What Is Aluminium Composite (Dibond)? A Sign Buyer's Guide

Aluminium composite material, or ACM, is a sandwich: two thin sheets of aluminium bonded to a plastic core. The result is light but rigid, and it stays flat. Dibond is a well-known brand name for this type of panel, so you will often hear ACM called Dibond.

Our flat aluminium signs use 3mm aluminium composite. Our guide to sign materials compared shows how it sits alongside Foamex, acrylic and correx.

Aluminium composite is light, rigid and weather resistant. It stays flat on a wall or fascia. That combination is why it is the standard choice for permanent outdoor signs.

For a sign in an exposed spot, add an anti-graffiti laminate. Our guide to indoor and outdoor signs lists every product by where it suits.

• Flat aluminium signs: printed 3mm ACM in the size you choose, single or double-sided, for fascias, building signs and site boards. Priced online.
• Signtrays: folded ACM trays with returned edges, made to your fascia size. Choose a vinyl signtray, a 2.5D signtray or a fret-cut signtray. Quoted per job.
• Post and panel signs: freestanding signs for car parks, entrances and estates.
• Brushed aluminium stand-off panels: a brushed Dibond finish held off the wall on stand-offs, suitable indoors or outdoors, for entrances and receptions.

On a flat aluminium sign you can add a laminate over the print:

• Matt: non-reflective protection that reduces glare.
• Gloss: protection that makes colours look richer.
• Anti-graffiti: wipe-clean protection against graffiti and marker, worth adding in exposed spots.

You can also choose premium printed vinyl in place of standard print, rounded corners and double-sided print. The calculator shows the price as you choose.

Foamex is a lighter PVC foam board that costs less. It suits indoor signs and shorter-term outdoor use. Aluminium composite costs more but is made for long-term outdoor use, so it is the better choice for a fascia, a site board or anything that has to stay outside. Our comparison of Foamex vs aluminium sets them side by side, and our guide to what Foamex is covers the other material in detail.

Brushed aluminium is a metallic finish rather than a different material. See aluminium vs brushed aluminium to choose between them.

These are today's starting prices for a single-sided flat aluminium sign, including VAT, with standard print and no laminate:

• A2 (420 × 594mm): from £41.00
• A1 (594 × 841mm): from £46.00
• 1200 × 600mm: from £60.00
• 1500 × 500mm: from £63.00
• Full sheet (1220 × 2440mm): from £176.00

The calculator on the product page shows your exact price as you change the size and options. Our aluminium sign prices page has more sizes, including A1, A0 and the full 8 × 4ft sheet. Flat aluminium signs take 3 working days once you approve your proof. We make them at our Manchester production HQ and deliver UK-wide, and our guide to fitting a Foamex or aluminium sign explains how to put one up.