Channel letters · Toronto & GTA
Channel letter signs, built in our Scarborough shop
Individual lit letters for storefronts, plazas and office towers. We design to your building and the sign by-law, fabricate every letter in-house, get the permit and install it.
What a channel letter sign is
A channel letter sign is a set of individual three-dimensional letters, each one a shallow aluminum box with a coloured acrylic face. LED modules inside light each letter, so your name reads clearly at night as well as by day.
Because every letter is made separately, the sign can follow your logo and typeface exactly rather than sitting in a rectangular box. That is why channel letters are the standard for storefronts, plazas and office buildings across the GTA.
How we build them
- Drawing first. We measure the wall, check the landlord's sign criteria and the city by-law, and send you a scaled drawing on a photo of your building.
- Fabrication in Scarborough. Returns are formed and welded in our shop, faces are cut to match, and LEDs and power supplies are fitted and tested before anything leaves.
- Permit and install. We file the permit, then install with our own crew and equipment, connect to your electrical and set the timer.
What it costs
Channel letter signs are quoted per job, and the price swings with letter count, height, lighting and access. Our channel letter sign cost guide explains what moves the number and what to compare when you get quotes.
Getting the details right
Letter height is what makes a sign readable from the road. The right size depends on how far away people first see the building and how fast they are moving, so a sign facing a six-lane road needs much taller letters than one facing a sidewalk. We recommend a size based on where your customers actually see you from, within what the by-law and the landlord allow.
Where it works
Common uses for channel letters
Storefronts and restaurants
The sign that tells people they have arrived. Front-lit letters read best from across the street at night.
Plazas and strip malls
Most landlords set a sign criteria for letter height, colour and raceway. We build to it and send the drawing for their approval first.
Office buildings and towers
Halo-lit letters on stand-offs give a quieter, premium look that suits corporate entrances and lobbies.
Compare
Which lighting style suits your building?
| Style | How it looks | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Front-lit | The whole letter face glows | Retail and restaurants that need to be seen at night from the road |
| Halo-lit (reverse-lit) | Solid metal face with a soft glow on the wall behind | Offices, clinics, premium brands, light-coloured walls |
| Front and halo | Glowing face plus a halo outline | Flagship storefronts that want maximum presence |
| Non-lit | Painted or brushed metal letters | Daytime businesses, interiors, heritage frontages |
How it works
From photo to installed, with one team.
Photo and brief
Send a photo and what you need. We measure and check the by-law and landlord rules.
Drawing and price
A scaled drawing on a photo of your building, with a fixed price and schedule.
Permit and build
We file the permit and fabricate in our Scarborough shop.
Install
Our own crew installs, connects and tests it.
Pricing
What affects the price
Every sign is made to measure, so we quote each one. These are the things that move the number most.
- Number of letters and their height (the biggest driver)
- Lighting style; halo-lit letters take more fabrication time
- Raceway or flush mount, and whether new electrical is needed
- Installation height and access (ladder, lift or boom truck)
- Permit fees set by the city
Questions
Channel letters: common questions
How much does a channel letter sign cost in Toronto?
What is the difference between front-lit and halo-lit channel letters?
Do I need a sign permit for channel letters in Toronto?
How long does it take to get channel letters installed?
How long does a channel letter sign last?
Should I mount letters on a raceway or flush to the wall?
Recent work
