Channel letter signage enhances brand visibility and creates an unforgettable image for your business. Discover more about how this versatile form of signage can make you stand out from competitors.
Illuminated channel letters are an attractive option for businesses that wish to remain visible after dark, yet require substantial energy use and are susceptible to being damaged by harsh environmental conditions.
LEDs
LEDs are custom-built semiconductors designed to emit light when current is passed through them, emitting different hues due to the conductive material they contain altering wavelength of photons produced and producing various hues of photons that create them. LEDs are commonly used to illuminate channel letters because of their greater range of options than traditional neon.
LED modules work to optimize their performance by lowering their native beam angle and redirecting it laterally using optics, giving signage manufacturers more freedom and enabling them to utilize lower power supply voltage.
Your choice of LED module depends on both its size and location of your sign. Signs located near beaches must be protected from salt air that accelerates material deterioration; while illuminated 24/7 signs need to withstand both extreme hot/cold weather changes. SloanLED or ILT’s Sideview modules provide solutions that address these needs by placing LEDs perpendicularly against letters for even illumination across their faces.
Design
Based on the size and features of your channel letter signs, planning or zoning approval or building permits may be required before proceeding with their construction. Furthermore, increasing their size or including neon lighting modules will add both cost and time.
Channel letters are three-dimensional metal (aluminum or plastic) or plastic fabricated letters commonly seen on storefronts, strip malls, commercial buildings and offices. They come unlit or illuminated with LEDs for lighting options of various depths.
Fabricated LED channel letters are an increasingly popular form of signage for businesses as they can be used both day and night to promote business. Constructed using translucent acrylic faces with aluminum returns forming their “channel” effect – these returns range in depth from 3-8 inches deep creating an enclosed space for LED lighting inside; and can even be custom painted using Pantone matching systems.
Installation
Channel letter signs can attract passers-by both day and night. Versatile and customizable to your business’s logo and colors, you have three lighting options to choose from when creating channel letter signs: front-lit channel letters are popular while face-illuminated or reverse-lit signs also work well.
Signage pieces designed for long-term use may withstand damage over time, but must still be maintained periodically to remain looking their best. Some activities that should be included as part of this maintenance are washing away grime or checking to make sure pests haven’t gained access to wires and breaking them off.
Illuminated channel letters are most effective when they can be seen during the day and draw more attention than non-illuminated signage. Illuminated signs typically use LED illumination which is more energy efficient than neon bulbs.
For these signs to be properly installed, they require base and mounting accessories such as end caps and brackets – these accessories allow letters to be securely attached to walls or raceways while also helping secure wiring connections for illuminated signs.
Maintenance
Illuminated channel letters’ lifespan depends on their materials, location and maintenance frequency; as well as protection from environmental factors like sunlight and extreme temperatures.
Illuminated channel letter signs are not impervious to damage; should structural or electrical issues arise they will need professional repairs by an experienced sign professional. Therefore it is wise to keep a service vehicle equipped with parts and tools required for quick repairs including LED bulbs of various sizes as well as drivers, ballasts sockets wires power supplies and lighting controls for quick fixes.
Accendo offers an industry-unparalleled 5 year warranty on our LED retrofit solution and new LetterTrim sign faces, giving you peace of mind knowing your sign will look brighter and last longer with this extended protection plan.
