Wayfinding materials
Surfaces for signage
Date: 22.05.2025
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. Materials like Richlite and Durat, who have verified EPDs to transparently report the environmental impact of a product or material, based on a product life-cycle assessments, can be used to compare products and estimate carbon savings.
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.
“If our signs had been manufactured using more traditional materials such as stainless steel, the CO₂ output would be around 4.6 tonnes. Using Richlite, the CO₂ output is around 0.59 tonnes” -The Velvet Principle
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.
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.
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.
