ALFA ◆ SIGNAGEBuilt-up vs flat-cut letters.
Short answer: built-up letters are fabricated from a face and returns, so they have depth and can be illuminated; flat-cut letters are cut in one piece from solid sheet and are usually unlit. Use built-up letters for shopfronts and lit signs, and flat-cut letters for receptions, offices and interiors. We make both to your drawing for UK sign companies.
Side by side
| Built-up letters | Flat-cut letters | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is built | Fabricated: a face and bent returns form a hollow letter. | Cut in one piece from solid sheet, such as acrylic, PVC or metal, on a CNC router or laser. |
| Depth | The return depth is set on your drawing. | The sheet thickness is the depth. |
| Lighting | Can be face-lit (rim and return or rimless), halo-lit or back-lit, because the hollow body holds the LEDs. | Usually unlit, or lit from outside the letter, for example by a lit panel behind it. |
| Viewing distance | Depth and light help it read from further away, on fascias and building signs. | Best at closer range, indoors or at street level, where crisp edges are seen up close. |
| Where it suits | Shopfronts, fascias, building names and any illuminated sign. | Receptions, offices, interiors and unlit fascias. |
| What to specify | Face and return materials, return depth, finish or RAL colour, illumination, fixing method and power supply location. | Material and thickness, finish or colour, and fixing method. |
Door to door: We dispatch 7–8 days after drawing approval, then delivery takes about 3 days express or 6–8 days standard: roughly 10–16 days door to door.
Built-up vs flat-cut questions
What is the difference between built-up and flat-cut letters?
Built-up letters are fabricated: a face and bent returns make a hollow letter with depth, which can hold LEDs. Flat-cut letters are cut in one piece from solid sheet, so the sheet thickness is the depth and they are usually unlit. Built-up letters suit shopfronts and illuminated signs; flat-cut letters suit receptions and interiors.
Can flat-cut letters be illuminated?
A flat-cut letter is solid, so there is no space inside it for LEDs. It can be lit from outside: for example, flat-cut acrylic letters spaced off the wall with LEDs behind them can give a halo. Built-up letters are the choice when the face itself must glow or the letter must be deep: face-lit (rim and return or rimless) or halo-lit. Ask us about lighting for your job.
Which materials do you use?
Built-up letters: aluminium or stainless steel returns with acrylic or metal faces, powder-coated to a RAL colour or in brushed or mirror stainless steel. Flat-cut letters: acrylic, PVC or metal sheet, cut on our CNC router or laser. Put the material and thickness on your drawing.
What should I send for a quote?
Your drawing with letter sizes, material, thickness or return depth, finish or RAL colour, lit or unlit, fixing method and delivery address. Send it on WhatsApp at +91 8707098466 or to sheikh@alfasignage.com. There is no minimum order, and a free 3D mockup comes with every enquiry.
How long do they take to reach the UK?
We dispatch 7–8 days after drawing approval, then delivery takes about 3 days express or 6–8 days standard: roughly 10–16 days door to door. Samples are available at a cost if you want to compare the two builds first.
Send us your next drawing.
We reply within 24 hours, and a free 3D mockup comes with every enquiry.