Built-up and 3D letters
Fabricated aluminium, stainless and acrylic letters, stud fixed with a stand off. The specification that reads as a considerable step up in quality at street level. See our guide for more detail.
Why fabricated letters cost more and last longer
A built up letter is a three dimensional fabricated object rather than a graphic applied to a flat panel. It has a face, a return and a back, it is assembled and welded or bonded, and it is mounted individually onto the building or a tray.
That is why they cost several times a printed panel, and why they survive decades rather than years. There is nothing to fade, peel or lift. On an office, a hotel or a restaurant they are usually the single most effective spend on the whole frontage.
Before you order
Letter depth and stand off distance are not cosmetic. Halo illumination needs enough return depth and enough gap from the wall for the light to spread, typically 40mm or more. Too shallow a stand off and the halo becomes a hard ring rather than an even glow. We set both at design stage against the actual elevation.
What we need to quote
- Vector artwork of the logo or wordmark
- Overall width the lettering has to sit within
- Substrate the letters fix into, or a photograph of it
- Illuminated or not, and whether power is available
- Any colour references, RAL or Pantone
Material and finish options
Fabricated aluminium
Powder coated to any RAL. The standard for illuminated and external letters.
Brushed stainless
316 grade for external and coastal. Reads as premium and needs no finish maintenance.
Flat cut acrylic
Cheaper, lighter, suits interiors and non illuminated exteriors. Wide colour range.
Halo illumination
Warm or cool white LED behind the letter, lighting the wall. The most requested specification.
Face illumination
Opal acrylic face, brightest at distance. Best for roadside and retail parks.
Fixing
Threaded studs into resin anchors, drilled from a template taken at survey.
Common questions
What are built-up letters?
Three dimensional fabricated letters with a face, a return and a back, assembled and mounted individually onto a building or tray, rather than a graphic applied to a flat panel.
Why do built-up letters cost more?
Because each letter is a fabricated object rather than printed artwork. They cost several times a printed panel and survive decades rather than years, with nothing to fade, peel or lift.
How deep do built-up letters need to be for halo illumination?
Enough return depth and a stand off of roughly 40mm or more, so the light spreads evenly. Too shallow and the halo reads as a hard ring rather than a glow.
Pricing built-up lettering?
Send the artwork and the width it has to sit within. We will come back with material options and a budget figure.
Middle Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 7DP
Ten minutes from Stevenage. Visitors welcome.