Project Overview
MTF Henderson required a feature wall that reflected the professionalism of their national brand while elevating the customer-facing interior of their branch. Instead of a printed or surface-applied graphic, 3D acrylic lettering was selected to provide physical depth, clean edge definition, and a premium gloss finish that would carry presence across the reception environment.
The core brand element — the MTF wordmark — was cut at 120mm height, paired with the tagline Your local money experts at 60mm for scale contrast and clear hierarchy. To the right of the primary mark, we fabricated a layered acrylic fin graphic to match MTF’s identity system. Each fin component was routed from 10mm sheets, laminated to create 20mm depth, offering shadow play and three-dimensional scale the client couldn’t achieve through flat signage.
This project demonstrates how engineered acrylic can transform interior branding, creating a tactile and permanent statement piece.
Brief & Challenge
The primary challenge was achieving a flawless high-gloss finish across multiple components, each with visible surface area and lighting exposure. Standard acrylic cannot achieve deep gloss without post-processing, and any inconsistency in reflection or edge clarity would be noticeable at first glance.
Additionally, installation onto pre-finished Melteca required absolute adhesive confidence without mechanical fixing. Alignment accuracy was critical — a 1–2mm deviation would be visible over the horizontal run.
What we did
By finishing every component with the same automotive system used on high-end vehicle restorations, we achieved a mirror-depth gloss rarely seen in commercial signage. After routing, each element was sanded, cleared, wet-sanded, cut, and polished before install — delivering clarity, depth, and colour richness unachievable with off-the-sheet acrylic.
The VHB and Extreme Grab construction adhesive provided both rapid initial bite and long-term structural hold. A laser-referenced template ensured millimetre-perfect placement across the Melteca wall, allowing the entire assembly to read crisp and balanced from customer entry through to the service counter.
Routed 6mm cast acrylic for letters and tagline elements
CNC-cut fins in 10mm acrylic, laminated to 20mm total depth
Automotive-grade finishing process (Deltron basecoat + Autothane HS clear)
Wet-sand, cut, and polish for distortion-free gloss
Digital alignment templates for exact letter spacing
Installed to Melteca substrate using VHB + construction adhesive
On-site correction and micro-leveling for perfect baseline alignment
Materials
6mm cast acrylic (letters & tagline)
10mm cast acrylic laminated to 20mm (fin graphic)
Deltron basecoat + Autothane HS clear
VHB tape + Extreme Grab construction adhesive
Melteca substrate wall panel
Processes
CNC routing and edge finishing
Automotive-grade painting & clear coating
Wet-sand / cut / polish finishing
Digital template alignment + laser leveling
Adhesive-set installation onto Melteca surface
Outcome
The completed feature wall delivers a premium, physical brand presence that reinforces trust and professionalism inside the branch. Unlike printed or vinyl solutions, these components carry true dimensionality and depth, interacting with light throughout the day. The gloss finish delivers an almost liquid surface texture — clean, modern, undeniably premium.
This project illustrates the value of 3D acrylic signage for interior environments where perception, finish quality, and longevity matter.
Related Services
Recommended Services
3D Acrylic Letters: https://www.signageworks.co.nz/other-services/3d-acrylic-letters
Reception Signage: https://www.signageworks.co.nz/other-services/Reception-Signage
Wall Graphics: https://www.signageworks.co.nz/other-services/wall-graphics