Free Express Shipping
49% Off
12-Months Warranty

How to make Neon Signs at home?

10 February, 2024, 10:00 am

Neon Signs, a fixture for more than a century, continue to maintain their popularity as one of the prevailing forms of signage in contemporary times. These vibrant and vivid signs frequently adorn storefronts, bars, and restaurants, contributing a distinctive flair to various businesses. Delving into the essence of Neon Signs and unravelling their functionality, this article aims to provide comprehensive insights. In this article, we will introduce everything about how to make Neon Signs at home. Let's explore right away!

What are Neon Signs?

What are Neon Signs?
What are Neon Signs?

How to make Neon Signs at home? Neon Signs are a type of gas-discharge lamp invented by Mr. Georges Claude in 1910. They are composed of glass tubes containing gases such as argon, neon, helium, electrodes, and so on at each end of the tubes. When a high voltage is applied to the electrodes, the gas inside the tube undergoes ionization, creating a luminous plasma that emits light. Neon Signs are commonly used for decorative and advertising purposes and come in various shapes and sizes.

>>>See more: When were neon signs invented?

What Makes Neon Signs Special?

How to make Neon Signs at home? Neon Signs are savvy advertising tools, illuminating the windows and signage of bars, cafes, shops, theaters, and hotels, attracting the attention and curiosity of passersby. Nowadays, they are also used in fitness centers, gyms, dormitories, and various spaces where you want to add a splash of color and create a warm atmosphere.

Neon signs can be customized to spell out your name or fun phrases like "OMG." They can also feature images of animals, food, or drinks. The complexity of neon signs can vary based on your preferences, making it a completely adjustable design feature to suit your taste.

You can explore impressive Neon Signs at iconic locations such as:

  • The Neon Boneyard in Las Vegas
  • Times Square in New York City
  • Dotonbori district in Osaka, Japan
  • Lower Broadway in Nashville
  • Moulin Rouge in Pariss

These are just a few examples of globally renowned spaces that leverage the advantages of Neon Signs to create focal points, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and evoking vibrant memories of the places they have experienced.

What Do You Need To Make a Neon Sign?

How to make Neon Signs at home? To make an LED Neon Sign, you'll need:

  • A suitable base or substrate, which could be made of wood, expanded PVC, or serve as a wall-mounted surface for your signage.
  • Prepare wire cutters to trim the LED neon flex lights according to your sign's design specifications.
  • Ensure you have a 20-gauge conductor wire for electrical connections.
  • Have a spool of thread on hand for additional support.
  • A soldering iron will be necessary for secure connections.
  • Lastly, a hand-held drill is essential for any required perforations or installations

How to make Neon Signs at home?

How to make Neon Signs at home?
How to make Neon Signs at home?

How to make Neon Signs at home? For numerous years, words illuminated in neon fluorescence have been a consistent feature of nightlife. Now, achieving this distinctive effect is within reach with just a few basic tools. Creating a exclusive neon sign that spells out a phrase of your choosing is just a few steps away.

Cursive Letters/Images

  • Generate ideas for the word you want to illuminate in neon. Consider using a phrase, preferably composed of two to three words, or experiment with creating designs or symbols using this method. Let your imagination guide you in envisioning the desired appearance of the sign.
  • Sketch the chosen word or outline a design with a pencil on a sheet of paper. Draw as if your pencil cannot be lifted, ensuring the entire design is connected. If crafting a word, employ cursive writing. For images, aim for simplicity to maintain clarity in the outline.
  • With the string, trace around the letters or the design. Cut the string upon completion and measure its length to determine the necessary wire. If the string is longer than the available wire, consider reducing the size of the letters or opting for a shorter phrase.
  • Shape the metal wire to match the outline of your letters, using pliers for sections that require more precision, such as cursive "i" or the stem of an "n." Tip: Enlist another person to hold down initial sections of the wire as you progress to maintain its shape.
  • Secure the EL wire to the metal wire using a hot glue gun, working section by section. Take your time, pressing the EL wire onto the metal wire for 5-10 seconds to ensure a secure hold.
  • Wrap the remaining cord with white tape or a color that complements the sign's intended background. Hang the sign in the desired location, allowing it to shine as planned.

Block Letters

  • Acquire a wooden board or plywood to function as a backdrop for the sign. Optionally, paint the board the same hue as the wall to ensure the words stand out independently.
  • Select a word or phrase with predominantly straight-edged letters, preferably in uppercase. Print out the letters in the desired size, allocating one letter per sheet of computer paper, and arrange them in the correct order.
  • Retrieve a blue and a red pen for mapping out the wire threading on the wooden board. The blue pen signifies the visible wire, while the red pen indicates the concealed portion behind the board.
  • Use the pens on the printed paper to visually guide the wire's path. Mark an "X" at each entry point with the blue pen and use the red pen at the end of the first letter, where the wire will go back behind the board. Consider how the wire needs to enter and exit the board for effective word creation.
  • Punch holes in the paper at every "X" location. Measure a length of string equivalent to the owned EL wire and thread it through the path to ensure there is enough wire for the design.
  • Affix the paper to the plywood board and drill holes where the original "X" marks were placed. After completing the drilling, remove the papers from the board.
  • Commence at the back of the board, threading the EL wire through the first hole and all the way through. Secure the battery pack to the back of the board using tape.
  • Follow the pre-determined path, threading the wire through the holes. Once finished, tape the excess wire to the back of the board to ensure it lays flat and is easier to hang.
  • Hang the plywood in your desired location, activate the battery pack, and witness your neon sign come to life!

Where to Hang Your Neon Sign?

How to make Neon Signs at home? Neon signs can be placed in a variety of settings, but it's crucial to select a location that maximizes visibility and appreciation from a broad audience. Common choices for neon signs include storefront windows, bars, restaurants, and even within your own home as a distinctive and attention-grabbing decorative element.

Unique ideas when making neon signs

Unique ideas when making neon signs 
Unique ideas when making neon signs

To maximize the potential of neon signs, careful planning is essential. The following creative ideas will assist you in enhancing your space with neon signs!

Weddings

How to make Neon Signs at home? Incorporating a neon sign into the backdrop can add a distinctive touch to your wedding photos, providing an extra element of uniqueness. Placing a sign against the background gives your guests a designated spot to capture entertaining selfies. Wedding neon signs serve as a splendid backdrop, enhancing the overall ambiance and allowing the bride, groom, and everyone else to capture unforgettable moments. You can find out why signs have different colors to know how to decorate them accordingly

Home decor 

Occasionally, injecting a bit of playfulness and lightheartedness into our home decor is essential. Neon lights can offer that necessary element in your home design. They don't necessarily have to be extravagant; whether it's the focal point in a maximalist living room or the perfect color accent in a dining room, a neon sign can effortlessly enhance the overall aesthetic. 

Make a unique neon light for your bar and restaurant

In recent years, utilizing neon signs for bars has become a popular way to adorn establishments, transforming them into striking works of art, whether positioned behind the bar, on the wall, or in the window! Neon bar signs can illuminate the environment, setting your establishment apart from the competition with the perfect aesthetic accent.

Conclusion

The preceding article provides how to make Neon Signs at home and exploring creative ideas with neon signs. For access to the product list and additional helpful information, feel free to visit the Xneonshop website now!

For more detailed information and additional support, please contact us through: