SS letters are all metal, all 3D, all no-power-required. But not all stainless steel is the same grade, and in Australia that gap matters enormously. Perth coastal suburbs, Gold Coast, Sydney harbour — the salt air eats Grade 201 within 2 years.
Grade 201 SS — most affordable stainless grade. Looks identical to 304 on day one. 1.0mm shell, spot welded, spray painted. Open letter — hollow back. Mounted with double-sided tape.
Grade 304 SS — standard outdoor commercial grade. 1.2mm shell, full seam welded and ground smooth. Brushed #4 natural SS finish or powder coated. PVC fill panel. SS304 stud mount with template.
Grade 316 SS — marine grade. Molybdenum resists chloride corrosion. 1.5mm shell, TIG welded, CNC ground seam. Electroplated or mirror finish. 3mm aluminium backing plate + SS316 studs. Still looks new after 10 years on a Cottesloe shopfront.
| Spec | Essential | Premium ★ | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Grade | 201 — indoor only | 304 — outdoor standard | 316 — coastal / marine |
| Shell Thickness | 1.0mm | 1.2mm | 1.5mm |
| Weld Type | Spot weld | Full seam weld + ground | TIG weld + CNC ground |
| Finish | Spray painted | Brushed SS #4 / powder coat | Electroplated / mirror |
| Mounting | Double-sided tape | SS304 stud + template | SS316 concealed + alu plate |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2-year NBCare™ | 2-year NBCare™ |
201 = indoor only, rusts outdoors. 304 = standard outdoor, not coastal. 316 = marine grade with molybdenum for chloride resistance.
201 rusts in 18 months outdoors. 304 works inland but corrodes near coast in 3–5 years. 316 is the only grade for Perth coastal suburbs.
What is TIG welding?
Essential: spray painted. Premium: brushed SS #4 or powder coat. Elite: electroplated gold/rose/titanium or mirror polish.
Essential: foam tape. Premium: SS304 stud + template. Elite: SS316 concealed stud + aluminium backing plate + precision template.
Grade 316 — no exceptions. Any shopfront within 5km of coast needs 316 to resist salt air corrosion.
Yes. All signs are custom made and shipped tracked to any address in Australia — Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and regional areas. Signs are packed flat with protective backing to prevent damage during transit.
201 indoor: 10+ yrs. 304 outdoor inland: 10–15 yrs. 304 coastal: 3–5 yrs. 316 coastal: 10–20+ years.
ell us your suburb and whether your sign is indoor, outdoor, or coastal — we will recommend the right grade, finish, and mounting method.
