Thinking about a new sign for the storefront of your business? Not sure what the options are, or even what the various terminology means? Welcome to Channel Letters 101, where we explain what a Channel Letter is, review the different types of Channel Letters, and explain the various parts of a channel letter sign. Take time to learn the channel letter basics before you buy – – make sure the first sign you buy is the sign you want to keep!
What is a Channel Letter sign?
A channel letter sign is a three-dimensional graphic element with an individual structure and separate illumination. In simpler terms, a channel letter can be any letter, number, or other character that, when combined with other like characters, makes up a sign presentation. Each letter is made using aluminum sheeting, and acrylic. 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 the following parts;
Face: For a standard or front-lit channel letter, the face is made using 3/16” thick colorfast acrylic sheeting that is typically cut to shape using a CNC or multicam router. The acrylic sheeting is available in a variety of color options, and can be customized to a wider spectrum of available colors through the use of high quality translucent vinyl or perforated vinyl from leading manufacturers including 3M, Avery, and Oracal. The acrylic face of a channel letter is attached to the channel letter “can” through the use of “trim cap”.
Trim Cap: The mechanism for attaching the acrylic channel letter face to the body of the channel letter is a UV-stable, earth-friendly, highly durable plastic that is extruded around aluminum foil. The trim cap attaches to the acrylic channel letter face using a liquid bonding agent that “welds” the trim cap to the channel letter face. 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 the “return”. For standard of front-lit channel letters, the depth of the return is typically 3”, 5” or 8”, and may be specified either in the Sign Criteria of your Lease Agreement, or in local city/county ordinances. Returns are shaped to form the appropriate character by the use of computer-driven bending machines. The aluminum sheeting used in the manufacture of channel letters is also available in a variety of standard colors, or can be custom-painted with your choice of PMS or other color-match shades.
Backs: The back of a channel letter is made using router-cut aluminum sheeting, which is available in a variety of thicknesses, including .040, .063, and .090.
Light Source: Channel letters are made both as an illuminated sign option, and as a non-illuminated sign option. Today, nearly all internally-illuminated channel letters are made using LED illumination, resulting in significant energy cost savings over neon illuimination options commonly used in the past.
What Types of Channel Letter Signs Are Available?
Front-Lit Channel Letters: The first and most common type of channel letter is the front-lit or standard channel letter. A front lit channel letter will have an acrylic face, trim cap, aluminum returns, and an aluminum back. Again, the number of options is large – – these signs can be customized in a variety of ways!
Reverse Channel Letters/Back-lit Channel Letters/Halo Channel Letters: For a unique and classy look, consider reverse channel letters! Instead of an acrylic face, reverse channel letters utilize .090 metal faces and .063 aluminum returns, and have clear 1/8” or 3/16” Lexan or poly-carbonate backs. The return of a reverse channel letter is typically smaller, usually about 3.5”. These letters are mounted with a 1.5” standoff so that – – when illuminated – – there is a “halo effect” surrounding the shape of each individual character.
Combination-Lit or Front/Back Lit Channel Letters: Ever thought about doing a sign that has red illuminated faces, and a blue halo effect? Well, then a combination-lit channel letter is for you! These signs use 3/16” acrylic for their faces, mounted with trim cap to the aluminum returns (usually about 5”). Like the reverse channel letter, combination-lit channel letters use clear Lexan backs that have been customized using translucent vinyl graphics to create the desired halo color.
