LED Sign Lighting: Key Applications and Practical Solutions
Whether you want to enhance a decorative sign, emphasize an event prop board, or highlight a logo to attract customers, LED lighting is the ideal choice.
LEDs have become very popular in recent years, and it’s not just because they are better for the environment than older lighting types. LED lighting has evolved over time to include various form factors including strips, sheets, pucks, modules, bars, and more. It also offers a wide range of colors and control systems.
One of the key reasons for their popularity is their long lifespan. This makes them a cost-effective option in the long run, and an excellent choice for signs and displays. LEDs provide a reliable “set it and forget it” solution that can last up to 50,000 hours and elevate your signage. But what is the best way to use them to your advantage?
Popular Ways to Add LED Lights to Your Signs
There are many LED products available, each perfect for different applications. Whether your sign is for indoor or outdoor use, at a business or in a home, there are various ways to light it up. If you haven’t decided how to illuminate your sign yet, here are some popular signage lighting types and the LED products from Flexfire LEDs that can help you achieve perfect signage lighting.
Backlit Signs, Lightbox, or Lighted Cabinet Signs
Backlit signs are typically placed in high-traffic areas such as shopping malls and commercial zones. These signs use a translucent panel over LED lighting to show images, promotions, or informative content. The translucent material allows light to pass through, resulting in an eye-catching and vibrant display.
You can achieve this look for indoor signs with:
Or for outdoor signs with:
LED Neon Effect
Traditional neon signs can be fragile and dangerous because they use glass and neon gas. In contrast, LED neon signs (also called faux-neon) provide a safer, more durable, and energy-efficient option. These signs use LEDs to recreate the bright look of classic neon without the risks.
LED neon signs are also easier to read from a distance than neon signs thanks to the glare reduction and dimming capabilities. Their aesthetic appeal and efficiency have led to extensive use in accent and decorative uses, including storefront signs, stage lighting, directional signage, home decor, and colorful wall accents.
You can achieve this look on indoor and outdoor locations with:
Front-Lit Channel Letters
Front-lit channel letter signs are made up of individual letters or shapes with LED lights positioned behind translucent panels. This design allows the light to pass through, brightening the faces of the letters or shapes to convey a message.
These signs are often seen in commercial spaces such as storefronts, shopping malls, and corporate buildings. They provide flexibility in relation to color and design, allowing businesses to customize their signage to match their brand identity.
You can achieve this look for indoor signs with:
And on outdoor or indoor locations with:
Halo-Lit Channel Letters
Halo-lit channel letters, also known as backlit or reverse-lit channel letters, are often seen on the exterior of buildings, restaurants, casinos, and other outdoor locations for high visibility. These letters and shapes feature LED lights placed on the open back side of the shapes. Alternatively, the LEDs can be mounted just behind the figures and situated away from the wall. This way the light reflects off the wall, making the shapes stand out and creating an aura or halo effect around the figures.
You can achieve this look on indoor and wet locations with:
Marquee Letter Lights
This one is for those who love nostalgia and vintage items. Marquee letters were originally seen at the entrance of theaters. This style became popular in the early 20th century with the invention of electric light. They are made of cut-out letters and numbers with multiple incandescent bulbs. The layout of the lights created even illumination and dazzled the streets.
Today, incandescent bulbs have been replaced by LEDs, making these signs cheaper, brighter, and more versatile. They are popular in hotels, retail stores, bars, restaurants, and event venues. They are even at hand for personal use in interior decor thanks to their efficiency in providing a romantic and amusing style.
You can achieve this look for indoor signs with:
Edge-Lit Signs
The LED lights are placed along one or more edges of a transparent acrylic or glass panel with an etched or engraved message, logo, or image. This creates an even glow throughout the sign, with a brighter shine through the carved areas.
Edge-lit signs have an appealing and modern design, making them popular for decorative lighting in offices and restaurants, and for interior decor and artwork displays at home. Some of the most popular applications for edge lighting include the illumination of glass or clear acrylic floating shelves, stairs or railings, and undercounter installations.
You can achieve this look for indoor signs with:
And for wet location signs with:
Integrating LED lights into your signage can significantly boost visibility, brand presence, and overall appeal. Get inspired for creative and successful applications, and make your signs stand out and flawlessly communicate your message.
To set up your sign lighting effectively, you will require essential components: quality wires and connectors for reliable connections, a controller to manage the LEDs, and a compatible power supply. Ensure that the voltage of your LED lights aligns with the power supply to prevent any complications. Plan your setup strategically, organize the wires neatly, and adhere to local electrical regulations for safety.
If you need help in matching components for your signage project or have additional questions about the installation, our team of lighting experts is ready to assist. You can reach out to us by asking a question, sending an email, or calling us at 1-844-353-9347. We are here to provide you with the support you need!
