Illumination types
Letters built for a New York fascia
Channel letters are the workhorse of NYC storefront signage: individually fabricated, individually mounted, and the sign type DOB and most landlords are already comfortable approving. The decision that matters is how they're lit and how they're mounted.
- Front-lit channel letters
- Aluminum returns with translucent acrylic faces and trim cap, lit from inside by LED modules. Maximum legibility from across the avenue and the default for retail, food, and pharmacy frontages.
- Reverse-lit (halo) letters
- Solid metal faces with the LED light washing the wall behind the letter. Reads as a glow rather than a lit sign — the look landmark districts and higher-end tenants usually prefer on masonry.
- Combination-lit letters
- Front and halo illumination in one letter set, so the wordmark holds up at night from both the sidewalk and the far curb.
- Raceway vs. flush mount
- Flush mount penetrates the facade for the cleanest look; a raceway carries the power supplies in one bar and is often the only option a landlord or a landmarked facade will allow.
NYC reality check
What the city allows on your frontage
- A channel letter set on the street wall needs a DOB sign permit filed by a licensed sign hanger — we file as contractor of record.
- Landmark districts require LPC approval before DOB will issue, and internally lit letters are frequently denied in favor of halo-lit.
- Illuminated signage is restricted in residential districts (R1–R10) and limited in C1/C2 commercial overlays.
- Total sign area is capped by the zoning district and your frontage length, which drives maximum letter height.
- Sidewalk shed, scaffold, or a DOT permit may be required on install day for work over the walkway.
Want the filing details? Read our guide to NYC sign permits and the pre-installation permit checklist.
Process
Survey to sign-off
- 01
Survey
We measure the fascia, check the wall assembly and available power, and pull zoning and landmark status.
- 02
Shop drawings
Scaled elevation, letter heights, illumination type, and mounting detail for the landlord, GC, and DOB.
- 03
Permits
DOB sign application, LPC filing when the district requires it, DOT permit for sidewalk access.
- 04
Fabrication
Returns, faces, and LED systems built and finished in our Manhattan shop — typically 2–3 weeks.
- 05
Install & sign-off
Union-certified crew, lift or scaffold, night installs on busy corridors, and final DOB sign-off.
FAQ
Channel letter questions we get weekly
- How much do channel letters cost in NYC?
- Price tracks letter height, return depth, illumination type, the number of characters, and access for the install. A short one-word storefront set costs far less than a long lit wordmark three stories up. Send frontage dimensions and a storefront photo and we return a written quote, usually within one business day.
- Do channel letters need a permit in New York City?
- Yes. Any sign attached to a building's street wall requires a DOB sign permit filed by a licensed sign hanger, and a landmark district also requires Landmarks approval before DOB will issue.
- Front-lit or halo-lit — which should I choose?
- Front-lit wins on raw legibility and is the right pick for retail and food frontages competing on a busy avenue. Halo-lit reads more premium and is often the only illumination Landmarks will approve on a historic masonry facade.
- How tall can my letters be?
- Maximum sign area is set by your zoning district and the length of your frontage, which in turn caps letter height. We calculate the allowance for your address during the survey and size the set to it.
- How long does a channel letter project take?
- Roughly 4–8 weeks. Fabrication is 2–3 weeks and permitting drives the rest — a straightforward DOB filing runs 2–4 weeks, a landmark review adds more.
- Can you reface or repair an existing letter set?
- Yes. We reface acrylic faces, retrofit failed neon or old LED to current modules, repaint returns, and rebuild raceways — usually far cheaper than a full replacement.
- Do you install channel letters outside Manhattan?
- Yes — Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Our shop and office are at 315 7th Ave in Manhattan.