Illuminated signage: a brightly lit future?

The use of LEDs in signage illumination has transformed the signage industry since the initial arrival of bright and commercially viable LED technology. The passage of time hasn’t slowed the pace of transformation, either, with a range of innovative technologies coming to market over the past couple of years. Read on to find out what you need to know about these developments and avoid staying in the dark.

A brief history

Human beings have sought and created technologies to bring light to darkness since the beginning of time, starting with fire, when the ability to see what was lurking in the dark could have meant the difference between life and death. Fast-forward to today, and while our lives are very different in most ways, the question as to how to provide light to an object to make is visible is still just as pressing, albeit for different reasons.

We’re no longer concerned with sabre-toothed tigers, but we do need to make our companies, shop fronts and advertisements as visible as possible in order for our businesses to survive and prosper by outshining the competition. It was this need that has long driven innovation in lighting technology, and that led to the creation and relatively rapid adoption of LED technology for signage illumination.

Lighting an object can be achieved in two ways. The first technique is simply to shine a light at it. While this is straight-forward, and without a doubt a popular method, it does carry with it numerous drawbacks, such as the issue of reflectivity, as well as issues of expense given the inefficient use of energy. The second means is to shine light out of the object, in the context of signage a role historically played by neon lighting and fluorescent tubes. The advent of LEDs has led to an explosion of creativity and flexibility that has forced a complete re-writing of the rules for illuminated signage.

Achieving the impossible

Advances in the technology underpinning LEDs have provided a number of alternative ways to illuminate a signage product, and have allowed the construction of internally illuminated signs that simply weren’t possible before. Take, for example, the manufacture of a very large display on a shallow frame – perhaps a flex-faced sign. Using traditional methods, it is almost impossible to light the frame uniformly as the lamp, usually a fluorescent tube, must be placed very close to the image due to the shallowness of the frame. This leads to dark areas and bright bleaching around the lamp.

The advent of chain LED lighting technology has provided a far more reliable, easy-to-install and energy efficient option. The market leaders in this segment can produce brightness of over 235 lumens with a high efficiency of 120 lumens per watt. Advances in optics design mean that only four LED modules, using a total of 10 watts, are required to uniformly illuminate 1m2 of signage. The super-low power consumption allows the use of just one power supply unit to light a sign of 17m2.

The growth of the signage industry as a result of advances in LEDs has had a knock-on effect in that end-users are seeking new ways in which to stand apart from their competition, increasing their budget spend for displays and signage and developing an interest in concerns such as the appearance of the sign at night versus the day.

Knock-on effect

The pace of the rise and fall of trends in illuminated signage has also accelerated. A year or two ago, ‘retro’ was very much in fashion, and not just in signage. Think of the vintage clothing boom. For illuminated signs, this trend meant a return to neon-style letter signs and fairground light installations, both of which are drastically improved by LEDs.

The fairground light effect is very effectively achieved using warm white LED bulbs, which on average use just 10 percent of the energy of their older incandescent counterparts. Likewise, whereas traditional neon lighting consists of a solid glass tube, the LED equivalent is built inside a flexible acrylic tube which can be repositioned and restyled whenever the user wishes to breathe some fresh life into their display. Solid acrylic assemblies are also in production at higher-end signage manufacturers. These displays come in a wide variety of colours with very strong, bright light. Their comparatively low voltage also means that they don’t require a fireman’s safety switch, unlike neon lighting.

Lamp manufacturers have also noticed the growth and future potential of the illuminated signage market, and continue to develop products specifically to meet the demands of the signage industry. Majert, a German manufacturer is one such company, launching and periodically upgrading its Chiplite range of LEDs designed for signage.

Their latest upgrade sees the CL-XI LED module replaced by the CL-XOL, boasting improved optics with a light distribution angle of 160 degrees. The high angle of light distribution makes these modules particularly effective for illuminating sign lettering, especially complex serif typefaces with small flourishes and corners. The CL-XOL thus allows the effective and uniform illumination of sign lettering of a depth as shallow as 30mm.

Where next?

