Neon Signs: The Full Guide to How They Work and What You Need to Know Before Buying One

When you’re looking to turn heads or accentuate a personal space, the atmosphere created by neon signage has no equal. A shopfront, a living room, a special occasion, there’s nothing that can’t be improved by the smooth, mellow glow of neon.   

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the history of neon lighting, how both glass and LED neon signs are designed and made, how they function, as well as exploring their various uses. We’ll also give you some tips on placement and maintenance, so you can maximise the value of your sign. 

A Century of Illumination: The History of Neon Signs 

The very first neon signs were revealed in 1910 by Georges Claude, a French inventor who discovered that neon - the noble gas that gives these signs their name - emits reddish-orange light when contained in glass tubing (known as a discharge tube) and exposed to an electric current. Claude’s invention quickly spread across Paris, with the new technology lighting up many of Paris’ iconic boulevards.

Within a decade, neon signs began to spread to the rest of the world, including the United States, where the use of additional gases such as argon expanded potential colour options towards the limitless spectrum we see today. Although their popularity would fluctuate over the years, they remain forever synonymous with America’s glamorous cityscapes, fronting cinemas, shops, restaurants, and just about everything else. 

In the mid-2000s, however, the growing development of LEDs changed the lighting game forever. LEDs, or light emitting diodes, similarly give off light when exposed to an electric current, but at a far lesser cost. Just as LED bulbs began to replace their heated filament predecessors, LED-based neon signs offered an alternative to the traditional glass-and-gas approach. Today, signs created using either technology are available, each boasting advantages and drawbacks. 

How do Neon Signs Work?

While the results are often indistinguishable, the inner workings of glass neon and LED neon are quite different. Traditional neon signs consist of hollow glass tubes, which are filled with harmless noble gases, before being exposed to an electric current. As this current passes through the gases, they undergo a process called ionisation, during which light is emitted. Colour is dependent on the combination of gases, with the eponymous neon producing the classic reddish-orange, while argon gives off cooler blues. 

On the other hand, LED neon signs are, unsurprisingly, reliant on light emitting diodes. Much like the gases used in traditional neon, LEDs glow when an electric current passes through them, though this occurs by the different, rather fancy sounding process of electroluminescence. Colour is determined by the specific material used in the LED. However, LED strips on their own do not produce neon-worthy results. For that, we use translucent silicone tubing, which acts as a diffuser, blending each LED’s light with the next, resulting in a unified, consistent glow that accurately replicates the appearance of glass neon.

The Making of a Neon Sign: Behind the Scenes

The techniques involved in the creation of a neon sign differ greatly between glass and LED options. Gas-based neon signs are made by first heating and bending the hollow discharge tubes to the desired shape, before they are filled with noble gases. Electrodes are then installed at the ends of the tubes, which are then connected to a transformer via high-voltage cables. Once powered, the gas sealed within the tube emits light. 

The first step in making a modern LED sign is the use of precision CNC machinery to cut a (usually clear acrylic) backboard to virtually any shape you can think of. Recessed grooves are cut into the backboard, which are then embedded with LED strips by hand and connected to a power supply with discreet, low-voltage wiring. Silicone tubing is then applied, hiding the LEDs themselves and spreading their light out for a smooth, consistent glow. 

The Benefits of LED Neon

All LED lighting boasts advantages over their older counterparts, but the pros of LED neon signs go well beyond the superior energy efficiency and lower cost. Here are a few of the main draws:

• Safety and Durability: LEDs require only low voltage power supplies and do not get hot, even during extended use. Acrylic signs are also afforded much better impact resistance and, even if broken, will not shatter, making them safer for use, especially in homes.

• Customisability: Perhaps the biggest draw of all, the sheer flexibility of LED strips opens up near-limitless creative potential. While the glass tubes of traditional neon can be bent to a variety of shapes and filled with various gases for a wide range of colours, LED signs and their acrylic backings can be made to virtually colour and shape, allowing truly unique and intricate designs to be brought to life..

• Brightness and Clarity: LED signs are often brighter than their gas-based counterparts, with a more consistent, clear glow visible from greater distances. The lack of electrodes and transformers also means LED signs are better for those looking for a cleaner, more minimalistic look.

• Cost and Energy Efficiency: All LEDs are highly efficient compared to older alternatives, and this is also true for LED neon signs. While glass neon loses energy as heat like a filament bulb, LEDs run cool, operating on just 15-20% the electricity, keeping their long-term costs down.

