Changeable Sign Inserts
And Lettering Guide

Welcome to the sign inserts page, where we will cover sign inserts and lettering instructions for all the Slenderline changeable message signs.

We discuss changeable signs and inserts elsewhere on this website, so hopefully you came to this page from one of those pages. If not, please visit the Changeable Signs page or one of the specific pages linked to from there so you'll understand the information we discuss here.

All inserts for Slenderline signs are available in the Changeable Signs section of our Sign Store. The inserts for each sign type are listed right below each sign, so you know you're getting the right inserts to fit your sign.

Now let's find out what you can do with them.

Inserts Make It Possible

Changeable signs have many great advantages over office signs with fixed or permanent messages. The best and most obvious is the ability to change the message without removing or reinstalling the sign.

Most Slenderline signs use sign inserts, thin plastic sheets that slide into a slot on the edge of the sign, usually on the right side or the top. These inserts can be lettered to display any message that is needed. At our sign shop lettering department, we use vinyl lettering affixed to the inserts to create the messages.

Packets of plastic inserts are available right here on our website. Click the link in the menu at the left to visit our Sign Store.

You can also go directly to the Changeable Message Signs page in our store.

The page is separated into sections for easy viewing:

• Slenderline Directories
  
  
• Slenderline Changeable Message Signs
  
  
• Slenderline Literature Holders
  
  
• Slenderline Office Signs

Each section also has insert packets listed below each sign. This way you will be sure to order the right inserts for the sign you want inserts for.

There is also an option list built right into the order page for directories. When choosing directory colors, you also have the option of choosing sign insert packets made to fit that directory and colors for that set of inserts. Instructions on ordering inserts are also included on the store page, so you'll be able to find just what you need with no problem!

Slenderline Insert Lettering Guide

Now you can have your very own lettering department and do it yourself. I'm going to show you simple steps that will allow you to make your own vinyl letters and apply them to your changeable sign inserts.

First: Get Your Sign

It probably goes without saying that you should choose your sign before you letter your sign inserts. It's important to know the size of the area you are planning to letter beforehand.

Slenderline signs have a border on the lens that frames the insert and message. This border hangs just over the edge of the insert by 1/16 of an inch, just enough to hide the sign insert edge. That's a tiny amount (1/8 inch total), the rest of the space is yours to use for your message. Optimal use of space is just another great benefit of the Slenderline changeable sign.

Let's say you are using a sign that is 8 by 8 inches. You will have a message area that is just a tiny bit below that. The next step will be choosing your message and your letter fonts. This is where it really starts to get fun.

Making Your Letters

This part is the most essential step, and it's also fun and simple to do. I'll break it all down for you into separate easy-to-follow steps that will get you on your way in no time.

Here are some sign websites that let you make your own vinyl lettering for your sign inserts. Use the online forms to enter your text, select your font style, choose letter colors, and order right from their site. As with all the signs on Acrylic Sign World, I did the research for you so you don't have to! In a moment, I'll tell you why I chose these companies and I'll explain how you can get the most out of your vinyl lettering purchases.

Custom Vinyl Decals & Lettering Online at BuildASign.com - Note: minimum letter size 1 inch

Custom Vinyl Lettering online at custom-vinyl-lettering.net - Note: minimum letter size .75 inch

There are lots of sites on the internet offering vinyl lettering online, but I recommended these particular companies because of the font sizes available. Here's why.

The software interface used on these websites sets your letter size using the size of the sign you are making. If you are making vinyl lettering for a window or wall display, you may not have to be too concerned with the size and placement of the text. In other words, you have some space to play with if you need it, and going over by a couple of inches probably won't matter.

It's different for Slenderline sign inserts. You need to design your letters to fit a definite space. If you try to put too many lines of text into your sign area, the text won't fit or the solftware will distort the letters in an attempt to force a fit. Don't be afraid to experiment with line breaks or even changing the words of your message until it works for you. This will all pay off later when you apply the letters, because they will be laid out for you.

How To Make The Letters Fit

Take a look at those links above one more time. I added notes about the minimum font sizes offered at each of these sites to help you fit your message into the sign frame.

Some of the Slenderline frames are very small and made to be seen in smaller workspaces like rooms and hallways. You have a limited space to get your message across available to you in that sign. Taking an extra few moments to prepare for this will help prevent you from purchasing letters that don't fit your sign.

When you use the online software to make your letters, there is a section for the sign height and width. You type your numbers into the boxes and the page previews your text for you.

Here's an important point: if you are making lettering with several lines of text, make sure you put in the proper WIDTH of the sign. The software will take care of adjusting the height of the lettering to fit the sign area. Don't fight with it, just concern yourself with the width and the program will do the rest. You may find yourself having to make several adjustments to get it right. Be patient, it's worth the small effort and once you figure it out, you'll be able to better judge lettering sizes for more inserts in the future.

However, if you have Slenderline directories or office signs for doors, you won't face that issue. These signs are made to accept a single line of text per window. Just make sure your letter height will fit on the insert strip and show through the window and you're good to go.

Remember To Ask For Help If You Need It

The vinyl lettering websites mentioned above have contact information such as email and phone numbers for customer service. If you find you're not getting the results you want, contact the website and ask for help. Just tell them what you need the letters for and they'll be glad to help you make the right choices.

Slenderline Lettering Guidelines

Slenderline signs have a front window panel that also acts as a frame. There is a border back-painted onto the clear acrylic. The standard thickness of this border is 3/8 of an inch, or .375 inches. The combination of the width of the borders on both sides of a sign are 3/4 of an inch or .75 inches. This design was created to minimize border space and maximize text area.

Here's a simple way to make sure your lettering fits on your inserts.

Fitting To Sign Width

There is a layer of foam bonding strip connecting the front window panel to the backplate. Slenderline signs generally load from the right (or the top if it's a memo holder). The sign inserts are made to fit perfectly into this slot, and they stop when reaching the bonding strip on the opposite side or when the width of the strip is just inside the border on the right side.

To set your letters in the approximate center of your insert, just take note of that extra border space. Don't run your lettering to the edge of the insert and your text will show up just fine. The overlap is from 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch maximum, so just allow for that and add a little more to keep you away from touching the borders.

Fitting To Sign Height

The top and bottom borders of Slenderline signs, and the multiple windows in directories, have bonding strips to hold your sign insert in place behind the window. The border only hangs over your insert by 1/16 of an inch, or .06 inches. Again, this maximizes the area of your insert. As long as you don't go right to the edge of your insert, your text will show clearly.

Remember This When Making Your Vinyl Lettering

Set the size of your space little smaller than the sign insert you are making text for.

For example, if you are making vinyl letters for a Slenderline sign that is 12x12 inches, set your text area at about 11.5 x 11.5 maximum. This will put some space between the border and your text. This is just an example, and you can adjust your space however you choose, just be sure to allow for a bit of a margin.

Again, you will probably need to make several adjustments when making your letters. But you'll be pleased with the results. After all, that's the same way the sign pros do it!

Applying Vinyl Lettering

If you order your letters using the online software, you'll get a sheet with your letters on it covered by protective adhesive paper. Your letters should already be formatted to fit your insert, and you will be able to transfer them right onto your insert.

For more information about applying vinyl lettering, see the websites above when making your purchase. They have simple guidelines that will answer your questions and you'll have your sign inserts lettered in no time.