There is a growing demand in the illuminated signage and point of purchase display markets for light boxes that have thinner profiles. Acrylic manufacturers have addressed the need for a new sign substrate by developing a special acrylic sheet that can be used in such an application. This acrylic incorporates a new type of "light diffusing edge-lit technology" essential for those fabricators and designers looking for a new sign substrate that acts as a light source. It offers the technological advantage where light focused on the edge of the sheet is transmitted and evenly diffused to both faces of the sheet. This property is achieved with the dispersion of very fine particles throughout the acrylic. When light beams hit these particles, each of them works as a miniature light source.

Designers are beginning to use light diffusing edge-lit arylic sheet in many new and original applications such as:
. Illuminated signs for airports, movie theaters, department stores, banks and casinos.
. Display panels/menu boards for restaurants.
. Information/directory panels for railways, subways, malls, shopping centers, hotels and
buildings.
. Double-sided window shop displays.

One of the main development market sectors of light diffusing edge-lit acrylic sheet is poster/light boxes. Edge-lit acrylic improves the look of illuminated applications by eliminating bulky display boxes and replacing them with slimmer, lighter, more economical thin profile designs. Fluorescent tubes are concealed in the side profiles allowing the frames to be extremely slim.

This type of sheet is specifically designed for either single or double-sided light boxes.

Single-sided light boxes require the following materials: light diffusing edge-lit acrylic sheet, white backing material and a clear protection sheet. Posters need to be placed between the sheet and clear protective layer.

In a double-sided light box, the poster substrates are located on each face of the sheet. In this case, the white backing material should not be used. Each side of the sheet should have the poster and a clear protective sheet over it.

For more information, contact Mike at Ultra Acrylics, Inc.