CHANNEL LETTERing
WHAT IS CHANNEL LETTERING?
Channel letter signs have become very popular and an extremely attractive option for commercial signage. Channel Letters are a great opportunity for businesses to reinforce brand identity into a sign. They can be as standard or as custom as the imagination allows. The channel letters are individual created, dimensional letters. Each letter is separate and formed of separate aluminum or steel enclosures that can house LED or other lighting to form illuminated signs.
RETURNS
The sides of the channel letters are called “Returns”, they can be in depths of 3” to 10” with the outsides painted to the desired color. Computer-driven bending and shaping machines form the character needed for a particular design. The aluminum/steel sheeting can be painted in standard colors or customized with branding-specific shades or PMS (Pantone Matching System). PMS is coveted by industries that need long-lasting, professional-grade results for graphic arts.
MOUNTING OPTIONS
CHANNEL LETTER OPTIONS
RACEWAY MOUNT
A raceway mount is very common with in multi-business plaza areas. This features a metal box with a power supply and the electrical wiring for each letter.
Plaza/Commercial business owners generally like this type of mounting option because this reduces the structural impact by requiring fewer holes and it is easier for tenants to change the sign. Most raceways are painted to match the color of the building essentially hiding them from sight.
DIRECT OR FLUSH MOUNT
This is when the letters are mounted directly onto the facade using a pattern that keeps the sign correct dimensionally. This is a very clean look, however, there are more entry points into the building, for instance, each letter needs to be attached to the wall and electrical wires to run through as well. The power supply and wiring connecting the letters are installed behind the facade usually in a small box to hide everything.
BACKER MOUNT
Backer mounts feature channel letters attached to a backer panel or metal cabinet that's larger than the channel letters. The cabinet sometimes houses the wiring and power supply or it can be installed behind the buildings facade or bulkhead.
FRONT LIT CHANNEL LETTERS
This is the most popular style of channel lettering. This style emits light from the front face outward. Otherwise known as standard channel letters, this style produces a clean look which is popular in shopping malls and outdoor plazas.
REVERSE CHANNEL LETTERS
Formed with aluminum faces welded to aluminum returns, the sealed faces of “halo lit” or reverse channel letters create a radiant back-lit sign. Another popular choice in channel letter signage. This style of lettering helps produce a floating letter design in the dark and has some fun options with back-light colors. We paint the inside of channel letters gloss white to help shine the bright LEDs out of the poly-carbonate backs for a spectacular presentation.
FRONT AND BACK LIT CHANNEL LETTERS
Illuminated from both front and back, these channel letter signs create dramatic, highly visible signage for your clients. Highly versatile, front/back lit channel letters can add color by simply adding translucent vinyl to the face or changing the LEDs.
NON-ILLUMINATED CHANNEL LETTERS
While not as common as illuminated channel letters, non-illuminated letters may be a perfect solution for some applications. It could be a great idea for indoor signs and other signs that
might not benefit from illumination.
