sign area.
Where this information comes from
- APG project records for aluminum panel sign installations, Colorado Springs office.
- Curbell Plastics, Aluminum Composite Material overview: curbellplastics.com.
- City of Colorado Springs Unified Development Code, Part 13 Signs: amlegal.com.
- City of Colorado Springs sign application guidance: coloradosprings.gov/signapp.
- Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, sign contractor license types: pprbd.org.
Common questions
Aluminum Panel Signs FAQ
Who makes aluminum signs in Colorado Springs?
APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics produces and installs aluminum composite and solid aluminum panel signs in Colorado Springs and El Paso County, with printed or cut vinyl faces and mounting matched to the building.
What is ACM in signs?
ACM stands for aluminum composite material, a panel made of two thin pre-painted aluminum skins bonded to a polyethylene core. It is commonly 2 to 4 mm thick, weighs roughly half as much as solid aluminum at similar stiffness, and stays flat at large sizes.
Is ACM or solid aluminum better for a building sign?
ACM is usually better than solid aluminum for large wall panels because it is lighter and stays flatter. Solid aluminum suits smaller signs, routed logo shapes, and areas where the sign may take hard contact.
Do aluminum signs rust?
Aluminum does not rust the way steel does. The more common wear on an aluminum panel sign is UV fading of the face and scratches or dents from impact, which is why faces are laminated and panels are placed out of reach of vehicles.
How long does a printed aluminum sign face last outdoors?
The life of a printed aluminum sign face depends on the vinyl, laminate, colors, and sun exposure. In Colorado Springs, faces on south and west walls usually fade fastest. Laminated outdoor-grade films last much longer than unlaminated prints, and a faded face can often be replaced on the same panel.
Can an aluminum sign be mounted on stucco?
Yes. When an aluminum sign is mounted on stucco, fasteners must reach solid backing behind it, and every penetration is sealed so water does not get behind the finish. Standoffs or rails can help a panel sit flat on uneven stucco.
Does an aluminum panel sign need a permit in Colorado Springs?
Yes. A permanent aluminum panel on a building exterior is a wall sign and needs a sign permit. Its area counts toward the total sign area allowed for that wall or building.
Is an aluminum panel cheaper than dimensional letters?
For the same visible size, a printed aluminum panel generally costs less than a set of individual dimensional letters, because it is one flat piece with one mounting. Letters cost more but give a three-dimensional look.
Send a photo of the wall
Put your name on the building and keep it sharp.
Send a straight-on photo of the wall, rough dimensions, and your logo files. Our team will review the surface and the allowed sign area, then send a written estimate. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
From the guide library