These developments and innovations are just the tip of the iceberg, and it seems reasonable to say that signage illumination, in terms of both the technology powering the sign and the aesthetic appearance of the finished product, will continue to remain a fast-moving sector. The flexibility and substantial energy efficiency improvements delivered by LED technologies are of particular interest to signage makers and to end-consumers.

You can rest assured that here at The Sussex Sign Company, we will be keeping abreast of all developments and can offer tailored advice as to the most appropriate illuminated signage solutions for each of our clients in order to ensure the best possible return on investment.

We carry out work on all LED installation, throughout London, East and West Sussex, Kent Hampshire and the Home Counties, call us today on 01273 417057

Image of – Internally illuminated aluminium sign tray with acrylic push through letters and internally illuminated Projection sign – Sussex Signs image of – Halo Illuminated letters on an internal bulk head with built up stainless steel letters – Sussex Signs Image of – Fairground style LED Signage – Sussex Signs

How much does an illuminated sign cost?

We look at the types and costs of illuminated signs for business premises, with sign manufacturing specialists The Sussex Sign Company.

Illuminating your shop sign can create additional impact for your business, whether you trade at night or not – not forgetting that it goes dark in the UK before 4pm during winter, so that’s effectively every high-street business!

If your business is located in an area of high traffic flow then illuminated signage can help your shop stand out, generating valuable awareness with passers-by. Nothing adds more impact to smart signage than the careful use of internal or external lighting.

Many town centres have restrictions on the kinds of signage allowed on premises, so always check with your local planning department before specifying and ordering signage.

A useful document to start with is the Government-produced “Outdoor advertisements and signs: a guide for advertisers”, but local planning rules will nearly always impose restrictions specific to individual towns, or even individual streets and buildings. Illumination is one feature which is occasionally ruled out by planners.

Externally illuminated signs

External illumination is usually cheaper than internal illumination and does have the advantage of giving more options in terms of shapes and materials when creating the sign itself.

LED floodlights– these can be used when attaching lights to the sign itself is not an option or not desirable; ground-mounted signs, for example, which can be lit from below. Floodlights cost around £130 + VAT and can come in a range of colours.
Overhead troughlight illumination- provides a continuous ‘wash’ of light over a sign with the added benefit of providing ambient lighting to the front of your premises. Also enhances the 3D effect of any raised lettering in the signage. Cost is around £60 + vat per linear metre.
Overhead spotlights– these offer an elegant design which may be more suitable for some businesses or locations. Multiple lights will be required to illuminate the sign at a cost of around £90 + vat each.

Internally illuminated signs

Internally illuminated signs are essentially light-boxes with the lighting (fluorescent tubing or, more commonly these days, LED modules) contained within the structure and the business’s graphics applied to the front and sides, providing “through panel illumination”.

Internally illuminated signs vary greatly in size and need to be quoted on an individual basis, however as a guide price:

6m shopfront fascia sign – around £2000 plus vat (including installation)
900mm x 600mm projecting sign – around £400 plus vat

When built-up opaque letters or logos are combined with internal LED illumination, a variety of “halo” illumination effects can be produced to add clarity and visual impact to the sign. Halo illuminated signs also help to pick out the detail of the wall surface behind the sign to create attractive light and shadow effects.

Image of – Halo Illuminated LED Letters – Sussex SignsImage of – Internally illuminated aluminium sign tray with acrylic push through letters and internally illuminated Projection sign – Sussex Signsimage of – Halo Illuminated letters on an internal bulk head with built up stainless steel letters – Sussex Signs

Call us today on 01273 417057 or Email us from here

A list of the towns we work in throughout East and West Sussex is listed below.

East Grinstead , Crawley, Gatwick, Horsham, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Steyning, Worthing, Arundel, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Selsey, Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth, Portslade, Brighton, Hove, Newhaven, Seaford, Eastbourne, Bexhill, Hastings, Hailsham, Lewes, Uckfield, Heathfiled, Crowborough.

Enlightened Estate Agents

The Sussex Sign Company’s LED Light Pockets will transform any estate agent window, office, shop or restaurant. Estate Agent LED Light Pockets ensure your estate agency stands out from the crowd and your competitors.

