— Aluminum Composite Material

Aluminum Composite Panels for Rigid Signs

Aluminum composite material (ACM) uses thin aluminum faces bonded to a solid core. It provides a flat, lightweight panel for printed signs, wall panels, construction signs, displays, and other rigid graphics.

Material

Aluminum-Faced Composite

Common Thicknesses

3 mm · 6 mm

Environment

Indoor & Outdoor

Graphics

Direct Print · Vinyl · Mounting

— Overview

What Is Aluminum Composite Material?

ACM combines aluminum faces with a core to create a rigid panel that weighs less than a comparable solid aluminum sheet.

DIBOND, one of the best-known ACM products in signage, uses two pre-painted .012-inch aluminum sheets bonded to a polyethylene core. The smooth faces work well for direct print, mounted graphics, and vinyl, while the panel can also be routed and formed for certain applications.

Building & Wall Panels Flat rigid panels for exterior and interior sign faces.

Construction Signs Useful where a stiff printed panel is preferred over corrugated plastic.

Display Graphics Good for mounted prints, branded panels, exhibits, and presentation graphics.

Custom Shapes Can be routed and cut for project-specific profiles.

— Thickness

3 mm vs 6 mm ACM

Panel thickness affects stiffness and edge depth. The correct choice depends on panel size, support, mounting method, and exposure.

3 mm

Common Sign Gauge
A standard starting point for many flat printed and mounted sign panels.

Often suitable for wall signs, construction panels, displays, and medium-size rigid graphics.

6 mm

Thicker Panel
Provides more panel depth and stiffness.

Useful when the project size, mounting, or design calls for a thicker ACM panel.

Thickness alone does not determine performance.

Panel dimensions, support spacing, wind exposure, mounting hardware, and the specific ACM product all matter.

— Material Comparison

ACM vs Solid Aluminum

ACM and solid aluminum can both carry printed or applied graphics, but their construction changes how they behave.

ACM

Solid Aluminum

Construction
Thin aluminum faces bonded to a core.

Construction
Metal throughout.

Weight
DIBOND is about half the weight of solid aluminum sheet.

Weight
Heavier at comparable panel size.

Common Fit
Larger flat printed panels and rigid graphics.

Common Fit
Parking, property, safety, and true metal-panel applications.

— Printing & Fabrication

How ACM Can Be Printed and Fabricated

The coated faces on sign-grade ACM are made for graphics. Depending on the project, the panel can receive direct print, screen print, mounted prints, or vinyl graphics.

Direct Print Smooth coated faces are well suited to compatible flatbed printing.

Vinyl Graphics Printed or cut vinyl can be applied to the finished panel.

Routing & Cutting ACM can be routed and cut into custom shapes.

Forming Some ACM products can be routed and returned or formed for dimensional effects.

— Choosing the Material

When ACM Is the Better Choice

Consider another material when

Solid Aluminum Sheet

Quick Facts

Material

Aluminum-Faced Composite

Common Thickness

3 mm · 6 mm

Environment

Indoor & Outdoor

Common Graphics

Vinyl · Print · Paint · Reflective

Common Uses

Wall Signs · Construction · Displays

Related Materials

Not Sure Which Material Fits?

Send the sign size, location, mounting method, artwork, and a site photo if you have one.

— Need Help Choosing a Sign Material?

Tell Us What the Sign Needs to Do

We can compare materials based on the sign size, location, graphics, mounting method, project term, and site conditions.

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