Backlit / Halo Lit Letters — Assembled in the USA
Backlit Letters
Built to Grow Your Business
Halo-lit metal letters for lobbies, storefronts, and exterior facades — built in our Kansas City shop, shipped nationwide. Foreverstrong Fitness in Maryland said their sign from us transformed their space into a "high-end fitness studio".
Call us: 816-549-2417
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Why Choose Backlit?
A Backlit Sign that Pays for Itself
Your sign is your most visible employee — it works every hour the business is open, and several hours after closing. Backlit letters — also called LED backlit letters, halo-lit channel letters, or reverse-lit channel letters (same fabrication, different names) — put your name on the wall in fabricated metal with LEDs inside, creating a halo effect that reads clean during the day and commands attention after dark.
Every set we build ships from our Kansas City shop, built from 18-gauge stainless or aluminum with UL-certified components and lead-free joints that do not rust, streak, or corrode. IDX Corp. in Virginia ran a large multi-location job through us and said the process was painless and the signage upgraded the look of every location. That is what a well-built sign does.
Backlit Letter Styles
Find the Right Backlit Sign for Your Space
Every custom backlit sign below is built to order — different fabrication methods, different looks, same obsessive attention to how the sign illuminates the wall and reads after dark.
Halo-Lit Metal Letters
LEDs mount inside a hollow metal letter and push light against the wall behind it — creating a soft glow around each character rather than illuminating the face. The effect reads upscale without being loud, which is why we build a lot of these for professional offices, building facades, and lobbies. Letter depth runs up to 6" on pieces over 18" tall. Lead time is 16–20 business days. 316 stainless is strongly recommended for any coastal or high-humidity installation.
Get a Quote & Proof
Painted Metal Backlit Letters
Same halo-lit construction as bare metal, but the face and returns are coated to any custom color — so your brand palette stays intact while the glow comes through clean at the edges. This is the right call when your identity standards require a specific PMS match rather than a raw metal finish. Our Painted Finish is a UV protected enamel that can be used inside or outside. Lead time matches standard halo: 16–20 business days.
Get a Quote & Proof
Backlit Logo Signs
We fabricate dimensional logo signs with internal LED lighting — routed shapes, raised brand marks, or full wordmark-plus-icon lockups built as a single backlit unit. UNC Asheville needed a logo sign for their Men's Basketball locker room, and "the team and coaching staff thought it was awesome". Logo signs can be produced in almost any metal finish or painted; most ship in 16–20 business days depending on complexity.
Get a Quote & Proof
Acrylic Backlit & Edge Lit
Acrylic backlit and edge-lit letters are precision-cut from UV-stable acrylic and illuminated by energy-efficient LEDs on the face, side, or back. They're low-profile, durable, and lighter than metal — a clean, premium look that works well for trade show displays and interior settings like reception areas and office lobbies. UL Certified and made in North America, with a 16–20 business day lead time.
Get a Quote & Proof
Backlit Cabinet Signs (Push-Through)
A cabinet sign houses the light source inside an aluminum or steel box; push-through letters are cut through the face so the acrylic behind them glows outward — giving you crisp, readable letterforms day and night. These are great for any sign that has a lot of detail or a bunch of letters that would be hard to fabricate and install individually. Standard cabinet signs have a 16 - 20 business day lead time.
Get a Quote & Proof
Dual Lit Signs (Face + Halo Combo)
Dual-lit letters are essentially a front-lit letter and a backlit letter built into one housing — LEDs illuminate the face and push light against the wall behind it simultaneously. It's the highest-visibility format we build, and the most dramatic after dark. We recommend it for large backlit letters on exterior monuments, building facades, or any setting where the sign needs to compete with ambient light. Typical letter height for dual-lit exterior runs 10–36". Because two LED channels are wired inside a single letter body, lead time extends to 18–22 business days.
Get a Quote & ProofPRICING REFERENCE
How much do Backlit Letters Cost?
A
6″ Tall
From
$99
/character
Lobby – Reception – Wayfinding
A
12″ Tall
From
$198
/character
Entrance – Suite Door – Offices
A
18″ Tall
From
$297
/character
High-Visibility – Monument – Facade
A
24″ Tall
From
$389
/character
High-Vis – Large Monument/Facade
What affects the final price?
Letter Depth (1″, 2″, 3″, 4″), special coatings & finishes, custom or RGB LEDs, and total character count all influence the final quote. Thicker letters and premium finishes (ie 316 stainless) carry a higher cost per character.
* Priced per character by letter height. Sample prices above reflect 1″ Deep for 6″ tall and 2″ Deep for 12″, 18″ and 24″ tall.
