Looking to light up your business with bold, eye-catching custom neon signs? You're in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between traditional custom neon signs and their modern counterpart, LED neon signs. You'll learn how each works, the pros and cons, and which option might be best suited for your needs.
We've been in the custom signage industry for over 10 years, and we specialize in sign design, manufacturing, maintenance, and installation of all types of signage. We'd love to share our expertise with you.
1. What Are Custom Neon Signs?
Neon signs are actually a very durable and efficient form of a light bulb, very similar to a fluorescent light. They are made out of long luminous gas-discharge tubes that have been heated and bent into various shapes and letters.
Custom neon signs reached their height of popularity from the 1920s to the 1960s, but really died out in the 1990s with the development of LED technology.
Even though the word "neon" is used to describe this type of lighting, neon gas is only used to produce about one third of the colours, including red, orange and intense shades of pink.
Argon gas mixed with a drop of mercury is used to produce blue, yellow, green, violet, and white, as well as some of the softer pink shades.
When the electric current hits the electrodes in the tube, its atoms begin to glow.
The following video gives you a simple explanation of how a neon sign works.
2. What Are LED Neon Signs?
LED stands for light-emitting diode, a highly energy-efficient lighting technology that has become a popular alternative to traditional neon.
LED neon signs are created by arranging dozens (or even hundreds) of these tiny diodes closely together along a flexible strip. This strip is then encased in a durable, colored PVC or silicone tubing, which mimics the look of traditional neon but with more versatility and safety.
The material is mounted onto a clear or colored acrylic backing that can be custom-cut into nearly any shape, letter, or logo. Unlike traditional glass neon tubing, LED strips can be bent and shaped more easily, allowing for greater design flexibility and faster production.
LED neon signs are also lightweight, resistant to breakage, and operate at a much lower voltage than glass neon, making them a safer and more cost-effective option, especially for indoor installations and modern business environments.
Whether you're looking for vibrant window signage, decorative wall art, or an eye-catching display piece, LED neon signs offer a sleek, modern take on the classic neon glow.
3. Custom Neon Signs – Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
The Gases in Your Neon Sign Have a Long Lifespan: Neon signs are designed to last a long time. The gas in your sign is actually able to produce light for up to 50 years.
More Energy Efficient than Fluorescent Bulbs: Neon signs use less energy than fluorescent bulb signs; however, they do use more than LED. Over the course of a year, if you keep your signage on for 12 hours a day, an average neon sign will use about 1,752 kWh of power in a year, whereas a fluorescent one will use about 2,672 kWh.
Costs Less to Run than a Fluorescent: If your electricity costs about 13 cents per, then that means you will be paying $228 to run a neon sign and $347 to run a fluorescent one.
Disadvantages
Electrical Parts Don't Last as Long as the Gas: Even though the gas in your neon sign will last up to 50 years, the electrical parts of your such as the transformer, however, will probably last only up to 15 years. The better quality of the transformer you have, the longer it will last.
Not Suitable for Exposure to the Elements: Custom neon signs should only be used outside if they are fully protected from the rain, snow, and ice underneath a porch roof or a large roof overhang. They are much better suited to indoor use.
Costs More than LED Neon Signs: It's difficult to give an exact cost for your custom neon sign, because it will depend on the size and complexity of your design. On the whole, though, a neon sign will cost more than an LED neon sign.
Costs More to Run than LED Signs: Neon signs are more expensive to run than LED signs. An average LED sign will only cost about $80 a year to run, whereas an average neon sign will cost about $228 a year.
4. LED Neon Signs – Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
More Energy Efficient: LED signs use much less energy than traditional incandescent lights, as much as 75% less energy. They also use less energy than neon signs.
Last Longer than Incandescent Lights: LEDs can also save you in replacement costs because they can last 25 times longer than regular incandescent lighting.
Your Old Signage Can Be Retrofitted with LED: Most traditional signage lighting systems can be replaced with energy-efficient LED systems. This process is called retrofitting. Retrofitting can be done on almost any type of illuminated sign.
If, however, your old signage is past its best, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with one that is modern, professional, and portrays your branding better than to invest in retrofitting it.
Better for Outside Applications: LED neon signs are waterproof, so they are great for both indoor and outdoor signage.
More Visible in Sunlight: LED lights are usually more visible in sunlight, so they are a better choice for outdoor applications.
Disadvantages
Not as Bright: While LED technology has come a long way, traditional neon signs still produce more lumens per watt, meaning they generally shine brighter than their LED counterparts. The classic neon glow is more intense and vibrant, especially in dim or nighttime settings. This can make a noticeable difference in environments where visibility is critical, such as busy streets or high-traffic storefronts.
Don't Cut Through Fog: Another consideration is how well a sign performs in challenging weather conditions. Traditional neon signs emit a 360-degree light that tends to pierce through fog, mist, or heavy rain more effectively than LED neon signs, which produce more directional lighting. This makes neon a better choice in certain outdoor settings where visibility matters, especially in fog-prone areas or locations with frequent inclement weather.
Choosing Between Custom Neon and LED Neon Signs: We can help!
When choosing between custom neon signs and custom LED neon signs, the key is deciding on the purpose of your sign.
If you have a business that has a really retro feel to it, and you want to have authentic signage and you aren’t worried about the cost, then choosing custom neon signs would be a good option.
However, if you want to have your signage outside, and you want a neon look without a hefty price tag, then an LED neon sign would make the most sense.
You can trust AGC Signs to manufacture and install any type of signage you require, even LED custom neon signs. Here are some of the great signage options that we offer:
Construction Hoardings
Murals & Prints
Custom Banners
Vehicle Graphics
Awnings
Custom Signs
We have over 10 years of experience in the signage industry in Ontario, and we strive to exceed industry standards by providing our clients with superior signage solutions through in-house custom design, fabrication, and installation. Contact us today for a free quote.
"I worked with AGC Signs on a signage project and was really happy with how it turned out. Rhonda took the time to explain to me how everything works and we went back and forth a few times looking at proofs. She was super helpful and I'm really happy with the quality of work I received. Would definitely recommend!"
- Lisa Ng
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