Custom Channel Letters
Select the illumination type that fits your brand. Each style has its own design studio with options specific to that product.
A detailed quote will be emailed to you. Fabrication only — installation quoted separately.
Channel letters are individually fabricated, three-dimensional sign letters built from aluminum and acrylic. Each letter is a self-contained cabinet — an aluminum face (or acrylic translucent panel), aluminum return sides, and a painted or open back — typically ranging from 3 to 8 inches in depth. Unlike flat vinyl graphics or printed panels, channel letters project off the building surface, creating strong shadow lines and a commanding architectural presence both during the day and after dark.
Grand Strand Visuals designs, fabricates, permits, and installs channel letter signs throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. Every illuminated sign we produce is UL Listed to meet National Electrical Code requirements and built to commercial specifications using .040" or .063" aluminum alloy, high-output LED modules, and UL-rated power supplies. Our signs are backed by a 5-year LED component warranty.
Each letter starts as a flat aluminum sheet, precision-cut by CNC router into the exact letter profile. The return (side walls) is brake-formed to depth, welded, and riveted. For illuminated letters, LED modules are mounted inside the return and wired to an external or internal power supply. The face — either painted aluminum (opaque) or colored acrylic (translucent) — is secured with aluminum trim cap.
All illuminated signs produced by Grand Strand Visuals carry the UL Listing mark, certifying compliance with UL 48 (Electric Signs) and National Electrical Code Article 600. UL Listing is required for permitted sign installations in most jurisdictions across SC, NC, and GA.
We use high-output, IP65-rated LED modules rated for 50,000+ hours of continuous operation. LED signs consume 70–80% less power than equivalent neon or fluorescent signs. All power supplies are UL-rated Class 2, weatherproof, and include built-in thermal protection.
LED modules and power supplies are warranted for five years from the date of installation against defects in materials and workmanship. The aluminum cabinet, acrylic face, and trim cap carry a 1-year workmanship warranty.
Most commercial channel letter installations require a sign permit. Grand Strand Visuals handles the full permit application process — including site surveys, engineered drawings when required, and coordination with local building departments.
Our primary service territory covers Myrtle Beach, Conway, Pawleys Island, Georgetown, Florence, Sumter, Wilmington, Brunswick County, Lumberton, and coastal Georgia. We work with installation partners throughout the broader Southeast.
Channel letter fabrication requires vector artwork. Accepted formats are Adobe Illustrator (.AI), Encapsulated PostScript (.EPS), and PDF with embedded vector data. All fonts must be converted to outlines before submission.
If you only have a raster logo, add our Design Assistance option (+$75) in the studio. Our team will recreate your logo as a production-ready vector file.
Lead times run from artwork approval date. Proof turnaround is typically 1–2 business days.
| Letter Type | Standard | Rush |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Front-Lit | 7–10 business days | 4–5 business days |
| Reverse / Halo Lit | 10–14 business days | 6–7 business days |
| Front + Back Dual Lit | 10–14 business days | 6–7 business days |
| Non-Illuminated | 5–7 business days | 3–4 business days |
| Custom / Logo | Quote required | Quote required |
Installation scheduling is separate from fabrication lead time. Rush production adds 25% to the fabrication cost.
The minimum height for illuminated channel letters is 16 inches. Non-illuminated letters can be produced smaller — contact us for details.
Front-lit letters have a translucent acrylic face — LEDs shine outward through the face. Halo lit letters have an opaque face — LEDs face backward, casting a glowing corona around each letter onto the wall behind.
A raceway is a painted aluminum channel that mounts to the building and houses all electrical wiring. Letters attach to the raceway face. Many landlords require raceway mounting. The alternative is direct-wall mounting where each letter mounts individually with studs.
No — the configurator price covers fabrication only. Installation is quoted separately based on building height, mounting surface, electrical access, and permit requirements.
Yes — Grand Strand Visuals handles the complete sign permit process as part of our installation service, including applications, drawings, fee coordination, and inspections.
5-year warranty on all LED modules and power supplies. 1-year workmanship warranty on the aluminum cabinet, face, and trim cap. Physical damage from weather events, vandalism, or improper maintenance is excluded.