Naqsh Signs.
Buying guides

Coroplast vs aluminum signs: which one should you order?

Both are rigid, both go outdoors, and they look similar in a photo. Here is how to pick between fluted coroplast and ACM aluminum for your next sign.

Naqsh Signs team1 min read

Printed coroplast sign by Naqsh Signs in Toronto

The question we hear most often at the quote stage is simple: coroplast or aluminum? Both are rigid, both print in full colour, and both live outdoors. The difference is how long the sign has to last and how it will be mounted.

Coroplast: light, cheap, made for the short run

Coroplast is fluted polypropylene, the same corrugated plastic you see on lawn signs everywhere in the GTA. It is waterproof, very light and inexpensive, which makes it the default for anything temporary.

  • 4mm is the classic lawn sign and takes wire H-stakes. See 4mm coroplast yard signs.
  • 6mm is sturdier and still works with H-stakes when the flutes run vertically.
  • 10mm stays flat on big site boards, but the flutes are too wide for H-stakes, so it mounts to posts or screws.

Aluminum (ACM): the sign you only buy once

ACM, often called Dibond or alupanel, is two thin aluminum skins bonded to a solid core. It will not warp, bow or rust through a Toronto summer or winter, and it takes a clean edge for a premium look. It is the right choice for storefronts, parking and wayfinding signs, and anything screwed to a wall for years.

Red aluminum Dibond sign reading Made to last
ACM panels keep a crisp, flat face for years outdoors.

Side by side

CoroplastAluminum (ACM)
Best forCampaigns, events, lawn and jobsite signsPermanent exterior and storefront signs
LifespanA season or a campaignYears
MountingH-stakes, zip ties, tapeScrews, standoffs, posts, frames
WeightVery lightLight, but rigid and solid
CostLowestHigher, but you buy it once

Still not sure? Send us the size, where it is going and how long it needs to last, and we will recommend the material in your quote. You can also compare every option in rigid boards & panels.

  • #coroplast
  • #aluminum
  • #outdoor signs

Have a project in mind?

Tell us the size and where it is going. We reply with a firm quote.

Not sure what you need? That is a normal starting point.

Send the space, the date and a photo. We come back with a specification and a firm price — no obligation, and no need for print-ready artwork.