Channel Letters
Channel letters are a popular type of signage for business and commercial use.
Here are the details on the different types:
Halo Lit Channel Letters
Halo lit channel letters have LEDs that light up the letters from the back, creating a halo effect around the letters. The letters are opaque, usually made of metal or acrylic, with the light shining through the back.
Reverse Channel Letters
Reverse channel letters (also known as halo lit or back lit letters) have LEDs on the inside that light up the letters from behind. These are usually made of metal like stainless steel or aluminum, with the light shining through the cut-out letter shapes.
LED Channel Letters
LED channel letters use energy-efficient LED lighting instead of neon or fluorescent bulbs. The LEDs can be lit from the front (front lit) or back (halo/reverse lit).
Backlit Channel Letters
Backlit channel letters have lighting inside that lights up the letters from behind, making the letters glow. This can create a halo for opaque letters or fully light up translucent/acrylic letter faces.
Front Lit Channel Letters
In front lit channel letters, the LEDs are lit from the front and shine through the translucent letter faces. The sides of the letters are opaque, usually metal returns, and only allow light through the front faces. So in summary, halo lit, reverse lit, and backlit channel letters are lit from behind and front lit letters shine light through the front letter faces.
LED is used for energy efficiency in all these channel letter signs.
Importance of LED Channel Letters
LED channel letters are a must have for businesses looking to get noticed, brand themselves and make a lasting impression on potential customers.
Here are some reasons why
Visibility and Readability
LED channel letters are super visible at night. The dimensional letters and lighting options of front-lit, back-lit and halo-lit make your business stand out and easy to read from far.
Customizable Branding
Channel letters offer high degree of customization in terms of size, shape, color, font and lighting. This allows businesses to create signage that mirrors their brand and helps customers recognize and remember the business.
Long Lasting and Low Maintenance
LED channel letters are made of durable materials like aluminum and acrylic that can withstand extreme weather conditions. The LED lights also have long lifespan and low maintenance, making them cost effective in the long run.
Indoor and Outdoor Use
Channel letters can be used for indoor and outdoor signage, so businesses can have a consistent brand image throughout their premises. They can be used for various applications like storefront signs, directional signs and even custom logos.
Energy Efficient and Eco Friendly
LED lights used in channel letters are energy efficient, reduces electricity cost. They also have smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional lighting, making LED channel letters an eco friendly signage option.
In summary, LED channel letters are a powerful marketing tool that can boost a business’s visibility, branding and overall curb appeal. Invest in high quality, custom channel letter signage and attract customers and stand out in a crowded market.
Backlit vs Front Lit Channel Letters
Back-lit and front-lit channel letters are two popular ways businesses display a professional and dimensional look. Here are the differences:
Front-lit Channel Letters
Light Source: Light is inside the front of the letter, shining through the sign face.
Visibility: Bright colors.
Depth & Dimension: Flatter.
Customization: Lots of color and font options.
Installation: Slightly more complicated due to weight.
Maintenance: Low maintenance.
Cost: Lower upfront.
Reverse Lit (Back-lit) Channel Letters
Light Source: Light is at the back of the sign, creating a halo effect around the edges of the letters.
Visibility: Eye-catching with a subtle modern halo effect.
Depth & Dimension: Adds depth to signage.
Customization: May have additional options like color-changing LEDs and programmable effects.
Installation: Easier to install due to lighter weight.
Maintenance: Low maintenance.
Cost: Slightly higher upfront.
Key Considerations
Space Requirements: Reverse-lit signs require space behind the sign to create the halo effect, front-lit signs are self-contained and easier to maintain.
Mood and Audience: Front-lit signs are universal and aesthetically pleasing, reverse-lit signs are upscale, for high-end businesses.
Design and Branding: The choice between front-lit and reverse-lit depends on the design, where it’s going to be installed and the mood you want to evoke.
If elegance and sophistication is key, reverse-lit might be the way to go. If color scheme is part of the brand, front-lit might be better.
Third Option
Front and Back-Lit Letters: A combination of the best of both worlds, polycarbonate fronts and clear backs. Requires access to the back of the façade for installation with standoffs and can be add LED’s.
Reverse Illuminated Channel Letters
Halo-lit channel letters, also known as reverse illuminated channel letters, are a type of dimensional sign that creates a halo effect around the edges of the letters. Unlike traditional front-lit channel letters where the light shines through the sign face, reverse lit letters have the light at the back, behind a clear polycarbonate or acrylic back panel.The key features of halo-lit channel letters include:
- Aluminum face and returns (sides) with a clear polycarbonate or acrylic back panel
- LED lighting at the back panel, facing inwards to create the halo
- A slight gap between the letters and the wall to project the light onto the wall surface
- Custom options like colored LED lights or colored acrylic backs for different halo colors
Halo-lit channel letters have several advantages over traditional front-lit:
- Dramatic halo effect that makes the letters pop at night
- Adds depth to the signage
- Lightweight aluminum for easy installation
- Durable and weather resistant for outdoor use
- Energy efficient LED lighting with low operating costs
When designing halo-lit channel letters, consider font readability, letter spacing and overall size for visibility. Mounting options include raceway mounting where the letters are attached to a metal box containing the electrical components.
