BACKLIT LETTERS FOR WALL

Backlit Letters for Wall

Custom backlit letters for walls — interior feature walls, reception walls, storefronts, and exterior façades. Whether a wall works comes down to its surface, the drilling and cable path, and the right route. This page covers which surfaces suit backlit letters, how mounting and wiring are handled, and what to send for a quote.

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Backlit Letters for Wall: Surfaces, Mounting, and Routes

Backlit letters for wall projects start with the surface. The same letters can behave very differently on drywall, brick, stucco, glass, tile, or a dark textured wall. A good quote needs more than a size and logo; it needs a wall photo, a cable path, and a mounting method that will hold the sign cleanly. Most walls can work when the fixing method is matched to the surface.

Which Wall Surfaces Work

Solid surfaces such as drywall, plaster, brick, concrete, wood, tile, and metal panel usually suit backlit letters as long as they can hold fixings and allow a cable path. Hollow, thin, fragile, or high-finish surfaces may need a backing plate to spread the load and reduce drilling. If you do not know what is behind the wall, send a photo and a short note. That is enough to start the mounting review.

Wall Material, Surface by Surface

Stucco

Stucco can work well. The stud bolts anchor into the solid substrate behind the coat, and the pilot holes are sealed so moisture does not track in behind the finish.

EIFS

EIFS needs more care because the outer layer is foam, not structure. Fixings must reach through the insulation to the load-bearing wall, and a pre-mounted backing plate may be used to spread load. Every penetration must be sealed.

Concrete and Brick

Concrete and brick are strong substrates. They can hold stud bolts with the right anchors and allow a cable pass-through for hidden wiring.

Glass and Marble

Glass and polished marble should not be filled with holes. A slim backing plate or suspended unit reduces anchors and keeps the letters aligned without stressing the surface.

Drilling, Cable Path, and Standoff

Standard installation uses stud bolts: holes are drilled, the letters are fixed, and the wiring runs in parallel to one transformer. A 1:1 mounting template marks the hole positions. If the wall can only take a few holes, letters can be pre-mounted on a backing plate so the sign installs as one aligned piece. If a wall cannot be drilled at all, suspension from the ceiling can be considered. Classic needs a standoff gap for reflected light. Luxury and acrylic can mount flush.

How Wall Type Affects the Route

Wall color and texture matter most for Classic because the halo reflects off the wall. A light, smooth wall gives a stronger glow. A dark, rough, or heavily textured wall may need a larger size, brighter lighting color, or a route whose light reaches the viewer directly, such as Luxury or acrylic. For exterior walls, metal is safer. For interior walls, all three routes can work if the mounting and power path are clear.

Power, Warranty, and Drawings

The letters run on 12V DC through a Mean Well transformer and are never wired directly to 110V/240V AC. The transformer should be ventilated and serviceable. Each order ships with the transformer, template, stud bolts, wiring, and instructions. The sign carries a 3-year warranty. Standard production commonly starts from about 15 business days after approved shop drawings and payment; complex wall mounts or large sets may need more time.

Maintenance

Wall-mounted backlit letters need only light care. Wipe with a clean, soft cloth dampened with clean water. Avoid alcohol-based or harsh chemical cleaners, especially on painted or plated finishes.

What to Send First

  • A photo of the wall and mounting spot.
  • The wall material, and what is behind it if known.
  • Approximate letter height or overall sign size.
  • Indoor or outdoor setting, plus any drilling limits.
  • Preferred finish, lighting color, U.S. destination, and deadline.

Unsure whether your wall can take the sign? Send the wall photo and any drilling limits. We will confirm the mounting method and route before quoting.

Most Walls Work — With the Right Approach

The wall surface decides the fixing method, the cable path decides the layout, and the route decides how the light reads on that wall. Even walls that can’t be drilled freely have options — a one-piece backplate or a ceiling suspension. The result is a clean install on the wall you have.

Explore the Main Backlit Letter Directions

Our backlit letters split into three routes by material and construction. Here's how each one is built, how it lights, and where it fits best.

