Channel Letters Buying Guide
Your business’s on premise signage is a vital link to customers, whether it is to physically mark your location to passersby, to promote impulse ‘stop-n-shop’, to create awareness and need for your products or services for future need, or to reinforce other forms of media advertising. Your sign may be the most cost-effective and efficient form of advertising and we’ve creative this guide to help you create a powerful advertising tool to attract more sales.
If you wish to prepare before your initial consultation with us, you may go through the following steps and make notes.
Message
Step 1:
Determine what your sign will say and keep in mind that ‘less is more’ when you are trying to deliver a quick message.
Step 2:
If you have a logo and want to use it, notice how the sign is to be built and how your logo will work in that environment. If you plan to use only letters for your sign, look at some different font styles and notice what appeals to you. You may also want to look at the Standard EZLit Type Styles they are available in five working days and at a lower cost. Many businesses use a font style as their identity/logo.
Budget
Step 3:
When determining your budget, keep in mind that your sign is the best and most effective form of advertisement you will purchase and plan accordingly. We can help you determine budget for different types of signs depending on the size needed and complexity of your project. You should plan to budget $1000 - $4,500 for Face Lit Illuminated Channel Letters.
Colors
Step 4:
Determine face colors you wish to have for the illuminated letters or logo. Standard colors are listed on back of this brochure. Blue and green letters should be outlined with white to enable them to show up well at night. This is done by applying translucent vinyl graphics to the face of the letter but leaving an outline of the white acrylic around the vinyl graphics.
Step 5:
Determine side colors you wish to have on the illuminated letters or logo. Please note that any color is possible but plan to budget more if you do not use standard colors.
Installation
Step 6:
Determine the type of installation that you need for your sign. (Some strip malls require letters to be mounted to a raceway as this limits the number of holes in their structures.)
Raceway Mounted:
Letter are mounted on raceway which simplifies installation. A raceway is a box that all the letters are connected too. With only one power connection through the wall.
Remote Power Mounted:
A transformer is mounted in the building and a wire is routed to each of the letters through the wall directly behind the letters. This option adds time to the installation and there must be access to the back of the wall where letters are to be mounted.
Our Patented System is our EZLit® plug-n-Play. This system makes it possible for anyone to install remote channel letter safely and easily.
Step 7:
Determine type of electrical service to the sign. 120 volt is standard but we can also accommodate 277 volt. We will provide information on amperage requirements.
Step 8:
Is UL Listing required? Many municipalities require UL Listing for safety reasons. All SignMonkey.com electrical signs have the UL Label.
Deadlines
Step 9:
Determine the due date for installation or shipping of sign. SignMonkey.com builds all signs using standard type styles in 5 days, custom typestyles take 5 days under normal circumstances.
Contact
Your new sign can be an economical way to display and reinforce your message. Unlike other media, your sign will be on the job 24/7/365 and it may give you the competitive edge to succeed. We hope to work with you on building a sign that fits your needs.