In an increasingly competitive business landscape, excellent visibility is every business’ goal in order to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Business centers need a clean corporate look on their facades. Hotels and restaurants are more inviting with cozy business signs. Vibrant and spirited signage is what theaters, bars and casinos cannot do without. These needs can be addressed by channel letter signs.
What are channel letter signs?
A channel letter is a custom-made 3-dimensional letter sign fabricated from a sheet metal, typically aluminum, or plastic. The sheet of metal is cut by a computerized router or laser into the letter shapes needed to form the back of the channel letters. Then about 3 to 6-inch-wide strips along the edges of the cut channel letter are bent to 90 degrees to form the sides of the channel letter called the returns. To create a finished appearance, a trim cap is used to cover the edges of the returns. An acrylic or metal face can be used to form the front of the channel letter. A plastic channel letter, on the other hand, is made of injection molded plastic cans. Channel letter signs can be illuminated by neon gas tubes or LED modules.
What are the types of channel letter signs?
Unlike generic light boxes and other traditional signs, channel letters offer the flexibility of design for a distinctive and personalized appearance that can set your business apart from the competition. You can choose from a variety of font styles, sizes, color schemes and illumination trends to suit your business needs as in the following:
Front Lit Channel Letters also called standard channel letters, are the most widely used business signs by retail malls and shopping centers. The letters are internally illuminated by neon gas tubes or LED modules and the light is projected through their acrylic front surfaces. A translucent vinyl overlay can also be applied over white acrylic surfaces to achieve the desired color.
Reverse-lit channel letters, also called halo-lit or back-lit channel letters, allow light to be emitted from the back of the letters and reflected to the mounting surface like a wall. During installation, spaces or gaps are provided between the mounting surface and the rear of the channel letters. The face of each letter is covered with aluminum while the rear may be open or covered with clear polycarbonate to prevent birds and other creeping creatures from nesting inside the letter.
Open face channel letters are constructed with the letter faces exposed or open to allow the placement of neon illumination. A clear acrylic face can be an option. Channel letter signs with open faces provide brighter lighting, making the sign more eye-catching.
Specialty channel letters are uniquely designed signs with features that are tailor fit to your specifications. A balanced mix of color changing LEDs, neon lights, new letter colors, perforated returns and other distinctive elements you may wish to add can be customized for added appeal.
You have worked hard to build your business. You have a great organization, a purposeful marketing strategy in place and a powerful social media presence. And now you just acquired new knowledge on channel letter signs. If you consult SignDealz, a trusted sign company now, you may yet get the best sign deal that can bring your business to the next level.