Simple Signman Knowledge Center

Magnetic Resource Center

Practical guides for selecting, specifying, printing, fabricating and troubleshooting magnetic materials and magnetic systems.

Whether you are choosing a neodymium magnet, designing a magnet-to-steel attachment, selecting flexible magnetic sheeting or troubleshooting a finished magnetic graphic, this Resource Center is designed to help you understand the variables that determine real-world performance.

Start Here

Not sure where to begin? Choose the path that best matches what you are trying to accomplish.

Core Engineering Principle

Magnetic performance should be evaluated as a system rather than as a magnet specification alone.

Magnet + Steel + Air Gap + Geometry + Load Direction + Friction + Environment = Real-World Performance

Catalog pull force can be useful for comparison, but actual holding performance depends on the complete application.

LEARNING PATH 01

Permanent Magnet Foundations

Build the foundation first: strength, construction, material, grade, coatings, temperature and safe mounting.

LEARNING PATH 02

Magnetic Engineering

Move beyond the magnet itself and understand how the complete magnetic circuit and mechanical application affect performance.

LEARNING PATH 03

Flexible Magnetic Materials — Fundamentals & Selection

Understand what flexible magnetic materials are, how they are magnetized and how to select the appropriate construction for an application.

LEARNING PATH 04

Printing & Fabrication

Move from raw magnetic material to a finished component or printed magnetic graphic.

LEARNING PATH 05

Magnetic Graphic Systems & Applications

Apply magnetic materials to real-world graphic systems, vehicles, retail environments, events and large-format installations.

LEARNING PATH 06

Environment, Storage & Troubleshooting

Understand what happens after the product leaves production: outdoor exposure, Canadian winters, storage, handling and real-world failure diagnosis.

Find the Answer by Question

How strong does my magnet need to be?
Start with SSKC-021.

Why is my magnet weaker than the catalog rating?
Read SSKC-012, SSKC-011 and SSKC-013.

How many magnets should I use?
See SSKC-022.

Which flexible magnetic sheet should I buy?
Start with SSKC-032.

Which thickness should I choose?
See SSKC-031.

Do I need standard or high-energy magnetic material?
See SSKC-034.

Which magnetic material works with my printer?
Start with SSKC-035.

Which adhesive should I use?
See SSKC-037.

Can I cut flexible magnetic material?
See SSKC-038.

Can I use flexible magnetic material outdoors?
See SSKC-043.

Why isn't my flexible magnet working properly?
Use SSKC-045 as your diagnostic starting point.

A Canadian Perspective on Magnetic Materials

Magnetic applications in Canada can involve demanding conditions: cold temperatures, large seasonal temperature changes, moisture, snow, road salt, outdoor exposure and long transportation distances.

Simple Signman's Resource Center combines fundamental magnetic principles with practical application considerations for Canadian manufacturers, printers, sign companies, distributors, fabricators and end users.

When exact performance matters, product-specific data and representative application testing should always take priority over generalized rules.

Safety Reminder

Strong permanent magnets can create pinch hazards, damage equipment and affect magnetically sensitive devices. Flexible magnetic materials can also involve application-specific considerations related to cutting, printing, adhesives, vehicles and outdoor use. Always evaluate the complete application and follow applicable manufacturer, equipment and workplace safety recommendations.

Still Not Sure Which Magnetic Material You Need?

Tell us about your application, target surface, dimensions, load, environment, printing process or the problem you are trying to solve. We can help identify the variables that should be evaluated and the magnetic materials worth testing.

Simple Signman — Canada's Leading Source for Flexible Magnetic Materials and Neodymium Magnets.

Sharing magnetic expertise since 1969.