LED Light Pockets and Illuminated estate agent window displays are the very latest way of illuminating your property details, ensuring they and your business, get noticed even in the darkest of evenings.

The Sussex Sign Company’s LED Light Pockets are a popular choice when it comes to illuminated displays on the market. They are seductively bright with glowing edges and create a charismatic personality for your shop window that attracts potential clients. The displays are manufactured to the very highest specification and our light pockets are available in a selection of designs. LED Light Pockets are the best way to ‘shine out’ from the crowd.

The LED light pockets themselves are hung from the ceiling using very thin metal cables which are suspended between the floor and the ceiling. They look elegant and without cluttering the window,they allow you to display the maximum possible information.

The Sussex Sign Company also supplies a wide range of wall displays. So if you are looking for an exciting new way of improving your existing displays or adding a new display, then we are the people you need to get in touch with, as we have all the quality products on the market you need.

Illuminated poster and graphic displays:-

The Sussex Sign Company’s range of illuminated poster and graphic displays is impressive. The range includes, free standing units, wall mounted and suspended units, and we can also supply bespoke made to measure LED light displays to order.

The power supply is fed through the thin suspension cables, which makes the displays versatile and energy efficient. The LED light panels and light pockets are also eco-friendly, with a light life of over 50,000 hours, and almost maintenance free.

Image of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign CompanyImage of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign CompanyImage of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign CompanyImage of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign CompanyImage of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign Company

Image of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign CompanyImage of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign Company

Call us today on 01273417057 or Email us from here

A list of the towns we work in throughout East and West Sussex is listed below.

Estate Agent sold on our ideas…

Illuminated poster and graphic displays:-

Image of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign CompanyImage of – LED Light Pocket estate agent window displays – By The Sussex Sign Company

Call us today on 01273417057 or Email us from here

A list of the towns we work in throughout East and West Sussex is listed below.

So what exactly are Halo Illuminated letters.

Internally illuminated halo letters can have an enormous amount of different effects depending on the products used and the type of manufacture. When stainless steel or powder coated aluminium built up letters or built up logos are combined with internal illumination, it creates a halo effect on the back tray, especially when combined using the latest LED technology.

A number of different effects can be produced by using fret cut, push through acrylic letters combined with digital print and or translucent vinyl. Furthermore, raised locators or snap fix (simple fix) can be applied to solid built up letters which allow the light to appear from behind the letter or logo creating a dynamic halo illuminated effect on the letters.

Halo illumination creates a glow of light around either a built-up powder coated stainless steel letter, a powder coated aluminium letter or an acrylic letter, as LEDs are positioned to shine out from the reverse of the letter.

Used on their own or together with a face lit effect, halo illuminated letters add a magic to a sign project, whether fixed to a sign tray aluminium panel, fascia or letters installed individually. When added to a letter with a non-illuminated face, halo illumination brings definition to the letter and is often selected for signage with a shallow depth.

Halo illuminated letters are very often used with white LEDs which produce a warm glow. The Sussex Sign Company’s built-up metal and acrylic letters are manufactured in our workshops where LEDs are fitted by our experienced installation team.

This type of signage works extremely well for hotels, spas, restaurants, pubs, clubs, jewelers and other leisure facilities. There are other types of halo illuminated letters which pick out the detail of the wall surface, such as painted plaster and monocouche cladding, to create attractive light and shadow effects.

Once manufactured, our halo illuminated letters can be secured to a sign tray panel or other fixing system or supplied individually for mounting as required.

For further information on HALO Illuminated Letters or any other product please get in touch.

Call us today on 01273417057 or Email us from here

A list of the towns we work in throughout East and West Sussex is listed below.

image of – Internally illuminated letters in an aluminium sign tray – Sussex Signsimage of – Halo Illuminated letters on an internal bulk head with built up stainless steel letters – Sussex SignsImage of – Internally illuminated signage using Neon Plus Halo Illumination. – Sussex Signs.