Luxury backlit metal letters with bright LED illumination and premium stainless steel construction

Luxury Backlit Metal Letters

Details

Luxury backlit metal letters are fabricated from a 3D stainless steel shell with LED inside and a light-transmitting acrylic edge that stays partly visible from the side. Because some of that light reaches your eye directly while the rest washes the wall, the result reads brighter and more dimensional than a fully hidden design. They can mount flush to the wall or with a small gap, which makes installation flexible. With many finishes — painted, powder-coated, mirror-polished, brushed, plated — this is the route most premium storefronts, boutiques, and hotels choose.

View Luxury Option
Classic backlit metal letters with smooth reflected lighting and fabricated metal shell

Classic Backlit Metal Letters

Details

Classic backlit metal letters share the same stainless steel construction and internal LED, but here the acrylic sits fully inside the shell as a diffuser, hidden from the side. The light passes through it and reflects off the wall for a softer, more uniform halo. These letters mount with a gap from the wall so the reflection can form evenly. The Classic route is the safer pick when letters get large, when the wall is exposed to weather, or when a font has serifs or narrow strokes that a visible-edge design would expose.

Review Classic Details
Backlit acrylic letters with painted faces and bright LED illumination for close-view branding

Backlit Acrylic Letters

Details

Backlit acrylic letters are CNC-engraved from an acrylic shell with the LED inside and an aluminum back plate that seals the rear and helps the LEDs run cool. The face and front-side edges are masked so light releases from the rear, near the wall, for a bright, clean halo. Acrylic supports many design styles and 3D shapes, and thin strokes can use a tapered cross-section to stay slim up front while keeping room for the LEDs. As a lighter, newer route, it is best for indoor and covered-outdoor settings and close-range viewing.

Explore Acrylic Details

Which Route Suits Your Wall?

On a dark or textured wall, a route whose light reaches the eye directly (Luxury or acrylic) reads more reliably than Classic’s reflected glow. On a smooth, light wall, Classic looks bright and even. Exterior walls favor metal; interior walls are open to all three. The comparison below lays out the differences.

Compare backlit letter models by project fit

A side-by-side look at how Classic, Luxury, and acrylic compare on brightness, halo, dimensional effect, installation, size, materials, and lighting — so you can match the route to your project.

Classic Backlit Metal Letters

Classic backlit metal letters sample

Cost-effective metal backlit letters with strong outdoor durability, clean halo lighting, and reliable performance across many indoor and outdoor projects.

Learn More
Brightness
4/5
Halo Effect
4/5
Dimensional Effect
4.5/5
Installation Difficulty
4/5
Installation Method
Off-wall stud mounting.
Best For
Indoor/outdoor, including cold, rain, and coastal
Letter Size Range
4 in to 39 3/8 in+ height.
Font Suitability
3/8 in+ stroke width; 1/2 in+ outdoors.
Shell Material
304 stainless steel; aluminum optional
Shell Finish Options
Multiple metal finish options
Shell Process
Fabrication, laser welding.
Back Panel Material
Acrylic and PC
Back Panel Installation
Fully hidden inside shell.
Light Source
LED
Illumination Colors
White, warm white, red, yellow, blue, green, RGB/WRGB.

Backlit Acrylic Letters

Acrylic backlit metal letters sample

CNC engraved acrylic-shell backlit letters with refined 3D appearance, strong direct illumination, and excellent close-range display quality for indoor and selected outdoor projects.

Learn More
Brightness
4.5/5
Halo Effect
5/5
Dimensional Effect
3.5/5
Installation Difficulty
3/5
Installation Method
Flush or off-wall stud mounting.
Best For
Indoor/outdoor, including cold and rain, best for areas with lighter rainfall.
Letter Size Range
4-15 3/4 in recommended
Font Suitability
3/4 in+ stroke width; even strokes preferred
Shell Material
Opal acrylic by default; frosted clear acrylic optional
Shell Finish Options
Paint / powder coat only
Shell Process
CNC engraved.
Back Panel Material
Aluminum
Back Panel Installation
Fully hidden inside shell.
Light Source
LED
Illumination Colors
White, warm white, red, yellow, blue, green, RGB/WRGB.
21+Years of Fabrication Experience
1000+Custom Sign Projects Delivered
60+Countries Served Worldwide
24/7Fast Project Communication Support

How the Quote and Production Workflow Works

Here's how a project moves from first contact to a tracked shipment. Two control gates are built in on purpose: payment never jumps straight to production, and production never jumps straight to shipping.