WHO ORDERS BACKLIT LETTERS
Industries We Build For Every Week
Backlit letters show up in more places than most people expect — corporate lobbies, restaurant fronts, retail storefronts, university athletic centers. We build them every week for clients across all of it. The common thread isn't the industry; it's buyers who want signage that reads professional after dark and doesn't require a facilities crew to maintain.
Corporate Offices & Lobbies
Financial and professional services firms need signs that read authoritative without being loud. Halo-lit letters in brushed stainless or matte painted are our most popular styles— the glow reads refined rather than flashy. Most installs require no electrician; our signs run low voltage off a standard outlet.
Retail Storefronts
Retail buyers often ask about outdoor durability. Our exterior-rated backlit letters are built with sealed LED modules and UV-stable finishes — they're engineered to run continuously without fading or moisture intrusion. We can match your brand colors or add color-changing RGB LEDs to set your storefront apart from every other tenant on the block.
Restaurants & Hospitality
Front-of-house backlit signage does double duty — ambient lighting and brand presence in one fixture. We've built pieces for hotel lobbies and restaurants where the sign itself becomes part of the interior design. High-end and unique finishes like Polished Brass and Copper are great in these applications and hold up in high-traffic environments.
Schools & Universities
Campus facilities teams often need signs across multiple buildings — athletic centers, admin lobbies, rec facilities — that read cohesive without a large per-install budget. We typically recommend a color-matched painted aluminum with warm white LED for institutional settings; it reads official without feeling cold or corporate. Most backlit letter orders ship in 16 - 20 business days, which fits the facilities department approval-to-install window most schools are working with.
Faster Quotes. Better Pricing. Ships to Your Door.
Most local shops quote backlit letters in days — we turn around a quote and proof the same day. Our manufacturing scale keeps costs lower than you'd expect, and everything ships with hardware included.
Built to Spec
What You're Actually Getting
Three things buyers ask about before they order — answered with the numbers that matter.
01
Stainless or Aluminum — We'll Tell You Which
Stainless holds up coastal — 316 alloy passed ASTM B117 salt fog testing with zero corrosion after two weeks. Inland? Aluminum 5052 is lighter and costs less. We’ll steer you to the right material for your environment before you spend a dollar.
02
UL-Certified Electrical, Mounting Template & Hardware
Every illuminated sign we build ships UL-certified — components, power supplies, wiring diagrams, mounting hardware and template included. All of our signs can be wired to standard 120v building power.
03
10 year warranty for letters. 3 years for LEDs
Letter materials carry a 10 year warranty. Electrical components — LEDs and power supplies — are covered for 3 years. Everything ships with what you need to install it yourself or with a handyman or electrician.
Get Started Today
Matching Finish & Light Color to Your Space
Six metal finishes, eight LED colors. Both get specified before anything goes to production and both show up on the proof we send before you pay. Here's what's available and what each one is built for.
Metal & Finish
Brushed Stainless Steel
Most versatile finish we offer. Reads clean under all lighting. Brushed texture handles fingerprints in high-traffic lobbies.
Painted (Custom Color)
Match your brand palette exactly. Holds under UV and temperature cycling. Right call when raw metal doesn’t match your identity standards.
Polished Stainless
High-end mirror-like finish. Reads more formal than brushed. Plan for fingerprints in high-touch areas.
Brass (Brushed or Polished)
Timeless Brass finish perfect for financial firms, law offices, luxury hospitality. Brushed reads contemporary; polished more formal.
Copper (Brushed or Polished)
Unique finish similar to Rose Gold. Warmer and richer than brass. Best for high-end retail, hospitality, and restaurant applications.
Oxidized / Oil-Rubbed
Our most distinctive decorative finish. Hand oil-rubbed to create depth and warmth. Light oxidized reads antique; dark reads archival and formal.
LED Color & Temperature
Cool White – 7000k
Crisp, high-contrast output. Best for modern corporate lobbies and retail storefronts where legibility at distance is the priority.
Natural White – 5000k
Our most common LED spec. Reads well under both daylight and artificial light — the safe call for most commercial applications.
Warm White – 3000k
Softer, warmer glow. Works with ambient incandescent lighting rather than competing with it. Best for hospitality, restaurant, and boutique environments.
Solid Color LEDs
High-impact single-color output in red, green, blue, or yellow. Best when the brand uses one of these hues and wants the sign to command attention.
RGB LEDs (Color-Changing)
Tunable to thousands of colors via remote and app. Closest option to a true brand color match — or set different colors for day, night, and special events.
Not sure what to specify? Send us your space — a photo of the wall, your logo file, and a note about the lighting environment. We’ll make a call and explain the reasoning before anything goes to production.
