Choosing letters
Channel letter types explained: face-lit, halo-lit, combination and non-illuminated
How each family of channel letters handles light, where it works best, and which of our 11 production profiles matches it.
Channel letters – 11 production profiles
Back-lit, front-lit, acrylic and metal letters, each built to a defined profile with its own data sheet. Choose a profile, specify six options and request a quote.
How to specify
Six choices define every letter
Each profile is a defined construction. When you order, you specify six things – our data sheets list the options for every profile.
- Application method
- Base material
- Return depth
- RAL colour & finish
- Mounting option
- Lighting
Front-lit channel letters
SML 4
Front-lit channel letters with trim
Stainless steel returns and trim with a coloured acrylic face; front or reverse lighting.
View profile →
SML 4 EXCLUSIVE
Exclusive front-lit channel letters
The premium SML 4: stainless trim and returns, metal back-face, zero gap to the wall.
View profile →
SML 5 ECO
Front-lit channel letters – economy
CNC-cut acrylic face with a painted aluminium return in 4, 6, 8 or 10 cm.
View profile →
SML 6
Front-lit channel letters – reverse tray
Reverse-tray letters, preferably stainless, with several face options.
View profile →Acrylic & vacuum-formed letters
SML 7
Full acrylic block letters
Solid 30 or 40 mm acrylic letters with painted sides and five lighting options.
View profile →
SML 8
Acrylic channel letters
Classic or Italian-style acrylic letters; light can also shine through the return.
View profile →
SML 9
Vacuum-press (thermoformed) letters
Illuminated letters with a vacuum-pressed acrylic face, in five versions.
View profile →Cut-out & non-illuminated letters
Guides for choosing letters
All guides →
Choosing letters
Stainless steel, aluminium or acrylic: choosing the right material for built-up letters
What each material brings to a channel letter – fabrication, finishes, weight and look – and how the choice maps onto our production profiles.
Choosing letters
Letter height and viewing distance: how big should sign letters be?
A practical metric chart for sizing sign letters, the legibility index behind it, and why contrast, font, lighting and speed matter as much as height.
Compare
Profile overview
| Profile | Type | Materials / face | Lighting | Data sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SML 1 | Cut-out facade letters | Composite, PVC foam, acrylic, aluminium, stainless steel | – | |
| SML 2 | Non-illuminated channel letters | Aluminium or stainless steel; PVC foam back | – | |
| SML 3 | Back-lit (halo) channel letters | Aluminium or stainless steel | LED modules in the required colour, with a suitable transformer | |
| SML 3 EXCLUSIVE | Exclusive back-lit channel letters | Stainless steel (mostly) + 20 mm acrylic base | LED modules diffused through the base acrylic for an even halo | |
| SML 4 | Front-lit channel letters with trim | Stainless steel return + trim, acrylic face | Front-lit; reverse (back) lighting also possible | |
| SML 4 EXCLUSIVE | Exclusive front-lit channel letters | Stainless steel, acrylic face, metal back-face | Front-lit; reverse lighting possible | |
| SML 5 ECO | Front-lit channel letters – economy | CNC-cut acrylic (self-colour) | PVC foam back, LED modules | |
| SML 6 | Front-lit channel letters – reverse tray | Stainless steel (preferred) or aluminium | – | |
| SML 7 | Full acrylic block letters | Full (solid) acrylic, 30 or 40 mm | Front · front & back · front & side · side & back · side | |
| SML 8 | Acrylic channel letters | CNC/laser-cut face, side band, PVC foam or metal back | – | |
| SML 9 | Vacuum-press (thermoformed) letters | #1 PVC foam back, metal sides with trim · #2 metal back & sides with trim · #3 PVC foam back, vacuum press · #4 metal back, vacuum press · #5 front- & back-lit, metal side band | LED, front-lit; front & back on version #5 |
Have a sign project for your client?
Send us your artwork and sizes – we will come back with the right profile, materials and a quotation.