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There are four main types of channel letter signs, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
The most common channel letter sign design is called “front-lit.” You may also hear these referred to as “standard channel letters.” The main advantage of front-lit channel letter signs is day and night visibility. The lights are found in the front of the letters, as well as other sections of the sign, like a logo. This lighting keeps the sign lit throughout the day, so the message can be visible throughout the day, regardless of how bright the sun shines or if there is limited visibility from the road. Another benefit to front-lit types is that they are highly customizable.
With the front-lit design, every letter is fabricated from a durable aluminum composite panel (ACP) back and sides that use pre-finished aluminum. The metal is usually painted white, but you can get whatever color you desire. Each letter is lit with either an LED module or neon tubing.
Some of the materials often used in front-lit channel letter signs include a 0.125” aluminum composite panel backing, a 5” by 0.040” aluminum return on the side, 3/16” acrylic or polycarbonate face, and a 1” trim cap.
The reason reverse-lit channel letters are also referred to as “halo lit” is because of the halo of light that forms around each letter. The back of the sign is made with a clear acrylic that stands about 1.5 inches apart from the mounting surface. When the light shines, it comes from the back, illuminates the mounted surface, and then diffuses. Unlike the standard set up, a reverse channel letter will use a 0.090-inch metal face and a 0.063-inch return. The polycarbonate backing will be either 1/8” or 3/16” thick.
Since the front of the letter is crafted from aluminum, it does not illuminate like a front-lit channel letter. Halo lit/reverse lit is very sophisticated and unique, ideal for corporations or other professional businesses.
An open face channel letter design is similar to halo-lit, except the entire sign is made from clear acrylic. This difference means that the lighting element inside the letter is visible, so people who pass by can see the light inside the letters. In the past, open face channel letter signs were made using neon inside the letters, but nowadays either neon or LED bulbs can be used.
As you may have guessed, a combination blends both front-lit and reverse-lit elements to create a truly unique feel. The sides of the combination front/reverse-lit channel letters are aluminum, the face is acrylic, and the internal illumination comes from LED bulbs. The backs of the letters near the mounting surface are also transparent, so some of the light can create the background halo.
