Options For Channel Letter Signs

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Channel letter signs are quickly becoming an industry standard, especially on retail establishments where clean lettering is desired over the old-style clunky rectangular frames. Channel letters consist of an individual sign for each letter or logo, with the letters custom-designed to meet your company's branding and font. The following are a few of the things that must be considered when designing these signs.

Location

There are four common locations where these signs are placed — roof, parapet, marquee, or wall. Roof signs are installed above the edge of the roof so they are visible above the roof edge. A parapet sign is installed on the roof edge, and it is sometimes angled downward for better street visibility. Marquee signs are installed on a marquee or canopy, and wall signs are obviously installed on a solid wall. Your business may benefit from more than one of these options, particularly if it is located on a street corner.

Mounting

Once the location is determined, you must choose from one of two common mounting methods. A flush mount is common, with each letter mounted directly to the building and an individual power lead attached to each letter. A raceway mount is also common, in part because it requires minimal wall penetrations. For a raceway, a mount is first attached to the wall, and then the letters are attached to the mount and the power supply is also run through the mount. A wireway mount is a sturdier version of the raceway, and it may be used when the letters will protrude above the walls, such as for a roof installation.

Illumination

Modern channel letter signs are almost always illuminated by long-lasting and low-energy LEDs. The most common lighting method is face-lit, which means the light is inside the letter and it shines through the translucent facing of the sign. Backlit is also an option. A backlit sign has an opaque facing and the light instead emanates from behind each letter, creating an image in the negative. You can also order channel letters with a combination of the two illumination options, with one color showing through the face and a contrasting color backlighting the sign.

Facing

The facing is almost always made from either an acrylic or a polycarbonate plastic. The facing will be translucent for a face-lit sign and opaque for a backlit sign. In some cases, you may also be able to opt for a metal channel letter sign, but this is only suitable if the sign will be solely back lit.

Contact a company that offers channel letter sign design services to learn more.

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3 September 2020

Just Give Me a Sign!

How many signs have you already seen today? You've probably seen so many you can't even begin to count. You passed numerous street signs on the way to work. There were several different signs at the coffee shop where you stopped for a morning cup, and then you walked past a handful of signs on your way into your office. Signs make the world go 'round. They also do a great job of conveying information. We hope this website does a good job of conveying information, too. All of the information collected here is somehow related to signs, and we think you'll enjoy it.