Channel Letters, Illuminated Outdoor Signs

Custom Outdoor Channel Letters

Channel letters are a type of signage commonly used for business storefronts and other commercial applications. They are three-dimensional letters or shapes often made of metal or plastic and typically illuminated from within. The letters are usually fabricated individually and mounted to a frame or backing, creating a raised, dimensional effect. The illumination can come from LED modules, neon tubes, or other lighting sources, providing visibility both during the day and at night. Channel letters are popular because they offer businesses a highly visible and customizable way to display their brand and attract customers.

Illumination Options for Outdoor Channel Letter Signs

Front-Lit Channel Letters

Often referred to as face-illuminated channel letters, these signs feature a Lexan face that allows light to shine through clearly. Constructed with durable metal on the sides and back, they provide excellent visibility for your branding both indoors and outdoors, ensuring your logo and name are recognizable from afar, day or night. These signs are ideal for businesses looking to make a strong visual impact.

Side-Illuminated Channel Letters

Edge-lit channel letters, also known as halo-lit channel letters, use LED lights with translucent acrylic sides to produce a soft halo effect. Another variation is the half-side lit letters, where only part of the sides is illuminated, offering a stylish and sophisticated appearance. These signs create a unique glow that adds depth and dimension to your signage.

Back Illumination

Back-lit or reverse channel letters feature a translucent back that allows light to pass through, while the other parts remain opaque. These signs are mounted with space between them and the wall, creating an illuminated backdrop that makes the letters stand out strikingly. This type of illumination provides a refined and elegant look, ideal for upscale businesses.

Dual Illumination

Back and face-lit channel letters enhance the visibility of your signage by lighting both the front and back. In dual-lit designs, the sides are typically metal, and the face and back are made of translucent acrylic, maximizing the lighting effects and ensuring your brand is highly visible. This approach combines the benefits of both front and back lighting, creating a vibrant and attention-grabbing sign.

Open Face Channel Letters

For open-face custom channel letters, you can choose between completely uncovered faces or those covered with a clear acrylic sheet, exposing the inner light bulbs or strips. This style is especially popular for cinema-style marquee letters, with neon lighting also being a viable option for a vibrant display. Open face letters provide a nostalgic and eye-catching appeal.

Mounting Solutions for Channel Letters

Direct Wall Mounting

Also known as flush mounting, this method involves individually mounting each letter directly onto the wall surface. While it provides a sleek and seamless appearance with minimal visible hardware, it requires more drilling for installation. Back-illuminated signs utilize spacers to create a gap between the letters and the wall, ensuring optimal lighting effects. This method is ideal for creating a clean and integrated look.

Raceway Mounting

Channel letters mounted on a raceway feature a thin rectangular box behind the sign, housing all wiring and electronic components. This method simplifies installation, requiring fewer drilled holes and less labor time. The raceway is typically painted to match the wall color, seamlessly blending with the building facade. Raceway mounting is efficient and provides a neat appearance.

Wireway Mounting

Similar to raceway mounting, wireway mounting involves housing wires and electrical components within an oversized backdrop. This method provides a structured background for the letters, enhancing aesthetics while simplifying installation compared to direct mounting. Wireway mounting offers both functionality and visual appeal.

Mounted on Metal Frames or Suspended Beneath Metal Frames

For corporate celebrations, stage performances, music festivals, trade shows, pop-ups, and other temporary event venues, channel letters can be suspended or mounted on metal frames, making the entire stage or event space the focal point. This method allows the brand name or logo to exert its unique visual charm and create a striking centerpiece for the event.

Design Styles for Channel Letter Signs

Trimless Channel Letters

Trimless channel letters are characterized by their seamless design, without any trim lines or frames, allowing the entire surface to illuminate. This uniform appearance and color provide a flawless visual presentation from any angle, perfectly showcasing the beauty of the font. Trimless letters offer a modern and sleek look.

Trim Cap Channel Letters

Trim cap channel letters feature edges outlined with trim lines and frames to delineate each letter’s contour, offering a distinct and prominent font shape. Although trim caps are usually painted to match the color of the letters for a unified look, opting for contrasting colors can add a unique visual allure to your signage. Trim cap letters provide a classic and versatile option for various branding needs.