Lighted letter signs, or channel letter signs as they’re called in the sign industry, are the most popular type of light up sign. Due to their high readability and illumination, their distinctive 3D form can be seen near and far and even at night.
Channel letters get their name from the “channel” that is created out of sheet metal by the back and sides of the sign element. This channel is filled with lighting components and typically covered with a translucent plastic. Although all channel letters are made with bent aluminum sides, there are variations in construction. In this post, we’ll explore your options for lighted letter signs, which are highly customizable.
Nostalgic Neon Charm vs. Cutting Edge LED Channel Letter Technology
The two major choices you have for the lighting component of your channel letter sign are LED and neon.
Neon channel letters have a distinctive retro look that may perfectly fit a restaurant, bar, or other business that wants to appear as if from yesteryear. However, neon and fluorescent lights dim in cold weather, require maintenance more often than their LED counterparts, and consume more electricity than LEDs as well.
For businesses that would rather capitalize on the top technology of today, LED-lit channel letters are a better fit. LEDs are generally brighter than gas-based lighting, especially in the cold, and they accumulate less much cost over their lifetime, including energy bills and service expenses. LEDs’ many benefits and scant drawbacks make them the clear choice for most businesses.
Channel Letter Sign Variety Hour
There are four main types of channel letters. The differences between each type rely on the faces of the letters: whether or not they are translucent, aluminum, or missing entirely, which affects how the illumination appears.
Front Lit Channel Letters
- Standard channel letters
- Plastic faces light up at night
Reverse Lit Channel Letters
- Also called halo lit channel letters
- Lit from the back, creating the halo effect
- Seen often at service-oriented businesses
Front/Back Lit Channel Letters
- Combine front lit and reverse lit for double the illumination
- The most eye-catching type of channel letters
Open Lit Channel Letters
- Exposed front reveals inside of the channel letter, adding dimensionality
- Usually lit with neon
- Often called exposed neon channel letters
![Halo-lit channel letters](/wp-content/uploads/Sweetgreen_Halo_lit_channel_letters.jpg")
Navigating the Channels
If you are still unsure about what kind of channel letter sign is right for you (or if you know exactly what kind of channel letter sign is right for you), consult a sign company who will be able to help you take the next steps. It’s best to choose a company that manufactures their own channel letters in-house so they can ensure quality.
To make your business to stand out day and night, LED channel letters are a great choice, and with so many options available, you’re sure to find and design a sign that will shine.
