Storefront Signs & LED Channel Letters, Built to Order

Channel letter guide

What Are Channel Letters?

Channel letters are individually built, three-dimensional letters used as exterior business signs. Each letter is a shallow metal “channel” with LED lighting inside, which is why they are the most common lit sign on retail stores, restaurants, salons and offices. They read clearly by day and glow at night, and every letter is cut to your wording, font and colors. Comparing sign types for your business? See our storefront signs guide.

How channel letters are built

• ReturnsThe sides of each letter give it depth: .040 aluminum on standard letters, welded stainless steel on halo, reverse lit, trimless and borderless styles.
• FacesColored acrylic that the light shines through, or a solid metal face on halo lit letters so the light glows out of the back.
• Trimcap & LEDsA trimcap holds the face on standard letters (trimless styles skip it). LED modules and a power supply light each letter.

Choosing your letter height

Start with how far away your customers are. Sign makers often size letters at roughly 1 inch of height per 10 feet of viewing distance: if drivers see your storefront from 120 feet away, plan on letters about 12 inches tall or more. Our letters start at 8 inches and go up to 45 inches for front lit letters. Measure the space on your fascia, and check any sign criteria in your lease before you choose.

Mounting and installation

Letters mount directly to the wall or on a raceway, a metal box that holds the wiring and mounts the sign as one unit so fewer holes go into your building. Every sign is tested before it ships and arrives with an installation pattern and a wiring diagram for your installer. In most areas the electrical connection must be made by a licensed electrician or sign contractor.

How channel letter pricing works

Starting prices are for one 8″ letter, the smallest height, before options. Channel letters are priced per letter, not per inch: each letter height has its own price, and your total is that price times the number of letters, plus options such as a raceway or power supply. On some styles, vinyl face colors add a small charge per inch of letter height, included in the builder price. You see your total before checkout. Each style above lists its starting price; design your sign online for an exact price, or send your logo for a free quote.

Compare every lighting style

Front lit, back lit, dual lit, halo lit, reverse lit, trimless and borderless letters each suit a different storefront. Our custom channel letters page compares all seven side by side, with how each one lights, what it is best for and where its price starts.