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Advantages of Channel Letter Signs
Channel letter signs are a superior signage choice for many applications. Each channel letter has an individual structure and separate illumination, resulting in a professional and highly visible signage presentation.
Channel letter signs can be produced in almost any font, color or size. This flexibility permits channel letter specifications to be matched exactly to your needs.
Channel letter signs project a very professional image. That is why many building and shopping center owners insist on channel letter signs for their developments.
Many national chains also use channel letters. Channel letter signs can be an effective component of a national brand building program. Many national grocery chains, restaurants and retailers exclusively use this type of signage.
Channel letters have a substantial amount of “stopping power.” If your business is located on a busy street, how many more impressions will they receive from using channel letter signs? Thousands.
LED (light emitting diodes) are an emerging illumination technology.
LED channel letters offer several advantages over neon illumination.
- Durability: LED channel letters have a greater level of durability. LED letters are more resistant to shock and vibration than neon illuminated letters, and so have fewer breakage issues during shipping and/or installation.
- Energy efficiency: LED channel letters will usually consume less power than neon lit letters.
- Environmentally Friendly: LED channel letters are also "greener" than neon, as they have no mercury content. This environmental friendliness can be a helpful factor in the permitting process.
- Excellent cold weather performance: Neon illumination can have a lower level of light emission in cold temperatures.
- Lower voltage transformer: LED channel letters use a lower voltage transformer. Ground fault protection is often not necessary with LED transformers.
Front Lit Channel Letters
Front lit are the most common channel letter type. As the name implies, these signs emit illumination only from the front (or face) of the letters. They are often used in both shopping malls and outdoor plazas.
Front lit channel letters can be either raceway or flush mounted, and can use either neon or LED illumination. Front lit are also sometimes called "standard" channel letters.We can fabricate nonstandard letters according to your specifications. All of our channel letters are U.L. listed, and we use only the highest quality materials along with proven components when assembling your sign.
 
Open Face Channel Letters
Open Face channel letters are an excellent choice for businesses that need a highly conspicuous night signage presence, such as restaurants, nightclubs and bars. Neon is the illumination source for this letter type, and the neon is actually exposed (instead of being encased behind colored acrylic.) The face of this letter is typically open, but an optional clear acrylic face is also available. An open face letter return (side) is 3” instead of the usual 5”. This gives the neon illumination full exposure and ensures the sign can be easily read.
 
Reverse Channel Letters
Reverse Channel Letters provide a distinctive and memorable approach to your client’s signage program. Reverse channel letters are often utilized by signage clients who value a prestigious image. These letters are sometimes called "halo lit" letters.
Reverse channel letters are produced with aluminum faces and sides (the side of a channel letter is called the return.) These letters are mounted away from the wall so a halo forms behind the letters. A clear polycarbonate back prevents birds and other animals from nesting inside the letter. Neon illumination is commonly employed (and is very effective) for reverse channel letters, but LED lighting is also available. We can fabricate nonstandard letters according to your specifications. All of our channel letters are U.L. listed, and we use only the highest quality materials along with proven components when assembling your sign.
 
Front/Back Lit Channel Letters
Front/Back Lit channel letters are an excellent choice for a striking and eye-catching signage presence. As the name implies, these letters emit illumination both from the letter front (face) and the back.
Just as with standard reverse channel letters, front/back lit letters have a clear polycarbonate back to prevent animals from nesting inside the letter. Well designed Front/Back lit letters have a dramatic effect. The combination of both front and rear illumination creates a vibrant and attention-driving sign.
 
Channel Letter Acrylic Color Chart
Acrylic is a translucent plastic material used for the front (or face) of a channel letter sign. This sturdy material is similar to glass, but is much stronger, lighter and more impact resistant. Acrylic offers an excellent color selection to customize the appearance of a channel letter set. Acrylic is a long lasting material, and maintains a clean and bright appearance even in harsh climate conditions. The chart below shows the standard acrylic colors. Non-standard colors are also available.
Channel Letter Return Color Chart
The side of a channel letter is called the “return”. A return is what gives a channel letter its depth, and is typically made of aluminum. Returns are available in depths of 3", 5" and 8" (with 5" being the standard for front lit channel letters.) Channel letters can be constructed of returns that are either pre-colored (already coated) or painted in a custom color. The chart below shows the standard pre-colored return colors.
Channel Letter Trim Cap Color Chart
Trim cap is the plastic molding that affixes the acrylic letter face to the return. Trim cap is available in a wide assortment of colors to help you customize the appearance of your wholesale channel letters set. Standard colors are shown in the chart below. Non-standard colors can be custom painted if needed.
Channel Letter Vinyl Color Chart
Vinyl can help to give your channel letters a vibrant and eye-catching appearance. This optional translucent material is applied directly to the acrylic sign face. The usage of vinyl is a simple method to further customize and enhance the appearance of a set of wholesale channel letters.
Vinyl can also be used to give your letters one face color appearance during the day, and then a different color when lit at night. For example, your sign could have a black letter face during the day, and then a white or red appearance at night. Other day/night color combinations are also available.Overall, vinyl provides an additional set of color and appearance customizing options for your channel letters at a nominal additional cost.
The chart below shows 3M translucent vinyl colors.
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