There’s no doubt that channel letters are a great solution for business establishments of almost any size and shape. Their bold design and structure add a distinct presence to the front of a building, or up high on a pylon. Simply look around your local business district and you’ll see channel letter signs everywhere.
Business owners looking to upgrade their locale with fresh signage need to consider which methods of channel letter sign installation are most viable for their specific situation, and which option best represents their brand (and fits their budget). Read on to learn about the pros and cons of different mounting options, and a few trade secrets that only experienced professionals know.
Here’s a simple analogy to describe a channel letter sign: imagine that every letter is like a cookie cutter - you have a strong metal frame, with a front face and a rear face. The space between the faces makes a hollow channel that is usually filled with lights.
Most commonly, the faces of channel letters are clear or colored acrylic that lets the light distinctly illuminate the letters and cut through ambient darkness. During the daytime, the metal siding (called the “return”) catches people’s attention as it reflects light coming off the wall. This 3-dimensional design is so effective that non-illuminated channel letters are also called “dimensional letter signs.”
Now that the “channel” part of channel letters is clear, we have to talk about the “letters”. In reality, absolutely any shape can be made into a channel letter. That includes numbers, symbols, and even your own company logo. The process of creating channel letters is so customizable, that you can even have them made in any font you desire, including your brand’s proprietary lettering.
The shape and size of the sign is only the beginning when it comes to customizability. Colors, materials, and illumination are all highly customizable as well. You can learn more in our article covering different types of channel letter signs. Once the visual design has been approved, the next crucial decision is the method of installation.
There are several methods for channel letter signs installation, each with their own distinct use cases:
With flush mounting, each channel letter is directly mounted to the wall. This creates a stunning aesthetic with the letters appearing to float off the walls.
With every letter individually installed and illuminated, extensive drilling into the wall is required for multiple anchor points, plus a hole for electrical wiring to pass through for each letter. This labor-intensive work makes flush mounting the most expensive, yet most visually striking installation option.
Important note: Flush mounting is not an option for every project. For example, exceptionally large or heavy signs need additional hardware to mount them safely - the wall may not be strong enough to bear the weight of the sign.
Raceway mounting involves installing a single structure on your wall called a “raceway,” which acts as a lane for quickly and easily mounting channel letters and logos. The raceway requires far fewer holes to be drilled into the wall, which reduces the total time and labor needed. It also helps consolidate wiring, making future maintenance easier.
In situations where a raceway mount is needed for your signage, one great solution is to paint the raceway with a weather-resistant paint that matches your building facade. This will help it blend into the background and enhance the visibility of your channel letters. If your building also needs a new coat of paint, this could be a perfect opportunity to do everything all together for a total make-over.
Signage in Practice: OnCore Golf’s new raceway-mounted HQ signage
Backer mounting is a bit like a hybrid of raceway and flush mounting - a flat panel (the “backer”) is installed on the wall, but instead of a raceway, the letters are directly mounted on the backer. This creates a customizable background to pair with your channel letters, which you can choose to make blend in with your building, or serve as a bold contrast. Backer mounting can be necessary for exceptionally heavy signs, as the backer can accommodate industrial-strength mounting hardware, helping to support and distribute the sign’s weight safely.
When planning your signage project, remember this is a long-term investment and should be approached with strategic foresight. Material selection is a perfect example - choosing weatherproof paints and hardware that are guaranteed for 10+ years will cost less money over a 10-year period. Cheaper materials will fail sooner and require significant repair or replacement. Even before those components mechanically fail though, they will fade, warp, and crack - all reducing your brand’s image in a very public way. That’s why budgeting your sign project as a long-term investment will ultimately yield a higher return in quality and total cost.
Learn More: How Much Does a Channel Letter Sign Cost?
We know that all the customizable options and upgrades available can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together a list of strongly recommended investments, and also some nice-to-haves.
Strongly Recommended:
Nice to Have:
Budget Saver:
Channel letter sign installation is the process of mounting illuminated or non-illuminated 3D letter signage to a building or structure. It typically involves one of several mounting methods—flush mount, raceway mount, or backer mount—depending on building type, sign weight, and visual goals.
Installation needs to be coordinated and depending upon the complexity of the job (installation location, the scale of the sign, etc.) it can take 1 to 2 days or 1 to 2 weeks. Depending upon the equipment required, traffic interruptions and other factors, installation may need to be scheduled days or weeks ahead of time.
It depends on your goals and site conditions. Flush mounting offers a sleek look but requires more drilling and structural support. Raceway mounting simplifies installation and wiring, while backer mounting combines aesthetics with weight distribution for heavier signs.
Most commercial buildings can accommodate channel letter signs, but structural assessments are necessary. Walls must support the weight, and access to electricity is required for illuminated signs.
Many municipalities require signage permits, and approval may be needed from building owners or zoning boards. A professional installer will handle permitting to ensure your sign complies with local codes.
Channel letter sign installation projects can be major endeavors, involving design, planning, fabrication, permits, and installation. Each stage comes with distinct responsibilities and must be carefully coordinated to avoid delays and ensure compliance.
The ideal solution is to work with a vertically integrated company like Flexlume, which manages the entire process from concept to installation. Contact us today and see how we can help bring your brand to life with impactful signage.