Channel letter signs are three-dimensional metal signs with illuminated LEDs to attract attention at night, often used in retail settings to promote specific brands or logos.
These signs are made with aluminum faces and returns, which can be custom painted to suit any business branding. After being fitted with LED lights for a “halo” effect.
LED Lights
LED lights are small lighting solutions designed for use both individually and strung together to form linear arrays in order to create different light patterns. Furthermore, there is a range of correlated color temperature (CCT) values available that offer various forms of illumination.
LEDs differ significantly from traditional lighting in that their bulbs do not “burn out.” With an estimated lifespan of 100,000 hours or more, their long-term benefits also help businesses significantly cut energy costs.
LEDs boast instant start-up and restrike times that make them suitable for many applications – streetlights that sync up with traffic cameras are one such use case where this instant switching on and off can be invaluable.
When selecting LED strip lights for your project, it is vitally important that you understand their brightness levels. To find this out, it can be found by measuring their forward voltage – this process may prove difficult for newcomers but simple tools exist for determining this information.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a ubiquitous metallic chemical element widely utilized in different applications. Being highly malleable, aluminum can be formed into various shapes and sizes easily while its weatherproof qualities make it suitable for signs.
Channel letters are three-dimensional graphic signs with internal illumination that can be customized to meet any business or brand’s needs, making them great for drawing attention in low light conditions.
Channel letters are constructed using flat metal sheets – typically aluminum – which are then cut and bent using computer-driven bending and shaping machines to form their shape. Their returns, typically 3-8 inches deep and can be painted any desired hue, while backs can either be face-lit or back-lit and include either clear Lexan diffusers or translucent vinyl coverings; custom sizes may also be made available to maximize LED illumination.
Halo Lighting
Halo lighting is an innovative solution to creating a backlit effect with LED channel letters. This technique utilizes lenses above each LED diode that diffuses its output of light, creating a soft yet warm glow from each diode emitter.
Contrasting with neon, which emits continuous illumination as its glass snakes through letterforms, halo LEDs are point sources that distribute illumination evenly over their surfaces depending on factors like proximity of letters and treatment of face treatments. As a result, their illumination levels will depend on factors like surface conditions and letter proximity before hitting walls.
Backlit fabricated letters can be mounted directly to your storefront or placed on panels for easier access to wires behind walls or an uneven wall surface. Panels also provide one centralized electrical junction connection point; additionally, paper mounting patterns should always be drawn prior to beginning installation or drilling holes into walls.
Customization
Channel letter lighting has become one of the most sought-after business sign options due to its striking appearance, drawing customers’ eyes day and night. Furthermore, this type of signage allows businesses to communicate their brand image in multiple ways.
Backlit channel letters produce a soft yet dramatic lighting effect from behind, giving a halo effect similar to front lighting. Fabricated from aluminum faces and returns, with spacers between them to allow LED lights within to shine through, they come complete with spacers to let light through from within.
Front lit channel letters feature LED illumination at the base of each can, shining out through an acrylic face and held together by a trim cap that comes in many standard colors or can be customized to match a company logo.
A lit channel letter sign’s lifespan will depend on its use and location. Signs exposed to salt air and UV rays could deteriorate more rapidly due to constant sunbathing.
