Almost any business can benefit from a bright, noticeable sign. Not only does it help people find your business and encourage them to enter, it makes a lasting impression on everyone that passes by. The most common choice for a really bright, colorful, noticeable sign is a neon sign. Recently, LED signs have become more affordable and much more common. There are advantages to both neon and LED signs.
Neon signs are actually made by bending glass tubes into the shape of letters, symbols and designs. The glass tubes are filled with neon, argon or another inert gas. The gas is then charged with electricity (a lot of electricity – several thousand volts) which makes the gas glow brightly. Different gases, or combinations of gases, glow with different colors. Neon signs have been used since the early 1900s in commercial and advertising applications.
Neon signs are so bright and colorful that the lend excitement to any atmosphere, particularly retail, food and beverage and personal care businesses. Even a simple “OPEN” sign glowing brightly next to the door can drive foot traffic into an establishment. Because the bright colors create a mental impression, many businesses find that a neon sign can increase sales of higher margin products or services. By planting a message in your customer’s minds as they are formulating their purchase, you can subtly sway them towards placing an order for a particular product.
LED signs consist of patterns of light emitting diodes (LEDs). A LED releases light due to the interaction of two materials – it is really just a very basic semiconductor. Unlike a regular light bulb, a LED doesn’t have a filament to burn out. Also, LEDs don’t produce heat, just light, and so they are extremely efficient. Until recently, LED signs were relatively expensive to manufacture. However, the prices of semiconductors have fallen, and the cost of LED signs have decreased also. LED signs are very bright and extremely flexible.
Businesses can buy LED signs that are similar in appearance and shape to neon signs, with all of the benefits of neon signs discussed above. LED signs still tend to cost more than a comparable neon sign, but LED signs have a much lower cost of operation because LEDs use much less electricity to produce the same level of brightness. In addition, businesses can buy programmable LED signs that display messages. Businesses often use a programmable LED sign to feature a certain product or service, advertise a sale, or increase customer awareness for a new product.