Built-up letters are three-dimensional letters fabricated, usually from metal sheet, with a face and returns joined into a hollow letter typically 50–100 mm deep, then fixed to a wall or sign on locators.
Why choose built-up 3D letters in the Scottish Borders?
- For an office building on the edge of Hawick with plain brick or cladding, brushed stainless letters read clearly from the car park.
- Business park tenants in Hawick who mount letters on a shared entrance canopy should check the landlord's signage rules first.
- Hotels and venues in Hawick wanting a lasting first impression may choose brass-finish letters, which suit traditional and modern buildings.
Guide prices in the Scottish Borders
Budgeting for built-up 3D letters? The guide below runs from £55 to £165 per letter. VAT is extra. Size, materials and access decide where your job lands, and we confirm it in writing after surveying or checking the artwork.
| Item | Guide, ex VAT | Inc. VAT (20%) |
|---|---|---|
| Fabricated letter, 300 mm tall | £55 – £165 | £66 – £198 |
| Typical business name (10–14 letters) | £850 – £2,600 | £1,020 – £3,120 |
| Logo or symbol, made to the same depth | £150 – £650 | £180 – £780 |
The metal drives cost first: painted aluminium sits at the lower end, mirror stainless and brass finishes at the top. Letter height, return depth, letter count, stand-off locators, access height and the wall surface follow. Every price is confirmed after survey and an artwork check.
Do you need permission for a sign in the Scottish Borders?
Different rules apply in Scotland. The 1984 Scotland Regulations decide whether a non-illuminated sign needs advertisement consent, and while some shop and office signs can go up without applying, the details are not the same as in England. Historic buildings deserve care: listed building consent is usually needed for signs on listed buildings under the 1997 Scotland Act, and carrying out works without it can be a criminal offence. We confirm what applies before you commit to built-up 3D letters, then prepare drawings and photographs for an eDevelopment.scot application, or submit it on your behalf.
Options worth considering
Painted aluminium
Lightweight letters painted or powder coated to any RAL colour.
Brushed 304 stainless
Satin-grain stainless for most inland locations, classic and understated.
316 stainless
Higher-grade stainless for coastal sites where salt air attacks lesser grades.
Towns in the Scottish Borders
Built-up 3D letters across the Scottish Borders, town by town. Follow a link for the page covering your town; anywhere else in the Scottish Borders is handled in exactly the same way.
Anywhere in the Scottish Borders, the first step is the same: send photos and rough sizes for a free quote on built-up 3D letters. You approve a proof to scale before anything is made.

