SS Quality Guide
SS Quality Guide

STAINLESS STEEL LETTER QUALITY GUIDE — GRADE 201 VS 304 VS 316

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.

Premium vinyl shopfront sign installed on glass vibrant clean edges Perth - Neon Brothers
ESSENTIAL
ESSENTIAL

ESSENTIAL — INDOOR-ONLY SS LETTERS

Who it is for: Who it's for: Indoor locations only — reception walls, office interiors, sheltered lobbies.

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.

Spec at a glance
Grade 201 · 1.0mm · Spray painted · Open letter · Tape · Indoor only
Essential tier vinyl sign example - Neon Brothers
PREMIUM
PREMIUM

PREMIUM — OUTDOOR COMMERCIAL-GRADE SS LETTERS

Who it is for: Who it's for: Outdoor standard — inland cities, sheltered facades, street-level shopfronts not on the coast.

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.

Spec at a glance
Grade 304 · 1.2mm · Full seam weld · Brushed #4 or powder coat · PVC fill · SS304 stud
Premium tier vinyl sign example - Neon Brothers
ELITE
ELITE

ELITE — COASTAL & MARINE-GRADE SS LETTERS

Who it is for: Who it's for: Coastal locations, marine environments, premium facades, architectural installations..

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 at a glance
Grade 316 · 1.5mm · TIG weld + CNC ground · Electroplated or mirror · Al plate · SS316 studs
Elite tier vinyl sign example - Neon Brothers
Side by Side
Side by Side

GRADE 201 VS 304 VS 316

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™
Three vinyl signs comparison showing quality differences over time - Neon Brothers
FAQ
FAQ

STAINLESS STEEL LETTERS — FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Grade 201 vs 304 vs 316?+
201 = indoor only, rusts outdoors. 304 = standard outdoor, not coastal. 316 = marine grade with molybdenum for chloride resistance.
Will SS letters rust in Perth?+
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?+
What is TIG welding?
What finishes are available?+
Essential: spray painted. Premium: brushed SS #4 or powder coat. Elite: electroplated gold/rose/titanium or mirror polish.
How are SS letters mounted?+
Essential: foam tape. Premium: SS304 stud + template. Elite: SS316 concealed stud + aluminium backing plate + precision template.
Which grade for a beachside shopfront?+
Grade 316 — no exceptions. Any shopfront within 5km of coast needs 316 to resist salt air corrosion.
Do you ship signs Australia-wide?+
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.
How long do SS letters last?+
201 indoor: 10+ yrs. 304 outdoor inland: 10–15 yrs. 304 coastal: 3–5 yrs. 316 coastal: 10–20+ years.
BROTHERS

NOT SURE WHICH GRADE YOU NEED? TELL US YOUR SUBURB

ell us your suburb and whether your sign is indoor, outdoor, or coastal — we will recommend the right grade, finish, and mounting method.

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