Custom illuminated business signs
LED Channel Letter Signs
Give your storefront, building or office a business name people can recognize in daylight and after dark. Custom LED channel letters use individually built letters and logo shapes, with a bright front-lit face, a halo behind the sign, or both. We match the size, colors, depth and mounting to your artwork and the actual property.
Compare real signs in the gallery, explore the face and lighting options below, and use the detailed form to get a quote. Titans of Print fabricates from its Miami/Doral base, serves South Florida and ships signs nationwide. For local project information, choose your city in the directory.
Get a Quote for Your Channel Letter Sign
Send your logo, approximate sign size, property address and target date. Include a photo of the full storefront or building front and any written property sign criteria so we can quote the lettering and mounting together.
Channel Letter Sign Gallery
See real channel-letter signs, including storefronts, building names, logos and raceway installations. If you like an example, tell us whether it is the lighting, color, letter style or mounting that you want for your sign.
Front-Lit, Halo-Lit or Both?
These three lighting styles use different face and back materials. The diagram shows the construction and the effect each one creates. Choose the look you want, then check it against your wall color, available space and landlord’s sign requirements.
Front-lit channel letters
LEDs inside the letter shine through a translucent acrylic face. The face is the bright part you see at night, while the metal sides give the letter its depth. This is a familiar choice for shops, restaurants and showrooms where a name needs to stand out from the road or parking lot.
White acrylic, colored acrylic and translucent vinyl treatments give you different ways to carry your brand colors. Some front-lit letters have a trim cap around the face; the finish and face treatment are part of the approved design.
Reverse-lit or halo-lit letters
These have an opaque face and LEDs that shine toward the wall. Spacing behind the letters lets the light form a halo around the outline. Painted or metal faces remain visible during the day, with a softer glow after dark.
The wall is part of the effect. A smooth, light wall reflects the glow differently from dark brick or textured cladding. The stand-off distance and letter spacing need to work with that surface.
Front and back lit letters
A translucent face and a clear back let the sign light forward and create a halo behind it. You can also combine different lighting treatments within a logo, such as a glowing name with a backlit symbol.
This gives you more control over the nighttime look, but adds lighting and wiring decisions. We show which parts illuminate on the drawing so you can approve the effect before fabrication.
Illuminated office logos
Indoors, a lit logo is usually seen much closer. Letter depth, brightness and the cable route matter beside a reception desk or decorative wall. The same brand can use a smaller interior sign without copying the exterior installation.
For other indoor treatments, compare office lobby signs, edge-lit acrylic signs and custom acrylic signs. LED neon creates a different line of light and is a separate product.
For more lighting examples, see backlit channel letters or our guide to front-lit versus halo-lit signs.
What Color Will the Face Be, Day and Night?
The face is the front surface of a channel letter. It controls the daytime color and how light passes through the sign after dark. The illustrated options below show why the face material deserves its own decision, even when the letter shape stays the same.
Daytime: lights off
Nighttime: LEDs on
White acrylic with colored vinyl
A white translucent acrylic face can carry applied colored vinyl. This gives you a colored face while letting light through it. The original material example shows 3M colored vinyl; the selected film and acrylic should suit an illuminated sign.
Colored acrylic
The color is in the acrylic itself. It can be a good fit when an available acrylic color suits the logo. Check the color both unlit and illuminated, because the glow may look different from a printed brand reference.
Plain white acrylic
A white face gives a clean, bright illuminated letter. It is useful for simple wordmarks and for signs where white lettering provides strong contrast against the building.
Black and white day/night faces
A day/night face is designed to look dark during the day and light up white at night. It gives you an alternative when a black daytime wordmark would otherwise lose its readable face after dark. Ask to see the lit effect alongside the daytime finish.
Printed vinyl on white acrylic
Printed translucent vinyl allows graphics or multiple colors on the face. The original example includes 3M printed vinyl. The print, film and acrylic work together, so we review the illuminated color as well as the daytime artwork.
Bring your brand colors or Pantone references. We help select the closest suitable face and return finishes, with samples or proofs to approve how the sign will look in both conditions.
