Sign designers and specifiers now have more ways than ever to add dramatic lighting effects to their creations. Gone are the days where illuminated signs had to be produced with metal cans at least 127 mm (5 in.) deep to allow sufficient space for high-voltage neon lighting and wiring. With today’s widespread availability of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), the landscape for channel letters has been revolutionized. Much shallower designs are now possible, down to 38 mm (1.5 in.) deep for face-lit letters and less than 25 mm (1 in.) deep for halo-lit letters, in a variety of metal or plastic materials.

随着技术的不断更新，标识制造商已经拥有更多的方法来为标识增添出色的的照明效果，而不局限于使用127毫米（5英寸）深的金属罐来制作照明标识，这样一来，他们将有足够的空间来部署各种照明和各种接线。随着发光二极管的广泛使用，发光字成为了城市中一道亮丽的风景。一般发光字设计的深度为38毫米（1.5英寸），正面字母的深度为25毫米（1英寸），由各种金属或塑料材料组成。

Visual context

视觉元素

When designing an illuminated sign, there are a number of factors to consider and evaluate throughout the process.

设计发光标识的整个过程中，有许多因素是需要考虑和评估的。

For one thing, there should be a full review of the planned installation site. There may be local factors, such as space restrictions or existing lighting in the surrounding area, that could negatively impact the visibility of the sign.

一方面，应对计划的安装地点进行全面审查，有时可能因为存在的局部问题，而导致整体效果不好，例如，空间限制或周围照明可能会对标识的可见性造成负面影响。

The context of the installation site will also determine whether the sign will be viewed up close or from a distance. The channel letters will need to be sized and spaced properly to ensure they are easily readable. To further increase legibility, the colour of the mounting surface should be contrasted strongly with the colours of the letters.

安装标识地点的周围环境也将影响标识的可见效果。此外，发光字各字母之间的大小和间隔也必须处理好，以确保它的易读性。为了进一步提高易读性，字母表面的颜色应与背景面板的颜色有强烈对比。

Another factor is how much of the sign will be directly illuminated. Some letters might be face-lit while others are halo-lit, for example, or perhaps only specific areas will need to be lit at all.

另一方面，有些发光字能直接照亮，有些则可能是被其他光源照亮的。

All of these considerations will help identify the optimal materials to use for the sign and how best to illuminate it, with which types and colours of LEDs.

以上提到的两点因素考虑周全了都将有助于帮助受众更好地识别标识，此外，选择发光标识的材料、LED的类型和颜色都将影响发光效果。

Materials and finishes

材料和表面处理

Illuminated sign faces can be specified with translucent materials in any desired colour or with so-called ‘day/night’ acrylic, which—as the term suggests—allows channel letters to showcase one colour by day and another by night. For more detailed designs, sign faces can be printed with special translucent inks, applied with vinyl or coated with translucent paints for illuminated portions and opaque paints or vinyl for unlit portions.

照亮标识的表面可以用任何所需颜色的亚克力材料，或分“昼/夜”使用的丙烯酸树脂材料，这种丙烯酸树脂材料可以使字母在白天呈现一种颜色，在晚上又可以显示出另外一种颜色。对于更详细的设计，标识的表面可以使用特殊的半透明油墨进行打印，在用于照明和不起泡的部分涂上乙烯基或半透明涂料。

For a halo-lit design, the faces can be nearly any type of metal or pigmented plastic finish. They can also be printed, applied with vinyl or painted in any combination of colours.

对于标识的光晕设计，表面的材料可以是任何类型的金属或塑料。在金属和塑料上也可以进行打印，涂上任何颜色组合的乙烯基。

With this freedom, the designer’s primary focus should be identifying which colour, finish and illumination will work best for the sign, given the surrounding visual context, to achieve the desired look.