None of this is to say that glass neon is without its uses in the modern era; if you’d like to know more about the differences between glass and LED neon signs, check out our comprehensive comparison to help you determine which one is best for you.

Designing a Custom LED Neon Sign

For most manufacturers with customisable signs on offer, the options typically include:

• Colour

• Size

• Font

• Backing colour and shape

Some manufacturers also allow for completely bespoke designs. This might seem a little daunting at first, but don’t worry - you don’t need to be a graphic designer to get your vision across. Most manufacturers can work off of a simple sketch, digital mockup, or even just a photo. Custom signs require custom quotes, and so they’ll take a little longer, but there’s a few things you can prepare to speed the process up:

• Overall Design (text, image, logo etc)

• Desired colour(s)

• Preferred size

• Installation type (wall-mounted, free standing, outdoors etc)

Manufacturers may also offer digital previews, so you know exactly what you’ll receive. 

Location, Location, Location: Where to Position a Neon Sign

Knowing where to place a sign is just as important as the design itself. There’s no single answer to that question, rather it depends on exactly what your sign is for. Some key factors to consider include:

• Visibility: If you’re looking to turn as many heads as possible, especially if your sign is for your business, it’s a good idea to position it at eye-level in a high-traffic area. 

• Surroundings: Consider the space around the sign too. Keeping the surrounding wall clear can really help make it stand out, especially ideal for business logos. You could also mount your sign as an eye-catching centrepiece for a wider display at home, perhaps surrounding it with photos and other décor. 

• Lighting: The best place to position a sign relative to other lighting depends on what effect you want it to have on a space. If you’re looking to set the mood, it’s a good idea to mount it away from other light sources, where its glow will set the mood for the space. If you’d like it to act as a more subtle accent, you could choose an area with lighting that complements your chosen colours.

• Stability and Safety: While lighter than their glass counterparts, LED neon signs are relatively heavy, and it’s always best to choose a spot where they’re unlikely to be knocked, and out of the reach of children. This is especially important if you’re intending to use it in a high-traffic area. 

Ultimately, the choice of where to position your sign is up to you. If you’re unsure, you could ask a friend to hold the sign wherever you intend to mount it, so you can decide if it’s right, before you start drilling any holes!

To learn how to mount an LED neon sign, check out our handy installation guide. 

How a Neon Sign Could Help your Business

Following their invention in 1910, the first neon sign sold was in 1912 to a Parisian barber, who used it to accentuate the façade of his shop. Over a century later, the power of neon signs and their LED derivatives as tools for businesses holds steady. Here are just a few of the many ways a neon sign could serve your business:

• Turning Heads: Nothing quite catches the eye like a vibrant display of colour. A neon sign is perfect for drawing attention to any shopfront, making it nearly impossible for passers-by to miss.  

• Brand Messaging: if your company stands by a motto or mantra, inscribing it in neon is a great way of getting that across to your customers. 

• Enhancing Interior Décor: a neon sign can really elevate the interior of your business, providing a modern backdrop to a reception desk, drawing attention to a product display, or setting the mood for a bar. 

With countless other applications, every business can be enhanced by a touch of vibrant neon colour. If you’d like to know more, take a look here for a more in-depth look at the ways and LED neon sign can serve your business.

Maintenance and Longevity

With proper care, both glass and LED neon signs will last for around 8-15 years in most cases, though this will vary depending on how well maintained the sign is. Glass neon signs are generally more maintenance-intensive, as gases need replacing over time, while LED neon signs only need basic dusting and cleaning. Here are some ways to extend the lifespan of a neon sign:

• Switch it off when not in use

• Consider surge protection to prevent electrical damage

• Install it away from areas with moisture and/or high-traffic 

• Clean it regularly

Cleaning an LED neon sign is a simple process, requiring only a few basic materials. For more information, see our in-depth maintenance guide. 

Over to You…

Neon signs have a storied history, from their glass-and-gas genesis to their modern LED evolution, they’ve been around longer than most of us have been alive. In that time, they have continued to evolve, with new lightning techniques opening them up to everyone, for any space, any purpose, and any budget. So, whether you’re looking to accentuate your living room, draw attention to your shopfront, or add that extra little bit of magic to a special occasion, a neon sign might just be what you need.

We hope this guide has helped you get a better idea of how neon signs work and what their applications are. At Neon Daddy, we’re proud to supply personalised, premium-quality LED neon signs at affordable prices.

If you’ve got any further questions, be sure to check out our FAQs, or feel free to drop us an email at support@neondaddy.co.uk.