How Your Channel Letters Are Built
Each letter is a separate three-dimensional body. Aluminum backs and sides, called returns, form the structure. A typical front-lit letter has an acrylic face, LED modules inside and wiring connected to a power supply. With direct mounting, the wall shows through between the letters.
Common construction uses aluminum returns around .040 to .063 inch thick and letter bodies about 3 to 5 inches deep. Depth, face material and the back arrangement can change for a halo-lit or specialty sign. We confirm those details on the drawing for your job.
The LEDs sit inside the letter body, while the face and return finishes carry the brand’s appearance. A clear back can let light reach the wall for a halo effect. Outdoor construction also needs appropriate wiring pass-throughs, sealing and drainage, as shown in the lighting diagram.
From artwork to finished sign
- Approve the design: confirm the wording, logo, size, lighting, colors and mounting position.
- Make the letter bodies: cut the backs and form the returns to the approved shapes.
- Prepare the faces: cut the acrylic or metal and apply the selected face treatment.
- Fit and check the lighting: position the LED modules, route the wiring and test the illuminated effect.
- Prepare for installation: match the letters, mounting hardware and layout template to the agreed installation.
Keep the final drawing and component information with your building records. They make future service and replacement work easier to match to the original sign.
Choose Letter Size for the Distance People Will See It
A sign read from a sidewalk needs a different scale from one seen across a parking lot or from a busy road. Start with the distance between your sign and the people you want to reach. Then check the available sign area and the size the property allows.
Our chart uses about 10 feet of viewing distance for each inch of letter height as a starting point for impact. That puts a 12-inch letter at about 120 feet and a 24-inch letter at about 240 feet. Those are planning examples, not guarantees: thin strokes, decorative lettering, poor contrast and an angled view can make the same letters harder to read.
Send a wide photo from the actual approach. We can review letter height, spacing and logo proportions together. Read more in our channel-letter size guide.
| Letter height | Distance for impact | Maximum readable distance |
|---|---|---|
| 3 inches | About 30 feet | 100 feet |
| 6 inches | About 60 feet | 200 feet |
| 9 inches | About 90 feet | 400 feet |
| 12 inches | About 120 feet | 525 feet |
| 15 inches | About 150 feet | 630 feet |
| 18 inches | About 180 feet | 750 feet |
| 24 inches | About 240 feet | 1,000 feet |
| 30 inches | About 300 feet | 1,250 feet |
| 36 inches | About 360 feet | 1,500 feet |
The chart’s longer maximum distances assume favorable conditions and simple uppercase lettering. For a moving driver, quick recognition matters more than being able to work out the name from the farthest possible point. The International Sign Association’s placement guidance also explains how traffic, letter style and viewing conditions change the size needed.
Direct Mounting, a Raceway or Stand-Offs?
Letters mounted directly to the wall
Individual letters attach to the building, with the wiring route planned behind them. This lets the wall remain visible between the letters and keeps a separate mounting enclosure out of the finished view. The wall material and access behind it affect the installation.
Letters mounted on a raceway
A raceway is an enclosure behind the letters that carries wiring and can house the power supply. It lets the sign mount as an assembly through a planned set of fixing points. Some landlords prefer or require it, especially where they want a consistent sign system for tenants.
The raceway can be finished to suit the wall, but it remains a visible part of the sign. Check the landlord’s criteria before choosing direct mounting or a raceway; one method is not required at every property.
Stand-offs for halo lighting
Reverse-lit letters need a gap behind them so the LEDs can shine onto the wall. Studs and stand-offs set that spacing while securing the letters. The right distance depends on the desired glow, the wall and the approved mounting details.
What the raceway diagram shows
The main building-power connection feeds the power supply. Secondary wires run to the LEDs through planned pass-throughs. Mounting holes and the hanger bar support the assembly, while drainage holes help water leave the enclosure.
The pictured 6-inch by 5-inch enclosure and 2-inch hanger bar are example dimensions. Your installation drawing specifies the raceway size, fixing method and electrical arrangement for your sign.
For a replacement sign, include photos of the old fixing and wiring points and tell us whether removal or wall restoration is needed. Our channel-letter installation guide explains the details to gather.
