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Retail Sign Manufacturing

High Density Overlay (HDO) and Medium Density Overlay (MDO) panels are frequently used for signs and large displays. Commercial sign shops across the nation specify HDO and MDO for signs because they carry the message clearly, deliver the structural properties required of large sign installations and are highly resistant to weathering and vandalism.

While both MDO and HDO panels can be painted or reflectorized, MDO provides an excellent base for painted signs and HDO is a superior substrate for reflective films. MDO panels should be finished with a quality prime and topcoat before applying reflective backgrounds and legends. HDO should be cleaned before finishing or applying reflective material. Rounding the corners of HDO and MDO panels and applying a quality sealer to the edges will extend the life of reflectorized signs. As life expectancy of a signs is usually dependent on the message material, the HDO or MDO sign can often be stripped and refinished with no apparent degradation of the overlaid panel base.

HDO and MDO may be used to upgrade metal signs that have served beyond their time. A like-new appearance is produced inexpensively by applying an HDO or MDO sign directly over the worn, original version.

Photos courtesy Olympic Panel.

Related Publications

• Overlaid Plywood for Signs, Form X240
• HDO/MDO Plywood, Form B360