Channel letter lighting is one of the most versatile sign options available to modern businesses, being especially visible in dark environments and making it an excellent choice for restaurants and other establishments that remain open well after nightfall.

LED lights come in an assortment of colors and can even be covered in phosphor material to produce white light. Each LED is binned for color, flux (brightness), and forward voltage to produce optimal illumination.

Size

When selecting a channel letter sign for your business, it’s essential to consider its size relative to its storefront or building. Make sure that its dimensions can attract enough attention while still remaining professional looking.

There are three different kinds of channel letter signs: front-lit, back-lit and dual-lit. Front-lit signs feature bright front illumination to attract customers’ attention; back-lit signs illuminate from behind for an alluring halo effect; while dual-lit signs combine front and back lighting to produce an eye-catching display that stands out.

To create a custom channel letter sign, the first step involves fabricating its face using metal and plastic materials before joining them together into one sign. Next comes fabrication of returns made of aluminum in various depths to complete this sign before LED lighting is installed within each channel for illumination purposes.

Color

Channel letters are three-dimensional lighted signs commonly used for retail signage. Channel letters are created using a computer to cut flat metal sheets into letter shapes using CNC technology – most frequently aluminum.

LEDs or neon are used for internal illumination of letters, with LEDs typically preferred due to being up to 80% more energy-efficient than traditional neon. LEDs also last much longer.

Halo-lit channel letters provide another great option for lighting channel letters, giving them a flashier and fancier appearance. These front-lit letters feature clear acrylic faces to provide additional illumination. This option makes an eye-catching statement.

Effect

Channel letters are three-dimensional signs made from fabric or other materials which can be illuminated and mounted to buildings or storefronts for easy visibility. Channel letters are often found in retail malls, corporate headquarters and other commercial spaces where visibility is key.

Front-lit channel letters are the go-to solution for businesses that want to stand out in high traffic areas and are often made from translucent acrylic with LED lights installed as illumination. Front-lit channel letters have become one of the most common forms of letter signage and should not be ignored!

Backlit channel letters, also referred to as reverse pan or halo-lit channels, feature metal faces with aluminum returns that are raised off of walls so light can shine through and create a halo effect around each character. Front-and-Rear-Lit letters combine both front-lit and reverse pan lighting for maximum visual impact.

Installation

Channel letter signage is an eye-catching solution for businesses open after dark such as restaurants, grocery stores and retail shops. It will catch the attention of all passing pedestrians; whether mounted on the building facade, sign cabinet or raceway it will make sure that your business stands out after sundown.

One type of installation method is direct mounting, in which each letter is adhered directly to the building using minimal holes and custom cut outs for an aesthetically pleasing sign. Another popular installation choice is backer mounting whereby the sign will be secured on an elevated flat panel or metal cabinet which acts as a frame and will be visible.

LED lights can be an incredible asset to any business sign, whether face lit or halo lit channel letters with shallow to deep can depths. Their color temperature and CRI (color rendering index) will dictate their impactful effect. SloanLED offers a selection of LED modules suitable for either face lit channel letters with shallow can depths, as well as CRI controlled options that can further customize how your sign looks.

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