Custom Light Box Signs – Illuminated Outdoor Business Signs

Which type of light box sign fits your business?

Single-sided or double-sided?

A single-sided light box sign mounts flat on the wall and is read from the front: the usual sign above the door. A double-sided light box has a face on each side and is mounted at a right angle to the building as a blade sign, so people on the sidewalk read it from both directions. Many storefronts use both, a larger cabinet on the wall and a smaller double-sided one on a bracket.

Light or dark background?

The background is the design decision that changes a light box sign the most. On a white or light background the whole face glows at night. Nothing gets more attention, but a logo can get lost in a large bright area. On a dark, opaque background only the lettering and logo light up, and at night the sign looks almost like individual channel letters.

Our advice: on a busy commercial street, where your sign competes with a lot of other light, a light background works well. Where the sign should look calm and upscale, a dark background is usually the better choice. With day/night vinyl an area can look dark by day and still glow white at night.

Print or cut vinyl?

UV direct print reproduces gradients, photos and complex logos precisely on the face. Cut vinyl suits clean lettering and solid areas in brand colors. Your design preview shows which one fits your logo.

What size should a light box sign be?

For the text on the face, plan about 1 inch of letter height for every 8 feet of reading distance (1 cm per meter). The cabinet itself is sized to the space your building offers: measure the clear area above the entrance and leave a margin all around, so the sign does not look squeezed in. Cabinets are about 3–6 in (8–15 cm) deep depending on size, and long sign bands are built in sections.

Light box sign or channel letters?

A light box sign is the economical choice when there is a lot of text, a detailed logo or photos to show, and the face can be replaced later if your branding changes. Channel letters look more upscale because the wall shows between the letters, but they take more work for long names.

The two also work together: channel letters on the wall and a double-sided light box as a blade sign, for example.

Installation and power

The cabinet is fastened to the wall; on EIFS it needs special anchors. The power supply is built in, and the sign is hardwired by a licensed electrician: it does not plug into an outlet. It is switched like any other light circuit and is not dimmable. Mounting hardware and installation instructions are included, and if you don't have a sign installer, we can help you find one near you.

Sign permits and landlord sign criteria

Rules for illuminated signs are set locally, so they differ from city to city. Shopping centers and commercial buildings often add their own sign criteria in the lease, for example the cabinet size, face colors and whether a light box sign is allowed at all.

Before you order, check with your city's permitting or zoning office and with your landlord or property manager. We supply a dimensioned drawing and a visual of the light box sign on your building, which is what both usually ask to see.

How to order a custom light box sign

Light box signs are quoted individually. Send your logo, the size you have in mind and a photo of the building through our design request form. You receive a free design preview on your own photo and a firm quote before you order.

Production takes approx. 2–3 weeks after your order, then express delivery in 2–4 days, delivery included. If you have an opening date to meet, rush production and rush shipping can be selected at checkout at a surcharge.

Light box signs and other storefront signs

We build light box signs for businesses nationwide, including New York, Miami and Chicago. Planning the whole front of the building? See our storefront signs page for how a light box, channel letters and a blade sign fit together.