All things neon are discussed in our blog. Today, we will discuss the Q word. Quality. It is important to order quality LED neon.
The craftsmanship of LED neon signs is just as important as the quality of shoes, cosmetics, and wine.
We’ll be discussing the anatomy and features of a perfect neon sign in this post. We will be discussing legacy glass neons, neons made from LEDs, various production methods, certifications of LED lights, and a few examples to show you the different quality LED signs.
Let’s start from the beginning. What is glass neon?
As you might know neon is a rare gas that was used in neon signs from the 1980s. The neon gas that gave glass neons their distinctive red color is the reason they are called that.
The technology used to make glass neons has remained the same up until today. Glass tubes make up glass neons. The tubes get their color from neon or mercury gas. The opaque black coating of the glass tubes forms the spaces between letters.
The process of making a glass-neon sign is difficult and time-consuming. These signs come with many disadvantages. Glass neons cannot be moved around or installed easily; they can also heat up quickly and require a lot of electricity. Further, they emit a lot of sound, flicker, and have a shorter life span. This can lead to them becoming a safety hazard.
LED Neons
PVC is a flexible, strong material that makes LED neon signs. The LED light is used for the electrical and vibrant parts of the sign. It is much safer and more energy-efficient than traditional neon tubes. The silicone sleeve covers the LED ribbon and gives it its color.
Not all LED signs are the same
Average-quality LED signs are made by attaching cut-out letters or designs to the acrylic backing board. There are fewer LED neon sign companies that use this method. This method results in high-precision design and signs that can be repositioned and maintained.
Gluing the Design to Acrylic Board
Most LED neon studios glue their designs onto the boards. This involves trace the sign design onto a sticker which is attached to the back of the acrylic board. The silicone sleeve protects the LED ribbon. The letters are then cut and glued onto the backboard.
Benefits: It is a fast, efficient, and inexpensive method.
Cons Due to the way that the letters are attached, letters may be slightly crooked and less professional-looking.
Board Carving
The Neonsit Studio uses board carving as a production method. The sign design will be carved on the acrylic board. The silicone tube covers and protects the LED.
Pros:
You can replicate the sign designs with precision and make them look beautiful.
The signs shine evenly and without black areas
The signs are sturdy and can easily be moved from one location to another without damage.
Cons:
We don’t know of any. Sometimes, however, a quality product can be more expensive that its alternatives.
LED Sign Certification
Because LEDs emit electrical energy, it is important to check that your LED sign has the proper certification.
Only LEDs certified by:
– Restriction of Hazardous Substances (also known to as Directive 2002/95/EC), originated in Europe and limits the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products.
CE – identifies products that meet the European Economic Area (EEA), safety, health, and environmental protection regulations. Also, products that are not sold within the EEA will have the CE label if they were manufactured in accordance with EEA standards.
The certification requirements require that all The Neonist signs undergo a series of tests once they have been on for 36 hours. Only after passing all tests, can the sign be shipped to the customer.
The LED Light Quality
LED is a ribbon of multiple LED lamps arranged closely next to each another. Lamps that aren’t of the highest quality can burn very quickly if they aren’t. We were surprised to see signs that didn’t light up as evenly as they did right after production.
You want your sign to shine beautifully and last a long time. Always request proof of the LED quality. High-quality neon LEDs provide uniform light distribution throughout the sign.
Quality LED Signs — The Red Lights
Let’s examine a few LED neons made poorly.
- This sign has a typography that isn’t even. It was bent instead of being cut and shaped properly. The result is that some letters are thicker than others.
- The sign is supposed to be white. The sign in this photo has a lot more LED lamps than it needs, which gives it a “blue look”. The low-quality LED is responsible for this look. Sometimes this happens because you have used the wrong power adapter.
- Certification should be included with all LED lights
- An established manufacturer of LED lights should produce them
- The acrylic board should be used to carve the neon design.
- The signs should be clear and easy to read
- Neons should have no black spots, especially not right away
- The neon’s design must be simple and easy.