Aluminum Strip for Channel Letters

When we talk about store signs, rooftop letters, or any illuminated signage, we often first think of the brightness and color of the LEDs. However, supporting that brilliance and defining the letter shape and durability is a crucial yet often overlooked component—the aluminum strip, commonly called "trim coil" or "flat aluminum coil" in the trade.

Simply put, an aluminum strip is a coil-supplied aluminum alloy band with specific width and thickness. It is specifically designed to form the three-dimensional returns (the sides) of channel letters, acting as the structural "skeleton" that gives the letter its shape.
Aluminum offers several natural advantages perfect for outdoor signage:

• Lightweight yet Strong: Much lighter than steel, making handling and installation easier, while providing sufficient strength to hold the letterform.

• Corrosion Resistant: Naturally rust-resistant, especially with surface treatments, allowing it to withstand weather long-term.

• Easy to Fabricate: Its moderate malleability allows for precise bending on a folding machine to create the various angles of letter strokes.

• Takes Finish Well: Readily accepts painting, laminating, or other finishes to match color requirements.

What Are the Common Specifications?
Aluminum strip has evolved into a standardized product for easy selection:

• Alloy & Temper: The most common is 1060, 3003 aluminum alloy in H14 temper. This combination offers good formability (easy to bend) and adequate strength (holds its shape after bending), representing a mature industry choice that balances performance and cost.

• Thickness: Common gauges are 1.0mm, 1.2mm, and 1.5mm. Thickness directly affects the rigidity of the return and the overall structural strength. 1.0mm and 1.2mm are used for most small to medium-sized letters, being cost-effective; 1.5mm or thicker is for oversized letters or applications requiring extra rigidity.

• Width: The width determines the final return height (depth of the letter). Common width specs (which become the letter depth) include 80mm (8cm), 100mm (10cm), 120mm (12cm), etc., with other widths available per design. It's typically supplied in large master coils (with standard inner diameters like 505mm or 605mm), lengths reaching hundreds of meters, facilitating continuous, efficient production with minimal joints.

How Does It Become a Channel Letter?
The process is straightforward: Sign fabricators use CNC bending machines to precisely fold and cut the aluminum strip according to the letter's digital design path, creating the complete return skeleton for each character. Then, the cut acrylic face (light panel) and back plate are assembled and sealed with this aluminum return. Finally, LED modules are installed inside. This results in a structurally sound, well-sealed channel letter.

Benefits of Choosing Aluminum Strip
For sign makers and end-users, using professional aluminum strip means:

1. High Precision: Ensures consistent, sharp letterforms with clean corners.

2. High Efficiency: Coil material working with automated equipment allows for continuous, volume production.

3. Long-lasting Durability: The aluminum skeleton resists warping and rust, ensuring the sign maintains its shape outdoors for years.

4. Excellent Sealability: The flat edge provides a good surface for bonding with the face, effectively sealing out water and dust to protect internal electronics.

In summary, while the aluminum strip doesn't glow itself, it is the indispensable "backbone" for every high-quality channel letter, defining the sign's precision, production efficiency, and long-term reliability.We specialize in producing high-quality aluminum strip that meets industry standards. Beyond supplying standard-width and gauge master coils, we also support custom slitting services to specific widths or smaller roll sizes based on your project requirements, helping to minimize your material waste and optimize production efficiency.If you are looking for a reliable supplier of aluminum strip or have specific questions about material specifications, please feel free to contact us.