Channel Letters
Illuminated Channel Letter Signs Vancouver
Sixstream Signs is your premier manufacture of channel letters in Vancouver Lower Mainland. Our sign shop fabricates custom channel letter signs for commercial indoor/outdoor signage.
Order illuminated channel letter signs; bring your brand to life and maximizes your storefront’s road side visibility. We supply a range of high-quality channel letter types: front-lit channel letters, halo-lit channel letters, and backlit channel letters.
Purchase Custom Channel letters.
Vancouver Channel Letter Supplier
Channel letter signs locally manufactured at our Vancouver sign shop in Surrey, BC. The go-to channel letters supplier for many companies across Vancouver and Canada.
What are Channel Letters?
Channel Letters are three-dimensional letters and character used for business storefront signs. Channel letter signs are made of acrylic, aluminum and illuminated with LEDs. These illuminated signs are a popular choice for businesses looking to attract attention and develop a professional appearance for their storefront.
Channel Letters Applications
Channel letter signs are commonly used as a business’s primary illuminated storefront sign. Letters can be installed individually, mounted on a sign raceway or backer panel. Recognized by many brands as a key component of an effective marketing and branding system, channel letters have become a top pick for business signage. Elevate your brand and make a lasting impression on customers with signage.
The modern appearance of LED channel letters makes them a natural sign choice for companies branding their building exteriors. Large lit sign letters have become the staple in sign guidelines, retail development plans and branding design plans.
How are Channel Letters made?
To make channel letters, translucent acrylic is cut out to shape for the sign’s face. The acrylic letter is then wrapped with an aluminum return to give the lettering dimension. Modern illuminated channel letters are typically 3” to 5” thick. The thickness of the channel letter provides a distinct architectural appearance with depth and enough room for illumination.
Uniquely constructed, channel letters offer many customization options. The custom signs are individually manufactured and formed into any font, character, and company logo. Colored translucent vinyl can be applied to the acrylic face of custom channel letter to create more design options.
Channel Letters Benefits
Sign Letters with a modern appearance
Illuminate channel letters increase visibility
Primarily used for exterior signs
Illuminated channel letter signs have a low running cost
Highly customizable sign type
Channel letter Signs come in an array colours
Letter face and return can be different colours
Channel Letter signs are low maintenance
Channel Letters can be installed onto raceways
Custom Channel Letters Features
Illuminated Business Signs
Custom channel letter signs are primarily used as outdoor illuminated business signs. The custom signs are visually appealing and add a touch of sophistication to many storefront. Also know as, letter signs, illuminated letters and channel lettering, custom channel letter signs will make a positive impact on your business.
To ensure maximum visibility, we recommend installing your illuminated channel letter signs in areas with clear sightlines that are visible from a distance. Avoid obstructions that could block your sign letters and limit your sign's impact.
Custom Designed Channel Letters
Our channel letter signs are meticulously designed, manufactured, and installed. They are highly visible during day and night, making them an ideal choice for attracting customers and maximizing your brand exposure. Design your sign to complement architectural features and building facades.
One of the key features of channel lettering is it’s high degree of customization. With a unique three-dimensional appearance, custom channel letter signs are a versatile and indispensable marketing tool for store owners. Our illuminated channel letters can be internally lit with energy-efficient LED lights, making them even more visible and attention-grabbing.
High Quality Channel Letter Signs
High quality channel letter signs are made of quality sign materials crafted by experienced sign fabricators. Your exterior channel letter sign should last for years when manufactured from quality sign materials by an veteran sign maker.
Sign materials used by Sixstream Signs to produce quality channel lettering consist of sign grade acrylics, solid aluminum returns, cast translucent vinyl and high output LED modules. In the hands of our talented sign fabricators these materials are transformed into beautiful storefront channel letter signs.
Sixstream Signs’ skilled sign makers use the best sign components to manufacture your custom sign products. The result is exterior signage products made to stand the test of time and illuminates brightly.
Order Channel letters
Ordering channel letters with Sixstream Signs is a breeze. Share your brand’s vectorized design files for a no obligation sign quote.
