Sign Buyer's Guide to Channel Letter Signs

Channel Letter Signs, Reverse Channel Letter Signs and Channel-can Signs are also known as 3D Letter Signs, Illuminated Letter Signs, Dimensional Letter Signs, Contour Channel Signs, LetterLites™ and Lighted Letter Signs.

On the detail pages that follow (<tabs to left) discover how we make each channel-letter sign to last; including the use of CNC manufacturing, rust-proof metal, high-end automotive paint, high-impact plastics, and most importantly, sophisticated Protective Coatings.  We even add self-cleaning properties.

We champion energy-saving signage solutions, whether you want your sign lighted internally with neon or LEDs or externally with the new modern-look  LetterLites™ Channel Letter signs that use patent pending first-surface LED lighting to advertise during the day, that will save our customers money while protecting our environment.  Explore our "Lighting Choices" tab with its own "Energy Savings" tab.

Photos of many varied sign designs are interspersed on the detail pages tabbed on the left.

As detailed below, and on the pages that follow, everything will be done to make your sign look better, and last longer...Guaranteed.

Signs Manufacturing Corporation also guarantees that our price will be the lowest price you can obtain on the products described in this website; now or anytime during the next 90 days.

If you are offered a lower price by someone else we will match that lower price PLUS give you 10% of the difference.

The people at Signs Manufacturing are proud that we were the first (and remain the most) automated channel letter production facility IN THE WORLD.

Letters manufactured by Signs Manufacturing are precision patterned by computer-controlled programmable cutters/plotters.

Installation patterns are prepared by computer also.  They are printed full-size on paper to insure that letters and words are properly spaced from one-another when they are installed.

Metal letter backs, and plastic letter faces are cut using a computer-controlled router, insuring precision letters, which fit together perfectly.

Signs Manufacturing commissioned the development of a computer-controlled precision letter-forming machine; insuring that the sides of a metal letter EXACTLY match the computer-cut backs and faces, and that all bends are plumb.  We were the first company IN THE WORLD to automate channel letter production!

The advantage to our customer is a better made AND a better looking product.

Virtually all of our metal and plastic cutting and forming equipment is computer controlled, insuring that the signs we make are precise.

Channel letter bases will be constructed of .063 or heavier aluminum (#3003, H14 - not "soft" aluminum like some companies use) for strength and to totally eliminate the potential for rusting.

Because hydraulic machines, not human hands, form our letters, we can use harder aluminum, creating a superior wind and hail resistant product.

These letters will be welded together; not screwed, stapled, or pop-riveted, to insure structural integrity.  Many municipalities, and landlords, require welded letters.

All seams will be caulked to eliminate light leaks.

Drain holes will be added, as required by the National Electric Code, to eliminate the potential for water damage to the electrical components.

When deciding on letter colors consider which direction the sign will face.

Shadows from building elements and the letters/raceways themselves can dramatically affect the daytime readability of a channel letter sign unless you incorporate LetterLites™ faces.

For signs facing East, South or West consider using a backplate in a contrasting color, or  LetterLites™ faces to break the effects of shadows.

We will help you with this important design decision, given the opportunity.

Tabs to other components of a channel letter sign are listed down the left side of this page.

Be sure to select the Sign Buyer's Check List tab to the left.  This is a tool for your use to insure that quotations you receive are for the same sign!  Insist that your bidders check-mark each line, then sign the document when they give you their quote.

If you would like to save some money by installing the sign yourself be sure to visit our EZ Install Signs section.

If you know all the details of the sign you wish to purchase, and desire to buy it right now, click the following link to go to our online Channel Letter Sign Purchase Page.