How to Hang a Neon Sign (Without Drilling, If You'd Rather Not)

The sign is finally here and it looks amazing. Now it's just leaning against the wall, waiting for you to figure out the next step. But don't worry, hanging an LED neon sign is actually a pretty simple task. One thing that usually concerns people is the weight of the sign, but that's not really an issue. A typical sign with an acrylic backing is about as heavy as a framed picture, so it's easy to handle.

Here are all the mounting methods that actually work, including the ones that leave your walls untouched.

First, check what you've got

When it comes to installing quality signs, you'll usually find that they come with pre-drilled holes in the acrylic backing, along with a mounting kit to make the process easier. Our signs are no exception, and we include the necessary fixings to get the job done. If you let us know where the sign will be going when you place your order, we can even pre-drill the holes in sensible locations to save you some hassle. Before you start thinking about how you'll mount your sign, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, consider where the power cable exits the sign, and second, think about where your nearest socket is located. You might be surprised at how much the cable run can influence your placement decisions, so it's a good idea to plan this out before you start making any holes.

Method 1: Screws straight through the backing

To hang a sign, start by holding it level - you can use a spirit level app on your phone for this. Next, mark the spot where the pre-drilled holes are with a pencil. Then, fix the sign to the wall using screws and the right type of plugs for your wall. For brick walls, use red or brown plugs, and for stud walls, use proper plasterboard fixings. When tightening the screws, make sure they're snug but not too tight - acrylic is strong, but overtightening can cause cracks. With just a few minutes of work, you'll be done, and the best part is that the sign can be taken down and re-hung as many times as you want.

Method 2: Standoff mounts, the premium look

When it comes to mounting signs, there's a way to make them look really sharp. You can use these small metal barrels called standoffs to hold the acrylic sign about 2cm away from the wall. It's kind of like how galleries display their prints. The sign seems to be floating, and the gap between the sign and the wall creates a soft glow that highlights the neon, making it look amazing. We think this is a great way to mount signs for businesses, salons, or anywhere the sign is a key part of the decor. It does require a bit more precision when drilling, but the end result is totally worth it - it looks super professional.

Method 3: No drilling at all

If you're renting a place, don't worry about putting up signs. There are some great ways to hang them without damaging the walls. For smaller and medium-sized signs, you can use heavy-duty adhesive strips - the kind that are rated by weight, like Command strips. To make sure they hold up well, follow these three simple rules: first, clean the wall with an alcohol wipe before you put up the strip, second, use strips that can hold at least twice the weight of the sign, and third, press each strip firmly against the wall for a full 30 seconds. There are some places where you shouldn't use these strips, though. For example, if the wall has been freshly painted, you should wait a month before putting up a sign. You also shouldn't use them on textured wallpaper or in warm areas like above a radiator. And let's be real - if you've got a really big sign, like one that's a metre long, it's probably better to use screws to hang it up. That way, you can be sure it'll stay up safely.

Method 4: Hanging wires and chains

Lots of signs are designed with holes so they can be hung from things like clear wire, chain, or even ribbon. You can hang them from a picture rail, a hook in the ceiling, or a beam. This is a pretty common way to display signs in shop windows, where you want the sign to face the street and there's no wall behind it. It's also really popular for events, because you can easily move the sign from one place to another - like from the ceremony backdrop to behind the DJ - in just a few minutes.

Method 5: Don't hang it at all

You don't have to hang signs on the wall, they can just stand on their own. You can put them on a shelf, a mantel, a bar, or even a bedside table. They can just lean against the wall, like a piece of art that's waiting to be hung up, but never actually needs to be. Some of our customers like to move one sign around the house, so it's in a different place all the time. If you like this idea, just let us know when you're ordering, and we can figure out the best way to make the back of the sign so it can stand up instead of being hung.

The cable question

When it comes to signs, the cable can make all the difference between a professional look and a sloppy one. You've got a few options to choose from, ranging from simple to more elaborate. For a quick fix, you can just let the cable drop straight down and tuck it behind some furniture - it's not the prettiest solution, but it gets the job done. If you want something a bit neater, you can use stick-on cable clips to run the cable along the skirting or the corner of the wall. This is a great way to keep things tidy and organised. If you're looking for a more polished look, you could consider using D-line style trunking that's painted to match the wall. This is a great option because it basically disappears into the background, leaving your sign looking clean and sleek. And if you really want to go all out, you could have an electrician chase the cable into the wall or drop it down from above - this is definitely the most professional-looking option, but it's also the most involved. One thing to keep in mind when you're ordering your sign is to think about the power supply cable. If the socket is far away, it's worth asking about a longer cable at the time of order, rather than trying to daisy-chain extensions later on. This is a pretty cheap upgrade, and it can save you a lot of hassle in the long run - you can find leads and spares in our accessories section. By taking care of the cable, you can ensure that your sign looks great and functions perfectly.

Getting the height right

When it comes to deciding where to place a sign, the general rule of thumb is to position it at eye level, which is typically around 145 to 155cm from the floor to the centre of the sign. This is a common convention used in galleries and it works well in most cases. However, there are some situations where you might want to place the sign a bit higher. For example, if the sign is going to be above a piece of furniture like a sofa or a headboard, you'll want to aim for a height of 15 to 25cm above the top of the furniture. This will create a sense of continuity and make the sign feel like it's part of the overall arrangement. If you're dealing with a business sign that needs to be seen from across a room or from the street, you'll want to place it even higher. Before you start drilling holes in the wall, it's a good idea to mask out the sign's outline with tape and live with it for a day. This will give you a sense of whether the sign is in the right position and whether it's the right size. It's a simple and inexpensive way to avoid making a mistake. If you want to learn more about choosing the right size sign, we've got a handy guide that covers all the basics.

The five-minute version

Screws for permanence, standoffs for polish, adhesive strips for rented walls and smaller signs, wires for windows and events, and a shelf if you'd rather not commit. Plan the cable route before the holes, don't overtighten against acrylic, and tape the outline first. However you mount it, the moment it first lights up on the wall remains the best part of the whole process. If you're still at the choosing stage rather than the hanging stage, our text designer shows you exactly what you'd be putting up.