Demountable copy

Demountable copy is a term describing the method of manufacture of some signs in the United States. Demountable copy signage is built by attaching mass-produced sheet-metal characters (and graphics, such as route shields and arrows) to the sign face, through means such as screws, rivets and adhesives.[1]

A demountable copy sign along K-99 in Emporia, Kansas

Because of the ability to remove the preformed metal characters from the sign, demountable-copy signs can be easily altered to change their message by removing unwanted sections of the legend and installing new elements.[1] However, newly manufactured characters must be stored until their use, which could potentially take up much more space than the rolls of retroreflective sheeting required for direct-applied copy.

Some states formerly applied their demountable characters to non-retroreflective sheeting but phased out the process when the glue used began to leak and damage the signs.[2]