Pan Face Sign
A pan face sign is the most critical visual investment for your storefront today. It acts as the primary handshake between your business and every potential customer passing your location daily.
This guide covers everything from the extreme durability of polycarbonate signage to the precision of vacuum formed signs. We also explore the cost-saving benefits of a lighted sign face replacement.
Stay with us to learn how Highmark Signs transforms plastic into a lasting landmark. Discover how choosing a molded design can prevent your brand from warping under heat or shattering in storms.

Defining the Pan Face Sign and Why Construction Matters
A pan face sign is a specialized sign panel molded with a specific “return” or lip. This unique design resembles a shallow baking pan rather than a flat sheet of plastic.
These molded edges provide significant structural integrity for your display. This allows the unit to remain rigid and secure even when subjected to intense wind pressure and extreme heat.
Flat sign faces tend to warp or “oil-can” when temperatures fluctuate. However, this molded style effectively manages thermal expansion, ensuring a professional appearance throughout the entire year.
Choosing High-Quality Polycarbonate Signage for Long-Lasting Use
Choosing the right material at Highmark Signs impacts the lifespan of your brand. This choice determines how well your display survives harsh elements over many years of outdoor exposure.
The Superior Strength of a Polycarbonate Sign
Polycarbonate signs, often known as Lexan, are essentially unbreakable materials. They offer impact resistance that is 250 times greater than standard glass, making them perfect for storm-prone commercial areas.
This specific material will not shatter when struck by debris or hail. This is a crucial safety feature for any face sign installed in public spaces or near busy roadways.
At Highmark Signs, we utilize high-grade polycarbonate signage for every project. It retains flexibility in freezing temperatures while resisting deformation, keeping your brand perfectly intact.
Benefits of Using a Lexan Pan for Outdoor Displays
A lexan pan offers a high gloss and excellent light transmission. However, it is inherently more durable than standard plastic and won’t crack under significant physical stress or high wind.
We typically recommend this material for every pan face sign intended for outdoor use. This ensures every client receives the most appropriate material for their specific environmental challenges.
Key Differences Between Sign Faces Materials
| Feature | Polycarbonate (Lexan) | Acrylic (Plexiglass) |
| Impact Resistance | Extremely High (Unbreakable) | Moderate (Brittle) |
| UV Resistance | High (with coating) | Excellent |
| Clarity | High | Superior |
| Best Application | Outdoor Pan Face Sign | Interior Displays |
| Flexibility | High | Low |
Achieving Precision with Vacuum Formed Signs and Molded Signs
The process of creating vacuum formed signs at Highmark Signs involves heating heavy-duty plastic. Once pliable, vacuum pressure molds the material over a custom-tooled template for a perfect finish.
This specialized manufacturing technique creates a seamless pan formed sign face. It is structurally superior to flat-cut panels, offering a clean look that fits perfectly into your existing cabinet.
Whether you need a single unit or wholesale vacuum formed sign faces, our precision process ensures consistent thickness. We guarantee that every molded signs unit meets the highest standards.

Improving Visibility with Embossed Plastic and Embossed Signage
To truly elevate your brand, Highmark Signs recommends an embossed look. This process involves physically raising logos and lettering from the surface during the vacuum forming stage.
Embossed plastic creates a three-dimensional effect that adds significant visual depth. This makes your brand much more legible from a distance and from various viewing angles on the street.
Beyond visual appeal, embossed signage is structurally stiffer than flat versions. The raised elements act as internal reinforcement, further preventing any potential bowing or warping over time.
Our team at Highmark Signs excels at translating digital logos into beautiful moulded signs. We ensure your display stands out in a crowded marketplace of flat, uninspired outdoor advertising.
Pan Face Signs are Fully Customizable for Your Unique Brand
One of the greatest advantages of a pan face sign is its incredible versatility. We can manufacture these signs in various shapes, including rectangular, round, or even custom oval silhouettes.
At Highmark Signs, we offer a choice between crisp 90-degree corners and softened rounded edges. Depending on your brand guidelines, a specific corner style can drastically change your building’s aesthetic.
We can apply messages using custom paint, imprinted vinyl, or direct printing technology. For modern brands with gradient color changes, we typically recommend high-performance printed vinyl for maximum impact.
Our technicians can even custom-paint your logo with precision. This ensures that the final product matches your corporate color palette exactly, maintaining brand consistency across all your physical locations.
Exploring the Benefits of Flush Mount Installations
A major advantage of a pan face sign is its suitability for flush mounting. This allows for a clean installation on the building facade without any visible screws or unsightly fasteners.
This seamless look is preferred by high-end medical facilities, corporate offices, and retail boutiques. It provides a sleek, modern finish that enhances the overall architectural beauty of your business location.
By hiding the mounting hardware, the pan face sign appears as a natural part of the building. This clean aesthetic signals to customers that your business pays attention to quality and detail.