Elevate your brand with custom illuminated channel letters from Sixstream signs, Vancouver's premier sign manufacturer. Contact us today to learn more about our process, products and services. Whether you're in Vancouver, Calgary, Surrey, Ottawa, Toronto, Victoria, or any other major metropolitan area, you're sure to find businesses with channel letter signs. With our custom channel letter signs, you can stand out from the crowd.
Types of Channel Letters
Channel letters come in a variety of types. The sign styles are differentiated by their source of illumination. Below are common types for channel letter signs including front lit letters, backlit letters, a combination of both, open faced and non illuminated letters.
To keep business signs interesting, Sixstream Signs has the manufacturing capacity to produce almost any channel letter designs. If you see something you like or have an idea for your exterior storefront business sign, let’s connect.
Front Lit Channel Letters
Front lit channel letters are the most popular style of storefront signs. These classic channel letter signs are constructed conventionally with an acrylic face, aluminum return and a rigid backer. A beautiful option for business signage in any industry.
To manufacture front lit channel letters, the LED modules are installed directly onto the sign backer. Light emitted from the LED modules are defused through the front of the channel letter’s acrylic face. The LED modules are secured using a combination of double-sided tape and fasteners.
The light from the LEDs illuminate the sign grade acrylic face of the letter. The combination of quality LED modules and sign grade acrylic used by Sixstream Signs makes an illuminated channel letters without visible hot spots.
When colored vinyl is applied onto the face, the light from the LED takes on the color properties of the vinyl. For consistent color we batch our materials including the acrylic faces and LED modules.
Backlit Channel Letters | Halo Lit Letters
Backlit channel letters, also known as halo lit letters and reverse channel letters, are manufactured differently than front lit letters. As the name implies, backlit channel letter are illuminated from behind. The LED lights shine towards the back of the sign letters and light is reflected off the surface of the supporting wall.
When illuminated, halo lit channel letter have a glowing effect around the letters. This creates an indirect light that outlines the sign letters. The face of the letter is not illuminated. When the LEDs are not energized you will notice that backlit channel letters are pin mounted. This means the sign is installed spaced off the wall.
The spacing between the sign letter and the wall is typically between 1” to 3”. The distance of the backlit channel letter to the wall depends on the desired glow or halo lit effect for the sign. The other update in construction is the backing material used for the lettering is constructed of a clear or translucent material. The sign face is made of opaque material. The opaque sign face prevents light from escaping through the face of the channel letter.
Front Lit and Backlit Channel Letters
Best of both worlds. For those who want their channel letters to be front lit and backlit, this sign is certainly made possible with some modern ingenuity. Professional sign makers understand having dual illumination will create a more complex channel letter to manufacture. With front lit and backlit channel letters that are both front lit & backlit comes a heftier price tag due to more labor and materials being involved.
Without getting overly technical with construction details, channel letter signs that are both front lite and back lit requires a center plate. The center plate houses the LED modules and lighting components between the face and backer. The center plate allows LED modules to be installed facing forwards and backwards. In addition to this extra sign component, the channel letter’s sign face and backing is constructed of translucent acrylic. This detail allows the LED lights to illuminate the sign face and lights to be defused through the sign backer creating a letter that is both front lit and backlit.
Non-Illuminated Channel Letters
Non-illuminated channel letters can be used in areas where illumination is not permitted or desired. Examples of areas where illumination maybe restricted are residential neighborhoods, heritage buildings and unique communities with a restricted development plan. This type of channel letter signage is constructed without installing the internal LEDs lights and electronic sign components.
Applications for non-illuminated channel letters may include sign locations where external lighting is favored or lighting is part of the base building. Non-illuminated channel letter signs can be installed and externally illuminated with goose neck lamps or flood lights. Non-illuminated channel letter design could be a part of a larger brand direction or simply because of local restrictions prohibiting illumination.
Neon Channel Letters
For business looking for a nostalgic sign design, look no further than neon channel letters. Open face neon channel letters provide a retro and nostalgic sign lighting solution. Neon signs provide strong visual impact.
