Recently, City Signs was contracted by a third party sign company for a job at Aryzta in Stockton, CA. We were hired to install a large set of Acrylic FCOs that were produced and shipped to us by the third party company. We installed these high up on a stairwell. Typically, signs that are being placed up this high require ladders, or if there is enough space available, a scissor lift which is rented and delivered to us on site. The job was successful and all parties involved were satisfied.
If the term FCO sounds foreign, it simply means flat cut out. The material used is acrylic, hence the name, acrylic flat cut out, or FCO for short. These signs can come in a variety of sizes and are most often cut 1/2 in or 1/4 in thick from a machine called a router. Other thicknesses of course can be used, but these two are the most common you will see. Once the desired letters and/or logos are cut, they are sanded and painted to match the preferred color. As an alternative, vinyl graphics can also be applied to the letter faces. Once production is finished, the letters are ready for installation. Holes are drilled into the back of the letters and studs are placed. At the site of installation, holes are drilled into the wall or area and a pattern is used so insure the holes in the wall match the studs in the letters. Once those holes are drilled, the letters can be mounted onto the wall. Silicone is also used for extra support and is applied as an adhesive to make sure the product stays in place.
1/4 in letters have a different installation process, because of how small they are. They are too small for studs, so instead, they are applied to surfaces using a double sided tape, similar to adhesive tape you would find at the store. Most FCO sets are installed with little to zero space between them and the wall. This is called flush. Spacers can be installed with the letters as an alternative in which they “float” the letters of of the wall by about 1/2 inch. This process of installation is not the standard, but it has become fairly common.
Is your business interested in the possibility of using Acrylic FCOs? Please give us a call at City Signs today [209.549.2412] and we can give you more details and information about the best sign option for you!