How are channel letters priced — and why can the same letters cost 3–5× more elsewhere?
Letters are never priced "per character". Four factors drive the number: (1) Material — stainless steel is the most expensive, acrylic and resin sit in the middle, aluminium is the most economical. (2) Letter height — taller letters consume more material, and mini letters are priced per centimetre of height. (3) Process — seamless "super letters", precision polishing, titanium-gold plating and backlit halo effects all add cost. (4) Quantity and installation — LED modules, drivers and wiring are sized to the total power load, and high-level installation is quoted separately. For letters of identical size and text, a 3–5× spread between quotes is normal once material and process differ.
What are typical market reference prices? (Guangdong market, tax-included ex-factory)
For comparison only — our actual quote is calculated from your drawings, materials, sizes and quantity: acrylic flat-lit letters ≈ ¥150–350/m²; stainless steel / precision letters ≈ ¥300–700/m²; seamless metal "super letters" ≈ ¥500–1,200/m²; mini illuminated letters ≈ ¥1.5–4/cm (by letter height); perforated / full-colour perforated letters ≈ ¥200–450/m²; resin letters ≈ ¥200–450/m²; non-illuminated acrylic "crystal" letters ≈ ¥1–3/cm (by letter height); vacuum-formed light boxes (single or double sided) ≈ ¥200–450/m²; fabric/frame and soft-film light boxes ≈ ¥300–700/m²; notice boards ≈ ¥600–1,800/m²; garden / plant stakes ≈ ¥25–80 each; hotel and office door plates ≈ ¥30–200 each.
Mini letters vs perforated letters vs stainless steel letters — what is the difference, and which should I choose?
Mini illuminated letters: small shells with even, fine illumination — ideal for indoor feature walls, mall counters and bar fronts, where refinement matters most. Perforated (punched) letters: LED modules fitted through holes in a metal face, producing dense points of light — the brightest at long viewing distance, best for rooftop letters and very large signs. Stainless steel illuminated letters: metal returns with an illuminated acrylic face — solid, durable and heavy; the first choice for outdoor storefronts and corporate signs. Rule of thumb: mini letters for indoor refinement, perforated letters for rooftop long-distance legibility, stainless steel letters for durable outdoor storefronts.
How long do outdoor signs last, and how do you guarantee waterproofing and rust resistance?
With standard good practice, stainless steel or aluminium structural parts last 5–8 years outdoors; acrylic faces typically start to yellow after 3–5 years; LED sources are usually rated 30,000+ hours (about 6–7 years at 12 hours per day). Our approach: structural parts are selected per drawing; joints are fully welded and then ground (or built as seamless super letters); the box interior is waterproofed; the power supply is mounted low to avoid standing water; and every cable joint is sealed. The result is no water ingress and no electrical leakage in heavy rain.
What is the usual production lead time? Can you expedite urgent orders?
It depends on process and quantity: a single small letter takes 2–3 days, a standard storefront sign 3–5 days, large rooftop letters or multi-store chain rollouts 5–10 days. Urgent jobs such as store openings and trade shows can be expedited on request — send sizes, font files and installation positions in one go and you will save a lot of back-and-forth time.
Can you produce just one letter, or a single piece?
Yes. We accept both one-off custom pieces and volume production. We work from your drawings or samples, and our design team can also develop a proposal from your brand VI. For chain brands repeating a store rollout, we make and confirm a first sample, then produce the rest to that sample to guarantee consistency.
What is included in your free service and free sampling?
Free on-site measurement (within the Pearl River Delta), free design, free photo-realistic renderings (including an illuminated night-effect simulation) and free quotation. Sampling and production start after you approve the rendering. For returning customers and volume projects we can produce a small pre-production sample to confirm process and colour first.
Who handles installation? How do you install for customers outside Guangdong?
We have our own installation team and can install on site across the Pearl River Delta (Dongguan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Zhongshan and nearby). For projects further away we ship the complete kit and supply installation drawings and video guidance, so a local sign company or fit-out crew can install to drawing while our technicians support remotely; for large projects we can send staff to site.
Light box: fabric/frame (kapok) or vacuum-formed?
Fabric/frame light boxes: the graphic is stretched over a frame — easy to replace artwork, one seamless image surface; ideal for shopping malls, brand stores and metro passages. Vacuum-formed light boxes: an acrylic sheet is heated and vacuum-formed into a 3D face — strong relief, durable and rain-resistant; ideal for outdoor storefronts and convenience-store chain signs. Long-term outdoor use: choose vacuum-formed. Frequent artwork changes indoors: choose fabric.
What if the acrylic face yellows or the letters stop lighting up? How do I maintain them?
Yellowing is natural ageing of the material: light cases can be treated with a dedicated polishing compound, while noticeably yellowed faces should be replaced. When LEDs stop working it is usually the driver or a module — replace that part and the structure can stay. Routine care: wipe the face once a quarter with a mild cleaner and a soft cloth (never alcohol or thinner), check that the power enclosure stays dry and that cable terminals show no blackening, and inspect waterproofing before the rainy season.
Can you handle rooftop letters and exterior facade lighting — high-altitude work?
Yes, but installation conditions must be confirmed first: roof load capacity, availability of a parapet or pre-embedded fixing points, permission for night work, and whether property management or the urban administration requires approval. High-altitude work is carried out by experienced crews with safety ropes, gondolas or scaffolding, and the quotation includes the high-altitude labour and structural reinforcement plan.
How do I contact Bolang? Can I visit the factory?
Tel / WeChat: +86-138-2351-7518 (same number on WeChat). Factory address: No.401, Shutian 'an Road, Humen Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, China — search “Dongguan Bolang Advertising Sign Co., Ltd.” in your map app. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 08:30–18:30. You are welcome to visit, inspect workmanship and see live orders in production.
Typical market reference prices (Guangdong, tax-included ex-factory)
| Product | Reference range |
| Acrylic flat-lit channel letters | ¥150–350 / m² |
| Stainless steel / precision letters | ¥300–700 / m² |
| Seamless metal "super letters" | ¥500–1,200 / m² |
| Mini illuminated letters | ¥1.5–4 / cm (by height) |
| Perforated / full-colour perforated letters | ¥200–450 / m² |
| Resin letters | ¥200–450 / m² |
| Non-illuminated acrylic crystal letters | ¥1–3 / cm (by height) |
| Vacuum-formed light boxes (incl. double sided) | ¥200–450 / m² |
| Fabric frame / soft-film light boxes | ¥300–700 / m² |
| Notice boards | ¥600–1,800 / m² |
| Garden / plant stakes | ¥25–80 each |
| Hotel / office door plates | ¥30–200 each |
* Reference ranges published by the industry, for quick price comparison. Our actual quotation is calculated from drawings, materials, sizes and quantity, and includes free measurement, free design and free renderings. Tel / WeChat: +86-138-2351-7518.