Need a quick channel letter term definition? Here are a few common ones:
Acrylic: Type of plastic used for face of front lit letters.
Backer Panel: Optional feautre that can help optimize appearance of channel letters, typically aluminum or ACM.
Backs: Back of channel letters using router cut sheeting, in ACM, .040, .063 and .090 aluminum. Lexan for halo lighting.
Channel Letter: Fabricated three-dimensional letter that can be lit or non-lit.
Cutoff Switch: Electrical on/off switch placed on a building's exterior, on a raceway or individual letter.
Direct Mount (Flush Mount): Letters are attached directly to building facade using a pattern. For halo letters are attached with 1.5' standoffs.
Drain Holes: Small holes placed at the bottom of a channel letter's return to prevent water from accumulating in a letter's interior.
Electrical Sign: Any sign containing or using electrical wiring.
Face: The front surface area on a sign where advertising copy is displayed.
Front Lit Letter: An illuminated channel letter with translucent face, most popular product.
Front & Halo Lit: This combo lit sign uses acrylic for the faces, and lexan backs to illuminate front and back of letters.
Halo Lit: Channel letter style with aluminum for faces and returns and lexan backs to illuminate front and back of letters.
LED: Light Emmiting Diode, that is the light source for channel letters.
Lexan: Brand of polycarbonate for back of halo lit letters.
Logo Box: A circle, rectangle, square, or custom shaped box that is built like a channel letter with vinyl or digital print on face for advertising of business.
Open Channel Letter: A dimensional letter that has no face and if illluminated the light source is visible. Used for installing neon inside of cans a lot of the times.
Pattern: Paper template showing mounting and electrical holes for flush mounted signs.
Power Supplies: Electrical component that regulates buildings power into sign, remote or inside raceway.
Raceway: A one piece electrical enclosure containing wiring and power supplies, that also serves as a mounting structure for the sign.
Return: The aluminum sides of a channel letter.
Reveal Edge: Vinyl that does not go to the edge of letter, so that it has an outline that lights up a different color.
Stroke Width: The thickness of a font or logo, needed to produce letter. 1.5" stroke for front lit or halo lit, 2.5" stroke for front & halo lit on same sign.
Trim Cap: Creates a fastening surface to attach it to the aluminum return and gives letter face a finished appearance.
UL Certification: Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) is an independent product safety certification organization. UL approval means that all sign components meet UL standards for electrical safety. Often required by cities for permits.
Vinyl: Graphics material used to show non standard acrylic or multiple colors on a letter or logo.
Whip: Electrical wiring comin gout of the backs of individual letters or logo box.
Wireway: Two piece meta enclosure to house wiring, slimmer than raceway and can be oversized for design element.
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