Why Light Bulb Signs are Good for Business
As a business owner, you will no doubt be looking for new ways to enhance the interior and exterior areas of your business to maximise opportunities for growth. When it comes to marketing the world is your oyster, so it’s extremely important to learn about the numerous ways you can do this.
One way you can do this is with effective signage. Shop Front Signs , directional signage, interior displays and other forms of signage can help you to promote your business in a positive way. Light bulb signs in particular can help you to stand out from the crowd and gain new business.
4 Reasons why Light Bulb Signs are Business Friendly
If you are thinking about investing in a new light bulb sign for your business, you might be wondering what the benefits are. Below, we look at 4 reasons why light bulb signage can have a positive influence in your workplace.
1. They’re Attractive
Light bulb signs provide an attractive way of catching the eyes of potential customers. Position them neatly in a shop window or as part of a display inside and you will find yourself dealing with customers you have never seen before.
When considering any signage for your business, it’s important to think about how the sign will function and look once installed. Many people will think about the appearance of the sign without truly considering the effects of the signage or how it is positioned. The bright bulbs will not only add aesthetic appeal to your place of work, but will also help to ensure your business is seen by the right people.
2. They’re Energy Efficient
A lot of people worry about the cost of running a sign that comes with loads of bulbs, which is understandable. Not to worry though; providing the right bulbs are used, light bulb signs can be extremely energy efficient. You won’t have to spend a fortune to maintain the sign and you can benefit from having signage that catches the eyes of everyone who walks past.
3. They’re Versatile
Like other forms of signage, light bulb signs are extremely versatile. A range of designs can be achieved with different materials and the colours/sizes can vary depending on your requirements. Long story short, light bulbs can be incorporated into a range of signage to help you deliver a glowing message.
4. They’re Excellent for Generating Business
High quality signage increases your chances of gaining new business. Having an attractive shop front or workplace interior can really help your cause when it comes to getting attention from potential customers.
Signs made from light bulbs are not only attractive, versatile and energy efficient, they can help to make sure your business is seen. Providing your signage is well positioned, there’s no way anyone passing by is going to miss what you have to offer!
If you are interested in light bulb signs to change the way your business presents itself, feel free to get in touch and we can discuss your project with you.
How the popularity of neon signage has spread…
What do you think of when you hear the term neon? Many would picture old American movies with the flashing neon signs at motels, or the different signs that light up the strip at Las Vegas. Neon has always been used to draw the eye, its earliest implementations used only by those who could afford its high price tag.
In more modern times, neon has evolved in its uses, no longer a product just for those with deep pockets, or for large installations. Neon has become vastly popular among artists, with their ideas being turned into neon creations. It has also grown in its use by visual merchandising, or ‘VM’ Companies for events and pop up shops.
Neon’s evolution has been an interesting one. It started off as a tool used for experiments in laboratories, before being discovered as a method of lighting. Its use within signage began at the heights of society due to its price tag, before its red light became known as a symbol for some of the less reputable areas within a city. However when the possibility of alternative colours was discovered, neon changed once more into not just a way of advertising, but an art form.
Musician’s, artists, architects and businesses are now turning to neon for use in their spaces. It has warm glow that cannot be matched. The hand bent method of manufacture removes the coldness that comes from mass produced machine made alternatives and guarantees that every single shape, letter or outline produced has a slight differences that make each piece unique. Neon has also become popular in the celebrity sphere, with icons like Elton John and comedian’s like Keith Lemon having neon signs custom made for their uses.
A neon sign is a unique way to express your creativity and when used correctly with your colour scheme, it can bring an office space or home room to life. As each neon sign or art piece starts its life out as a series of hollow glass tubes that are then heated and shaped into its desired form, it can be used to recreate almost any shape, design, word or logo and is with this versatility, it truly is no wonder that the popularity of neon has continued to grow throughout the years.
Superdry’s Supersigns
July 13th 2017. We received an order from one of our clients for three new Superdry neon signs for a new store opening up in London’s Covent Garden. They were to display the Classic Superdry Trademark Japan Logo, with additional text above reading London. Two of the signs were to be 3.6 meters wide and 2.13 meters high while the third needed to be 2.75 meters wide and 1.67 meters high.
