Custom Marquee Signs With A Modern Twist

In their prime, custom marquee signs were “can’t miss” oversized signs. A must-have for theaters that hosted live performances and movies. The dazzling light would attract customers and curious minds to the big screen, and give everyone a glimpse as to what was  on the big screen. They were the first lit signage, powered by standard lightbulbs that were placed within metal lettering. Then bulbs were added to a backlit changeable letterboard to announce upcoming performers. Historic theaters around the nation have their original marquees, but many are having custom marquee signs built with a modern twist. The modern twists below will work for a variety of industries.

Custom Marquee Signs Keep The Exterior Bulbs But Upgrade The Changeable Lettering

There is something nostalgic about having a theater name spelled out in metal lettering that’s lined with light bulbs. Or a sign with a stylized frame or decorative graphics lined with light bulbs. Today, the lightbulbs are energy-efficient LEDs that deliver a timeless effect.

What’s not so timeless are the backlit changeable letterboards. While also nostalgic, they are a hassle to update. Not just that, but they limit how much you can post on your marquee. They are usually a uniform size, and though you can get them to be smaller, you are then sacrificing viewability, with the ability to add more characters. Consider upgrading to a digital sign instead. If you like, you can create a digital design that looks like a changeable letter sign—but can be programmed and updated from your computer.

The digital sign also empowers you to add motion graphics, images, and video. And you can preschedule messages and alternate more than one message.

Layer With LED Signs

Vintage signs are historic works of art. So, replacing or upgrading your timeless sign with anything other than an exact replica may be out of the question. Not to worry, as you can upgrade your sign by layering a digital sign underneath.

If there’s not much space to work with, a scrolling sign may be the easiest option. The sign can share details that don’t fit on the primary display. For example, additional showtimes, who’s coming soon, ticket prices, promotions, and more.

If you have more space to work with you can add a full HD display to post curated promotions and maybe even snippets of live performances.

Or replace your eye level poster boards and signs with digital signs.

Create A Digital Replica

Custom marquee signs that are a few decades old will need to be replaced. It’s essential to work with a sign designer who specializes in vintage marquees. They can create an exact replica, a replica with a few stylized tweaks, or they can create a digital marquee replica.

This goes beyond upgrading the changeable lettering to an LED screen, to creatively digitizing the entire sign.

A few options to consider include:

• Upgrade to smart lightbulbs that you can program with different colors, adjust the brightness level, or program create a run effect.
• Say goodbye to the large exterior lightbulbs and upgrade to rows of miniature LED bulbs that can remain solid or be programmed in a variety of ways.
• Create a layered monument sign with a marquee-style decorative frame, and digital screens within.
• And more!

If you need help doing any of these, or seeing all of your options, do not hesitate to reach out to us at Mega.

Design A Miniature Marquee theater

Theaters aren’t the only types of businesses that utilize marquee-style signs. They are also a popular choice for old-school diners, ice cream shops, antique stores, and any type of vintage-inspired business. Most businesses don’t have the space for an oversized marquee, so have a miniature version designed instead.

This could be:

• Standard in size instead of oversized.
• A miniature version of an oversized sign to place at eye level.
• Marquee lettering, with maybe an arrow or decorative frame.
• Neon lettering in a marquee style frame.
• A digital display that features a marquee style design.
• A decorative marquee light lined symbols such as an arrow, heart, or star.
• And more!

Non-Traditional Mixed-Mediums

All custom marquee signs are mixed-medium by nature but consider a few non-traditional mediums. You’ll be limited to weather-friendly options for exterior signs, but your options are endless for indoor designs.

Consider adding:

• Glass
• Metal
• Vinyl
• Leather
• Wood
• Corrugated Plastic
• Acrylic
• Polycarbonate
• PVC
• Faux or Living Plants
• And More!

Custom Marquee Signs Mounting

Custom marquee signs can also be built with stylized mounts. If your sign is digital and will be placed outdoors it will require a sturdy metal frame and a mount that contains its electrical component.

Think beyond posting your new sign above your doors to posting your sign anywhere you are permitted to.

This could include mounting to:

• The side of a building
• An interior wall
• An elevated pole
• A mid-level pedestal
• A ground-level brick base
• And more!

What If Your Custom Marquee Sign Curves?

While most signs lay flat, some marquee signs are rounded. Not to worry as you can still upgrade to a digital sign if you want to. We’ll have to review your exact measurements and specs. In most cases, we will custom build a variety of side-by-side signs that will work with your rounded marquee mount.

We can also discuss other ways to incorporate digital signs to the front of your theater or business. This could include digital poster boards, lobby signs, scrolling text signs, and signs layered with our existing marquee.

In Need Of A Digital Screen For Your Custom Marquee Signs?

Mega LED Technology can design your new digital sign in any square or rectangular shape required to fit within your marquee sign frame. Or we can design a fully digital marquee sign without any exterior light bulbs. Let’s get started!

Upgrading to LEDs will expand your viewing range to at least 2 blocks, further for larger signs. Not to mention that the vibrant lights are impossible to miss. It’s the ideal way to stand out on a busy street or create distinguished branding in low-traffic areas. Reach out today and we will walk you through your options.