Where Can You Strategically Use a Pan Face Sign?
While most commonly seen on facades, a pan face sign is ideal for Modern Monument Signs. Placing an embossed design near the roadway ensures passersby can immediately identify your business from a distance.
Other clients utilize these products for reader boards and directional signage. The three-dimensional depth makes the information easier to read, especially for drivers moving at higher speeds on busy commercial roads.
At Highmark Signs, we often install these signs on multiple sides of a building. This strategy ensures 360-degree visibility, maximizing your brand’s reach and making your location much easier to find.
Whether you are located in a busy urban center or a quiet suburban office park, visibility is key. A well-placed pan face sign acts as a silent salesman for your company.

Lighted Sign Face Replacement as a Smart Business Strategy
If your current sign cabinet is in good condition, a lighted sign face replacement is a cost-effective strategy. It revitalizes your image without the expense of a full new installation.
Over time, an old pan face sign can become yellow or brittle due to UV exposure. This can negatively impact how customers perceive the quality and reliability of your professional services.
Highmark Signs manufactures precision-fitted replacement panels for outdoor signs. These slide directly into your existing frame, providing an instant facelift that looks like a completely new signage system.
Refreshing your display is also the perfect time to upgrade to LEDs. Modern LEDs operate cooler and extend the overall lifespan of your new polycarbonate sign panels.
The Economics Behind High-Quality Signage Solutions
Investing in a custom pan face sign from Highmark Signs is a strategic financial decision. The durability of our materials reduces the long-term frequency and cost of repairs or replacements.
While a cheap, flat display might seem attractive initially, hidden costs add up. Replacing warped panels every few years exceeds the one-time investment in a high-quality pan faced solution.
For property managers, our wholesale pan formed sign faces offer a scalable solution. This maintains brand consistency across multiple locations while keeping individual unit costs highly competitive.
We understand that every business has a budget. That is why we offer various options to ensure you get the best possible sign for your specific price point without sacrificing quality.
Why Highmark Signs is the Leader in Custom Design
Experience matters in the sign industry. Highmark Signs has built a reputation by focusing on the small details that ensure the performance of every display produced in our shop.
Our technicians take pride in their workmanship. We use only the finest materials, from the polycarbonate signage sheets to the high-performance paints and vinyls that finish the product.
We understand local zoning requirements and environmental stresses that outdoor sign replacement panels must endure. This allows us to provide tailored recommendations that save our clients time and stress.
From initial design to the final quality inspection, our team is committed to excellence. We deliver a product that reflects the high standards of your own business and professional values.
Long-Term Maintenance and Proper Sign Care
Maintaining your polycarbonate sign is relatively simple but essential. We recommend regular cleaning with mild soap and water to remove environmental pollutants and dust buildup from the protective surface.
Avoid using harsh chemicals on your display surfaces. These can create microscopic scratches that dull the finish and reduce the effectiveness of your internal sign lighting over time.
Regular inspections can help catch small issues before they become major problems. Checking the retainers and lighting elements annually will ensure your pan face sign stays in peak condition.
If you notice flickering, contact Highmark Signs immediately. Excessive heat from failing bulbs can occasionally damage even the most resilient moulded signs if left unaddressed for too long.
The Future Growth of Your Physical Storefront
As the retail environment becomes more competitive, the quality of your sign face becomes a significant differentiator. It signals quality and stability to every person who passes your door.
By choosing a vacuum formed signs solution, you are embracing a proven technology. It has shown its worth across decades of use in the most demanding commercial environments.
A high-impact pan face sign is more than just a nameplate. It is a symbol of your brand’s presence in the community and an investment in your future growth and success.
Highmark Signs is proud to be a leader in this field. We provide pan face sign solutions that help businesses grow and maintain a dominant presence in their local communities.
Conclusion and Partnership with Highmark Signs
In conclusion, a pan face sign is the ultimate marriage of industrial durability and marketing brilliance. It offers a structural advantage that flat signs simply cannot replicate today.
From the unbreakable nature of polycarbonate signage to the artistic possibilities of embossed plastic, we offer the expertise to bring your brand to life in three dimensions.
Our commitment to superior customer service and guaranteed workmanship makes us the ideal partner. We ensure that your signage is designed, produced, and installed to the highest possible standards.
Whether you need a single unit, wholesale vacuum formed sign faces, or a critical lighted sign face replacement, our team is ready to assist you.
Don’t let an outdated display hinder your business growth. Invest in a high-quality, pan face sign that will serve as a bright beacon for your brand for many years.
Contact Highmark Signs today to discuss your project. Discover how our professional sign faces can transform your storefront into a landmark that attracts customers and builds lasting brand loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pan Face Signs
A pan face sign is a durable sign panel molded with raised edges, resembling a shallow pan. This design adds significant structural strength and a professional, three-dimensional look to storefronts.
The main difference lies in durability and depth. A pan face sign has molded edges that prevent warping and blowing out of frames, while flat faces are prone to bowing over time.
a standard acrylic face sign typically costs between $200 and $2,000 depending on size. Custom features like embossing or large dimensions will increase the final investment for your business. What is a pan face sign?
What is the difference between pan face and flat face sign?
How much should an acrylic sign cost?
