What is Alpha Perf?
Derived from the Greek alphabet’s inaugural letter, ‘Alpha,’ our Alpha Perf embodies the essence of perforation-driven lettering. It is a unique approach to lettering created through the use of perforations to create text. Graepels have devised a range of fonts to choose from for your next project.
Bespoke fonts are available upon request. For example, Braile can also be created through pressings (raised surfaces) and or perforations.
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Arial
Arial is a sans serif typeface, designed in 1982, based on Monotype Grotesque. The font has a similar proportion and weight to Helvetica.
Barlow
Barlow is a slightly rounded, low-contrast font and shares qualities with the some car plates, signs, busses, and trains
Bunchlo Nua
Bunchló GC is based on the Newman typeface designed in 1857 for the University of Ireland.
Braile
Braille is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired.
How is Alpha Perf Made?
Holes (perforations) are punched into sheet metal to create lettering, ideal for use in signage, historical inscriptions, or literary passages. Alpha perf can seamlessly be integrated with Picture Perf, our perforated imagery, you can eloquently narrate stories visually and textually, all through the artistry of perforated metal.
- Considerations
- Technical Capabilities
- Services
- Applications & Industries Served
- Benefits of Perforated Metal
Please Note: Graepels offer expert advice on all considerations listed to ensure optimal results and the highest quality output for your application.
There are a few more considerations when using a product like picture perf, however, we work closely with you to ensure that these points are considered and understood.
- Font selection: Choose the appropriate font style from the available options (e.g., Arial, Script, Gaelic) to ensure readability and alignment with the project’s aesthetic goals.
- Customisation: Evaluate the possibility of creating bespoke fonts tailored to the specific requirements of the project, allowing for unique and personalized lettering solutions.
- Integration with other elements or perf: Assess how Alpha Perf will integrate with other design elements, such as Picture Perf or surrounding architectural features, to create a cohesive and harmonious visual composition.
- Visibility & lighting: Consider the visibility of Alpha Perf lettering under different lighting conditions and angles to ensure optimal legibility and impact, especially for outdoor signage applications.
- Metal Types & Grades: There are a range of metal grades for each metal type. Our team can advise on the best grades to use depending on your application.
- Metal Thickness: The material thickness determines the hole size – perforations which are too small may hinder legibility
- Perforation Size, Shape and Type: Legibility is the most crucial factor choosing holes sizes and shapes that allow for legibility is important.
- Pattern & Pitch: We can perforate in different degrees of perforation and pattern inclination
- Sheet Size: Graepels perforate sheets in standard sizes. Please see the technical capabilities tab for a list of sizes available.
- Margins (unperforated/blank areas): Margins (unperforated areas) there should be sufficient negative or unperforated space around the lettering to ensure legibility and optimal impact.
- Fabrication: General fabrication is offered for all our products for customers who do not fabricate themselves, we offer cutting, welding, folding, bending, and notching to list a few, for an extensive list please see the Services section of the Website under Fabrication.
- Perforation Size: Minimum hole size is 2mm for Alpha Perf Perforations Larger hole sizes give greater contrast and smaller holes give greater detail. Both detail and contrast are equally important to achieve a balance.
- Perforation Height: For legibility we recommend that the height of the font be no smaller than 25mm *minimum
- Font Types: Arial (standard) excellent for smaller text, Calibri too, allows for clarity and legibility other fonts include Hamilton Medium, Bunchlo Nua, Avalon Medium and Gill Sans MT.
- Metal Types & Grades: most material types and grades can be perforated. We perforated Mild Steel, Pre-Galvanised Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Brass and Coppers. Other Materials are available on request.
- Sheet Thickness: 0.75mm thick up to 12mm thick, but 2 to 4mm being the most popular
- Sheet Sizes:
1m x 2m
1.25m x 2m
1.5m x 3m
4m x 2m on Request
Text can be spread over several sheets - % Open Area: % open area is a little more complex when it comes to picture perf open area. Small holes using various size perforations to achieve shading will result in lower open areas, larger holes will achieve higher open areas.
For a list of common applications visit the application section of the website. For more information on the industry sectors served and the uses within each market visit the industry section of the website.
| Industrial | Design | Processing |
| Construction | Architecture | Food Processing |
| Agricultural | Hospitality | Pharmaceuticals |
| Maritime & Fisheries | Interior Design | Quarrying & Mining |
| Safety & Security | Landscape & Garden Design | Waste Management & Recycling |
| Public Art & Sculpture |
- Unique aesthetic appearance
- Durable, long lasting
- Light (depending on material and thickness this can change) lighter panels and components are easier to work with/handle and reduce transportation fuel and costs.
- In its solid state, Perforated Metal Sheets are smooth with a high strength ratio especially when round holes are used.
- Versatile Product combining functional and aesthetics.
- Flexible for forming into three-dimensional shapes which can increase strength and rigidity.
- Broad range of uses. Perforated Metal is ideal for a vast range of applications in arrange of different industry sectors. Used in Exterior and interior applications
Graepels is Now CPD Accredited