  1. SummarySend your logo or wording, target size, mounting surface, and any reference images so we understand the sign before quoting.

    TimingInitial review usually starts within 1 business day.

    The project starts the moment we have enough to picture your sign. Vector files (AI, CDR, EPS, or a production-ready PDF) are ideal, but a clear image or sketch is enough to begin. At this stage we usually confirm the wording or logo, rough size, quantity, indoor or outdoor use, the mounting surface, a preferred finish, the destination, and your timeline.

  2. SummaryWe check the technical feasibility and prepare a quote based on the confirmed project basics.

    TimingUsually within 1 business day of receiving usable details.

    Before quoting, we review the production route, material direction, lighting method, installation conditions, and shipping context. The quote reflects product and shipping cost for the project as described. If the design needs a special process, an unusual finish, or extra structural support, we flag it before moving on.

  3. SummaryOnce you approve the quote and pay, the order is activated and enters pre-production confirmation.

    TimingRight after quote approval and payment.

    Paying does not start manufacturing. It releases the order into the next stage so our team can begin the detailed drawing work. This keeps the technical details locked before anything is cut, which is what prevents expensive mistakes later.

  4. SummaryOur designers prepare production-ready shop drawings and send them for your sign-off before production.

    TimingUsually within about 3 business days of payment.

    This is the main pre-production gate. The drawing package confirms final dimensions, structural details, materials, finishes, mounting method, wiring-exit and hole positions, and installation notes. Production only begins after you approve the drawings, so the factory builds from a confirmed spec rather than an assumption.

  5. SummaryWith drawings approved, we build the sign to the confirmed specification.

    TimingMost standard orders finish in about 15 business days after drawing approval; special processes may add time.

    Depending on the sign type, production can include cutting, forming, welding, surface finishing, acrylic work, LED assembly, internal wiring, and final assembly. Plating, chemical corrosion effects, and other special processes are scheduled with extra time. The aim is not just a finished sign, but one that matches the approved drawings.

  6. SummaryWhen production is done, we send finished-product photos for your confirmation before shipping.

    TimingRight after production completes.

    This gives you a clear visual check before the sign leaves the factory — appearance, structure, finish, and overall execution. It also creates a deliberate handoff between “built” and “ready to ship,” instead of treating shipping as automatic.

  7. SummaryWe run a 24-hour continuous lighting test and release for packing only after it passes and you confirm.

    TimingA 24-hour continuous lighting test runs before dispatch.

    This is the main post-production quality gate. We start the 24-hour burn-in while you review the photos. If anything shows up during the test, we fix it and run the full 24 hours again until it passes. After the test passes and we have your confirmation, we move to packing and release.

  8. SummaryAfter release, we arrange shipping and send tracking so you can follow the delivery.

    TimingShipment is arranged right after release; transit depends on destination and method.

    Once packed, we ship by the agreed method and share tracking as soon as it is available. Projects ship by express, air freight, or sea freight depending on size, destination, and schedule. With DHL, total delivery usually runs about 25 days from order — roughly 15 business days of production plus about a week in transit. —

Quote Your Wall Project

Send a photo of the wall, the surface type (and what’s behind it, if known), the rough size, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, any drilling limits, and a preferred finish and color. We’ll confirm the mounting method and route, prepare shop drawings, and quote it.

Backlit Letters for Wall FAQ

Questions specific to wall mounting. General questions on lighting, power, shipping, and payment are in the main FAQ below.

Backlit letters push light out the back of each letter onto the wall, creating a soft glow outline around the letter. Front lit letters light up the face itself. Backlit letters give a more refined, architectural look. Front lit letters read brighter and more direct from a distance.

By default the light source is a safe low-voltage 12V DC LED. LED modules, strips, or PCB LED boards are mounted inside each hollow letter shell. The light is directed toward the mounting wall and reflects back, forming a halo of light around each letter.

They are widely used for storefronts, reception and lobby walls, office and hotel branding, and architectural façades, both indoors and outdoors. For outdoor use we adjust the structure, waterproofing, and material grade to the environment. Metal models (304, or 316 for coastal) are the safer outdoor choice. For large letters we use an aluminum letter shell, which cuts weight and makes shipping and installation easier. Acrylic letters are best kept to indoor and covered-outdoor settings.