值得注意的是，设计师的主要考虑的焦点应该是要先鉴定安装标识周围的整体视觉环境，再确定要安装标识的颜色以及符号，这样才能达到客户所需的外观效果。

Halo-lighting considerations

光晕

If the surface of an installation site for halo-lit letters is dark and glossy, it will absorb light and create a mirror effect with the LEDs. A matte sheen with proper colour contrast, on the other hand, can support a stronger halo effect.

如果光晕字母的安装地点比较黑暗，那么它将吸收光线并通过LED产生镜像效果。另一方面，具有适当颜色对比度的哑光光泽可以使标识产生光环效果。

Another question is how far the letters should stand off of the surface. The closer they are to the wall behind them, the less lighting will be emitted around the perimeter of the letters, thus limiting the intended effect.

另一个要注意的问题是发光字离背景面板应保持适当的距离。当发光标识越靠近墙壁，照明将围绕字母周边进行释放，从而限制了预期的效果。

The best halo illumination effect is produced with a letter-to-wall distance of about 38 mm (1.5 in.), i.e. the minimum depth for a face-lit sign, but the designer will need to decide just how wide and bright an illuminated outline is desired around each letter or other visual component and around the sign as a whole. The spacing between the letters may need to be adjusted, for example, to prevent the appearance of the letters ‘blending’ when lit.

要使光晕照明达到最好的效果，字母到墙壁的距离应保持38毫米（1.5英寸），即面光标识的最小深度。在制作过程中，设计师需要精确的计算出照明的宽度和亮度，围绕每个字母、其他视觉部件，以及对整个标识的轮廓进行测量，如果有问题，字母之间的间距可能需要进行调整。

Choosing LEDs

LED的类型选择

The LED modules used in signs are typically 12-V direct current (DC) systems, approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). While some are intended to populate large sign panels, others are engineered with wider viewing angles to help light smaller, more compact spaces, including narrow channel letter strokes.

发光字中使用的LED模块通常是12 V的直流系统。这种系统是为了填充大型标识牌而设计，能提供很宽的视角，帮助照明效果好，空间紧凑感强。

Thus, the design of a sign will dictate which types of LEDs should be used to illuminate it. LED selection is a matter of identifying the correct light intensity and viewing angle.

因此，标识的设计将决定使用哪种类型的LED，LED的类型选择正确了，才能保证光的强度和完美视角。

As for colour, the LED’s wavelength should be matched to that of the translucent plastic letter, in the case of a face-lit application, or to the desired halo appearance.

在颜色这块，要实现标识面部照明所需的光环效果，LED的波长应与半透明塑料字母的波长相匹配。

The same LEDs can certainly be used for a broad variety of applications, but it is best to consult with suppliers to find out which will be best for a specific design.

相同类型的LED可以用于各种各样的标识应用中，但是，在使用之前最好先咨询供应商，以找出最佳适合的LED。

Metals and plastics

金属与塑料

LEDs can be installed effectively within a wide variety of UL-recognized materials, including—but not limited to—the following:

LED可以有效地安装在各种UL认可的材料中，包括以下材料：

· Fabricated metals: aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel or titanium-coated stainless steel.

· 金属制品：铝、黄铜、青铜、铜、不锈钢或镀钛不锈钢。

· Cast metals: aluminum or bronze.

· 金属、铝或青铜

· Plastics: cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) or acrylic.

· 塑料：乙酸、丁酸、纤维素或亚克力

There are advantages to using some of these materials over others. If a sign design calls for the use of plastic cans, for example, it will be important to select specific LEDs that do not require a metal can to serve as their ‘heat sink.’ It will also be important to choose a plastic—such as CAB—that is already approved for use in illuminated signage.

应用有些材料来制作标识是非常有优势的。例如，如果制作标识使用的是塑料罐，则不需要散热器。因此，塑料罐是一个不错的选择，例如CAB塑料，已被官方批准应用于照明标识。

Fabricated metals

金属制造

With fabricated metals, there are many options for channel letters, from thin-gauge trim-cap aluminum to welded or soldered premium-gauge aluminum, stainless steel (including the titanium-coated variations), brass, copper and bronze, all of which can provide a more elegant, sophisticated appearance than plastic, for both day and night viewing.

