Channel signs are letters and shapes electrically lit by LED modules or gas-filled tubes-“neon lights”. Channel letter signs are typically made out of aluminum (steel will rust) and an acrylic or polycarbonate face to allow the LED modules or tube lights to illuminate the sign. The most common types of channel letter signs are front lit signs where a string of LED modules installed on the interior of the channel letter, emits light through the face of the polycarbonate or acrylic panel to illuminate the sign. Some other types of channel letter signs are halo-lit, front and back-lit, and open-face signs. The signs made for CMC are halo-lit or reverse-lit signs. These signs emit light out of the back to shine onto the building’s surface to give the sign a prestigious look.
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Face lit letters have a solid aluminum base with aluminum returns- this is what creates the depth of the channel letter. Returns are typically 3”-5”, however custom sizes are seen for larger or smaller applications. The reason why this type of signage is called a channel letter is because the center is unfilled, creating a channel for the led modules to be installed on the interior of the letter. The face is a translucent material, either acrylic or polycarbonate to allow for the internal illumination to emit from the face.
Depending on the font style, the backs of the letters are bent into shape by cutting or notching the edge of the aluminum. With the aid of a metal break, the letter returns are formed with a ½” lip that is then attached to the letter backs and the inside seam caulked. Before applying the face to the letter returns, trim cap (colored plastic trim material) must be applied to the face. The face is laid flat on a table outlined by the trim cap. Nails are pounded into the table all around the outside edge of the trim cap, which serves to hold the trim cap firmly in place next to the face material until the adhesive has time to set up.
Then, the LED lights are installed inside of the metal casing and the acrylic face to each letter and the logo shape is installed in place. In some cases, the sign is mounted on a raceway, which, serves as the power supply for the sign and holds the sign off of the building to give it a suspended look. This method also allows for the letters to be installed on the raceway in the shop, leaving on the raceway to be installed on the building. Some businesses prefer individually mounted channel letters which ads a significant amount of time to the install as wires called whips, for each letter needs to be run from an electrical power source and tied into the wiring for the sign. The last step is to install it on the building and give power to the light. Once all that is done you have a newly designed, fabricated, and installed channel letter sign for your business.
Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you stand out from the crowd with custom channel letter signs for your business.
