Channel letter signage can be an eye-catching and cost-effective way to promote your business. They’re durable, long-term displays that can be tailored to match the aesthetics of any brand or organization.
Standard channel letters consist of aluminum back and sides (called returns ), with acrylic faces. They’re typically illuminated using LED bulbs. There are various kinds of illuminated channel letters available with different benefits, and their prices can range accordingly.
Front-Lit
Front-lit channel letters are standard three-dimensional graphic sign elements with separate lighting components. They’re usually illuminated using neon or more energy efficient LEDs. Composed of aluminum back and sides (returns), with translucent plastic faces painted or etched according to design requirements, front-lit channel letters allow customers to create striking letters and designs in front of their storefronts.
An attractive front-lit channel letter sign can help customers easily identify your location. These signs are commonly found on storefronts or used inside buildings and malls as directional tools.
Shape and size should match that of your business to ensure an aesthetically pleasing look for front-lit signage, with height being particularly crucial; signs hung below eye level tend to be less visible. There are various mounting options available for front-lit signs; consider these.
Back-Lit
Reverse Halo Channel Letters provide a more luxurious appearance for your storefront. Made of metal faces, aluminum returns, and transparent back panels that let the inner lighting show through creating a “halo effect” around your company name or logo at night.
Back-lit fabricated channels typically attach directly to walls using stud mounting hardware with a 1.5″ wall standoff for optimal illumination, while front-lit versions require an electrical junction behind or in the ceiling above to run low voltage wiring. Front-lit channels offer businesses looking for an architectural or cleaner appearance an option without backer panels; they can even incorporate neon or LED lighting sources for increased illumination.
Combination
These eye-catching channel letters offer the ideal way to convey your brand image in an eye-catching, modern style. Boasting LED illumination from their letter bodies and translucent faces, these illuminated channel letters will draw passersby in for closer inspection.
Digital signs are more eye-catching than traditional ones because they lack frames and substrates to detract from their appearance, making this form of signage ideal for law firms and gym franchises that want a premium image that will catch potential customers’ eyes.
These signs are designed for raceway or flush mount applications and can be integrated with monument, cabinet and backer signs to offer a clean architectural appearance and increased night visibility.
Raceway
Channel letter signs can help your business stand out in malls or strip centers by drawing customers in. Highly visible both day and night, these three dimensional letters can attract attention with ease – and can even be illuminated to add some light!
Front lit, back lit or halo-lit channel letters all help customers locate your location more quickly. Custom logos also allow your brand to stand out in an otherwise busy environment and bring new clients.
These signs can be attached flush with the building or on a raceway to reduce the number of holes drilled into your storefront. Your lighting and mounting option selection will have an impactful on your final price quote; our Philadelphia Sign representative can explain all available solutions and costs related to your project.
Backer
As soon as a business opens in town, a large channel letter sign can help customers identify them immediately. These three-dimensional alphanumeric symbols offer unique branding opportunities and can even be illuminated to stand out day or night.
Channel letters can be attached directly to building facades, raceways or monument signs for easy mounting. Front-lit channel letters are particularly popular as they illuminate their acrylic face sign faceplate.
Back-lit and reverse halo-lit channels letters are two types of channel letter signs. Back-lit signs utilize perforated vinyl on acrylic to display dark color during the day and white illumination at night (see Graham Surgery Center example). Reverse halo-lit signage features translucent backs that let LED lighting pass through them and create a halo effect around letter faces, similar to Graham Surgery Center example.