Get Started Today
Matching Finish & Light Color to Your Space
Six metal finishes, eight LED colors. Both get specified before anything goes to production and both show up on the proof we send before you pay. Here's what's available and what each one is built for.
Metal & Finish
Brushed Stainless Steel
Most versatile finish we offer. Reads clean under all lighting. Brushed texture handles fingerprints in high-traffic lobbies.
Painted (Custom Color)
Match your brand palette exactly. Holds under UV and temperature cycling. Right call when raw metal doesn’t match your identity standards.
Polished Stainless
High-end mirror-like finish. Reads more formal than brushed. Plan for fingerprints in high-touch areas.
Brass (Brushed or Polished)
Timeless Brass finish perfect for financial firms, law offices, luxury hospitality. Brushed reads contemporary; polished more formal.
Copper (Brushed or Polished)
Unique finish similar to Rose Gold. Warmer and richer than brass. Best for high-end retail, hospitality, and restaurant applications.
Oxidized / Oil-Rubbed
Our most distinctive decorative finish. Hand oil-rubbed to create depth and warmth. Light oxidized reads antique; dark reads archival and formal.
LED Color & Temperature
Cool White – 7000k
Crisp, high-contrast output. Best for modern corporate lobbies and retail storefronts where legibility at distance is the priority.
Natural White – 5000k
Our most common LED spec. Reads well under both daylight and artificial light — the safe call for most commercial applications.
Warm White – 3000K
Softer, warmer glow. Works with ambient incandescent lighting rather than competing with it. Best for hospitality, restaurant, and boutique environments.
Solid Color LEDs
High-impact single-color output in red, green, blue, or yellow. Best when the brand uses one of these hues and wants the sign to command attention.
RGB LEDs (Color-Changing)
Tunable to thousands of colors via remote and app. Closest option to a true brand color match — or set different colors for day, night, and special events.
Material Finishes
Ten standard finishes. Custom colors and premium metals on request.
LED Color Options
Eight different LED color options with their own distinct look.
NOT SURE WHICH TO CHOOSE?
Send us a photo of your wall, your logo file, and a note on the lighting environment. We’ll specify the finish and LED temperature and explain the call before anything goes to production.
| Material | Available In | Interior | Exterior | Coastal / Salt Air | Relative Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brushed & Polished Stainless304 Standard · 316 Coastal-Rated | Alloy 304 or 316 | ✓ | ✓ | Alloy 316 Only | 304 316 |
Most Common Corporate lobbies, retail storefronts, exterior building ID. Brushed hides fingerprints; polished for a more high-end look. Specify 316 for coastal or exterior installs. |
| Painted - Custom Color304 Standard · 316 Coastal-Rated | Alloy 304 or 316 | ✓ | ✓ | Alloy 316 Only | 304 316 |
When brand standards require a specific PMS match. UV-stable formulation. Common in franchise and multi-location rollouts. Specify 316 for exterior locations. |
| Brass & Copper FinishesBrushed or Polished · 304 or 316 | Alloy 304 or 316 | ✓ | ✓ | Alloy 316 Only | 304 316 |
Signals permanence and material credibility. Best in client-facing interiors - banking, legal, hospitality. Brushed reads contemporary and easier to maintain; Polished more high-end but shows finger prints & dust. |
| Oxidized Brass & CopperLight or Dark Patina · 304 or 316 | Alloy 304 or 316 | ✓ | ◑ | Alloy 316 Only | 304 316 |
For spaces where the sign needs to feel permanent and luxurious. Finish is stabilized before it leaves the shop. Common in university, government, and museum applications. |
| AcrylicEdge-Lit or Push-Through Cabinet | Acrylic | ✓ | ◑ | ✕ | Best where depth is limited or a panel look is preferred over dimensional letters. Lighter than metal, easier to hang. Most commonly used indoors, but can be used for exterior when properly spec'd. |
INSTALLATION
How to Install Backlit Signs
Our backlit sign letters and logos are straightforward to install. We recommend a licensed electrician or sign installer verify that your power needs are met — standard 110-volt current running to our UL-listed transformers.
Every order ships with all mounting hardware, standoff spacers, and a step-by-step installation guide. We supply separate step-by-step installation guides for three common mounting scenarios — select yours below.
See What Backlit Letters Look Like on Your Wall
We superimpose your sign on a photo of your actual space — same day. No appointment, no waiting. Just a proof you can approve and a lead time most local shops can't touch.
OUR PROCESS
Quote to Finished Sign — Faster Than You'd Expect
No appointment scheduling, no waiting on a sales rep to visit your space. Send us your file and we move the same day.