Open face neon channel letters are not nearly as popular as the LED channel letter signs outlined above however you will find neon channel letters in heritage areas and trendy neighborhoods such as New Westminster, Gas town in Vancouver, Cloverdale and Old Langley. Custom neon signs are certainly making a comeback.
It's important to understand that custom neon signs are high voltage. This means custom neon signs can be dangerous when not properly installed and maintained. For this reason, it’s recommended Custom neon signs are manufactured properly and professionally installed.
Neon lights have a very distinct appearance and are a brilliant way to highlight your business. Open face neon channel letter that houses neon for its light source simply looks amazing. Neon comes in a variety of colors and has a very intense light. The channel letter housing that encases the neon glass helps protect the neon light. The open face allows the neon to be clearly visible but protected from the elements.
What is a Channel Letter Raceway?
A Channel letter raceway is a hollow aluminum extrusion that channel letters are fastened to for support. For visual purposes, a sign raceway generally runs the length of the sign. Raceways are commonly 2” to 6” deep complimented with a height of 6” to 12”. Raceways can be custom made to any size and to support any size of sign letters. Aluminum is the most popular material used to make sign raceways as it does not rust and is lightweight.
Raceways can be manufactured as part of the sign’s structural support and provide a mounting solution when a channel letter sign cannot be flush mounted to a wall. The use of a raceway can make the installation of your channel letter sign much more simple. Considered to be a structural component, aluminum raceways are designed with mounting points. These mounting points allow the sign to be installed on the building exterior.
Along with supporting the channel letters, a raceway is designed to house all the internal wiring and electronic components for your electrical signs. Sign components and electronic parts are generally concealed inside the raceway to improve aesthetics.
To help blend sign raceways into their environments or to accent your custom signage, raceways can be customized and painted any color.
How are Channel Letter Signs Illuminated?
Illuminated storefront channel letter signs are illuminated using LED modules. The LED modules are installed onto the backing of the channel letter and low voltage wiring is passed through to a power source. Multiple LED lines maybe connected at a single power source depending on its power consumption.
LED lights used in illuminated channel letters are low voltage, cost effective to run and require low maintenance. As a popular choice for lighting, LEDs are considered to be the latest in lighting technology. They come in a variety of flavours, brightness, colour and quality.
Sixstream Signs sources the highest quality LEDs to ensure your illuminated channel letters run maintenance free and have a low cost to operate. Popular brands of sign LED modules include Allanson LED, Sloan LED, USLED, General Electric LED and Hanley LED.
Design Options for Your Channel Letter Signs
Every channel letter project is unique and can be customized in several different ways. Customizations include different fonts, colours, and lighting options. The main components of channel lettering that can be customized are the acrylic face, aluminum return, LEDs. and sign backer. Each sign part offering a variety of design options to support your creativity.
Acrylic Face with Translucent Vinyl
Different colours of translucent vinyl can be mounted to the acrylic face of a channel letter. The vinyl film updates the visual colour of the channel letter face when illuminated and non illuminated. Beyond changing the colour of your sign face, sign vinyl can be printed on and/or plotted to produce further acrylic face design choices. Channel letter logos often utilize both cut and printed vinyl to recreate a company’s logo. Adding brand colors to your channel letter logos will ensure your sign standout.
Channel Letter Return
The side of the channel letter is called the “return”. The side of the letter is often made of aluminum coil. The aluminum channel letter return comes in a variety of pre-finished colours. Different colored returns can help add character to your letter signs. For businesses looking for a specific brand colour, the channel letter return can be custom painted to match. For consistent depths, channel letters are commonly made with 3” and 5” aluminum returns. The aluminum return used in making channel letter signs can also be customized thicker or thinner as required.
Illuminated Channel Letter Signs
When it comes to lighting, LEDs are generally the lighting technology of choice for channel letters. LEDs are energy efficient and come in a variety of flavours. Channel letter lighting can be configured in different options, illuminated channel letter signs come front lit, backlit and even illuminated in both styles. There is an illuminated channel letter sign type for all sign designs.
Channel Letter Installation
In terms of sign installation options, channel letters can be mounted on a raceway, backer panel and flush mounted. How the channel letter signage is installed on your business walls can be influenced by the wall type and wall construction.
