Individual, lighted, “Channel Letters” are the storefront sign that identifies many retail businesses and restaurants.
The quality of your sign should match the quality of your business to give potential customers the right first impression. In fact, your sign IS the image of your business, at the very least it is the first impression that gets potential customers to come in the door.
You have many choices when it comes to promoting your business using signage. When you need a sign for your business, consider a custom channel letter sign. Channel letter signs are distinct, noticeable and built to last.
You want a sign that will make a powerful impact and a great first impression. The sign you choose for your business should also reflect the attitude and environment of your business, and channel letter signs are a natural choice to create all of these things. Channel letter signs are a sophisticated and popular choice for signs.
What is a Channel Letter Sign?
Channel letters are great for store front signage and provide more dimension than flat cut and cast metal letters.
A standard channel letter is a three-dimensional graphic sign element. Its channel is fabricated from sheet metal, most often aluminum since it will not rust.
A flat sheet of aluminum is typically cut on a table by a computer-controlled router, laser, or water jet, based on a vector-based art file. This creates the back of the channel and is the basis for the letter shape.
The sides of the channel letter, called the returns, are then formed by bending a strip of aluminum sheet around the aluminum back. This return can be welded at the seam or flanged and riveted or, with a metal stitcher, can be fastened with galvanized or stainless wire to the back to create a solid can in the shape of the letter.
The letter can is painted and fitted with light-emitting diode (LED) modules, transformers and whips.
A translucent plastic face is cut to fit the open face of the letter can. A trim cap border is applied to its edges which gives the letter face a finished appearance and creates a fastening surface to attach it to the letter can.
The face can also have a black perforated vinyl, so the letters appear black in the daytime and white when lit at night.
For the best effect, face colors are usually matched with their closest corresponding LED color.
A warm white LED is best used with a yellow or orange face.
When illuminated at night, channel letters draw the eye of passers-by.
Channel Letters are generally illuminated with low voltage light-emitting diode (LED) modules. A clear or colored acrylic covering is used to protect LED modules. The neon or LED modules light the letters themselves. You can choose from just about any color combination and configuration with this option. Pantone colors can also be matched for all elements of the sign except the trim cap. Digitally printed graphics can also be used as in the Cafe Madrid sign below to create full color lighted logos.
Reverse channel letters are a very attractive option for channel signs.
Many high-scale businesses use this option for channel letter signs. The letters themselves are not lit, but the LED lights illuminate the surface behind the sign and call attention to the lettering. This is the style of choice in many New England towns due to regulations reducing the amount of light allowed for signs.
You can also choose from practically any color combination and configuration for your sign and the color for the backlighting.
Reverse lighting creates a halo effect really draws the eye to the sign at night, and is a popular choices for channel letter lighting.
Channel letters may be flush mounted (attached directly to the building facade), or they may be mounted on a raceway or wireway.
A raceway is a rectangular mounting structure which serves as both a container for the sign’s electrical components (such as a power supply) and a mounting structure.
A wireway also serves as a mounting structure but typically contains only wiring. It is thinner and broader than a raceway, and may also be used as a backer panel for the channel letter set.
Face-lit letters may also be mounted so they rest on the top the building surface with a bottom and top rail supported by metal arms.
Channel Letter Signs, a Very Decorative Choice!
When you need a sign for your business consider channel letter signs.
They are a popular and very decorative choice for signage.
With a qualified design company that walks you through the entire process from design to installation, you will receive a sign that reflects the personality of your business and draws people in.
Contact Express Sign & Graphics today and ask about the beauty and functionality of our channel letter signs for your business. Our team of designers will listen to your needs and create a channel sign perfect for your business.