The smaller neon sign was to be mounted onto a tray panel which would then be put up onto a wall, standard stuff for a company who assemble neon signs onto tray panels all the time. The two large signs however were going to be mounted onto clear acrylic panels and then onto portable mesh panels. There was a twist however, these panels had to stand off of the mesh panels by at least 25mm. While this was a little trickier than the tray panel version, we have never been a company to shy away from a challenge.
As it turned out there was a bigger challenge than suspending 10mm thick acrylic panels holding approximately 55 meters of glass tubes on each sign, all three had to be made and installed by the end of the Thursday 26th July ready for the shop to open the end of that week. With a full workload, a standard medium sized neon sign will take about 5-10 working days to be made once all artwork has been agreed, we had 9 days to make and install almost 150 meters of glass.
It was no easy feat, with each tube having to be hand bent over a hot flame and the design calling for double line neon, that is, neon that follows the outline of a shape rather than the central line of it. Once bent, every single piece of glass then has to have a pair of electrodes attached that then allow electricity to run through them before then pumping them with the neon gas that would then light up.
It took four people working in the glass shop to bend, electrode and pump approximately 100 individual pieces of glass, over two full weekends and 5 additional working days, just to have the neon signs ready to assemble onto their respective panels before they were transported to Covent Garden. It then took another 4 people to prepare each panel, mark out the drawings and then assemble the neon ready for transport.
The installation of the signs took place over the 24th,25th and 26th July, with three people working approximately 13 hours a day to ensure we met the deadline, but by Lunchtime on Wednesday 26th, all three neon signs were mounted and turned on.
This project took a combined total of approximately 500 hours from start to finish, but we pride ourselves on meeting a deadline once we commit to it and with all of our signs being manufactured in house, we can often meet tight deadlines that would otherwise result in a client not having a neon sign when they needed it.
And the result of our efforts? Well we think they turned out pretty well. But don’t take our word for it, take a look at some of the photos below and decide for yourselves.
Big or small, A1deSIGNS can help you with your signage needs. Whether it is a complex project or a tight deadline, if it is possible, we will do everything we can to help you get your neon sign. So drop us an email, or call us today to get the ball rolling on your next project!
What’s the best type of vinyl for your graphic vinyl project?
There are many reasons why we love vinyl, including being colourful, affordable and efficient. At A1deSIGNS we have lots of styles and types to choose from, our bespoke vinyl signage will really make your business stand out.
When considering the style and design you’d like, it’s important to consider that there’s a variety of types when it comes to vinyl signage, especially when considering the use, if it’s for interiors, exteriors, or on a number of different surfaces. Another factor to include in your choice is the duration you need the vinyl for. For standard vinyl types there is usually a 3-5 year range and a 7 year + range. For special vinyls or exterior uses, the lifespan can be reduced however when used internally in a environment shielded from harsh temperature changes vinyl can last longer.
The vinyl that’s available includes…
Transparent vinyl
The clue is in the name, this type of vinyl is see-through, it comes in a number of colours allowing the chance to be really creative with your design. This type of vinyl tends to be thicker than other vinyls and is popular for interiors including indoor glass projects. This type provides great effects should different colours be overlapped as well as the ability to print a number of colours onto a wider colour palette.
Translucent vinyl
These vinyls look quite solid but they are designed to let light shine through, making them perfect for use on light boxes. Signs made with these vinyls can come in a wide range of colours and have a satin finish.
Matte vinyl
Matte vinyl is similar to matte paint, it has a flat and non-reflective surface. Designers and architects tend to prefer this look to the shine of gloss vinyl. This vinyl is ideal for use on panels both inside and out and can be applied to either side of a window.
Gloss vinyl
Gloss vinyl is similar to gloss paint and has a shiny surface, it comes in a number of colours. Like the matte version gloss vinyl stands up to the weather much better than other vinyls, so it’s a good choice for exterior areas.