Why Some LED Signs Are Hard to Install
A clean-looking sign still needs a practical wiring route. Separate letters may need several connection paths; a solid wall, a finished ceiling or another occupied room behind the sign can limit where those wires go. A suitable backer or raceway can help organize the connections, but its power feed and future service access still need a plan.
Thin logo strokes also leave less space for LEDs and wiring. The dimensions in the graphic illustrate one construction; the actual module, letter depth and usable cavity determine what fits. Send photos of both sides of the wall, any ceiling access and the known power location with your artwork.
Read the full guide to LED sign wiring, wall access and installation requirements for the options to review before fabrication.
Understand the parts of an LED channel letter
A channel letter is a fabricated sign component built as an individual character or logo shape. The return forms the side wall and gives the component depth. The face, back, trim or retaining method, internal LEDs, wiring, and supporting electrical components work together to create the approved appearance. Construction details vary by lighting configuration and design; the important point is that the letter is an assembly, not a flat cutout with lights added afterward.
Returns and letter depth
The return follows the perimeter of the letter or shape. Its depth affects the side profile, space available for lighting components, and how the sign relates to the facade. Return color can blend with the wall, match the face, or create a deliberate contrast. The correct depth depends on the design and selected construction rather than a single universal dimension.
Faces, backs, and light direction
A front-lit channel letter typically uses a translucent face so light exits toward the viewer. A reverse-lit letter uses an opaque face and directs light from the back toward the wall, creating a halo. A combination-lit letter manages both directions. Acrylic, aluminum, and other approved sign materials may play different roles in the assembly depending on which surfaces need to transmit or block light.
LED modules and internal layout
LED modules are positioned inside the letter to produce an even result appropriate to the depth, face, stroke width, and color. Module spacing and the relationship between the light source and transmitting surface influence visible brightness and uniformity. The internal layout must also account for wiring and the configuration used to support the finished sign.
Compare front-lit, reverse-lit, and combination letters
Front-lit letters prioritize a bright, readable face. They are often considered when nighttime identification from the primary approach is important. Reverse-lit letters produce an architectural halo and depend heavily on the color and texture of the mounting surface. Combination letters provide both effects, but the face and halo should be reviewed together so neither overwhelms the identity.
For a broader comparison that includes edge-lit panels and illuminated cabinets, use the illuminated business signs guide. For a focused halo-lighting discussion, review backlit channel letter signs.
Choose a mounting direction that fits the site
Individual mounting can create a clean relationship between the characters and the facade when the wall, attachment points, wiring route, and access support it. A raceway groups letters and components on a supporting enclosure, which can reduce the number of facade penetrations or provide a practical place for wiring in some conditions. A backer or supporting panel may establish contrast or organize a detailed logo. The visual and technical consequences should be reviewed together.
The mounting surface matters. Stucco, masonry, concrete, metal panels, glass, canopies, and other assemblies present different attachment, routing, waterproofing, and access questions. Photographs should show the full elevation and close views of the proposed mounting area. Available property criteria and current site information should be part of the review before the construction is finalized.
Design letters for the actual viewing conditions
Letter height is only one factor. Stroke width, spacing, counters, logo complexity, face color, return color, mounting height, angle, distance, nearby signs, ambient light, and obstructions all influence recognition. A proof should show the complete sign on the actual elevation at a useful scale. Fine details may need adjustment if they do not translate clearly into fabricated illuminated components.
Evaluate the sign in daylight and after dark. The daytime appearance includes faces, returns, backs, raceways, panels, and mounting relationships. The nighttime appearance includes the lit surface, halo, contrast, and interaction with nearby light. A design should not depend on nighttime illumination to make an unclear daytime composition acceptable.
Coordinate electrical, approvals, and installation
LED channel letters require site-specific coordination of the sign assembly, available electrical information, switching expectations, wiring path, component access, wall conditions, and installation responsibilities. Property and local requirements vary by address and project. Confirm the current criteria that apply before fabrication or installation proceeds.
Installation planning should address working height, equipment access, delivery, occupied areas, approved work periods, site contacts, the mounting surface, and access for future service. The sign installation overview explains why the sign and site plan need to be developed together.
Provide the inputs needed to plan channel letters
Send the current vector logo when available, facade and approach photographs, approximate sign-area dimensions, site address, preferred front-lit or halo effect, available electrical information, property criteria, access notes, and the project date. If the broader facade strategy is still undecided, begin with exterior building signage. If channel letters are the intended system, use the quote request to share the project inputs.