此外，选择使用金属来制造标识，会有许多选项可选，从薄型装饰铝合金到焊接的优质铝、不锈钢（包括钛涂层变体）、黄铜、铜和青铜，这些都比塑料的外观更优雅，在昼夜观看会有非常好的效果。

Trim-cap aluminum channel letters are typically face-lit and 76 or 127 mm (3 or 5 in.) deep. They are produced with 1-mm (0.04-in.) or 1.6-mm (0.06-in) aluminum returns, while they may not appear highly robust from up close, they provide a good option for economical signage that can be produced quickly.

铝修边字母通常的深度为76或127毫米（3或5英寸），虽然从它们的表面来看非常简单，但实际它们是经济标识的良好选择。

Premium-gauge aluminum channel letters are welded, face- or halo-lit and available in standard depths ranging from 51 mm (2 in.) to 152 mm (6 in.), with greater depths available for special projects. The material is sufficiently strong for channel letters that are 0.4 to 3 m (16 to 120 in.) tall or even larger. There are also ‘trimless’ face-lit applications, i.e. where the edge of the face is illuminated along with the rest of it. There are painted, brushed and anodized finishes available for face- and halo-lit aluminum letters.

高级铝型发光字的焊接标准深度范围是51 mm（2英寸）到152 mm（6英寸），特殊项目可提供更深的深度。对于0.4至3米（16至120英寸）高或甚至更大的发光字，该材料足够坚固。对于面部照明可以由相同规格的铝制成，将半透明塑料面保持在适当位置，再对铝合金字母进行涂漆、拉丝和阳极氧化处理。

Premium stainless steel letters are best produced with a continuous bead of solder around the inside perimeter of their faces. They can be face- or halo-lit at a wide variety of depths, from 25 to 152 mm (1 to 6 in.).

此外，另一种是优质的不锈钢发光字，在制作时最好在表面的周边使用焊料珠，它们可以在25到152毫米（1到6英寸）的深度上产生光晕效果。

Stainless steel letters can be produced as small as 51 mm (2 in.), but due to the size limitations of LED modules, they are typically required to be at least 152 mm (6 in.) for illumination. For face-lit applications, a narrow outline is required within the design to secure the translucent plastic face in place. Like premium-gauge aluminum, stainless steel provides sharp, crisp corners and trimless face applications are also available. Polished, brushed, titanium-coated and painted finishes are the most popular options.

不锈钢发光字的制作可以小至51毫米（2英寸），但由于LED模块的尺寸限制，它们通常需要至少152毫米（6英寸）的照明。对于应用在不锈钢发光字的面部照明，需要设计一个狭窄的轮廓，以将半透明塑料面固定到位。此外，抛光、拉丝、镀钛和涂漆是最受欢迎的设计选择。

Cast metals

金属铸造

Both cast aluminum and bronze have been traditional choices for letters, logos and plaques, as they convey a sense of sophisticated quality and permanence for banks and other institutions, but LEDs have helped update them with halo lighting for better nighttime visibility. Cast metal letters are produced with a ‘cavity’ in the back for the lighting modules, with a protective rear panel easily added. They can also be custom-designed for special projects. A halo effect is possible at a depth from 13 to 76 mm (0.5 to 3 in.) or greater. A wide variety of painted, brushed, anodized, oxidized, patina and polished finishes are available.

