News

Wayfinding materials

Surfaces for signage

Date: 22.05.2025

CNC cut out numbers, crafted from Little Tahoma, a recycled paper composite material from Richlite, great for design details.

Signage is more than just words or directions, it helps guide, inform and communicate brand identity. Wayfinding plays pivotal role in visual communication, and material choice is essential to the appearance, longevity, durability and functionality of a space. 

CNC cutting, routing, direct media printing, etching, engraving, cut forms or graphic detailing can be used with different surfaces to create standout signage. The elements can be nested into sheets alongside other architectural features to maximise the material yield and create a cohesive, unified space.

Ascot Signs, crafted a Number 5 sign using CNC cutting techniques, for precision and smooth finish showing the stratum birch inlayed between Black diamond surfaces from Richlite.
Cut number forms in Richlite Stratum Birch

Richlite is a super dense composite made from recycled paper. Its strength and stability make it ideal for detailed CNC routing, etching and dimensional signage. Despite its rigid form, by creatively machining grooves in the reverse side of panels the surfaces can be fixed to follow the curves of a reception desk. Richlite's density allows for precision laser etching, engraving and routing intricate shapes, curves and textures that last.

Ascot signs, etched out and infilled a paper composite surface in the colour Black diamond stratum birch surface, from Richlite
Etched + infilled Richlite signage

Durat combines bold colour options with sustainable design. Sleek and versatile, with an impressive array of colours, it's ideal for eye-catching wayfinding, brand activations and creative displays. Its silky surface supports CNC cutting, direct media printing and detailed design work. 

Combining performance and sustainability, the solid surface material can be reused, repurposed or recycled. Create signage reclaimed through Material Rescue - cutting waste, while adding colour and character without using new material. 

Direct media printing on a durable recycled post production acrylic surface, form Durat in the colour RAL8012-50-53
Direct media printing on Durat surfaces
Crafted with P007 Durat sheets, which are made from recycled post production acrylic waste, this exterior signage has be CNC cut and applied on to a substrate.
Durat CNC cut letter forms as exterior signage

Adding soft texture and sound absorption to signage and wall features, Pierreplume is a reclaimed textile base that work wells in creative applications like inlaid details, digital printing and laser cut forms. Incredibly lightweight, the material can be fixed or suspended and incorporated in baffling and sculptural signage.

Acoustic panel, made from recycled textiles in the colour white marble, that has been digitally mead printed with the brand name Pierreplume
Digital media printing on Pierreplume surface

Optimising material yield

Integrating signage with joinery or surface design extends the usage of every sheet for efficient and circular design. Strategically nesting design elements into layouts reduces off-cuts, improves efficiency and keeps material usage purposeful. This approach not only lowers production costs, it supports sustainability goals, reducing waste while delivering a seamless look and feel linking joinery and wayfinding throughout an interior.

If after careful production and planning there's still excess material, Material Rescue helps repurpose or recycle every last piece. 

Exploring alternative signage materials made with recycled content delivers performance and inspiring impact while reducing waste. With thoughtful material use, wayfinding can tell a powerful story about your brand, values and environmental commitment, enhancing the aesthetic and functionality of a space. To understand more about the technical use of these materials, or to discuss your next signage project, get in touch or order samples.