Short answer: Most acrylic sign holders are 1/8 in. clear acrylic bent into an L (the sign leans back at about 75 to 80°) or a T (two-sided, standing upright in a base). Size the face 1/8 to 1/4 in. bigger than the print, and use 3/16 in. for holders taller than 11 in. so they don't flex.
L stands, T stands, or wall holders?
L stand
One sheet bent once: a base on the counter and a face that leans back slightly. The print slips behind a front lip or into a pocket, or the sign is engraved straight onto the face. L stands are the most common holder for counters, reception desks, and restaurant tables because they're stable and can be read from the front at a glance.
T stand
An upright panel that stands in a slotted or bent base, readable from both sides. It's the right choice for the middle of a table, a conference room, or a retail aisle. Two prints go back to back inside a clear sleeve, or each side is engraved.
Wall and door holders
A flat back plate with a bent or bonded front lip, screwed or taped to the wall, so notices and room cards can be swapped without tools. Pair these with engraved name plates for offices.
What size and thickness to choose
Size the holder around the print, not the other way around. Add 1/8 to 1/4 in. to the print's width and height so paper slides in without catching. For an L stand, add a base depth of about a third of the face height for stability: an 11 in. tall face wants a base around 3 to 3.5 in. deep.
| Print size | Thickness | Base depth (L stand) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 6 in., 5 × 7 in. | 1/8 in. | 2 to 2.5 in. |
| 8.5 × 11 in. portrait | 1/8 in. | 3 to 3.5 in. |
| 11 × 17 in. | 3/16 in. | 4 to 5 in. |
Thinner 1/16 in. sheet bends easily but flexes when touched, so we keep it for small price-tag holders. We line-bend acrylic up to 1/4 in. thick.
How we make it
We laser-cut the flat blank, including any slots, finger notches, or holes, then heat the sheet along a straight line and fold it to the angle you need. Because the bend is formed from the same piece, there's no glue joint to snap off if the stand is knocked over. More on the process at acrylic bending, and on why bends need a small inside radius in minimum bend radius for acrylic.
Pockets and sleeves that hold a print in front are made by bonding a second clear face along three edges; that's a fabrication job and still quick for repeat orders.
Colors and finishes
Clear cast is standard, since it disappears behind the print. For a branded look, try a black or white base with a clear face, or a frosted face that diffuses glare on glossy prints. Non-glare clear (1/8 in.) is a good front sleeve for holders under bright overhead lights.
Design tips
- Lean the face back 10 to 15° from vertical. Steeper and it tips easily; flatter and it's hard to read from across a counter.
- Cut a thumb notch at the top of a pocket so prints are easy to pull out.
- Keep holes and slots at least 1/2 in. from the bend line; heat near the bend can distort them.
- Ordering for many tables? Quantity discounts apply automatically in the quote.
Price a standard holder in the instant quote, or describe a custom stand.
Questions
What angle should an L sign holder be?
Around 75 to 80° from the base (10 to 15° back from vertical) is easy to read standing or sitting and stays stable. Tell us the angle you want and we bend to it.
Can you make holders for odd print sizes?
Yes. Every holder is cut to order, so give us the print size and we size the holder around it.
Why does my sign holder wobble?
Usually the base is too shallow for the height, or the sheet is too thin. A deeper base or a step up to 3/16 in. solves it.