铸铝和青铜都是传统发光字选择的使用材料，因为它们给人一种正式而持久的感觉，加上LED照明技术的利用，可以增强标识在夜间的可见性。铸造金属发光字不仅能为照明模块的应用轻松地添加保护装置，还可以定制特殊项目，例如，在13至76毫米（0.5至3英寸），或更大深度的标识上产生光晕效果，进行各种各样的拉丝、阳极氧化和抛光表面处理。

Plastics

塑料

Illuminated CAB letters are thermoformed with a slight edge radius. They are produced with a two-part construction—i.e. faces and cans—and can be face- or halo-lit. For face-lit letters, a partially illuminated return will create a dramatic effect.

发光的CAB字母以轻微的边缘半径进行热成型，它们由两部分构造，对于面朝上的发光字，部分照明会产生戏剧性的效果。

CAB is easily customizable to create letters, logos and panels as small as 230 mm (9 in.) tall. The shallowest depth for proper lighting with LEDs is approximately 51 mm (2 in.). The physical size of the LED modules and the thickness of the plastics are the main factors limiting the size of individual letter strokes, but they can be as narrow as 25 mm (1 in.). Smaller letters with very narrow strokes can be produced, but instead of being individually mounted characters, they can be raised, illuminated characters integral to the face of a sign panel. Intricate designs and accents can be created by adding vinyl or printed graphics to the face.

CAB发光字的制作相对简单，字母和面板的创建小至230毫米（9英寸），应用于CAB发光字中的LED照明的最浅深度约为51毫米（2英寸）。LED模块的物理尺寸和塑料的厚度是限制单个字母尺寸的主要因素，它们可以窄到25毫米（1英寸），可以产生较小的字母，而不是单独安装的字符，可以使照亮的字母与标识的面部合成一体，可以通过在面部添加乙烯基或印刷图形来创建复杂的设计图案。

Illuminated acrylic channel letters provide a high-end but low-profile appearance. They can be produced by precision machining or fabricating cast translucent acrylic.

另外一种是亚克力材质做的发光字，这种发光字的外观看起来低调奢华，它们是通过精密加工的半透明丙烯酸制造而成。

Precision-machined acrylic offers a refined, sharp edge, trimless face and well-diffused light for letters and logos as small as 203 mm (8 in.) and up to 711 mm (28 in.). In addition to the face or back being lit, a 4.8-mm (0.19-in.) plate edge is illuminated for a more dramatic effect. Stroke widths can vary from 22 to 127 mm (0.87 to 5 in.).

精密加工的丙烯酸能提供精致而锋利的边缘、耀眼的散射光，以及小于203毫米（8英寸）和高达711毫米（28英寸）的字母。除了正面或背部能被照亮之外，一个4.8毫米（0.19英寸）的平板边缘也会被照亮，会获得更加显着的可见效果（行程宽度可以在22到127毫米之间变化）。

Fabricated acrylic further extends the trimless look by supporting face, halo and/or return illumination. Pieces are precision-routed and hand-fabricated with buffed edges and range from 305 to 914 mm (12 to 36 in) tall and 33 to 102 mm (1.5 in to 4 in) deep. Letter strokes can be as narrow as 38 mm (1.5 in) and as wide as 457 mm (18 in) when illuminated.

这种标识的发光条是精密布线，带有抛光边缘，一般的高度在305到914毫米（12到36英寸）之间，深度一般在33到102毫米（1.5英寸到4英寸）之间。字母可以窄至38毫米（1.5英寸），宽度可达457毫米（18英寸）。

The versatility of LEDs

LED的通用性

LEDs can be used in channel letters in many ways, from populating recessed cavities to integrating with polycarbonate backings, from diffusing light with acrylic through the face and returns to securing lights to white backs with double-faced tape and hold-down blocks. And as LED products continue to evolve, they will be able to support even more options for illuminated sign design. The possibilities will only expand further.

LED可以以多种方式应用在发光标识的制作中，从填充凹陷处到集成于聚碳酸酯背衬、从通过面部丙烯酸进行漫射光、通过双面胶带和压紧块返回到固定灯......随着LED产品和技术的不断发展，它们将能够支持更多照明标识的设计选项。