For a more understated approach, opt for non-illuminated channel letters, perfect for businesses looking for signage solutions that rely on natural or ambient lighting sources.  Non-illuminated channel letters are constructed out of aluminum faces and returns (sides), and are simply hollow metal letters.  They can be mounted flush using studs or a raceway, or projection mounted using studs.  They’re the most cost-effective and easy to install option if you’re looking to make your brand stand out on your building.  Choose either the trimless or trim cap finishes.

Light up your client’s brand message with face lit channel letters, where the internal LEDs illuminate the face of each letter, ensuring maximum visibility both day and night.  Face lit are likely the most popular type of channel letters.  They’re made with aluminum returns, typically 3″ deep depending on the letter size, and have an acrylic face where the LED lighting will shine through.  The acrylic can be colored any way you’d like to best represent your brand.  Face lit letters can be made with the trimless  or trim cap finish.

Make a lasting impression with reverse lit channel letters, where the light is directed onto the wall behind the letters, creating a captivating halo effect that adds depth and drama to your signage.  They’re great for high end locations, interiors, and due to their more subtle lighting than face lit, great for lower light or residential areas.  Reverse lit letters, also referred to as “halo” lit, are constructed using a metal face and returns, but have a clear acrylic back so the light can be seen shining from behind each letter.  These trimless letters are best mounted with studs and projection away from the wall so there’s plenty of illumination behind each letter.

Achieve a dynamic and striking look with side lit trimless channel letters, where the light emits from the sides of the letters, producing a subtle glow that highlights the contours and shapes of each character.  Side lit channel letters offer another very modern and cool way to display your company name and logo.  They’re a unique and elegant option, great for interiors.  They’re made from aluminum faces and backers, but the sides are molded from clear acrylic which allows the LED lighting to illuminate from the returns of the letters and give a look like no other.

Each channel letter will be mounted to the building or wall individually with threaded metal studs.  The studs can vary in length depending on the wall type and thickness, and can allow letters to sit flush to the wall or applied with spacers to be projected away from the wall.  Projection is needed when choosing the reverse “halo” lit letters so there’s adequate space behind each letter for the illumination.

A raceway is a hollow metal beam that each individual channel letter can be attached to prior to mounting on the wall or building.  Mounting your channel letters on the raceway allows you to have less points that need to be anchored to your building.  It also allows you to conceal electrical wires from the LED lights and all your power supplies inside, therefore making installation on site a little easier.  Raceways are often painted in a similar color to the wall being mounted on so they’re slightly less noticeable.