If you’re shopping around for new signage, channel letters are one of the most versatile options available to you. They attract attention while simultaneously making your brand seem prestigious.
Illuminated channel letters are created using router-cut aluminum returns with acrylic faces custom painted. Most internally illuminated channel letters utilize LED lighting, which has significant energy cost savings over neon.
Illumination Options
Channel letters are internally illuminated three-dimensional letters/logos/symbols designed to attract customers in commercial signage applications. Available with front lit, reverse lit and front/backlit illumination options (duel lit). In addition, channel letters can also be open face or halo-lit for greater customer engagement.
Each letter of the alphabet consists of an aluminum back, an aluminum face fabricated out of sheet aluminum, and a piece of acrylic called the “return.” The return can either be translucent vinyl or clear plastic that can be custom painted; and finally a trim cap secures both components together.
Front lit channel letters (or standard letters) are one of the most cost-effective and efficient signs available, illuminating their translucent acrylic face day or night and drawing attention. Front-lit letters offer businesses that operate after dark a cost-effective solution for lighting up their name or logo – such as restaurants, bars or gas stations.
Color Options
Illuminated channel letter signs come in a range of colors. Their hue depends on what kind of lighting you opt for and the color of their acrylic faceplate; transparent or frosted depending on your desired look.
Front-lit channel letters remain one of the most widely-used types of illuminated channel signage, drawing customers in day or night with its eye-catching illumination of its face-lit letters. Ideal for businesses that rely on customer foot traffic such as retail establishments or restaurant franchises.
Rear-lit channel letters or halo lit channel signs provide businesses that need to be seen after dark with another solution for being visible at night. Also referred to as reverse channel letters, these designs appear to “float” off of walls with spacers creating an optical illusion of halo lights around each letter – using LED lights can lower energy costs drastically when compared with neon.
Lifespan
Channel letters are custom-fabricated metal or plastic objects often seen outside public and commercial buildings as exterior signage, typically illuminated using either LEDs or neon tubing for illumination purposes. Unlit three dimensional letters applied to sign panels or monuments are usually known as “dimensional letters”.
Front lit or standard channel letters typically feature aluminum backs, aluminum returns and an acrylic face. Routed acrylic is then cut to suit each letter shape before being fitted with returns and trim caps before final installation of the sign with custom paint finishes.
No matter the time of day or night, an attractive LED-illuminated channel letter will draw customers in to your location. Prairie Signs (2000) Ltd can assist in selecting a size, color and intensity of illumination that best reflect your brand and attract them to your location. We serve local businesses as well as global corporations.
Maintenance
Channel letters are an innovative 3D graphic sign illuminated with LED lighting. Available in different fonts and colors to reflect any business, channel letters can be highly visible both day and night – as their lights are more energy efficient than neon, leading to lower electricity costs over time.
Front-Lit or Standard Channel Letters: Featuring translucent letters that glow from within, Front-Lit/Standard Channel Letters are great choice for businesses that operate after dark such as restaurants and convenience stores.
Back Lit Channel Letters: To create back lit channel letters, returns are typically constructed of aluminum sheet metal and assembled by bending strips around an aluminum back and welding at seams. Once painted and fitted with lighting components such as neon gas tubes or energy-saving LEDs, trim is then used to tie faces and returns together.
