Our blog discusses all things neon. Today’s topic is the Q word. Quality. Ordering a LED neon can be costly.
Similar to the fashion of wine, shoes, and cosmetics or the art of making wine, LED neons make an unforgettable impression.
This article will discuss the anatomy of a perfect sign. We will cover legacy glass neons as well LED neons. Also, we will show you examples of different quality LED signs.
Let’s start with the beginning. What are glass neons, you ask?
You may have heard neon, which is a brand new gas used in neon signs. That is how neon gas gave glass neons their distinct red color.
The technology behind glass neons didn’t change much until today. Glass tubes are what make the glass neons. The tubes take on the color of neon and mercury by filling them with gas like mercury. The opaque black color coats the glass tubes and creates spaces between the letters.
A glass neon is an expensive and difficult process. Glass neons have many drawbacks. They cannot be easily moved or installed at a different place; they are heavy, require a lot, and heat up very quickly. You can be a safety hazard because they can make a lot, flicker, and produce a lot too much noise.
LED Neons
PVC is flexible and strong, making the LED neons from it. The LED light makes the sign’s electrical part, which is also colorful. It is far safer than traditional neon tubes filled with gas. The LED ribbon’s color is given by the silicone sleeve.
Not all LED Signs are Created Equally
The average quality LED neon signs are made using a method that attaches cut-out letters or designs onto the acrylic backboard. Fewer LED neon sign factories use a more complex method of carving the Design on the acrylic board. This is a superior method that produces high-precision designs and signs that last.
Gluing your design to the Acrylic Board
Most LED neon studios prefer to glue designs onto boards. This is where the sign design is traced on a sticker and then attached to the acrylic board. The silicone sleeve covers the LED ribbon. Letters of the sign can be cut individually and glued onto the backboard.
Comments: This is a very fast and efficient method.
Con: This method makes it difficult to reproduce the sign design accurately. Letters may look less perfect because of the way they are attached to the board.
Board Carving
The Neonsit’s studio uses board carving as a manufacturing method. The sign design is cut on an acrylic board. A niche is created in which the LED light stripe is inserted. The silicone tube is used to cover the LED.
Pros:
Sign designs can be reproduced with high precision and still look amazing
The signs illuminate evenly, with no black areas
The signs are robust and can be easily moved around without damage.
Cons:
Any is possible. Quality products may cost more than other options, but they are often better quality.
LED neon Sign Certification
You should ensure that your LED neon sign emits electrical energy. It is best to get the certification if you are going to use it to decorate a nursery/children’s bedroom.
The Neonist will only use LEDs that have been tested by:
– Restrictions of Hazardous Substances – Directive 02/95/EC – The European Union was the original source of the Directive. This directive restricts the use of particularly hazardous substances found within electrical and electronic equipment (known as EEE).
CE demonstrates conformity with environmental, health, and safety standards for products sold within Europe Economic Area (EEA). On products sold outside of the EEA, the CE marking can be found if they have been manufactured according to EEA specifications.
The certification requirements stipulate that every sign sold by The Neonist must be tested after it has been switched on for 36 hours. Only after passing the tests can the sign go to the customer.
The LED Light Quality
An LED ribbon is made up of several LED lamps, which are placed closely together. The lamps can go out quickly if the LED quality is poor. We found many signs that didn’t illuminate evenly within a short time after production.
Proof of LED quality is required to ensure that your sign will light evenly, beautifully, and for a long period. A high-quality neon lead produces uniform light distribution.
LED Signs Quality – The Red Lights
Let’s have a look at some poorly crafted LED neons.
- This sign does not have even typography. Instead of cutting the LED to shape it properly, it has been bent. The result: Some letters are thicker than others, e.g. B and S.
- The sign is supposed not to be painted white. This picture shows a sign with a lot of LED lamps, which give it a “blue-blue” look. This is because the LED used in this sign was of low quality. Sometimes it is because the power adapter was not used correctly.
- An official certification should be provided with the LED lights
- The LED lights should only be made by a reliable manufacturer
- The acrylic board should be carved with the neon design
- Signage should be easy-to-read and readable
- Neons must not have black spots especially not at once
- The design of the neon should not be complicated.