We provide a 3-year warranty on our backlit letters. Within 3 years, for any damage that isn’t caused by misuse, we supply the affected parts so you can carry out the repair. Two things to note: (1) the transformer is covered by its own manufacturer’s warranty. We use Mean Well by default, which carries a 1-year warranty. In practice, as long as the transformer sits in a well-ventilated low-voltage enclosure, it rarely fails. (2) A re-made part and the original sign will show a slight color difference. This comes from the LED’s half-life: brightness drops to about half of the original after 2-3 years, which is a physical property of LEDs and can’t be avoided.

Mainly fabricated stainless steel (304 by default, 316 for coastal/high-salt) and CNC-engraved acrylic. For very large letters we often switch the shell to aluminum to reduce weight. Internal parts include LED lighting and a Mean Well transformer. Each separate piece has its own two-core wire for the positive and negative connections. For example, the letter “i” is made of two pieces.

Mirror polished, brushed, painted, and powder-coated (gloss/matte/semi-gloss) are standard. Metallic looks such as gold, rose gold, brass, copper, and bronze are available, plus options like wood-grain and antique finishes. We can match Pantone, RAL, Sherwin-Williams, or Benjamin Moore colors. For coastal or salt-air environments, we recommend powder-coat, brushed, or mirror finishes rather than electroplating.

Typically 25mm to 100mm (1 to 4 inches), depending on letter size, stroke width, the space the LEDs need, and the look you want. Depth is usually adjusted in steps of about 5mm (3/16 inch).

We use LED modules, strips, or individual LEDs chosen to fit the specific details of each sign, balancing brightness, evenness, heat, and long-term reliability. For very high-detail indoor work or large runs we can use custom PCB LED boards for more precise, uniform light (higher cost and lead time, mainly indoor).

Yes. Brightness can be set with a dimmer. For automatic control you can add a dusk-to-dawn light sensor (turns the sign on at night and off in daylight) or a timer (on/off at set times each day). Please let us know in advance if you’d like any of these, so we configure them with your order.

They are solid three-dimensional letters with a finished surface, so they look clean and premium even when switched off.

Standard single colors include white (~6500K), warm white (~3000-4000K), red, yellow, blue, and green. RGB / WRGB color-changing is available for wider strokes and comes with a controller. If you choose color-changing, then where the stroke width and budget allow, we recommend WRGB. The added White (W) diodes greatly expand the range of colors the sign can produce and make the result look richer.

High-quality LED systems are typically rated for over 100,000 hours. Brightness fades slowly over time, which is a physical property of LEDs and can’t be avoided. As a general rule, after about 2-3 years brightness is around half of the original. As long as the sign is still bright enough for your needs, you can keep using it without replacement.

Backlit letters need very little maintenance. Wipe them with a clean soft cloth dampened with clean water. Avoid alcohol-based or harsh chemical cleaners, especially on painted or plated finishes. In coastal areas, regular cleaning with clean fresh water (typically every 1-2 months) helps protect the sign’s finish.

Your sign’s vector design file, the target size, a photo of the installation spot, and any preferred material, finish, or lighting color. The more detail you send, the more accurate the quote. If you have a clear budget, tell us and we’ll do our best to suggest a suitable option within it.

We need vector artwork (AI, EPS, SVG, or PDF), which you can usually get from your designer. A high-resolution image is fine to start the conversation, but production still needs vector artwork for accurate manufacturing. One thing to watch: a “vector” file made by auto-converting a bitmap (such as a PNG or JPG) through software or a website is basically useless. The edges come out jagged and a lot of detail is lost, which makes it worse than a sharp bitmap. Our designers can rebuild vector artwork from a high-resolution bitmap, but some differences in detail are unavoidable, so it’s best to get the source file from your designer saved as a vector.

AI-generated images and renderings are welcome as a visual reference, but production still needs vector artwork. If your image came from an AI chat, ask that same AI conversation which font it used, and send the font name together with the artwork (you can also ask the AI to give you the design as an SVG vector file) and the rendering. Even if the rendered letters are warped or stylized, the font name gives our team a reliable baseline to rebuild clean vector outlines.

Yes. Based on your wall, viewing distance, and wording we can recommend suitable sizes, proportions, and letter structure.

