Channel Letters
Custom Illuminated Letters
Illuminated Channel Letters For Storefronts
For most businesses, it is important that customers are able to find your storefront both day and night, in good weather and bad. Illuminated signs are the best choice, but channel letters specifically make a storefront stand out at any time. Channel letters are bold and visible during the day, and their lit faces can be seen from a distance at night, ensuring this sign will never be missed.
At Blue Dot Signs, we create a wide range of different channel letter signs that can be customized to your business. Each sign is fabricated by hand using industry-leading materials and some of the most advanced technology. For our New Jersey customers, we also have the installation, maintenance, and repair services necessary to keep signs functioning year after year. Find out more about our sign services by contacting us today at 908-486-7000 or filling out our online quote form.
What are Channel Letters?
Channel letters are an illuminated sign created with aluminum casings and acrylic faces. Inside of them are energy-efficient LEDs that provide bright lighting that can be visible from a distance. Channel letters are a popular way to display a business name on the storefront. For many retailers, channel lettering has almost become a standard for storefront signage. Some of our channel letters are:
Customization Options for Channel Letters
Both small businesses and large corporations have relied on Channel Letters for decades because of their easy readability and the options for customization. There are several different types of channel letters, and each will provide a different lighting effect such as:
- Front-Lit Channel Letters - Also known as standard channel letters, these are the most commonly used. They have an aluminum casing on the sides and backing and a colored face. The front face is lit.
- Halo-Lit Letters - Instead of a translucent facing, halo-lit letters use a metal face and have no backing. The light shines on the wall behind each letter, creating a “halo” effect.
- Back-Lit Channel Letter - By combining front-lit and halo-lit letters, we can create a unique effect that makes letters stand out.
- Open Face-Lit Channel Letters - These letters use a clear acrylic facing or no facing so that the internal light source can be seen from a distance. They work well with neon tubing for a more vintage appearance.
The letters themselves are made by molding an aluminum casing into the shape of the letter or graphic in the sign. This casing holds the lights. Unless it is an open face letter, we then cut the shape of the letter from colored acrylic with a 3/16” thickness and install it at the front of the casing.
These are held in place with a trim cap. We shape the acrylic facings using a CNC router that translates a text design into exact cuts. This means we can replicate any font, even custom ones.
We use PMS to choose the colored acrylic that matches the design. With both shaping and coloring, it is also possible to create a channel sign with a simple shape or graphic. LED lights are the modern choice for channel letters because they provide superior brightness and last longer. More classic lighting options are also available for lighted letters, however, such as neon for a "retro" appearance.
In addition to installation and maintenance services, we can also retrofit LEDs on older channel letters for a more modern and energy efficient sign.
Benefits of Illuminated Letters
In order to be effective, most signs need to be eye-catching and easy to read. Few sign types meet these requirements as well as channel letters. Business choose this illuminated sign because it is:
- Visible - Vibrant lights, color, size, and placement draw attention naturally and make channel letters easy to see. This makes them ideal if you need customers to find you on a busy street or from across a parking lot.
- Customizable - Fonts - including custom designs - and colors can be chosen to replicate your business logo or represent your brand.
- Durable - Because they are primarily a form of outdoor signage, channel letters are designed to last in inclement weather conditions for years.
- Cost-Effective - When fitted with LEDs, channel letters require only a small amount of power to run. Combined with their long service life, this is a sign with a fair return on investment.
In addition to these benefits, working with Blue Dot Signs for your channel letter needs offers more than just sign fabrication. These signs usually require professional installation, and we can add or remove channel letters at your storefront. They are long lasting, but proper maintenance and repair when needed will extend their service life, and handle any issues to keep the sign functioning as expected.
Where Channel Letters Are Used
Channel letters are a commonly used storefront sign for any business that needs to be seen at night or from a distance. They are used by both national chains and individual local businesses. Common storefronts for channel letters include:
- Major Retailers
- Bodegas
- Stores
- Restaurants
- Cafes
- Bars
- Banks
- Food Chains
Even if your business is not typically open after dark, channel letters with your name or logo can still provide valuable advertising. Potential customers walking or driving past will see your company name in memorably bright colors and lights.
Contact Us for Custom Channel Letters
For all your channel letter services, from design to repair and every need in between, Blue Dot Signs is here for you. We have been serving businesses in New Jersey, NYC, and other local cities for decades and are able to share our knowledge of best practices in sign creation and our state of the art technology and processes with our customers. Let us help you create the channel letters that will make your business stand out 24 hours a day. Call us at 908-486-7000 or email us at info@bluedotsigns.com. We’ll discuss your needs, design ideas, and more to start the process of making your sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you offer free quotes for channel letter signs?
Yes. Fill out our online form for a free quote, or give us a call. After we discuss your design specifications, we can provide an estimated cost for your channel letters and any additional needed services.
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Will my sign need a permit?
Many outdoor lighted signs do require a permit, so you should check with your local ordinances to see what is needed. Our permit research and filing services can also help you in determining the requirements and submitting any needed forms for your installation.
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How do you install channel letters?
Installing channel letters requires first creating a guide and drilling the correct holes where the letters will go. They are then affixed to the side of the building and the wiring is set up and connected to the power source. Because channel letters are large, heavy, and involve running electrical wires, professional installation is recommended. We use special equipment to get letters in the right place and functioning safely.
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The lights in my sign burned out or are flickering. What should I do?
If you're noticing any problems with your New Jersey channel letters - even if we did not make the letters themselves - we recommend giving us a call. Burnt out or flickering lights means it is time to replace the LED bulbs or a failed electrical component. We can take care of the replacement and have your sign back to functioning.
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What is the process for maintaining channel letters?
Seasonal cleaning is recommended to keep channel letters looking bright as dirt and build up can impact the coloring. The acrylic faces require gentle cleaning with a microfiber cloth, warm water, and a mild detergent. Our professional maintenance services can safely clean your letters, as well as handle any part replacement needed.
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How long will channel letters last?
Channel letters are designed to last for years with regular cleaning and the replacement of any electrical parts as needed. The LEDs will generally last around 10 years, and electrical components may need to be replaced after 3 to 5.
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Are neon signs the same as channel letters?
Not quite, although there can be some overlap between the signs. Open faced-lit channel letters can use neon rather than LEDs for the lighting to give them a unique appearance since the glass tubes are visible. Some modern “neon” is also made with LEDs for increased affordability. However, our channel letters and our classic neon are two different types of signs
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My channel letter sign needs repaired, but a different company made it. Can you still help?
Of course. Whether we made your sign or not, all of our services are available to assist you with it. We can repair, maintain, and remove any existing channel letters.
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Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we are. Our sign installation and removal services are fully insured so you can trust the safety and quality of our work.
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What areas do you service?
Blue Dot Signs services New Jersey and the surrounding areas, including NYC and the five boroughs. If you need sign removal, installation, repair, or other services in the area, give us a call. We are happy to confirm whether or not we can come to your business.