Channel letters are the classic storefront sign: individual letters, each with its own light, mounted on the building. They read from far away, they work day and night, and they look custom because they are. They also cost more than a simple panel, so it is fair to ask whether they are worth it.
Gogi Signs builds channel letters in our Linden shop for businesses across New Jersey and New York City. This guide covers the types, what the research says about lit signs, LED facts, mounting and the rules that decide what you can install.
In this guide
Channel Letter Types
- Front lit. Aluminum sides, a translucent acrylic face and LEDs inside. The face glows. The most common choice.
- Halo lit. A solid face with light shining out the back onto the wall, creating a glow around each letter.
- Combination lit. A lit face and a halo, for maximum effect at night.
- Open face. No face, so the light source shows. A retro look.
Our sister company in New York breaks down every part of a letter in anatomy of a channel letter.
What the Research Says About Lit Signs
A 2009 Penn State study, funded by the United States Sign Council Foundation, tested real storefront signs at night with 80 drivers. Internally lit signs could be read on average 68 percent farther away than the same signs lit from outside, 291 feet compared with 173 feet, according to the study report. At 35 miles per hour, that is about two more seconds to spot the business and turn in.
Business owners also report results. In a University of Cincinnati survey sponsored by the Signage Foundation, about 60 percent of businesses said a new sign increased their business, by an average of 12 percent, as reported by SignShop. That figure is self reported, but it matches what many owners tell us.
LED Facts
Modern channel letters use LED modules. One common US module, the SloanLED Prism12, is rated for more than 60,000 hours based on LM 80 data and works from minus 40 to plus 70 degrees Celsius, according to its spec sheet. It comes in several shades of white, so you can choose a warm or cool look. Power supplies usually wear out before modules, so a letter that goes dark often needs a new power supply, not a new letter.
Safety Standards
Electric signs must meet UL 48, the Standard for Electric Signs, and are inspected under Article 600 of the National Electrical Code. UL also certifies custom signs such as channel letters for wet locations, according to UL Solutions. Ask for listed letters and components. Our guide to electrical sign inspections explains what inspectors check.
Raceway or Direct Mount
- Raceway. Letters mounted on a metal box that holds the wiring. Fewer holes in the wall and easier to remove. Painted to match the wall, it can almost disappear.
- Direct mount. Each letter fixed to the wall, with wiring through the wall. A cleaner look, but more holes.
- Backer panel. Letters on a painted panel, useful on rough or uneven walls.
Landlords often decide this for you. Read shopping center sign requirements for what one national landlord requires.
The Rules That Decide What You Can Install
- Montclair. Internally lit signs are prohibited, and only externally lit or halo lit signs are allowed, according to the township’s signage page.
- Hoboken. Lit signs must be externally lit, under section 196 31H of its code.
- NYC C1 and C2 districts. Lit signs may total no more than three times the street frontage in square feet, and never more than 50 square feet per frontage, under Zoning Resolution 32 643.
- NYC permits. All illuminated signs require a Department of Buildings permit, and DOB says illuminated sign permits are renewed annually, according to its illuminated sign FAQ.
In most New Jersey towns, channel letters need zoning approval and a construction permit. Read do business signs need a permit in New Jersey, and let our sign permits team handle it.
When Channel Letters Are Worth It
- You are open after dark or in winter afternoons.
- You are on a busy road where drivers need to spot you early.
- Your brand has a distinct logo that loses impact in a flat panel.
- You plan to stay long enough to get years of use from the sign.
If your town limits lighting or you close before dark, a light box sign or unlit dimensional letters may be the better buy. Our guide to lit and unlit signs compares them.
Size and Readability
Letter height should match how far away people read the sign. Too small is the most common mistake. Strong contrast between the face color and the wall at night also matters. Pixel Wraps, our sister graphics shop, applies the same rules to vehicles in how to design vehicle graphics people can read in traffic. Our guide on choosing the right size business sign helps you pick letter height.
How Channel Letters Are Built
- Design and survey. We measure the wall, check power and draw the letters to scale.
- Returns. Aluminum strips are bent to follow each letter shape.
- Faces and backs. Acrylic faces for front lit letters, or solid faces for halo lit.
- Lighting. LED modules and a power supply are installed and tested.
- Mounting. Letters go on a raceway or straight to the wall, then are wired and inspected.
Care and Repair
letters need little care. Keep weep holes clear so water can drain, clean faces gently with soap and water, and replace a power supply when a letter goes dark. Most repairs are quick when the letters were built with standard parts. See our sign repair service.
What Affects the Cost
Price depends on the number and size of letters, the lighting type, raceway or direct mount, the wall, the height of the install and permits. Halo lit and combination lit letters cost more than front lit. Our sign quote guide explains how to compare quotes line by line.
Common Questions About Channel Letters
Are channel letters worth it?
For businesses open after dark or on busy roads, usually yes. A Penn State study found internally lit signs could be read 68 percent farther away at night than externally lit ones.
How far away can a lit sign be read?
In the Penn State study, drivers read internally lit storefront signs from an average of 291 feet at night, compared with 173 feet for externally lit signs.
How long do LED channel letters last?
LED modules are long lived. One common US module is rated for more than 60,000 hours. Power supplies usually need replacing before the modules.
Do channel letters need a permit in NYC?
Yes. All illuminated signs need a Department of Buildings permit, and DOB says illuminated sign permits renew annually.
Can I have lit channel letters in my town?
Usually, but not everywhere. Montclair allows only halo or external lighting, and Hoboken requires external lighting. Check your zoning first.
What is the difference between front lit and halo lit?
Front lit letters glow through a translucent face. Halo lit letters have a solid face and glow onto the wall behind.
Channel Letters Built in Linden
We design, build, permit and install channel letters. See our channel letters, then request a free quote.
