Sign types & fabrication
What is cabinet sign?
Also called: Lightbox, sign can, box sign
A cabinet sign is an internally lit box with translucent faces — the classic lightbox that displays a whole printed or cut graphic rather than individual letters.
The cabinet is an aluminum frame with LED (formerly fluorescent) illumination and faces of acrylic, polycarbonate or flexible sign face material. It's the budget-friendlier lit option versus channel letters, and the only practical one for detailed multi-colour graphics that would be absurd to fabricate letter by letter.
Face graphics are translucent-vinyl work: colours must be proofed lit, and opaque films read as black holes after dark. Many 'new sign' jobs are really refaces — new faces in an existing can — which is a different quote entirely from a new cabinet.
Translucent vinyl for lightbox faces →
Related terms
Software that speaks the trade
PrinterFlo runs print & sign shops on one board — quotes that price by size and material, proofs approved from one link, and a production checklist the quote writes for you.