Channel letter signs are popularly requested for storefronts. Their three dimensional form makes an impactful statement about your store and draws the eye. When illuminated properly, channel letter signs become extremely eye-catching.
Front lit channel letters typically consist of aluminum back and side returns with acrylic or polycarbonate faces attached via trim caps.
New materials and manufacturing techniques are making channel letters more resilient, weatherproof and less susceptible to vandalism and wind damage.
LED Illumination
Channel letter signs typically utilize LED lighting for illumination. These LEDs are typically intended for indoor use and should not come into direct contact with artwork or objects.
Museum professionals had difficulty in the past finding LED lamps with high CRI and R9 values, however this changed in 2011 with the launch of a new type of lamp which came close to achieving 3000K lighting while having excellent CRI, R9, efficacy ratings, and efficiencies (Figure 2).
These LED lamps can be purchased from most suppliers and are UL approved for wet locations, meeting ANSI LM-80 luminance standards that don’t add further light pollution damage. As a result, you’re sure to have signs that provide the optimal illumination of your message or logo – they come both front-lit and halo-lit options – the former featuring aluminum sides and backs colored by acrylic strips to illuminate each letter while the latter are illuminated from behind creating an outer halo effect around each character while front-lit letters utilize aluminum sides and backs colored through acrylic stripes that illuminate faces while front-lit letters have aluminum sides and backs colored through acrylic sheets, while their illumination from behind creates an outer halo effect around each letter for optimal illumination of message/logo presentation/logo presentation/logo presentation/logo projection/logo use/brand recognition/logo display/ logo placement/positioning/positioning and color through acrylic fill in order to illuminate best depict your message/logo, logo/message/logo/letter format vs rear illumination; front lit/halo-lit letters come either front/halo lit letters have aluminum sides/backs with colored acrylic filled acrylic front/backs painted using colored acrylic colors for face illumination while their backlighting to illuminate character’s face of each character while their rear illuminates around each letter for greater effect; respectively for your message/logo placement/signage, with or illuminated letters available, creating an effective illumination that maximize your message/logo; with front/mess/mess/mess logo/mess/wording from front-lit or halo lit letters come front/halo lights from either way lights come based or rear illuminated letters or illuminate from rear illumination of each character and have both illuminated back lighting around each character creating an outline letter or reverse illuminates that create an outliner surrounding letter creating an illuminated letters will have aluminum sides back and colored acrylic panels which illuminate them creates have similar construction but illuminate from behind them creating an effect around each character’s face/ logo or their surface or logo, creating halo effect around them both options available as front/brand halo lighting on either sign (for).
Customization
Channel letters are three-dimensional metal or plastic signs made of letterforms which can either be illuminated, non-illuminated, or have various combinations of illumination to maximize visibility and attract customers to your business. They come in an assortment of fonts and depths for optimal visibility while illuminated letters can feature face lighting or halo lighting highlighting certain parts for greater impact.
Backlit or LED-illuminated channel letters make your business stand out in dim lighting and adverse weather, drawing more customers in. They are ideal for storefronts, restaurants, theaters, nightclubs, and convenience stores.
Computerized Cutters(tm), a Plano-based manufacturer of CNC Routers, introduced the first machine that would bend and form channel letter returns (returns) exactly in line with CNC routed letter backs and faces to create beautifully perfect signs every time. This process is known as trim cap channel letter production using 1″ trim caps that keep acrylic faces securely in place without rattle or vibrate as well as keeping rain and wind away. It guarantees long term durability of durable products.
Long Lasting
Illuminated channel letter signs have an average lifespan of 10+ years depending on their materials used, environmental factors and placement; and whether or not LED lights are installed inside.
Channel letter fabrication begins with a flat sheet of aluminum cut by a CNC router to form its back shape, followed by returns made up from bent strips of aluminum sheet 3-6 in wide around this back using computerized bending and shaping machines.
Returns can either be welded directly to an aluminum backplate, or attached via a trim cap – an economical yet robust piece of aluminum designed to keep acrylic panels snugly in place and prevent vibration or breakage, as well as protect it from being exposed to elements and extend its lifespan. Custom-colored trim caps may be purchased, or standard colors for cost savings can also be chosen.
Affordable
Channel letter manufacturers can create custom signs at an economical cost for any business. Their products feature various styles and illumination options such as front lit, reverse lit, dual lit (front/back) or open face designs; plus they can be part of monument or pylon signs as well as being mounted directly to buildings.
These signs can often be found on storefronts, strip malls and office buildings and feature illuminated displays that draw passersby in. Such signs are an excellent way to draw attention from passing customers while also serving as part of your branding strategy.
Computer-driven machines can bend aluminum sheeting into characters or symbols to reduce hand finishing time for signage makers, while saving labor costs and producing higher quality results. This equipment also reduces hand finishing times for signage makers and results in quicker hand finishing times for hand finishing workers resulting in reduced hand finishing times overall, saving labor costs overall while producing a superior product.
