Dimensional Letters & Logos in Colorado Springs
Cut letters and logo shapes in PVC, acrylic, and aluminum for building fronts, lobbies, and interior walls, sized for how far away people stand and mounted for the wall they go on.
Dimensional letters in Colorado Springs are individual letters and logo shapes cut from solid material, usually PVC, acrylic, or aluminum, and mounted flush to a wall or on standoffs that hold them off the surface so they cast a shadow. APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics designs, produces, and installs dimensional letters for storefronts, building fronts, lobbies, and office walls across Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Interior letters usually take one to two weeks from approved estimate and deposit. Exterior letters count toward the sign area allowed under the city's sign code and generally need a permit, which adds review time. Material choice depends on location: PVC suits interior and sheltered spots, while aluminum and acrylic hold up best outdoors at 6,035 feet.
- What dimensional letters are, and where they work
- Materials: PVC, acrylic, and aluminum compared
- What Colorado weather does to letters on a building
- Mounting on brick, stucco, drywall, and metal panels
- Sizing letters for how far away people are
- Permits for exterior dimensional letters
- How a dimensional letter project runs
- Are dimensional letters the right sign for you?
Flat vinyl on a wall says you put up a sign. Letters that stand off the wall say the company planned to stay.
Dimensional letters are the most common way to put a name on a building or a logo behind a reception desk without the cost and power requirements of illuminated channel letters. They read well in daylight, cast a real shadow, and come in enough materials and finishes to suit most brands.
This page explains the materials we use, which ones hold up outside in Colorado, how letters are mounted on different wall types, how to size them for viewing distance, and what the permit side looks like for exterior letters. If you are comparing dimensional letters with lit signs, our guide to channel letters vs flat cut letters covers that decision in depth.
- Provider
- APG: Advanced Printing and Graphics, Colorado Springs, CO
- Materials
- PVC, cast acrylic, aluminum, and metal-laminate faces
- Uses
- Building fronts, storefronts, lobbies, reception walls, office walls, and monument face accents on existing structures
- Mounting
- Flush with studs, on standoffs, or with adhesive and studs for lightweight interior pieces
- Typical timeline
- Interior: one to two weeks from approved estimate and deposit. Exterior: add permit review time
- Permit
- Exterior letters count toward allowed sign area and generally need a sign permit. Interior letters generally do not
- Illumination
- Non-illuminated by default; backlit halo effects are possible on some builds
- Service area
- Colorado Springs and El Paso County
What dimensional letters are, and where they work
A dimensional letter is cut from a solid sheet of material rather than fabricated as a hollow can like a channel letter. That makes it lighter, thinner, and less expensive, and it means there is no electrical work unless a backlit effect is designed in.
The most common places we install them:
- Building and storefront signs. A business name mounted directly to the wall or to a raceway, often paired with a building-mounted logo shape or an aluminum panel sign.
- Lobby and reception walls. A logo behind the front desk, often on standoffs over an accent wall. See our lobby signs page.
- Office interiors. Department names, values walls, conference room names, and logo accents in training rooms or break rooms.
- Accents on existing structures. Letters added to an existing monument face or entry wall. APG can produce replacement faces for existing monument signs when the existing structure is suitable, though we do not construct monument or pylon structures.
Materials: PVC, acrylic, and aluminum compared
Material decides how the letters look, how long they last outside, and what they cost. The three we use most:
| Material | Best for | Outdoors in Colorado | Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | Interior walls, lobbies, sheltered entries | Fair. Can move with heat on dark, sun-facing walls | Painted any color, matte or satin |
| Cast acrylic | Lobbies, storefronts, glossy brand colors | Good. Holds color and shape well | Glossy color or clear with painted backs |
| Aluminum | Exterior building letters, high-wear areas | Excellent. Stable in heat and cold | Painted, brushed, or metal finish |
| Metal-laminate faces | Lobby logos needing a brushed metal look | Interior use mainly | Brushed aluminum, gold, or copper surface |
Thickness matters too. Thicker letters cast a deeper shadow and read better from an angle, and on exterior walls they resist warping. Our guide to sign materials in Colorado compares acrylic, aluminum, and PVC in more depth, including thermal expansion.
What Colorado weather does to letters on a building
Exterior letters in Colorado Springs face strong UV at our altitude, wide temperature swings between day and night, and freeze-thaw cycles through the winter. Those conditions change the material recommendation:
- Dark colors on south and west walls absorb heat. PVC in those spots can soften and bow, which is why we lean toward aluminum or thicker acrylic there.
- Painted finishes on exterior letters should use coatings rated for outdoor UV exposure so the color does not chalk or fade early.
- Mounting hardware should be stainless or coated to avoid rust streaks running down light-colored walls.
- Snow and ice collect on top edges and in the gap behind standoff-mounted letters. Flush mounting or a modest standoff depth keeps that manageable on exposed walls.
Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet, where UV exposure is stronger than at sea level. Our guide to UV at altitude explains why color choices that last a decade in a coastal city fade sooner here.
Mounting on brick, stucco, drywall, and metal panels
The wall decides the mounting method. Getting it wrong is the most common reason letters loosen or leave the building damaged later.
- Stucco and EIFS. Common in Colorado Springs shopping centers. Studs go through the finish into solid backing, and penetrations are sealed so water does not get behind the surface.
- Brick and block. Studs are anchored into solid masonry. Mortar joints are avoided for anchors when possible.
- Metal panels. Fasteners are matched to the panel system, and some landlords require a raceway instead of direct penetrations.
- Interior drywall. Studs with anchors for heavier pieces; lightweight PVC can use adhesive plus studs. A paper pattern marks every stud location so the layout is exact.
For leased spaces, ask about removal before you choose a method. Stud-mounted letters leave small holes that are patched at move-out, which most landlords accept.
