Ordering the right sign cabinet kit starts with understanding how the cabinet will be built, mounted, illuminated, and serviced.
The Excellart Kit Finder walks through six primary decisions in order: face type, visible faces, cabinet depth, frame type, trim style, and kerf cutting.
1. Choose the Sign Face Type
The first decision is whether the sign cabinet will use a rigid face or flex face.
A rigid face is a solid panel – typically acrylic or polycarbonate – that sits within the cabinet and is secured by retainers. Rigid faces are commonly used for standard-size cabinets, especially when the project fits within available sheet-stock dimensions or the face may need to be changed regularly.
A flex face is a flexible sign material stretched and tensioned around the cabinet perimeter. Instead of sliding into rigid-face retainers, the material is secured under tension using a flex-frame and clip system.
Cabinet size, service access, installation height, environmental conditions, and available face material should all factor into this decision. For a more detailed comparison, see Rigid Face vs. Flex Face Sign Cabinets.
2. Select the Number of Visible Sign Faces
The next decision is whether the cabinet will be single-face or double-face.
A single-face cabinet has one visible sign face and is commonly mounted against a wall or another supporting structure.
A double-face cabinet displays signage in two directions. This changes the cabinet structure, finished depth, face-retention system, mounting requirements, and service approach.
Some double-face rigid cabinets can use a built-in retainer system. These systems integrate the face channels into three sides of the frame. The fourth side uses a standard frame piece with two removable LF retainers, one for each face, so the faces can slide in and out.
Built-in retainers are available with the 6.5-inch-deep 6R Kit and 8.75-inch-deep 9R Kit. They are limited to double-face rigid cabinets with standard square or rectangular geometry and cannot be kerf-cut.
3. Determine the Cabinet Depth
Cabinet depth should be selected around the complete installation, not only the sign’s face dimensions.
A shallow cabinet may work for a wall-mounted application, while freestanding signs, internal support structures, lighting layouts, and pole-through installations may require substantially more room.
For a pole-through pylon, confirm the pole dimensions, required clearances, internal bracing, electrical layout, and mounting details before selecting the cabinet depth. Choosing a cabinet without accounting for the pole can lead to field modifications that may interfere with the frame’s structural performance.
The ESP 12-series is Excellart’s deepest standard cabinet-frame family. Depending on the selected face system and trim, a 12-series cabinet can finish at more than 20 inches deep.
The two deepest current configurations are:
- ESP-12 Standard with Flex and Standard Trim: approximately 20.12 inches deep
- ESP-12 Hinged with Flex and Standard Trim: approximately 20.12 inches deep
Depth also determines how much room is available for internal structure, lighting, face clearance, retainers, wiring, and future service access. It should be chosen around the complete cabinet system and installation conditions.
4. Choose the Frame Type
A standard frame is generally used when the face does not need to pivot open for routine service. It is the typical choice for fixed-face cabinet construction.
A hinged frame is used when the face assembly needs to open for access to the cabinet interior. The hinged section is normally located along the top of the cabinet, allowing the face and its retaining system to swing upward.
Hinged construction can be useful when removing the entire face would be difficult or when the cabinet will require more frequent access to lighting, wiring, power supplies, or other internal components.
Frame type also affects shape options. Some hinged profiles are not suitable for kerf cutting, so curved or custom-shaped cabinets should be reviewed before the frame type is finalized.
5. Select the Flex-Face Trim Style
Trim style is primarily a flex-face decision. It determines how much of the flex material remains visible and whether the finished cabinet has a defined perimeter border.
ESP Flex Standard Trim overlaps approximately two inches of the flex face around the cabinet perimeter. This creates a visible, defined border around the face.
ESP Flex Bleed Trim allows the flex material to extend cleanly beyond the cabinet edge, producing a seamless appearance without a visible perimeter border.
Trim compatibility varies by frame profile.
6. Confirm Whether Kerf Cutting Is Required
Kerf cutting allows an aluminum extrusion to bend to a radius, rounded corner, circle, or custom shape.
A standard square or rectangular cabinet normally does not require kerf cutting. If the cabinet includes curves, radiuses, or custom-shaped sections, those details should be confirmed before ordering so Excellart can select the correct profile and prepare the required cuts. Not every Excellart profile can be kerf-cut.
For an overview of these differences, see Flex Frame Overview: Choosing the Right Profile.
Find the Right Sign Cabinet for Your Project
Use the Excellart Kit Finder to answer a few project questions and find the right kit configuration. For project-specific questions, or just to chat contact the Excellart team at (800) 627-9044 or hello@excellart.com.