Property Approval, Permits and Installation
Confirm the current landlord or property sign criteria before approving the design. They may cover the location, overall size, colors, lighting or mounting method. The applicable permit and engineering requirements depend on the actual address and project.
Titans handles or significantly assists with permitting where required and coordinates survey and engineering needs. Send the written property criteria and the site address so the approval path can be checked. A finished photo is not a substitute for a reviewed mounting plan.
Our business-sign permit guide explains the questions to ask before production.
Allow time for approvals and site work
Permits add approximately 4 to 8 weeks where required, separate from roughly 3 to 4 weeks or longer for production. Landlord review, engineering, comments and access scheduling can also affect the installation date. Share your opening date early.
A qualified electrician performs electrical work. We coordinate the signage requirements and installation handoff so power location, switching, connection and responsibilities are agreed. Photographs should show the building height, canopy, landscaping, access-equipment space and occupied entrances.
For a shipped sign, agree on the receiving and installation responsibilities in our nationwide shipping and installation guide.
Watch Channel Letters Being Made
See how channel letters take shape in the shop. The fabrication video shows the product behind the finished sign, with a real sign preview before you press play.
When sharing a reference, say what you like about it: the face color, letter depth, lighting effect, mounting or overall proportions. That is more useful than asking for a sign “just like the photo” on a wall with different conditions.
How Much Do Channel Letter Signs Cost?
$2,000 to $5,000 is a useful starting budget for many storefront channel-letter signs. It is not a fixed price: the size and number of letters make a big difference. A longer name needs more letters, and taller letters need more material and lighting. Larger building signs can go above that range.
For a rough letter estimate, you can use $20 to $30 per inch of letter height, per letter. Add the letter heights together, then multiply by that range. Logos, unusual shapes and specialty lighting need their own estimate.
A simple budgeting example
Ten letters, each 12 inches tall, total 120 inches of letter height. At $20 to $30 per inch, that gives an estimated $2,400 to $3,600 for the letter calculation.
The same ten letters at 18 inches total 180 inches, giving $3,600 to $5,400. That is why increasing the height can move a sign beyond an initial $2,000 to $5,000 budget.
These examples help you compare sizes. They are not a complete installed quote. Confirm the logo, lighting, mounting, installation, electrical work, permits and engineering scope before relying on a total.
What else affects the price?
- The length of the business name and the complexity of its logo.
- Front-lit, halo-lit or combined lighting.
- Acrylic face treatments, metal finishes and letter depth.
- Direct mounting, a raceway or a separate backing panel.
- Sign-removal work, wall repairs and access equipment.
- Electrical connection, engineering and permitting needs.
- Quantity, delivery and installation locations.
Production and permit timing
Allow roughly 3 to 4 weeks or longer for production, depending on the approved design, materials and quantity. Permits add another 4 to 8 weeks. We confirm the sequence and installation date for your job so the production estimate is not mistaken for the whole project schedule.
Titans serves Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach and ships signs nationwide. Installation outside South Florida is quoted for the project, with travel or installer coordination as needed.
What to Send for Your Quote
Logo, dimensions and colors
Send the largest available logo file, preferably vector artwork, plus brand colors and approved wording. Include the width and height of the available sign area and a straight-on wall photograph. Tell us the intended viewing distance and whether the sign faces a sidewalk, parking area or road.
Do not use a phone screenshot as the only production reference if a vector master exists. Fine artwork details, outlines and spacing need to remain clear when the sign is fabricated. If the logo needs adaptation, approve that change before production.
The lighting brief
State whether you want a glowing face, a halo, or both. Describe the intended light color and which logo elements should illuminate. Include the wall finish and any existing nighttime lighting near the sign so the proof can be discussed in context.
Address and installation details
Include the exact address, mounting surface, sign height, quantity, target opening date and known property restrictions. Identify who approves the artwork, who provides landlord approval, and who handles the electrical connection.
For a multi-location order, list the measurements and conditions separately for each address. Consistent brand artwork does not make every installation identical. The production specification and logistics should reflect the actual locations.