Raceways and backer panels reduce the number of penetrations required to install your custom sign to a building. A raceway and backer panel has the added benefit of making the installation of your signage simpler by self containing all electronics. The raceway and backer panel conceals the LED wiring and LED drivers.
For store locations that have good access behind the installation wall, channel letter signs can be flush mounted to the wall. Each channel letter is individually mounted and has its own power lead. Each power lead from the individual channel letter is passed through the wall and connected remotely. A junction box is generally used to conceal all wiring and LED drivers on the back side of the storefront.
How to Make Channel Letters
Channel Letter Fabrication Drawings
To kick things off, our sign technicians review the channel letter fabrication drawings which are also know as shop drawings, sign plans or technical sign drawing. The channel letter fabrication drawings will outline the specific specifications on how to build the your custom channel letter sign.
Much like a construction blueprint, the channel letter fabrication drawings are followed by the production team to fabricate your custom letters. Upon a successful review of the channel letter fabrication drawings, all the required details to build your channel letter signs are established.
Once all questions are addressed we proceed to the next stage in sign manufacturing.
CNC Cut Channel Letter Parts
All channel letter signs are made to order. To manufacture the custom components of a channel letter we utilize a CNC router table. Both the sign face and backer are milled from rigid materials.
Sign grade acrylic such as plexiglass is ideal for the channel letter face. The acrylic face helps the light from the LED modules permeate through for an evenly illuminated sign. The backer of the channel letter is commonly made of acm, epvc, sintra or other rigid substrates depending on the channel letters’ design.
To allow for colour options, translucent vinyl can be applied to the sign letter face.
Forming Channel Letters
The next step is to form aluminum coil to create the returns of your channel letters.
The sides are typically referred to as the channel letter returns, Channelume, Let-R-Edge, aluminum coil or trim cap.
The aluminum coil is bent and rolled to follow the outside contour of the channel letter. The aluminum returns are manufactured by using a metal press brake, roller and channel letter bender.
The aluminum channel letter return is secured in place using fasteners or adhesive. Letter returns come in a variety of pre painted colors and can be custom painted to match your sign design. Once the channel letter’s return is formed and secured, the sign backer and face come together to make a completed channel letter.
Install LED Modules in Channel Letters
The acrylic sign face on a channel letter is removable and attached to the sign backer by fasteners or specialty sign clips. In the cavity between the channel letter face and backer of the channel letter is where the LED modules are installed to illuminate the channel letters.
Illumination is achieved by LED modules. The light modules are installed to the sign backer with use of double-sided tape and fasteners. After the LED modules are secured to the inside of the channel letter, the LEDs are wired together.
During this stage it’s important to confirm the LED electrical load calculations and keep the LEDs within their rated electrical load. This helps the LED drivers to perform load balancing to keep your signs bright and maintenance free for years to come.
Wiring LED Channel Letters
Channel letter sign look best when all the wiring components such as the LED modules, low voltage lines and LED drivers are hidden.
By design, the electronic components are hidden within the channel letters themselves or within a sign raceway. All wiring is neatly secured, and wire management is completed to insure your sign can be serviced easily and wiring does not obstruct any lights.
When wiring the LED lights to the LED drivers its important to keep in mind electrical load. To help maintain the life span of the LEDs, load balancing is required.
Channel Letter Quality Control
Once your Channel letters are wired together, we perform a series of quality control tests including a flash test, illumination test and HIPOT test.
We provide a stamp of approval on every sign before it is ready to leave the shop floor. The flash test allows us to confirm all components are functional. The illumination test is completed to confirm all channel letter faces are evenly illuminated without any visible hot spots. The hipot test is a non-destructive test that determines the channel letter sign is performing safely within its electrical specifications. Once all quality control tests are complete your custom sign is ready to be shipped any where across Canada.
LED Channel Letter Signs
Exterior Illuminated Channel Letter Signs
LED channel letter signs are the predominate choice when it comes to exterior storefront signs. As more businesses prioritize brand exposure, it's mission critical that your business signs and brand are visible.