There is no strict font restriction, but very thin strokes need a minimum width (generally at least 10mm, about 3/8 inch) so the LEDs can be arranged evenly and the halo lights uniformly. For fonts with fine serifs or narrow local strokes, the Classic model is usually the safer choice.

A quick guide: Classic backlit metal is the safest pick for oversized letters, outdoor projects, and fonts with fine serifs or narrow strokes (its reflected halo is forgiving of dark spots). Luxury backlit metal is a flush-mount premium metal look, with strong dimensional presence and no stand-off needed, well suited to boutiques, flagship stores, hotels, and upscale façades. Backlit acrylic is lightweight and great for close-up detail and indoor or covered-outdoor settings. Send us your wording, size, and location and we’ll recommend the best fit.

Yes. After your order is confirmed we prepare a detailed shop drawing for your approval, and production doesn’t start until you sign off. Before shipping, we also send finished-product photos and a 24-hour lighting-test confirmation, so nothing leaves the factory without your approval.

They are usually mounted with stud bolts: holes are drilled in the wall, the letters are fixed with the stud bolts, and the wiring is connected in parallel to one transformer. We include a mounting template, stud bolts, wiring, and instructions. DIY is possible with basic electrical knowledge, but professional installation is recommended. If your wall can only take a few holes, or none at all, we also offer pre-mounted backplate and ceiling-suspension options (described in the next question).

By default the letters run on 12V DC, so they can’t connect to AC power directly. A transformer (LED driver) converts your AC supply to 12V DC. We typically use a waterproof Mean Well LPV-60-12. In North America you simply plug the included 110V-AC-to-12V-DC driver into a standard outlet, or hardwire it. You can also run the sign from an existing 12V DC source. Never wire the letters straight to a 110V/240V AC outlet or panel, because that is unsafe and will damage the LEDs. If you aren’t using standard residential power but industrial power at a different voltage, tell us in advance so we can set up the correct transformer.

By default our letters run on 12V DC. We don’t supply transformers made for landscape-lighting systems (in North America these are usually 12V AC), so if you need that integration we recommend sourcing a compatible local transformer.

Yes. We apply waterproofing matched to the installation environment (sealed components and a suitable outdoor-rated transformer) so the sign performs long-term outdoors. We also adjust the specification for tougher conditions: 316 stainless for coastal or high-salt areas, heavier waterproofing for heavy rain and high humidity, and materials chosen for very cold climates.

Each order ships with everything needed to position and power the sign: the letters, a Mean Well transformer (LED driver), a mounting template, stud bolts and hardware, the wiring, and installation instructions.

If only a few holes can be drilled, we can pre-mount the letters on a backing plate, so the whole sign installs as a single piece. It then needs only one hole for the power cable plus 2-4 stud-bolt holes. If the wall can’t be drilled at all, the only option is suspension: the sign and its backplate are hung from the ceiling as one unit. Either approach can add to the shipping cost, so tell us about your mounting surface and any constraints and we’ll recommend the best approach.

Yes. For coastal or high-salt environments we recommend 316 marine-grade stainless steel to resist corrosion, with powder-coat, brushed, or mirror finishes. We avoid electroplating there. Indoor coastal projects can use 304, but cleaning matters: wipe the letter shell with a clean soft cloth dampened with clean water to remove salt from the surface.

Yes. We raise the waterproofing specification for wet climates so the letters stay reliable in heavy rain and high humidity.

Yes, they suit cold environments. For extreme cold, send us the local temperature range so we can choose the right materials and electrical setup.

Price depends on size, material, structural complexity, finish, lighting, and installation method. Every sign is custom, so the more detail you provide, the more exact the quote.

We accept PayPal (under PayPal’s seller-protection policy we issue you a PayPal Invoice) and credit-card payments processed through PayPal. Full payment is required before production. Any PayPal or credit-card transaction fees aren’t included in the quote and are paid by the buyer. For any questions about PayPal payment, please contact PayPal’s official customer service. When you confirm your order, we’ll need your recipient name, recipient company, shipping address (not a PO box), and your PayPal account address (in email format). Our finance team will then send you a PayPal Invoice so you can complete payment.

