How are Channel Letters Made?

Channel letters are a very popular exterior and interior sign for many establishments.  We’ve found that our customers are sometimes confused about the terminology and choices they have when purchasing a channel letter sign. To help make Channel Letter buying as Easy as 1-2-3, I’d like to explain a bit about the process of fabrication.

Channel Letters are fabricated from aluminum, plastic, acrylic and LED lighting components. Your choices are many when choosing the final look of your letter.  The first component selection you have is the return or sides of the letter.  You can select from stock or custom painted colors for the returns or sides of the letter.  The returns are aluminum and can be painted to match Pantone colors, or come in many standard colors.  The return is what creates the dimension of the letter and houses the LED lighting.  Channel letter returns can be various depths, but most commonly are 4-6″ deep.The Trim Cap is offered in a number of colors.  It’s a little more difficult to paint trim cap as it is a flexible plastic component that is wrapped around the return and face and paint can chip or crack when forming the wrap.

The Trim Cap is what holds the face of the letter to the return.  It is a plastic molding and is offered in a number of colors.  It’s a little more difficult to paint trim cap as it is a flexible plastic component that is wrapped around the return and face and paint can chip or crack when forming the wrap.  However, if you need a custom color, we can make it.

The Face of the letter is made from acrylic.   Acrylic is available in a number of stock colors as well as white and clear.  We can also coat the face of the lettering in translucent vinyl or a full color print on translucent vinyl for special colors.

The final component of a channel letter sign is the LED lighting.  LED’s are available in a number of colors and the right color in combination with the face color with create the final lighted color for your sign.

Channel Letter signs are a great option for storefronts, mall signs, business building signs and even interior lobby signs.  We offer front and reverse or halo lighted letters.  The options are endless for customizing your sign to meet your needs.  Feel free to call or stop in the showroom to learn more about how channel letters are made and your color options.

We will gladly answer any additional questions you might have. Simply call us at 978-250-9890 or 1.877.SIGN123.