Sizing letters for how far away people are
Letter height should follow the distance at which people need to read the sign. A common rule of thumb in the sign industry is about one inch of letter height for every ten feet of viewing distance for basic legibility, and more for quick reading from a moving car. That rule is deliberately conservative. The United States Sign Council's research puts the outer limit of legibility at roughly 30 feet per inch of capital letter height in good conditions, so the ten-foot rule leaves margin for speed, glare, angle, and weather. Bold, simple typefaces read from farther away than thin or decorative ones.
| Where it is read from | Typical distance | Letter height to start with |
|---|---|---|
| Across a lobby | 15 to 30 ft | 4 to 8 inches |
| Sidewalk in front of a storefront | 30 to 60 ft | 8 to 12 inches |
| Parking lot | 100 to 200 ft | 12 to 24 inches |
| Arterial road like Powers or Academy | 200+ ft | 24 inches and up, often illuminated |
The city sign code and landlord criteria cap how big exterior letters can be, so sizing is a balance between legibility and allowed area. We show the letters on a photo of your actual wall at scale before you approve them.
Permits for exterior dimensional letters
Exterior letters are a sign under the Colorado Springs code, so they count toward the total sign area allowed on your frontage and generally need a sign permit. Area is generally measured using the shapes that enclose the letters, and the allowance generally depends on your frontage and zone under Sign Ordinance No. 26-01.
Interior letters that are not visible from outside generally fall outside the exterior permit process. Letters inside a storefront window that face the street may be treated as window signs, which follow their own rules.
We handle the permit as part of exterior projects. Our sign permit services page explains the process, and our guide to wall sign permits covers area measurement and frontage allocation.
How a dimensional letter project runs
- Site visit and measurementsWe measure the wall, photograph it, note the wall type, and check the viewing distance.
- Estimate and depositYou receive a written estimate by material and size. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
- Proof on your wallThe letters are placed at scale on a photo of your wall, with material and finish called out.
- Permit and productionFor exterior letters, we submit the permit package. Letters are cut, finished, and fitted with mounting hardware.
- InstallationOur team installs from a full-size pattern so every letter lands where the proof shows it. We handle the installation, including equipment coordination when needed, through the final walkthrough.
Are dimensional letters the right sign for you?
Dimensional letters are a strong choice for many buildings, but not every situation.
A good fit when
- You want a permanent, professional name on a building or wall without the cost of illumination
- Your sign is mostly seen in daylight or under existing building lighting
- You need a lobby or reception logo that matches exterior signage
- Your landlord's criteria call for individual letters rather than a panel
Look elsewhere when
- Your business depends on being seen at night from a busy road, where illuminated channel letters work better
- The wall cannot take fasteners and the landlord will not allow a raceway
- You need a temporary sign while waiting on approval, where banners or window graphics are faster
The Short Version
- Dimensional letters are cut from solid PVC, acrylic, or aluminum and mounted flush or on standoffs.
- Aluminum and acrylic hold up best outdoors at 6,035 feet; PVC suits interiors and sheltered spots.
- Mounting depends on the wall: stucco, brick, metal panels, and drywall each need a different method.
- A starting rule is about one inch of letter height per ten feet of viewing distance.
- Exterior letters count toward allowed sign area under Sign Ordinance No. 26-01 and generally need a permit.
- Interior letters usually take one to two weeks from approved estimate and deposit.
Where this information comes from
- APG project records and installation practice, Colorado Springs office.
- City of Colorado Springs sign regulations and permits: coloradosprings.gov/signapp.
- Sign industry legibility guidance on letter height and viewing distance, as published by sign trade associations and manufacturers.
- Material manufacturer technical data for PVC, cast acrylic, and aluminum sign substrates.
Common questions
Dimensional Letters FAQ
What are dimensional letters?
Dimensional letters are individual letters and logo shapes cut from solid material such as PVC, acrylic, or aluminum and mounted to a wall flush or on standoffs. They are a non-illuminated alternative to channel letters for building fronts, lobbies, and office walls.
What is the best material for outdoor dimensional letters in Colorado?
Aluminum and cast acrylic hold up best outdoors in Colorado Springs, where UV is strong and temperatures swing widely. PVC works well indoors and in sheltered spots but can soften on dark, sun-facing walls.
How big should dimensional letters be?
A common starting point is about one inch of letter height for every ten feet of viewing distance, with more for reading from a moving car. Lobby letters are often 4 to 8 inches and building letters 12 to 24 inches or more, within what the sign code and landlord allow.
Do dimensional letters need a permit in Colorado Springs?
Exterior dimensional letters are signs under the city code, count toward allowed sign area, and generally need a sign permit. Interior letters not visible from outside generally do not.
How are dimensional letters mounted?
Most dimensional letters are mounted with threaded studs set into the wall using a full-size paper pattern, either flush or on standoffs. The anchors depend on the wall: stucco, brick, metal panel, and drywall each need a different method.
How long does a dimensional letter project take?
Interior dimensional letters usually take one to two weeks from approved estimate and deposit. Exterior letters add permit review time, which is usually the longest step.
Can dimensional letters be lit?
Dimensional letters are usually non-illuminated. Some builds can create a backlit halo effect, but when nighttime visibility from a road matters, illuminated channel letters are usually the better choice.
Can dimensional letters be removed when we move out?
Yes. Stud-mounted dimensional letters come off the wall and leave small holes that are patched at move-out, while adhesive on lightweight interior pieces can pull paint when removed. Ask your landlord about patching requirements before choosing a mounting method.
Send a photo of the wall
Put your name on the building.
Send a photo of the wall, rough dimensions, and your logo file. Our team will recommend a material and size and send a written estimate. Once the estimate is approved and the deposit is received, our team will begin the design and proofing process.
From the guide library