
First, consult a custom sign designer and installer. Now that you know all types of channel letters for your custom sign and ways of mounting, we recommend a few additional steps to ensure smooth sailing and results you’ll be happy with long term. I’ve Selected My Channel Letters & Mounting, Now What? The power supply and wiring can either be housed inside the backer cabinet or behind the bulkhead wall or façade. The backer mount is similar to raceway mount but, instead of a metal box, the channel letters are attached to a metal cabinet or backer panel that is typically larger in height and width than the channel letter configuration. With direct mount channel letters, the power source and electrical wiring is housed behind the bulkhead wall or façade. For reverse channel letters, a direct mount with standoff spacers is common. Here, the letters are attached directly to the building façade using a pattern with non-corrosive fasteners. If appearance is the top priority, the direct mount is favored. Direct MountĪ direct mount flush or standoff mount. Raceways are also typically painted to match the color of the building façade or sign band, ensuring that it blends with the architecture and brand guidelines. This cuts down on the number of wall penetrations required to complete the installation, something landlords appreciate. Many property management companies and landlords generally require channel letter signs be installed on a raceway, a metal box that houses all the electrical wiring and power supply for the individual letters themselves. Here, we will review the most popular mounting options so you can better understand how and why we do things. There are a few different ways to mount your channel letter signs.

The only other major deviation from the standard front-lit channel letter here is that the sign face is either clear or has no sign face at all so that the internal exposed neon can be viewed.

The back and sides of the open-lit channel letter are both aluminum, just like the standard front-lit channel letter however, in this scenario, the sign is usually lit with neon lights rather than LEDs. The sides of the letter are aluminum, the faces are polycarbonate, and the back of the sign is open to reflect the LED or neon illumination off of the wall. (Yes, pun intended.) This type of channel letter combines the standard front-lit letter with the halo-lit letter. Want to get really fancy? Maybe you’re considering a sign with yellow illuminated faces and a blue halo effect? That’s where a front/back-lit channel letter shines. Oh, and in case you were wondering what a raceway was, keep reading! Halo-lit letters are often used for sign projects that require a unique, classy, or distinguished look or brand image. Standard channel letters, on the other hand, solely light the face of each letter. This allows the neons or LED lights inside them to shine out the sides and cast a glow around each letter, and thus creating a halo effect. They consist of aluminum faces and returns, which are lifted off the wall or raceway. Halo-lit letters are also referred to as reverse channel-lit letters. Because of the materials used, standard front-lit channel letters are highly customizable.

Usually, the color elements of the the logo are done with cut-out translucent vinyl or, if the color of the face is solid, the acrylic itself can be in its specific color, as long as the color matches the standard colors available. Acrylic is shinier while polycarbonate is stronger. The trim caps screwed to hold on the sign face, can be made out of plastic or aluminum, while the the sign face itself is constructed out of one of two types of plastic: polycarbonate or acrylic. The sides of a channel letter are also known as “returns.” The standard front-lit channel letter are illuminated internally with either LEDs or neon lights, lighting the “face” of each letter. This letter is aluminum on the back and sides. The most common type of channel letter is the front-lit or standard channel letter. Another important factor to be consider is landlord criteria and local zoning regulations pertaining to signs as per size, projection, and illumination. There are four basic types of channel letters you need to know as a business owner or decision maker, and that the key differentiator among each one is in how it’s illuminated. Channel letters, or pan channel letters, are essentially large individual letters that are commonly used as exterior signage for businesses and retail centers.

One of the first things you should know is the term channel letters. Thinking about a new sign for your storefront or commercial space? Not sure of your options or even the correct terminology? Then this is the blog for you.