1
Submit Your File & Get a Proof
Upload your logo or artwork — .AI, .EPS, or .PDF preferred. We return a quote and a to-scale proof within 24 hours. Send us a photo of your wall and we’ll superimpose the sign on it so you know exactly what you’re getting before you approve anything.
2
Approve & We Start Immediately
3
It Ships With Everything You Need
PROJECT GALLERY
500 + Backlit Installs. Every Industry
We build backlit signage for businesses where the sign is part of the impression. Every install below shipped complete from our shop in Kansas City — mounting hardware, full-size template, and wiring diagram included. The captions tell you what material and LED spec we used on each one.
Showing 12 of 500+ completed installs nationwide
OUR CLIENTS
You're In Good Company
We've made signage for Fortune 500 companies, startups, the FBI, and all branches of the military - and everyone in between. If you need a sign that looks professional and will last - we're your team.
TESTIMONIALS
See What Our Customers are Saying
Industry Leading 10 Year Warranty on Letters - 3 Year Warranty for LEDs
Common Questions
Backlit Letters — Answered Directly
Do I need an electrician to install backlit letters?
Most customers don't. We ship every lighted sign with a full-size paper template, mounting hardware, and a wiring diagram. If your wall already has an outlet or conduit nearby, a confident DIYer or general handyman can handle the install in an afternoon. Where a licensed electrician is required — typically for hardwired in-wall connections — we can refer one at no markup. Billing goes directly between you and the installer. We just make the introduction.
What happens if my sign arrives damaged?
Contact us within 5 business days of delivery and send photos — ideally taken before you move the sign from its packaging. We file the shipping claim and handle replacement or repair on our end. The most important thing is acting quickly and documenting the damage on arrival. We've handled this before and we make it straightforward — the sign you ordered is the sign you'll end up with.
How long does it take to get backlit letters made?
Halo-lit letters run 16–20 business days. Every sign is built to order — nothing ships from inventory. Each piece moves through art review, file prep, fabrication, paint, and a quality check before it leaves. We don't accept rush orders as a rule because they push other customers' jobs out of sequence. If you have a firm deadline, tell us up front. We'll do what we can on the proof and setup side to give fabrication the maximum runway.
How do I know the sign will look right before I pay?
Every order includes a to-scale proof before anything goes into production — that's your moment to catch sizing, spacing, or finish questions. Send us a photo of your wall and we'll show the sign to scale on your wall. If you're uncertain about a finish, material samples ship for $10 (credited back to your order). We go back and forth on revisions until the proof is right. Nothing moves to the shop floor until you reply with an approval.
Why order from us instead of a local sign company?
Our pricing is typically better — and lead time faster — even after you factor in shipping. More importantly, backlit letters are what we do. Most local shops focus on vinyl, printing, and large commercial installs requiring permits and lifts. Dimensional lighted signage is a secondary focus for them; it's our primary one. We've built more of these signs than most local shops ever will. You get a same-day quote and proof rather than waiting several days after a site visit — and everything ships ready to install.
What materials are backlit channel letters made from?
We fabricate backlit channel letters from 18-gauge stainless steel or .090 aluminum, with brass and copper available for decorative interior applications. Stainless and aluminum handle both indoor and outdoor installs — for coastal or salt-air locations we spec 316 marine-grade stainless, which resists corrosion that would degrade standard aluminum. Faces can be left as raw brushed or polished metal, painted to any PMS color, or finished in brass, copper, or a hand oil-rubbed oxidized look. The LEDs and electrical components inside are UL-certified regardless of which material you choose.
How much do backlit letters cost? Is there a minimum order?
Backlit letter pricing is based on letter height, material, and finish — most projects are quoted per character. As a rough starting point, smaller stainless or aluminum letters begin in the lower per-character range, with larger sizes and premium finishes like brass, copper, or oxidized treatments costing more.
There's no minimum order — we build everything from a single character to full multi-location building-ID systems. Smaller orders carry a slightly higher per-character cost since shop setup is the same regardless of quantity, and we show that breakdown on the quote so there are no surprises. Send us your file and we'll have an exact number back to you the same day.
What is the warranty of backlit channel letters?
Our backlit channel letters carry a 10-year warranty on the letter materials and fabrication, and a 3-year warranty on the LEDs and electrical components. The metal housings, finishes, and structural work are built to last well beyond the warranty period — we use lead-free continuous soldered joints and UL-certified components specifically so the sign doesn't develop rust streaks, finish failures, or electrical issues down the road. If anything covered fails within the warranty window, we make it right.
Get Started Today
Ready to See What Your Sign Could Look Like?
No appointment. No site visit. Send us your file and we'll have a quote and a to-scale proof back the same day. 10 Year Warranty on all letter materials. 3-year warranty on LEDs and electrical components.
Call us: 816-549-2417
