Are you thinking of getting a new sign for the storefront? Should you get a neon light in NYC or an LED channel letter? Or you aren’t aware of different options available in channel letters. No worries! Here is the guide that will let you know everything about channel letters.
What is a Channel Letter Sign?
The channel letter sign is basically a three-dimensional graphic element with an individual structure and separate illumination. In other words, a channel letter can be any letter, number or other characters that make up a sign when merged together. Each letter is made individually using aluminum sheeting and acrylic. These channel letter signs are highly flexible and can be made using a wide variety of fonts, colors, and sizes.
How are Channel Letters Fabricated?
Channel letters consist of these parts:
Face
For a standard or front-lit channel letter, the face is made using 3/16” thick colorfast acrylic sheeting that is cut in the shape. While you can use any color of acrylic as it is available in many color options and can be customized to a wider spectrum of available colors through the use of high-quality translucent vinyl or perforated vinyl.
Trim Cap
The trim cap is the mechanism for attaching the acrylic channel letter face to the body of the channel letter which is a UV-stable, earth-friendly, highly durable plastic that is extruded around aluminum foil. It attaches to the acrylic channel letter face using a liquid bonding agent that sticks together with the trim cap to the channel letter face. After that, the face is then ready to be attached to the body of the channel letter.
Return
The side of a channel letter is known as a return and for standard front-lit channel letters, the depth of the return is typically 3”5”, or 8”. They are shaped to form the appropriate character by using vending machines. While the aluminum sheeting used in the manufacture of channel letters are also available in a variety of standard colors or can be custom-printed.
Backs
The back of the LED channel letter is made using router-cut aluminum sheeting that is available in a variety of thicknesses.
Light source
Channel letters can be made with an illuminated sign option or non-illuminated sign option. Nowadays, all internally-illuminated channel letters are made using LED illumination that results in significant energy cost savings over neon illumination options.
Types of Channel Letter Signs
Front-Lit Channel Letters
The most common type of channel letter is the front-lit or standard channel letter. Such types of channel letters will have an acrylic face, trim cap, aluminum returns, and aluminum back.
Back-Lit Channel Letters
If you want unique and classy looking signage then consider back-lit channel letters. Basically, they are mounted away from the wall which causes the light to form a halo-effect behind the sign. They are also known as reverse-lit or halo-lit channel letters. These types of channel letters have a metal face and the back is usually covered with clear polycarbonate which does not allow birds to build a nest inside the channel letter.
Combination-Lit and Back-Lit Channel Letters
this type of channel lettering consists of an acrylic face and clear back that allows the face of the letter to be illuminated with one color and is contrasted against a halo backlighting in a different color.
Mounting Options
Raceway Mount
The raceway mount is a rectangular structure that is made from aluminum and also houses the electrical wiring and power supply for the individual letters themselves. The advantage of this mount is that it reduces the number of wall penetrations that are required to complete the installation.
Direct/Flush Mount
As the name suggests, direct or flush mounting is whey they are directly attached to the building surface using a pattern with non-corrosive fasteners. With this type of mounting, the power source and electrical wiring connecting one letter to another are housed behind the wall. Here are the Best Tips to Advertise Your Logistic Business on Digital Media.
