LED Letters vs. Lightboxes: What's the Difference?
LED letters and lightboxes are the two most common types of illuminated facade signs. But they look very different, cost different amounts and suit different situations. Here's a concrete comparison.
What is the difference between LED letters and lightboxes?
LED letters are freestanding, three-dimensional letters with built-in lighting that are mounted individually on the facade. Lightboxes are complete sign panels where the entire surface is illuminated from within. The two solutions create very different visual impressions and suit different needs.
The choice between them comes down to budget, your brand profile, and the kind of visibility you need. Let's look at both in detail.
LED letters: How they work
LED letters (also called 3D letters or channel letters) are individual letters with LED modules inside. They come in two main variants:
Front-lit LED letters have a translucent front, usually in acrylic. The light shines through the letters and makes them visible from a long distance. This is the most common type for shops and commercial premises along roads.
Back-lit LED letters (halo effect) direct the light backwards towards the wall. This creates a glowing halo around each letter. The effect is subtle and premium. Hotels, law firms and brands that want an understated look often choose this variant.
The letters are typically made from aluminium or stainless steel, with acrylic fronts where needed. Each letter is mounted individually on the facade with standoffs, leaving a gap between letter and wall. For back-lit letters, this gap is necessary for the halo effect to work.
Because each letter is a separate element, the sign has a clean and professional appearance. It looks as though the letters are floating on the facade.
Lightboxes: How they work
A lightbox is a box (usually aluminium) with an illuminated front. LED modules inside the box shine through a translucent front with printed graphics or vinyl.
There are three common variants:
Standard lightbox is a rectangular or square box mounted flat on the wall. The entire front is evenly lit. It is simple to produce and provides good visibility.
Custom-shaped lightbox follows the contours of a logo or graphic element. It costs slightly more but creates a more distinctive look than a standard rectangular box.
Double-sided lightbox (projecting sign) extends perpendicular from the facade and is lit on both sides. It targets pedestrians and traffic moving along the building frontage. Common for hairdressers, restaurants and shops in pedestrian streets.
Lightboxes are popular because they deliver a large lit surface at a reasonable price. They work well for businesses that need to display more than just a company name, such as a logo, symbol or a combination of text and graphics.
Comparison: LED letters vs. lightboxes
| Feature | LED letters | Lightboxes |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Premium, three-dimensional. Letters appear to float on the facade | Full illuminated panel. Simpler look, but strong visual impact |
| Price (5-8 letters/standard size) | NOK 20,000 to 80,000 | NOK 10,000 to 45,000 |
| Visibility at distance | Very good, especially front-lit | Very good, large lit surface draws the eye |
| Daytime visibility | Good, 3D effect adds depth | Moderate, the panel can look anonymous without lighting |
| Maintenance | Minimal. Aluminium and LED require little upkeep | Minimal. Vinyl/print may need replacing after 5-8 years |
| Installation | Each letter mounted individually. Requires precision | Single unit mounted. Faster installation |
| Durability | 10 to 15 years. Aluminium handles Nordic weather well | 10 to 15 years for the box, 5 to 8 years for the vinyl |
| Updatability | New letters must be made for name changes | Vinyl/print can be swapped without replacing the entire box |
| Energy consumption | Low. Only the letters are lit | Slightly higher. The entire surface is lit |
| Best suited for | Businesses wanting a premium, modern look | Businesses wanting high visibility at the lowest possible cost |
When should you choose LED letters?
LED letters are the right choice when the look matters to your brand. They are a good fit for:
- Office buildings and headquarters where the facade represents the company's identity.
- Hotels and restaurants that want a sophisticated impression, particularly with halo lighting.
- City centre shops where you need to stand out among many competitors.
- New builds with clean facades where three-dimensional letters complement the architecture.
Back-lit LED letters work best on dark facades, where the contrast between letter and halo really comes through. Front-lit letters work well on all facades.
When should you choose lightboxes?
Lightboxes are the practical choice when you want high visibility without stretching the budget. They are a good fit for:
- Petrol stations and hardware stores that need large, highly visible signs.
- Shopping centres and high streets where many shops compete for attention.
- Businesses with complex logos that cannot be reproduced as individual letters.
- Franchise chains where the sign must follow a defined visual profile with logo and colours.
- Double-sided projecting signs for pedestrian traffic in walking streets.
Lightboxes are also smart when you expect the sign content to change. Replacing the vinyl on an existing lightbox is far cheaper than producing new LED letters.
Can you combine both?
Yes, and many businesses do. A common combination is LED letters for the company name and a lightbox for the logo. Some use LED letters on the main facade and a double-sided lightbox as a projecting sign on the side facade.
This approach gives you the best of both worlds: a premium look from the LED letters and broad visibility from the lightbox. It is also a way to keep costs down, because you use the more expensive option where it matters most.
Price comparison
| Sign type | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED letters (5-8 pcs) | NOK 20,000 - 35,000 | NOK 30,000 - 55,000 | NOK 50,000 - 80,000 |
| Lightbox | NOK 10,000 - 18,000 | NOK 15,000 - 30,000 | NOK 25,000 - 45,000 |
| Double-sided lightbox | NOK 12,000 - 25,000 |
All prices exclude VAT and include design, production and installation. Building permit costs (NOK 12,000 to 20,000) are additional if required by the municipality.
For a detailed breakdown of what affects the price, read How Much Does a Facade Sign Cost?.
How to choose the right option
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is the budget? Under NOK 20,000, a lightbox is the natural choice. Above NOK 30,000 opens the door to LED letters.
- What impression do you want to make? Premium and modern: LED letters. Practical and visible: lightbox.
- What will the sign display? Text only: LED letters work well. Logo with graphics: a lightbox offers more flexibility.
- Might the content change? If you rent the premises or anticipate a name change: a lightbox is easier to update.
Not sure? Get in touch for a no-obligation assessment. We will look at your facade and recommend the solution that gives the best result for your budget.
Read more about the benefits of illuminated signs and LED letters, or see signs we have delivered for inspiration. You can also read about our sign making in Stavanger and Sandnes and our sign production services.