Illuminated light emitting diode (LED) signage is an essential branding element for many businesses in today’s world.
With bars, restaurants, garages, twenty-four-hour supermarkets, nightclubs, taxi companies, hotels, and many more businesses open late into the night, the demand for glowing signs is greater than ever – and more and more businesses are investing in them to elevate their brand presence.
Does this mean that every business would benefit from LED signs? In this post, we’re going to look at some of the advantages of illuminated signage and why you might need it for your company.
What is illuminated signage?
Illuminated signs have been around for a long time. Before the advent of LED technology, neon glass tubing was the go-to methodology.
However, neon signs were quite limited in application. The requirement to make shapes out of bent glass tubes meant that some forms were difficult or even impossible to properly create. Worse, the chemicals used to make neon signage were quite hazardous, and unfortunately neon lighting is also quite ecologically unfriendly as it can consume massive amounts of electricity.
Neon signs haven’t completely gone away – business owners can and do still buy old-fashioned neon signs if they particularly want a retro look – but for the majority of projects they have been superseded by the much better technology of LED lighting.
LED illuminated signs use very little electricity, and if looked after well will last for many years without the need of repairs or replacement. Even better, the design possibilities are endless – LED bulbs can be added to many different styles of sign and in many different colours, meaning you can use them to directly augment your actual logo and brand lettering.
The bottom line: LED illuminated signs are now the industry standard.
How does it work?
The basic concept of modern illuminated signage is fairly simple. An array of LED bulbs is installed into the signage design, either by putting them inside a translucent ‘lightbox’ style sign for an internal glow, or alternatively by putting the bulbs on the reverse side of a flat cut sign mounted onto a wall with locators (providing a backlit, or ‘halo’ effect).
That said, illuminated signs are very versatile. You can incorporate them into almost any shape you like – from simple rectangular signs to highly customised, bespoke wordmark designs.
You can also vary the colours of the sign to suit the look you are going for. You can even use different coloured LEDs to give the sign a rainbow effect.
What are the benefits of LED signage?
For any business that operates after dark, illuminated signage is a must-have. After all, your customers need to know where to find you.
The most obvious advantage of illuminated signage is that it’s easier to see in the dark, but this isn’t just an advantage after sundown – it can also significantly improve your business’ visibility to customers during periods of adverse weather (such as in heavy fog or during a torrential downpour of rain). Your business can seem to be a glowing lighthouse of warmth and civilisation to a visitor who got caught out in a storm!
It’s also true that LED signs can still have a positive branding effect if the business closes earlier in the evening. Even when you are shut, there’s still something to be said for maintaining a strongly glowing brand presence at all hours, letting customers know that you’re there and that they should come back the next day.
As an added bonus, illuminated signage can also be something of a deterrent to would-be burglars – who may see the glowing sign and assume that cameras or employees will also be active on the premises after hours.
Another advantage of LED signage is that it can bring a touch of class to an establishment. There’s no denying that an elegantly illuminated sign can seem very luxurious and prestigious – and getting one installed is a great way to level up your presentation in comparison with your business rivals.
Glowing signage can make a customer feel as if they’re entering a truly exclusive and special venue, and if you’re looking to create an iconic ‘look’ for your premises, LED signs are a great way to go about it.
Should you invest in LED signage?
So with all of the above having been said, how can you tell if you need LED signage or not?
To some extent, this may depend on what type of business you have. If it’s an office that is only open during daylight hours and doesn’t receive many visitors, you may find that illuminated signs are not necessary.
However, for many other types of businesses, such as hotels, bars, restaurants, cinemas, bowling alleys, petrol stations, 24-hour supermarkets, takeaways, and more, LED signs are surely nigh-on essential. If your customers will need to find you in the dark, it makes sense to shine out like a beacon.
Illumination can also be a good choice if your signage is situated somewhere inherently dark (such as in a dark corner, or under a shaded overhang). If this is the case for you, you may find that even during daylight you need some LED light to help your branding stand out.
Finally, LED technology can also be a good investment if you’re looking for a ‘wow’ factor for your signage or a way to visually outdo your competitors. If you want to make a big impression on your customers and create a memorable brand effect, illuminated signs are a great way to go about it.
At the end of the day, there are many great benefits to LED illuminated signage. Whether you’re looking to improve your visibility after hours, make a bold branding statement or both, LED technology means that your signs can stand out and glow brilliantly without draining your bank account.
Whether you need a three-dimensional lightbox design or a backlit halo look, a good signage provider will be able to work with you to create just the look you’re going for – enabling your business to shine when it matters most.
This post was written by Medash Signs – expert manufacturers of LED signage in Kent. For over 40 years, Medash Signs has designed and fabricated signs of all types for businesses in many sectors.