Lead time depends on the finish, size, quantity, destination, and installation requirements, so we confirm a real timeline once we understand your project. As a general guide, most orders are completed in about 15 business days, plus shipping time (DHL takes roughly one week). We don’t promise a blanket rush time, but if you have a deadline, tell us early with your project details and we’ll let you know what’s realistic.

By default we ship worldwide with tracking through couriers such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, and TNT (air or sea freight for large orders). Delivery time depends on the destination and the shipping method you choose. Any import duties or local taxes follow your country’s rules. If you can accept a slightly longer delivery time, we can use DDP air freight, where the freight forwarder handles customs clearance and pays the duties. This is about 5-10 days slower than DHL, but the freight is cheaper and duties are included. Sea freight can also be arranged on a DDP basis.

Customs duties are charged by the customs authority where you live, based on your country’s policy, and they aren’t part of our production and shipping quote. For specifics you can contact your local customs. The HS (customs) code for backlit letters is 9405600000. Scam text messages are very common nowadays, so if you receive a message like this, contact DHL’s customer service through their official website to confirm the situation. You’re also welcome to contact us and we’ll check with our DHL contact. Either way, don’t ignore the message. If it goes past the deadline, DHL may dispose of the package. If you’d rather not deal with duties at all, you can choose DDP air freight from the start: you simply wait for the goods to arrive, the freight is cheaper, and customs clearance and duties are included. The trade-off is that transit takes roughly 5-10 days longer. —

Most solid surfaces work — drywall, plaster, brick, concrete, wood, tile, and metal panel — as long as the wall holds fixings and allows a cable path. Hollow, thin, or fragile walls usually need backing or a pre-mounted backplate. Send a photo and we’ll advise.

The letters can be pre-mounted on a backing plate so the whole sign installs as one piece, needing only one hole for the power cable plus a few stud-bolt holes. This keeps wiring simple where running cable through the wall is hard.

Suspension is the option: the sign and its backplate hang from the ceiling as a single unit, with no holes in the wall. Tell us about the wall and we’ll confirm whether a backplate or suspension fits.

For exterior walls, choose a metal route (Luxury or Classic). For interior walls, any of the three works. On a dark or textured wall, Luxury or acrylic — whose light reaches the eye directly — reads more reliably than Classic’s reflected glow.

A photo of the wall and the mounting spot, plus the surface type (and what’s behind it, if known), the rough size, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, and any drilling limits. That’s enough to confirm the mounting method and route.

Built by the Factory, Not a Middleman

We are a factory-direct manufacturer of custom backlit letters with 21+ years of fabrication experience and more than 1,000 sign projects delivered to over 60 countries. Every sign is custom-made in our own facility, so the wording, size, material, finish, and lighting are built to your project rather than pulled from a catalog. For U.S. orders we plan around UL requirements and ship internationally with tracking. Working with the factory directly means clearer answers, tighter quality control, and no reseller markup between you and the people building your sign.

Why Buyers Use This Site to Plan Their Project

A few practical reasons projects move forward here instead of stalling — built around control, clarity, and getting the sign right the first time.

  • Factory-Direct Manufacturing

    You work with the people who actually build the sign. With 21+ years of fabrication in our own facility, there is no reseller in the middle adding markup or slowing down answers.

  • Production-Ready Shop Drawings

    Once you share wording, a font direction, a size, and a logo or reference, our team prepares production-ready shop drawings for your approval. We don't design a brand from scratch; we turn what you have into a buildable, confirmed spec.

  • Two Quality Gates Before Shipping

    Nothing ships on assumption. You confirm finished-product photos, and every order runs a 24-hour continuous lighting test before it is packed and released.

  • Built for U.S. Projects

    We plan around UL requirements for the U.S. market, quote in the units you work in, and ship worldwide with tracking, so an overseas-made sign still arrives ready to install.

  • A Complete, Ready-to-Install Kit

    Each order includes the letters, a Mean Well transformer, a 1:1 mounting template, stud bolts and hardware, wiring, and instructions — everything needed to position and power the sign.

  • 3-Year Warranty

    The letters carry a 3-year warranty for issues not caused by misuse, with the transformer covered by its own 1-year Mean Well manufacturer warranty. ---

Contact the Backlit Letters Manufacturer

Headquarters
Shanghai, China`
Business Hours
Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (China Standard Time)
Project Communication
24/7 — send details anytime and we'll reply within 1 business day