Review before fabrication
Check spelling, proportions, face and return colors, lighting treatment, dimensions and mounting on the proof. Confirm the current logo version and final approver. Keeping those decisions in one approved drawing reduces ambiguity when the fabrication and installation teams work from it.
Looking After Your Finished Sign
LED channel letters give you an illuminated sign without the glass tubing used in traditional neon. The modules and power supply are selected for the build, and their service needs depend on the components, operating hours and location.
At handover, check the sign in daylight and after dark from the agreed viewing position. Keep the approved drawing, finish references and component information so future maintenance or replacement letters can match the original.
Follow the cleaning advice for the acrylic, vinyl and metal finishes on your sign. Ask about maintenance access and the warranty terms for your build when reviewing the quote.
If a letter or section stops lighting, send photos showing what is affected. The sign-service team and the appropriate qualified trade can review the lighting, connection and access needed for the repair.
Channel Letter Questions
How much do channel letters cost?
Many storefront signs start around $2,000 to $5,000, depending on size and letter count. A rough letter estimate is $20 to $30 per inch of letter height, per letter. Logos, lighting, mounting, installation, electrical work, permits and engineering need to be confirmed in the actual quote.
How long do production and permits take?
Allow roughly 3 to 4 weeks or longer for production, depending on the approved design, materials and quantity. Permits add approximately 4 to 8 weeks where required. Property approval, review comments, engineering and site access can affect the final installation date.
Which areas does Titans serve?
Titans serves Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach from its Miami/Doral base and ships signs nationwide. Installation outside South Florida is quoted for the project, with travel or installer coordination as needed. Choose a city below for local planning guidance, then include the actual property address in your quote.
Can the same logo work outside and in the lobby?
Yes. Start with the approved master logo and provide separate dimensions and photographs for each location. Lighting, letter depth, material and mounting can differ between an exterior channel-letter sign and an interior identity while keeping the brand consistent.
What is an LED channel letter sign?
LED channel letters are individual fabricated letters or logo shapes containing LED modules. Their returns, faces, backs, lighting components, wiring, and mounting arrangement form a complete illuminated sign assembly.
How do front-lit and reverse-lit channel letters differ?
Front-lit letters send light through the face. Reverse-lit letters direct light toward the wall to create a halo. Combination-lit letters provide both effects. The logo, facade, visibility goal, and site conditions determine which direction fits.
What is the difference between raceway and individual mounting?
Individual wall mounting, a raceway or a backer panel can each suit different buildings. The property criteria, actual wall construction, wiring path, working height and service access determine the choice. Share a full-frontage photo and measurements so the drawing and quote can show the visible support and site work.
What should we provide for a channel-letter design?
Provide vector artwork when available, facade and approach photographs, approximate dimensions, viewing distance, preferred lighting effect, return and face color direction, site address, property criteria, and available electrical information.
Can channel letters include custom logo shapes?
Yes, logo shapes can be fabricated along with letters when the artwork supports the selected construction. Fine details, tight spacing, and small shapes should be reviewed at finished scale to confirm that they remain clear and practical.
What approvals and electrical details are required?
The sign and mounting need to be reviewed for the actual address, building and current property criteria. Outdoor wind-load, structural and permit requirements must be included where applicable. Send the property guidelines and building photos before production; a finished-sign photo does not establish approval for another location.
How should channel letters be planned for future service?
Plan a practical way to reach faces, backs, raceways, supporting components, or other service points appropriate to the design. Working height, equipment access, occupied areas, and the mounting surface can all affect future access.
What should an LED channel-letter proof show?
A useful proof shows the complete sign at finished scale, placement on the actual elevation, letter and logo relationships, face and return colors, mounting direction, visible raceway or panel elements, and both daytime and intended nighttime appearance.
Get a Quote for Your Channel Letter Sign
Ready to compare options for your building? Send your artwork, measurements, address and target date below. Include photos and any landlord requirements so we can quote the right sign and installation.
Find Channel Letter Signs in Your Area
Choose your city or neighborhood for local arrival, property and project guidance. Landmarks help describe the area; your actual building, artwork and property criteria determine the sign design and installation scope.
Miami-Dade
Broward
Palm Beach
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