Metallic vinyl
Metallic vinyl come with both gloss and matt finishes and the colours tend to be gold, silver, bronze and copper. Pearlescent, galvanizes and graphite are also available in metallic vinyl. These types of vinyls are usually used for decorative effects and tend to be placed on panels and glass doors. Some can be created with added protection so they can withstand the weather outdoors. The life span on these tends to be shorter than the standard ranges due to the way it is manufactured.
Stencil vinyl
Stencil vinyl comes as a standard in one or two colours. It is not used for decoration, but as a tool to help create the decoration. Stencil vinyl is primarily used in one of two ways ; either to block out the inside of a shape, so that the surrounding area can be treated in a different colour or as the reverse, blocking out the surrounding area so that the inside can be treated.
Reflective vinyl
Reflective vinyls are mainly used for road or road safety signs as well as emergency vehicles like ambulances and police cars. During the day they tend to look like white or black strips, but by night time they will reflect light shone on them and can attract attention or provide a warning. They also come in yellow and red variants.
Blackboard vinyl
This vinyl is textured black and is designed to be written on with chalk or chalkboard pens, with the ability to be wiped clean with a damp cloth so they can be wrote on again. They’re thick and easy to apply making them a popular option for schools for their menu boards, children’s playrooms and office noticeboards, as well as restaurant menu boards.
Frosted vinyl
Frosted vinyls are great when it comes to glass, they let light through but you can’t clearly see through them so they’ll also protect your privacy and stop people from walking into glass panels and doors. They provide an etched, sandblasted or textured glass look.
There’s a number of frosted effects to choose from for your signage, as well as patterned finishes.
Photo luminescent vinyl
This type of signage is designed to gather light during the day so it can release the light when it’s the evening or when the light has been switched off. This type of signage is popular for safety signage in offices.
Printing Vinyl
While the majority of the above are designed to cut and applied either as blocks or designs and are great for creating designs that use individual blocks of colour, there are times when you need a gradient of colours, or a colour not available within one of the above ranges. This is where printing vinyl comes into play. As a standard product, it is simply a thick white vinyl that can be printed onto, allowing for intricate designs, making it ideal for brand logos or matching to precise colours. There is also a premium version available called Contravision, that when applied, allows for one side to be seen through with the other side displaying only the design, making it great for when privacy is key.
Whatever your vinyl signage needs, if you have any questions regarding the type or the suitability of the ranges we offer, please feel free to contact us.
Top 10 Facts About Neon
Neon was first discovered in its elemental form in 1898 and in less than 20 years it was used not just as a scientific tool, but as a product. The first demonstration of neon in a modern form was in December 1910, by a man called Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show, who displayed two 12 metre long tubes filled with the gas. From that point, the world has been fascinated with neon and its popularity and uses have evolved over the many years. In today’s world neon signage is not just a decorative piece, or something to enhance your business space, it is a way of expressing yourself and adding a creative feel to your space.
Take a look at these top 10 facts about neon…
Real neon lights are only reddish-orange colours
One of the lesser known neon facts is that there is only one colour for neon. When you fill a clear tube with pure neon gas, it lights up a reddish-orange colour and is that warm glow that is often thought of when neon is mentioned. To obtain other colours, there are a variety of methods used that include powder coated tubes, combining neon with other noble gases such as Argon, or even using coloured glass tubes. In some cases, all of the above are done to achieve some of the most vibrant colours you will see.
Neon is used in television sets and lasers
Having unique properties means that neon has many uses in everyday life, it’s used in advertising signs, vacuum tubes, wave meter tubes, lighting arrestors, high voltage indicators, television tubes, plasma tubes and helium-neon lasers. Nowadays liquid neon is commercially available and used as cryogenic refrigerant, so it’s not just common on the streets of Las Vegas, it’s in your home as well!
Neon gas is rare
A rare gas is another name for a noble gas. These six gases form approximately 1% of Earth’s atmosphere. Neon, discovered by two British Scientists in 1898, is the fourth most abundant element present within the universe, however it only forms 0.0018% of Earth’s atmosphere.