As a part of a complete marketing system, custom storefront signs bring customers through your doors. LED channel letters are a highly visible sign solution, and make excellent interior and exterior signs. In today's competitive landscape, make sure your business sign is clearly visible using quality manufactured signs by Sixstream Signs.
Get in touch with a Sixstream Signs customer service associate to discuss your channel letters signs today.
Installing Channel Letter Signs
There are a number of different ways to install Channel Letter Signs. Sixstream Signs’ Installers are experience at installing custom letter signs on various building types and configurations.
Flush Mounted Channel Letters
For buildings that have a flat façade, channel letters can be flush mounted aka directly mounted. A paper pattern template is suspended on the wall and used to determine the placement and layout of your letters.
Your channel letters come in two parts, the letter face and the backer. Make sure the backer is fastened to the wall first. The sign backer should be flush mounted using the appropriate fasteners based on the wall type. Once the backer is secured the low voltage lines are passed through the wall. All the wiring is secured and connected on the back side of the wall. After wiring all the electronics and LEDs it is recommend to flash test the sign. If all goes well during the quality control tests the channel letters can be capped off.
Channel Letters on Backer Panels
For some businesses, the background of the typography and logo is part of their brand essence and trademark. To help achieve this Sixstream Signs builds backer panels in accordance to your brand specifications and mount the channel letters on backer panels. Channel letter signs with backer panel can then be installed onto a building directly.
Channel Letter Raceway
Channel letter raceways are commonly used in illuminated storefront sign applications where the area behind the sign would be inaccessible to be wired or the wall is not designed to support individual channel letters. The raceway is designed to help overcome any building challenges and ensure the sign can be installed. As a structural component the raceway can be mounted to the building and customized to support the channel letter sign. To help keep things clean the raceway can be painted any color, it is most common to have the raceway match the building color so it blends in. The electronics and low voltage lines which would generally be passed through the wall can also be concealed in the raceway. Channel letters are pre mounted to the raceway so the sign can be transported and installed as a single piece.
Maintaining Channel Letter Signs
Sixstream Signs manufactures channel letters with high quality materials. As a result, our channel letter signs relatively low maintenance. LED lights can be upgraded after 10 years if desired and LED drivers every 5 years or when they stop functioning.
For the best appearance its best to keep your channel letter sign clean. Custom sign signs that are low to the ground or easy to reach can be cleaned with a soft cloth and a mild detergent. It is not recommended to power wash the sign or use abrasive cleaners. Sixstream Signs offer sign cleaning services to make sure your custom outdoor signs looks their best.
Outdoors Channel Letter Signs
Sixstream Signs has manufactured and installed outdoor channel letter signs in every province across Canada. We have installed Channel Letters in Vancouver which are drenched in rain half the year and still glow bright as ever. Channel Letters in Calgary and Channel Letters in Saskatoon which brave the cold and turn on every day. We’ve even installed our lettering systems in the Northwest Territories where they with stand some of the harshest weather conditions in Canada. Needless to say, our Channel letter signs preform great as outdoor illuminated storefront signs.
Where are Channel Letters Manufactured?
Sixstream Signs’ channel letters are manufactured in Greater Vancouver at our Surrey sign shop. All channel letter signs in Surrey are manufactured with care and thoroughly tested before leaving the sign shop floor. Once the sign manufacturing process is complete and passes quality control, the channel letters in Vancouver are crated for shipping across Canada. For channel letter signs that are destined for Greater Vancouver the sign is loaded into a truck to be professionally installed. We offer sign installation services for Greater Vancouver and across Canada for all custom signs.
How are Channel Letter Signs Shipped?
To ensure your custom channel letter sign arrives in its best condition, all Sixstream Signs’ Channel letters in Vancouver are crated before they leave our Surrey Sign Shop. Channel letter signs in Vancouver are created and shipped Canada wide. The sign crate is built to protect your channel letter sign from damage during transport.
How do I Order Channel Letter Signs?
There are a few ways to get a hold of our customer service team to order your illuminated Channel Letter sign.
Drop us a line using the form at the bottom of this page
Send us an email info@sixstreamsigns.com
Call us at 6045029981