There are many various types of outdoor signs that you can use to advertise your company, and channel letter signs should be among the options you consider. It is essential that you use high-quality signage in various forms and sizes to make the best possible impact on clients and consumers. In this industry, we at Dave’s Signs are a prominent business that provides high-quality sign installation and repair services to customers from a variety of industries.
Channel letter signs are incredibly popular, and many customers choose to have these eye-catching accents erected on their premises rather than other types of signage. They are some of the most effective methods of showcasing your company smartly and compellingly.
How Are Channel Letters Constructed?
They may be found in a variety of settings, including restaurants, shopping malls, taverns, pubs, retail shops, specialized stores, and so on. A unique manufacturing method is employed to create these storefront identifying features, which are also commonly used as decorative elements. Channel letters are simply individually cut letters and pictures that are lit to ensure that they are clearly visible at night as well as during daylight. Because each letter is generated independently and has its own light source, the sign has a 3D aspect that is both visually appealing and striking at the same time.
Dave’s Signs specializes in the design, construction, and installation of restaurant signs.
The Reasons Why You Should Consider Having Channel Letters Applied
- They instantly draw the viewer’s attention.
- Each of these features may be tailored to meet your specific needs.
- There has been meticulous attention to detail in the creation, and they are a true representation of your brand.
- Installing lights in them in various hues allows for the creation of attractive and distinctive writing.
- They are most noticeable after dark.
- It is possible to put it in any outdoor place.
- As previously said, channel letters are incredibly adaptable and may be utilized as signs for a variety of various sorts of businesses and places.
What Is the Process of Making Channel Letters?
There are a few various aspects that go into the construction of channel letters, and each style has its own little variances from the others. In general, you’ll have the face, the trim, the returns, and the backs of the head. Some types, such as the Halo-Lit letters, do not have a trim or an acrylic face, while others do. Instead, the face and returns are constructed of metal that has been twisted, welded/adhered to, and painted to seem like wood. An acrylic face is used on exposed neon signs to protect the neon from the weather and creatures. However, the acrylic face is normally clear to allow for maximum visibility. Therefore, a close-up view of the anatomy of a Face-Lit letter may be seen to the left of the screen. This will give you a better understanding of the process of creating channel letters.
Channel Letter Styles are a kind of lettering that is channeled.
Face-Lit Channel Letters are a kind of letter that is used to communicate with other people.
Metallic channel letters with colorful trim caps and a colored transparent acrylic face that enables light to pass through the face are common components of this kind of channel letter (front). In addition, it is possible to apply vinyl graphics on the face of the acrylic lens in order to further customize your sign depending on your requirements. This includes digitally produced vinyl graphics. Face-Lit channel letters are among the most visible channel letters at night, providing the highest visibility. Face-Lit channel letters are also a more economical alternative when compared to other designs of channel letters.
Channel Letters That Are Reverse-Lit or Halo-Lit
Halo-Lit or Reverse-Lit channel letters are often made of metal and are illuminated from inside. In contrast to face-lit channel lettering, there is no trim cap. The LEDs in the halo-lit letters are mounted to the sign so that they face the rear. This design also has a transparent or translucent plastic backing, which helps to disperse the light and protect the LED components from damage. When the letter is lighted, the light fills the wall or backing panel to which it is mounted, resulting in the creation of negative space. Halo-Lit channel letters have a high-end appearance and are one-of-a-kind. They may not be as obvious as the classic Face-Lit letter, but they are nonetheless effective. If your business is located on a busy road or if your sign is being visible from a long distance, Reverse-Lit channel letters may not be the best choice for your needs.
Channel Letters With Face-Lit and Halo-Lit
Face and Halo-Lit Letters have a distinctive appearance that incorporates a variety of lighting methods. This form of letter incorporates the same characteristics of both a face-lit and a back-lit letter in one package. This design is the best in attention-getting signage. You can get the distinctive appearance of the Halo-Lit channel letter without compromising any visibility at all. Given that this kind of letter requires a little more effort to create than other styles, you should expect to pay a little more for it than other styles as a result.
Neon Channel Letters That Have Been Exposed
Exposed neon channel letters are no longer a popular choice for channel lettering. Neon is an out-of-date lighting technology that is much more costly than LED technology. Moreover, neon is hazardous to human health, and the glass tubing that houses the neon is prone to breakage. However, it should be noted that exposed neon channel letters are a style that certain companies may choose. This style is constructed in a similar manner to the face-lit letters. Instead of LEDs, the letter shapes are filled with neon tubing to give them a more vibrant appearance. In addition, a transparent acrylic face is glued to the front of each letter in order to keep birds away from the message within.
Channel Letters With a Plastic Molded Shape
Plastic Formed Channel Letters feature a molded plastic base with a raised lip that makes them stand out from the crowd. A plastic molded cover, often known as the face, clamps over the base of the computer (see below). The face is available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including flat, round, and prismatic. The face is made of transparent light-diffusing colored plastic with a translucent sheen. In this letter, light can be seen shining through both the front and back sides. In addition, cut vinyl may be put on the face to create bespoke lighting effects if you want to be creative.
Mounting Options for Channel Letters
Selecting the best method for installing your channel letter sign is yet another important factor to consider. This will have an impact on not just the final style but also on other factors such as the cost of the project. For example, a raceway will help the installation process go more quickly and will save you money on labor expenditures. The mounting of channel letters is not the same for all of them. For example, racetrack mounting Halo-Lit lettering is not permitted since it would cause the light to be disrupted. If you are required to raceway mount your sign in order to comply with rules, you might mount your Reverse-Lit channel letters to a sign backer, which would then be connected to a raceway as described above.
Raceway Mount
A raceway mount is a metal box containing a power supply and electrical cabling for each letter of the alphabet. Because raceways need fewer wall penetrations, some landlords may insist on your signage being raceway mounted instead of wall-mounted. Raceways have the potential to cut installation costs as well since they allow for a more rapid installation. Raceways may be painted to resemble the structure of the building, which can serve to reduce distractions and make the racecourse seem to “disappear” altogether.
Direct/Flush Installation
If you want to prevent the racetrack appearance or if you want to use Halo-Lit lettering, you will most likely choose a flush mount installation. In a flush mount, letters are attached to the façade using a pattern that is repeated over and again. This installation technique is sometimes referred to as “direct mount” in certain circles. This installation involves the use of non-corrosive fasteners to connect the letters. The power supply and cabling that connects the letters are positioned behind the façade or bulkhead of the building, therefore, and you will need to make sure that there is enough access behind the sign before installation. Flush mounts take more on-site installation time than racetrack mounts, and as a result, they might be more expensive than raceway mounts.
We are a Signage company known for channel letters in Chicago. At SignFreaks, we manufacture interior and exterior channel letters built in different combinations of materials and finishes.