The first neon light was revealed in 1910
As mentioned previously, Georges Claude displayed his neon lamps at a Paris exhibition, he created it by combining an earlier discovery with a new one. George’s business was in air liquefaction and the neon gas was originally produced as a byproduct.
Neon is a Greek word
Neon gets its name from the Greek word ‘neos’ which means new.
The first neon light sign was sold in 1912
In 1912, Georges Claude’s associate, Jacques Fonseque sold the first neon advertising sign to a barber in Paris in 1912. Next, in 1913 3 ½ foot tall letters were installed on the Champs-Elysees, they spelt out ‘CINZANO’, the name of the famous Cinzano company which manufactured Italian products.
A neon sign once sold for $48,300!
Earlier this year, in January 2017, a neon sign sold for $48,300 at a auction night in Maine, USA, the sign was from the legendary Los Angeles rock club, ‘Whisky a Go Go’ and 13ft long.
The Paris Opera House was decorated with Neon
In 1919, Georges Claude manufactured a design which involved decorating the world-renowned Paris Opera House with red and blue tubes, giving the colours their name of ‘Opera Colours’
A neon tube can last a very long time
The average life span of a standard neon sign is approximately 30,000 hours. However, in 2012 during a renovation of a restaurant, a neon light panel was found still on, after running for approximately 77 years.
All neon lighting is handmade
Even though electrodes and most glass tubes are prefabricated, neon lighting is still a handmade art and creators use blow torches to heat glass tubes before bending them into place and sealing them together.
Working Neon into your Décor
Neon signs and neon artwork are an increasingly popular trend for interior design and décor. The ability to create either a strikingly unique look or subtle, easy on the eyes warm glow. With the right design and a skilled glass bender, a neon sign can transform a work or living space.
Neon can brighten up an office space or provide a soft glow for your home. Whether it’s business or pleasure, take a look at these ways to work neon into your décor, whether it be your premises or your home.
Decorating your space with neon
Regarding interior design, inspiration is always the key, helping to bring your ideas to life, take a look at these was to help bring a neon touch to your space…
Neon and neutral
A great interior design tip, which is becoming very popular, especially with today’s ‘minimalist’ interior approach, is pairing neon colours with neutral colours. If you want to add some excitement into your space, a neutral coloured room is a perfect backdrop for some bold pops of colour, so let your neon take centre stage whilst the rest of your room is calm and subdued.
Create ‘fun rooms’ where you can use neon
Whether it be a craft room, a play room or your child’s bedroom at your home, they’re great places to have a play around and experiment with colour, without having to be too serious. In the work place, breakout areas are a good place to start spreading your neon cheer.
Know your area, know your neon
The key to having neon is knowing just how to effectively utilise the effect in the space you are placing it. A mass of colour and complexity in a small area can sometimes be confusing to the eye and cause an effect that is the opposite of what you intend. Likewise, neon that is too understated or spread out over a large space can disappear in the background and not draw the attention you need to your area.
Another really important thing to consider when bringing neon into your home is the location of the neon pieces, correctly placing and mounting the piece can increase the effectiveness and attraction of the sign, whereas choosing a less effective area, or a backing that does not meet the requirements you need can detract from. If you want to appreciate the honesty of the neon, including the wires and the transformer that powers the sign, then a clear acrylic panel or case is ideal for your sign. If you prefer to have a nice tidy sign that has all the wiring and parts hidden from view, then an aluminium composite tray panel is a great option to go for. There are a variety of options to choose and their suitability and effectiveness is completely dependent on the purpose of your sign and area you wish to place it in
Turn down the lights
If you are looking to wind things down rather than liven them up, neon can still be a great addition to your space. With the ability to dim the light, neon can be used in a variety of forms as mood lighting or even as a night light for a child that then operates as a room decoration as they grow.
Neon signs
Creating your own neon signage, not just adds a personal touch to your space, but also allows you to incorporate a creative flare into your home, office or commercial building. At A1deSIGNS our signage designs don’t just bring your ideas to life, but also your space. We can work our bespoke service to make your neon artwork become the focal point of any room. We can help you find the right combination of colour, design, size and mounting option to both suit your needs and budget, so to start working on your next project, get in contact with us today!
