★★★★★
“The exposed LED letters nailed the retro look we were going for, and they're way easier to maintain than glass neon.”
Ideal For
BarsVintage-style retailRestaurants
#open-face-letters#exposed-neon-look#retro-channel-letters
Features
- Exposed light source look
- Retro/industrial aesthetic
- LED or neon options
- Visible neon or exposed LED tube modules
- Raw or painted aluminum returns
- Custom depth for a bold retro shadow
Open-Face Channel Letters
Open-Face Channel Letters
Exposed-neon or exposed-LED channel letters with no acrylic face, giving a retro, industrial look where the light source itself is visible. Skipping the acrylic face entirely exposes the light source whether modern LED tube or traditional neon which is exactly the point for bars, vintage-style retail, and restaurants chasing a retro or industrial look, and most new builds now use weather-rated exposed LED rather than fragile glass neon while still keeping that same exposed-tube aesthetic.
Open-Face Channel Letters is open-face channel letters built using aluminum returns, no face, available in sizes from 8in - 36in letter height, with a typical turnaround of 12-18 business days, backed by a 2 year workmanship warranty. It is best suited for bars, vintage-style retail, restaurants.
Maintenance Tip
Dust exposed tube modules periodically since they're not shielded behind an acrylic face.
Key Benefits
1
Maximizes 24/7 brand visibility with even, code-compliant illumination
2
Builds instant brand recognition through custom fonts, colors, and shapes
3
Engineered for outdoor durability across seasons and weather extremes
4
Helps drive walk-in traffic by making your storefront easy to spot from the road
Technical Specifications
- Material
- Aluminum returns, no face
- Size Range
- 8in - 36in letter height
- Color Options
- Exposed LED or neon tube colors with raw or painted metal returns
- Turnaround Time
- 12-18 business days
- Warranty
- 2 year workmanship
Pricing depends on size, illumination, and installation complexity. Typical turnaround is 12-18 business days once your design is approved request a free quote for an exact estimate.
Why Choose Us
Trusted by Bars and Vintage-style retail
Built with Aluminum returns, no face for lasting durability
Backed by our 2 year workmanship
Materials Used
Aluminum returns, no face
Color & Finish Options
Exposed LED or neon tube colors with raw or painted metal returns
What to Know Before You Buy
Font and color consistency matters
Matching your letters exactly to your brand guidelines helps customers recognize your storefront at a glance, even from a distance.
Illumination type affects mood
Front-lit, halo-lit, and combination-lit letters all create a different visual impression worth testing against your brand personality before finalizing.
Retro look, modern components
Most open-face channel letters built today use weatherproof exposed LED rather than glass neon, which keeps the vintage aesthetic while significantly reducing maintenance and breakage risk.
Daytime appearance matters as much as nighttime glow
Because the light source remains visible inside the open face, tube placement, interior paint, and letter depth should look intentional even when the sign is switched off.
How It Works
- 1
Free Consultation & Site Visit
We review your space, branding goals, and local sign code requirements to scope out your project.
- 2
Design & Proofing
You'll receive a custom design proof to review, revise, and approve before anything goes into production.
- 3
In-House Fabrication
Fabrication happens in our own shop, built to your approved specs using Aluminum returns, no face.
- 4
Professional Installation
Our licensed install crew mounts, wires, and tests the sign on-site, then walks you through the finished result.
What Clients Say
★★★★★
“We couldn't be happier with our new open-face channel letters. The team was professional and the final result really elevates our space.”
★★★★★
“Top-notch quality and great communication throughout the process. Highly recommend them for any open-face channel letters needs!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do open-face letters need more maintenance?+
Because the light source is exposed, they may need occasional cleaning but modern LED versions are low-maintenance.
Are open-face letters weatherproof?+
Yes, exposed LED modules used today are weather-rated, unlike fragile traditional glass neon tubing.
Can open-face letters be converted from old neon signs?+
Yes, many open-face channel letters are retrofitted from glass neon to modern exposed LED for easier upkeep.
Do open-face letters cost more or less than standard channel letters?+
Costs are generally comparable, though exposed LED modules may add a modest premium over a standard acrylic face.
Are open-face letters weatherproof if they're not behind glass or acrylic?+
Yes modern exposed LED modules used for open-face letters are weather-rated for outdoor use, unlike traditional fragile glass neon tubing, which needs more careful placement and protection.
Related Work
View All Work →
Front-Lit Channel Letters
The classic illuminated channel letter internally lit acrylic faces that glow evenly, one of the most recognized forms of building-mounted signage. This is the standard against which most other illuminated letter styles are compared: an aluminum return holds an internally lit acrylic face, giving even, bright, code-compliant illumination that's instantly recognizable on retail storefronts, restaurants, and franchise branding across virtually every commercial corridor.
12-18 day turnaround
LED / Neon Signs
Flexible LED neon that mimics traditional glass neon without the fragility, bent into custom logos, scripts, or decorative shapes for interior or exterior use. Because flexible LED neon runs cooler, is shatterproof, and draws a fraction of the power that glass neon tubing requires, it's replaced traditional glass neon almost entirely for custom scripts, logos, and decorative shapes while still delivering the same warm, glowing look bars, restaurants, and retail brands want for accent lighting and photo-worthy displays.
10-15 day turnaround