What Is An LED Light Sign?

LED light signs are nothing new, but past generations of signs didn’t work for every brand or design aesthetic. However, the new generation of lighted signs is fun, modern, and can be custom-crafted to blend in with any design aesthetic. Here’s everything you need to know about the newest LED light sign trends.

What Is An LED Light Sign?

Neon light signs and changeable letter signs have been around for decades, but they aren’t elevated enough for many brands. Let’s just say it, they look cheap, cheesy, and in many instances – outdated. From a functional standpoint, they utilize fluorescent bulbs that aren’t very energy-efficient, and the signs themselves are fairly fragile.

An LED light sign is part of a completely new generation of illuminated signs, of which the options are endless. The LEDs can be used to create lettering, but that still looks cheap. Instead, most designs utilize LEDs to create an illuminating glow, backlighting, decorative elements, or even HD images, video, or motion graphics. Many are mixed with mixed mediums to create luxurious, branded, and personalized signs. The new generation of signs is highly durable, lasting an average of 11 years.

A few examples include:

• Adding LEDs behind glass or metal lettering or signs so that the sign doesn’t entirely blend into a monochromatic design.
• Backlit indoor or outdoor logo signs, which are often multi-medium and multi-dimensional.
• USB rechargeable or battery-operated digital signs placed at the register or in display cases.
• Lighted panels placed internally or externally to create an artistic design.
• Scrolling text signs that communicate quick snippets of information such as BOGOS, business hours, quotes, and more.
• Interior and exterior HD displays capable of posting images, video, and motion graphics.
• And more!

What Kind Of LED Light Sign Is Right For Me?

This depends on your goals. If you are remodeling or redecorating your interior, you will likely install a variety of new signs. Even if it’s just the name of a meeting room or room number, adding LED lighting is a decorative way to ensure business signage pops. Add wireless power transfer during your remodel too, and there is no need to hardwire or change the batteries in your new sign. If it is hardwired or battery-operated, it will draw significantly less energy than a fluorescent bulb.

If you are in the market for a new primary sign such as a logo, lobby, or roadway sign consider mixed mediums signs or a full digital display. A mixed medium sign could be moss lettering framed in steel and backlit with LEDs. A full digital display could be anything from a digital billboard or a two-sided, three-layer sign placed at your entrance. The first layer can be an ID/logo cabinet with LED lighting, the second layer can be a sign you use to post images, video, and digital promotions, the third sign could feature static or scrolling text for personalized communication.

Aren’t HD Signs More Work?

This depends on your current signage options, but for most businesses the benefits of upgrading to LED light signs far outweigh any additional time commitment. For example, if you are upgrading your changeable letter sign you can now update your sign daily. This might sound as though it is more work, but it’s not!

Now you can post a daily quote instead of a weekly quote and change the text in real-time using the intuitive software that comes with it. No heading outside, sorting through letters, and updating the sign in extreme weather. It takes just minutes, and you can preschedule your daily scripture and quotes (or whatever you are posting) for days or weeks at a time. Your new sign requires minimal care, just wiping with a microfiber cloth and an electronics-safe solution. Also, with the ability to rotate a variety of ads, promotions, and messages—and reuse previous posts, digital will save you time.

Are There Any Special Considerations With HD LED Light Signs?

Your new sign will be custom-built to your individual specs, including size, viewing height, viewing distance, and whether it will be placed inside or outside. You’ll also need to decide if the sign is text-only or if it has full HD capabilities. Finally, we talk our customers through their frame and mounting options. The larger the LED light sign, the sturdier the mounting must be. We will ensure your frame and mount are stylized to match your business’ branding, building interior, or building exterior.

If you have ordered a text-only sign, you and your team can easily update the text, including predesigned graphics and special effects. If your sign has full HD capabilities it may be worth investing in the cost of hiring an HD sign designer. This will ensure your sign has proper size and scale, that your images and video are crystal clear, and that you are utilizing your sign to its full potential.

How Much Does An LED Light Sign Cost?

Cost varies greatly depending on how advanced the digital features are (text only or HD), size, viewing distance, frame, mount, and whether the sign is placed inside or outside. Scrolling window signs start at around $500 and larger signs with additional components, features, and functions can cost several thousand dollars. Oversized signs and layered monument signs are $10,000+. With proper maintenance and care, signs that run 24 hours a day will last an average of 11 years, but most will last over 20 years!

As you can see, your sign is an investment, so make your sign part of either or both your marketing and communications strategy. This includes creating a system to measure your ROI. For example, scrolling window sign sales skyrocketed during the pandemic as they allowed businesses to communicate their new hours, COVID protocols, and more to customers as they drove by. The ROI was far fewer phone calls and emails. For promotional signs, measure the increase in sales before and after the sign is posted.

Mega LED Technology talks you through all of your options with a no-pressure, free quote. Let’s get started!