Overall, halo-lit channel letters are a modern, attention grabbing solution for businesses looking to make their storefront signage shine day and night.
Example of
our works
Our professional staff can help design your sign and help determine the material, size, color and location of your business sign based on the scope of your event or project. Most projects can be designed and produced within a week. More complex projects will require our expert advice and project management to meet completion deadlines.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What is a channel letter sign?
A channel letter sign is a type of sign that is individual letters or logos mounted to a building face. These are made of durable materials like aluminum, steel or acrylic and can be lit or non lit. Lit channel letters use LED or neon to be seen at night. Businesses use them to advertise their brand and attract customers from far away.
What is the difference between channel letters and dimensional letters?
The main difference between channel letters and dimensional letters is that channel letters are hollow and can be illuminated, while dimensional letters are solid and non-illuminated.
Channel letters are custom-made metal or plastic letters commonly used in exterior signage. They have a three-dimensional shape with a hollow interior that allows for illumination, usually with LED lights.
The face of the letter is made of translucent acrylic or polycarbonate plastic. When illuminated at night, channel letters draw attention and make the sign visible.Dimensional letters are also three-dimensional sign elements, but they are cut from a solid sheet of material like metal, acrylic, or plastic.
They do not have a hollow interior and are not illuminated. Dimensional letters provide a three-dimensional look, but they rely on ambient lighting to be visible.
Both channel letters and dimensional letters come in a variety of fonts, sizes, and materials. They are commonly used for exterior building signs, storefront signs, lobby signs, and more. The choice between the two depends on the desired look and whether illumination is required.
How are channel letters attached?
There are three main ways to mount channel letters:
Flush Mount:
With flush mounting, each individual channel letter is attached directly to the building's facade. This requires drilling about 3-5 holes per letter to securely fasten them.
The power supply and electrical components are hidden behind the facade, with wiring pulled through the holes and connected to each letter. Flush mounting provides a sleek, clean look with the letters appearing to float off the wall.
Raceway Mount:
Channel letters are attached to a metal raceway box that houses all the wiring and power supplies. The raceway is then mounted to the wall.
This makes installation much easier since it requires far fewer holes drilled into the building. The raceway is typically painted to match the building color so it blends in and the letters stand out.
Backer Mount:
A backer panel or cabinet sign is mounted to the wall first. The channel letters are then pre-assembled and attached to this backer.
This achieves a similar flush look to direct mounting but with easier installation since the backer can be securely fastened to the wall. The backer also conceals all the electrical components.
In summary, flush mounting attaches each letter directly to the wall, raceway mounting uses a metal box to consolidate the letters and wiring, and backer mounting pre-assembles the letters onto a panel that is then mounted.
The choice depends on the desired look, ease of installation, and ability to conceal electrical components.
How are channel letter signs made?
Channel letter signs are made in a 3 step process to make the face, return and back of each letter:
The back of the channel letter is made from a flat sheet of aluminum that is routered into the shape of the letter.
The return, or sides, are bent using computer driven machines to match the shape of the back. The returns are 3-8 inches deep to add dimension and to accommodate LED lighting if desired. The inside of the returns are painted white to maximize illumination.
For front lit channel letters, the face is made from acrylic sheeting that is cut to shape using a MultiCam router. A trim cap, made from a plastic band extruded around aluminum foil, is attached to the edge of the acrylic face using a liquid bonding agent. The face is then attached to the letter body.
The finished channel letters are made to the client’s exact specifications for materials, colors, fonts and sizes. LED lighting is used for illumination and can be front lit, back lit, combination lit or neon tube lit. Once made, the channel letters are ready to install.
How long do channel letters last?
Channel letters can last for many years with proper care and maintenance. Here are the key factors that determine their lifespan:
Materials: Channel letters made with high-quality materials like aluminum, acrylic, and polycarbonate can last 10 years or longer without significant deterioration. Aluminum doesn't rust and acrylic/polycarbonate faces can withstand years of weathering. Polycarbonate is the most durable option.
LED lights: The LED lights inside channel letters typically last 30,000 to 50,000 hours, which equates to around 4-6 years of constant use. Proper placement (avoiding extreme temperatures) and maintenance can extend LED lifespan to 8-10 years.
Sign placement: Channel letters placed in harsh environments like near the ocean or facing direct sunlight will degrade faster than those in more protected locations. Weather and temperature extremes can also shorten lifespan.
Maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance is key to maximizing the lifespan of channel letters. Cracked panels, damaged wiring, and buildup of grime should be addressed promptly by professionals.
With high-quality materials, LED lights, and proper placement and maintenance, illuminated channel letter signs can last 10 years or more. Investing in better materials upfront is worthwhile to get the maximum lifespan out of a channel letter sign.