The Sign Guide – Push Through Signs
If channel letters and halo letters are about individual characters making a statement, push through signs are about the sign as a whole. Constructed as a cabinet sign with an aluminum face, push through signs offer a clean, unified look that works especially well for complex logos, smaller lettering, and businesses that want a polished sign without the higher fabrication cost of individual letters. In this installment of our Sign Guide series, we'll walk you through what push through signs are, how they work, and when they might be the right choice for your Honolulu business.
WHAT THEY ARE
Push through signs start with a flat aluminum panel that has letter and logo shapes routed directly into it. The letters themselves are cut from thick acrylic and include a thin flange on the back. Each letter is pushed through its corresponding hole in the panel from behind, and the flange is secured to the back of the panel to hold everything in place — giving the letters a clean, protruding appearance from the front.
The panel itself serves as the face of a cabinet that is mounted flush to the wall. The cabinet houses the LED lighting that illuminates the sign from behind, causing the acrylic letters to glow while the aluminum panel around them remains dark. This contrast is what gives push through letters their distinctive, polished look.
For an edge-lit effect, the faces of the acrylic letters can be painted or covered, blocking light from passing through the face itself. When lit, only the edges of the letters illuminate, creating a silhouette effect. This variation is considered indirect lighting for permit purposes, and gives the sign a more subtle, sophisticated appearance.
HOW THEY WORK
The cabinet is mounted flush to the wall at the designated sign location. Because push through letters are panel-based rather than individually mounted, the sign location needs to be able to support a cabinet the size of the overall sign area — something worth confirming before committing to this sign type.
Inside the cabinet, LEDs are positioned behind the panel to backlight the acrylic letters evenly. The individual wires are connected to an LED driver that outputs the 12v DC power required for the LED modules to function. Each driver can only support a select number of LED modules, so larger signs may require multiple drivers. The drivers are then connected to the main power, and most signs are controlled by either a timer or a solar cell that deactivates the sign during the day and activates it at night.
Access to the interior of the cabinet is required for electrical connections and future servicing. If you're unsure whether your location can accommodate a cabinet-mounted sign, contact us for a site inspection and we can go over your options with you.
WHEN TO USE PUSH THROUGH SIGNS
Push through letters are a great option when a single cohesive panel makes more sense than individually mounted letters. They're particularly well suited for intricate designs and smaller lettering that would be difficult or impossible to fabricate as standalone channel or halo letters.
Push through letters are a great fit when you want:
A clean, unified look — Because everything is mounted on a single panel, push through letters present as one cohesive sign rather than a collection of individual pieces. The result is a neat, polished appearance that works well for a wide range of businesses.
Complex logos or intricate designs — Shapes and details that are too complex to fabricate as individual channel or halo letters can often be routed directly into the panel, giving you far more creative flexibility.
Smaller lettering — Letters that are too small to be practically fabricated as channel or halo letters are no problem for push throughs, making this a great option for taglines, secondary text, or detailed logo elements.
An edge lit effect — If you're looking for something more subtle, painting or covering the letter faces creates a striking silhouette effect where only the edges of the letters glow — a sophisticated look that works especially well for upscale businesses.
PUSH THROUGHS AT A GLANCE
Pros:
Clean, unified appearance — A single panel sign presents as one cohesive unit, giving your storefront a neat and polished look
Great for complex logos — Intricate shapes and fine details that are difficult to fabricate as individual letters can be routed directly into the panel
Works for small lettering — Ideal for text or design elements that are too small for channel or halo letter fabrication
Versatile lighting options — Standard backlit acrylic or edge lit silhouette effect for a more subtle, upscale look
Durable — Built from aluminum and acrylic, designed to hold up against Hawaii's heat, humidity, and salt air
Cons:
Cabinet size requirements — The sign location must be able to support a cabinet the size of the overall sign area, which may limit placement options
Less dimensional than individual letters — The letters protrude from the panel but the overall sign sits flush to the wall, which may not suit businesses looking for a more dramatic three-dimensional look
Electrical requirements — Like other illuminated signs, push throughs need wiring and power access, which can add complexity depending on your building setup
Permit requirements — Like most exterior signage in Honolulu, push through letter signs typically require permits before installation
Maintenance — LEDs and drivers are long lasting but may eventually need replacing
CONCLUSION
Push through letters are a smart, versatile option for businesses that want a clean, professional illuminated sign with a unified look. Whether you're working with a detailed logo, smaller text, or just want a cohesive look, push throughs deliver a polished result that holds up in Hawaii's climate. If you think push through letters might be the right fit for your business, we'd love to help you explore the options. Reach out to our team for a free consultation and let's get your business noticed!
