Irvine, CA is a thriving hub, home to over 114,000 start-ups and established businesses. The number is growing fast, too, with nearly 4,000 businesses setting up shop every year, says the Small Business Development Center California. That means while there’s an abundance of opportunities to thrive, businesses also face the challenge of differentiating themselves from their peers. That’s why developing a unique brand is important and why LED signs for your storefront are powerful marketing tools. Find out how illuminated channel letters will help you make a strong impression on customers and attract new business opportunities.
What Are LED Channel Letters?
Channel letters are some of the most eye-catching signs you can find. Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Starbucks use letter signs to brand their locations. So, what exactly are these signs?
Letter signs are three-dimensional signs comprised of individually constructed letters. Each letter is mounted and illuminated separately, giving a distinctive, attractive look. What sets these signs apart is the flexibility in lighting. Some of the popular lighting options are:
- Front-lit: The front of the sign is illuminated, giving the sign a clean, crisp look.
- Backlit: Also called halo lighting, these signs have rear-facing lighting. That creates a pleasing halo effect.
- Combination-lit: This combines front and backlighting for a dynamic look.
Letter signs are incredibly customizable, allowing you to recreate your branding accurately. You can personalize their design, colors, lighting, size, and even method of installation.
LEDs (light-emitting diodes) have revolutionized lighting in signage. This technology allows a wider array of lighting colors and configurations. LEDs are also around eight times more energy efficient than traditional bulbs and lower operating costs.
What Makes Illuminated Letters Such Powerful Business Signs?
Durable and attractive letter storefront signs can help a business maximize its marketing potential while reducing its operating expenses.
- Maximizing Visibility
LED channel letters stand out from traditional signboards, making them more noticeable from far away. That helps you differentiate your business and make a strong first impression with customers. - Round-the-Clock Advertising
Illuminated signs help your business get noticed 24/7. They act as untiring salespersons for your business, whatever time of day or night. Not only does it allow you to advertise your brand, but it can help build top-of-mind awareness. - Conveying a Professional Image
Illuminated letters are premium signage, and they help convey a sense of professionalism. These attractive signs boost the perceived value of your brand. This is vital given that 68% of American shoppers associate the quality of your signs with the quality of your offerings. - Reinforcing Your Brand
The unmatched customizability of LED letters means you can tailor them to suit your branding precisely. Whether it’s a symbol or text, you can recreate it faithfully. - Suitable for All Businesses
Whether yours is a boutique in Irvine Spectrum Center or a law office, these storefront signs will adapt to suit your business style. Their versatility means they can be designed to suit all design preferences, customer tastes, and aesthetic preferences. - Excellent Return on Investment
Channel letters may require an investment upfront, but they can offer a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Reputed sign companies use high-quality metals, acrylics, and adhesives for their signs, ensuring years of hassle-free service. LED lighting also means lower energy bills and far fewer bulb changes as compared to traditional bulbs.
Four Potential Uses for LED Signs
Channel letters are some of the most versatile signs around, meaning their applications are endless. Here are four theoretical ways signs could be used in the real world to help a business grow.
- New Cafe Uses Storefront Signs to Make a Mark
A new cafe in Irvine, CA faces an uphill task trying to draw new patrons to their location. An attractive LED channel letter sign creates an upscale image and attracts the high-end, coffee-aficionado audience it wants. The sign doesn’t just display the business’s name, it becomes a vibrant part of their social media image, too. - Attractive Business Signs for a Head Office
A business headquartered in Irvine, CA wants to refresh its entrance signage. Instead of the traditional metal sign they have, they want to convey a more contemporary image that is in line with their recent rebranding. A face-lit letter sign achieves just that. The sign prominently displays the business’s name above the building, incorporates its new logo, and draws “Oohs” from clients when they see it for the first time. - Attractive Lobby for a Hair Salon
A hair salon in a busy shopping complex has no shortage of customers, but it wants to add a head-turning decorative element to its location. The salon designs an intricate open-face sign and installs it on the back wall. Now, the first thing anyone walking through the front door sees is the imposing sign. What’s more, the sign has become part of their decor and adds mood lighting to the space. - Supermarket Uses Channel Letters to Display Information
A local supermarket already has a channel letter sign displaying its name. However, it wants to promote its recent transition to a 24/7 supermarket. It adds “Open 24 Hours A Day” under the existing sign. This lettering follows the same style as before but is several sizes smaller. Plus, it is hung from the large brick awning on which the business name is installed.
These are just a few examples of how you can use LED channel letters. For many more examples, browse our vast gallery of channel letter signs. We’ve made everything from standard channel letters and logos to intricate neon-style letters. Our team can design and install LED letter signs indoors and outdoors.
Importance of Working with an Experienced Sign Partner
There are a lot of moving parts that go into designing and installing signs. For instance, if you are installing a new sign or upgrading an existing one, you will need a permit from the city. Whereas Irvine, CA is business-friendly, the paperwork and process for obtaining the permit can be daunting for business owners. That’s where an experienced partner like VizComm Signs & Graphics can make all the difference. You will work with a knowledgeable, experienced team that provides end-to-end service, from the design to the permit application and installation. Find out why businesses like yours love working with us. Talk to us to discover how we can make your signage process effortless.
