Channel Letter Signs Cost Guide: Disclosing 6 Key Factors
Helen Davies
Maximizing brand exposure hinges on a strategic approach to exterior branding. While your business venue design plays a key role, budgeting remains a prime factor for ensuring lasting business success. With this in mind, let’s go over the channel letter signs cost factors.
Table of contents
Main Factors Affecting Channel Letter Signs Cost
How much does a channel letter sign cost? There is an average range of the cost of channel letter signs on the market. Here are a few facets that impact the channel letter sign price.
1. Pricing Based on the Project Size
One of the key factors defining the price of channel letter signs is their size. The bigger the channel letter signs, the more expensive they are. Large-scale channel letters require more materials for production. They also feature more LEDs, wiring, and power supplies to provide a premium display. However, the products are versatile and can be used alone as logo signs or incorporated into large trade show displays. Due to the distinct illumination, these projects can perfectly serve as eye-catching building signs or lobby signs, helping your brand stand out.
2. Channel Letter Sign Cost Based on Mounting Options
The most popular lighting methods you can count on in most cases are “raceway” and “wireway” mounts, ensuring the cables are neatly routed.
Pricing Based on Raceway Mounting
Consider a raceway mount to reduce your budget on these business signs. This mounting option requires less labor and keeps the drill holes to a minimum. It grants easy access to electrical wires and cuts down on the channel letter signs cost, reducing the price for initial purchase and maintenance. The price for a channel sign with a raceway mount starts at a $400 minimum. This is the most affordable option for installing individual elements with lighting.
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Pricing Based on Wireway Mounting
This mounting solution requires more time and effort so you’ll have to unload your pockets a bit more. Wireway is a sign mounting structure that requires multiple drilled holes for installation. It’s thinner and goes virtually unnoticed. Praised for enhanced visual appeal, it raises the channel letter signs price bracket a level.
In most cases, it doesn’t contain electrical components within the mount itself. Instead, they’re placed inside the wall behind it. If you order an entire sign replacement, the whole unit will need to be taken down.
Front Signs has resolved this challenge by offering a full list of signage repair services. Our experts leave a little window behind the sign to enclose all the diodes, supplies, and wiring. It provides quicker access for maintenance. This makes wireway mounts cost-effective in the long run.
The channel letter sign price with wireway mounts has been increased to $800 as a starting rate. If you need custom mounting solutions such as free-standing event signs or stadium signage, price changes may apply.
3. Price Range Depending on Illumination
Amplify the appeal of your outdoor signage with a few added and impressive elements. The first component that comes to mind is illumination.
LEDs are a surefire way to leave a lasting impression on the passersby. Let’s check the LED channel letters price difference and get ready for a real breakthrough.
LEDs vs No LEDs
Compared to traditional lighting, the LED channel letters price can increase by $40-$50 per letter on average depending on different factors. The quality of the LED bulbs you choose also impacts the cost of reverse channel letters.
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RGB LEDs
LED channel letters price varies with the type of LED lights used. Unlike single-color LEDs, RBG (red, green, and blue) type LED lights grant an extra spectrum of colors producing over sixteen million hues of light. This does raise the LED channel letter signs price by nearly 5-10%.
Qualities Affecting Channel Letter Sign Price
A specific set of quality factors has a significant impact on determining the channel letter signs price. Read on to find a list of the main features commonly reflected in the channel letter pricing.
4. Quality of Fabrication Materials
The channel letter signs cost highly depends on the quality of fabrication materials. The body of the dimensional letter signage is typically made of durable aluminum. It’s the lowest-priced option for designing individual letters. Lightweight and non-corrosive, it holds onto colors for an extended time. Aluminum reduces the channel letter signs price without affecting quality.
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Stainless steel is the perfect choice for enhanced durability. It’s stronger than aluminum, yet heavier and more difficult to install. If weight is a consideration, it won’t hold up on every surface. For conductivity, choose brass metal for your light up signs. While not as common as aluminum and stainless steel, brass is sturdy and corrosion-resistant. It’s an excellent option for electrical applications.
In terms of pricing, aluminum is 20% cheaper than the other two materials.
Signage faces can feature regular acrylic or lexan depending on the geographical area. Manufacturers favor lexan for its impact resistance and durability. Large format printing is often used to apply graphics on translucent backlit decals, which are later adhered to lexan. The channel letter signs cost is almost the same for both lexan and acrylic.
Related: Acrylic: Glass Or Plastic? Acrylic vs Lexan [With Infographics]
5. LED Quality
LED illumination is a defining factor for the overall channel letter signs price. Its quality directly impacts the LED channel letters price and the cost of other illuminated projects such as LED screens.
Fortified display material is another vital feature for channel letter signs price. It’s important to have a damage-proof cabinet on the LED system to keep your displays safe from vandalism. This will make the initial price go higher but it will prove more cost-effective over time.
6. Quality of Other Components
Wiring, power supply, and electrical parts impact the channel letter pricing as well. Such components can increase the cost by $50 to $200, depending on the brand and specifications. Yet, investing in quality elements ensures longevity.
Maintenance Cost After Installation
According to research, LED lighting is more energy-efficient. It uses 40% less energy than neon lighting. A 60W incandescent bulb costs $4.80 per year. It has a 1,000-hour lifespan while a 60W fluorescent bulb will last 10,000 hours but consume only 30% less energy. Compared to incandescent bulbs, LEDs use up to 90% less energy and serve up to 25 times longer.
Before designing illumination, make sure you take into account the visibility factor while avoiding overwhelming lights that take away from your message.
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Current Channel Letter Signs Price Range On The Market
How much does a channel letter sign cost on the market today? The average price of the product varies between $3,000 to $5,000. All the above-mentioned factors play a role in the final channel letter sign cost.
Nowadays, many firms act as mediators between clients and companies. They get the order and assign it for fabrication, increasing the channel letter pricing. At the same time, issues that arise around the final look and other details mostly go unattended. It’s no surprise that this may lead to problems for many clients. If you want a robust quality guarantee for your display, opt for a local manufacturer to take full responsibility for it.
Entrusting your project to us and get the benefits below and beyond:
- Your investment will yield lasting results
- You’ll receive end-to-end excellence
- You’ll stand apart from the competition
Impacting your clients with a strong visual message cannot be overstated. Your custom signs can be your winning card. The investment is truly worth the benefits for your business.
Want a cost-effective project solution? Contact us today to discuss your unique needs.
