What is an LED neon sign? | 6 points explaining the difference with glass tubes

by neonparkinterior June 3, 2021

1. What is a neon LED (tube)?

What is a neon LED (tube)?

Simply put, an LED neon sign (tube) is " something that uses LEDs to create a light similar to neon ."

Some people may wonder, " Why did we use LEDs instead of conventional glass tube neon? "

This is because : 1) it is cost-effective, 2) it is safe, and 3) it is easy to install .

The range of people who can enjoy them has expanded to include shops that were too scared to set one up, as well as individuals who have always wanted to display one in their homes, and in recent years they have become mainstream.

(The history will be explained later below.)

(*There are various names for neon, such as neon signs, neon lights, neon signs, and neon LEDs, but here we will talk about LED neon signs and glass tube neon.)

1-1 How does it work?

The structure of an LED neon sign is that it has an LED tape embedded inside a silicone tube .

The LED light passes through a tube, creating an effect similar to that of glass tube neon.

The structure of a neon LED is "an LED tape embedded in a silicone tube."

1-2 The attractive points of LED neon signs

Expresses light similar to that of traditional neon
Safe and unbreakable silicone tube
Reduce production and electricity costs
If you have a dimmer, you can adjust the brightness.
Easy to install, such as hanging from the wall or ceiling, without any construction work

Also, The LED neon signs are also made by hand using tubes made by craftsmen.

Neon LED tubes are also handcrafted by craftsmen

2. Differences and comparison with glass tube LEDs

Here is a table showing the differences between LED neon signs and glass tube neon signs.

*Please check the top page of the site for a clearer table.

Both LED neon signs and glass tube neon have their advantages, so we recommend using them depending on the purpose! (Neon Park mainly uses LEDs though...^^;)

3. History: Why LED neon signs are on the rise

3-1 Birth

It is said to have been invented by French chemist Georges Claude and first exhibited at the Paris International Exposition in 1912. In the 1920s, Thomas Young, an American sign manufacturer, came up with the idea of making letters out of glass tubes, and with permission from Georges Claude's company, he founded a venture company and designed most of the neon signs in Las Vegas, which was then a rural town. This would have a major impact on the city's landscape.

Invented by French chemist Georges Claude

Designed most of the neon signs in Las Vegas

3-2 Japan

In Japan, red neon lights are used mainly in entertainment districts, pachinko parlors, izakayas, etc., and you can see many red neon lights in Kabukicho, Dotonbori, Nakasu, and Susukino. Recently, cafes and apparel stores have started using white as a color, in keeping with modern store designs.

You can see a lot of red neon lights especially in the entertainment district.

3-3 Enactment of fire prevention ordinances

Glass tube neon has become subject to stricter regulations due to fire prevention ordinances . (See the diagram.) Because it uses high voltage (6000v-15000v), there are regulations to prevent malfunctions in equipment and transformers that could lead to fires, so installation locations are now limited.

Fire prevention ordinance enacted

*Figure: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Regulations Database

3-4 The birth of LED neon signs

Glass tube neon had issues such as the impact of fire prevention ordinances (limited installation locations), the need to notify firefighting agencies, and the hassle of requesting a licensed person (special electrical work licensee). In addition, the number of craftsmen who can make custom-made products according to advertisers' requests is decreasing.

Compared to glass tube neon, it is easy to install and has a long lifespan. LED neon signs were a new solution . They can be made in a wide range of colors, are waterproof, and, most importantly, they can keep production and electricity costs down, which met the needs of advertisers.

Four. LED neon sign design expression

4-1 Design

LED neon signs can be used to create a wide variety of expressions using soft tubes , such as letters, pictures, logos, and guides . For example, by combining pictures and letters, as in the image, the range of expression can be expanded even further.

Neon signs expand the scope of expression by combining pictures and text

4-2 Font size

The minimum size of characters that can be created also differs depending on whether the character is English, Hiragana, Katakana, or Kanji. Also, there is a simple way to create characters as shown in the figure (left), and a method to create white-filled characters using two tubes (right).

4-3 Color Variations

There are various colors to choose from, and you can choose the color that suits you best when it is on or off. It will attract people as art and advertising during the day and at night . It can also be used as indirect lighting.

Lighting Color

5. Situations in which it can be used

For businesses , they can be used in cafes, bars, restaurants, gyms, nail salons, beauty salons, restaurants, florists, pet shops, restroom signboards, etc. They are also portable, so some stores bring their neon signs to events.

Neon signs for business

For individuals , they are popular for interior decoration (living room, entrance, bedroom, pets), events (weddings, proposals, birthday parties, Christmas, Halloween), and gifts (housewarming gifts, Valentine's Day) .

*For examples of production ideas, click here → Reference neon

*If you would like to try designing it yourself, click here → Design Customizer

6. LED neon signs are recommended for the following people!

Neon light attracts people with a different light than ordinary LED signs.

We have had customers say things like, "I've always wanted to install one," or "I wanted to use it to attract customers."

I want to easily install it as a stylish piece of interior decor.
I want to make a sign that stands out from afar.
I want to attract customers as a photogenic spot
I want to incorporate a variety of neon lights while keeping costs as low as possible.
I want to use it for surprises such as birthdays and proposals.
I want to use it for wedding decorations.
I want to give a unique gift

Etc. Everyone has different goals.

If you meet the above criteria, or if you want to create safe, easy-to-install neon lights while keeping costs down, We recommend LED neon signs !

that's all, This was an introduction to LED neon signs .

If you are interested in the product after reading this article, please feel free to contact us. We can provide you with a quote even if you only provide us with an image photo and size.

＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--＊--