Supply and demand
Border tubing, for example, has transitioned away from neon and toward light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Another reason for the popularity of faux neon is the dwindling supply of the real thing. It has become increasingly difficult to source neon transformers and related components, let alone find and hire a neon glass blower.
Traditional neon signmaking has become something of a niche industry. It has found renewed interest for one-off projects, including backdrops for video shoots. When a client needs numerous signs, on the other hand, the logistics and safety issues of neon arise, as does the difficulty of sourcing enough components.
Even sufficient supply can be countered by reduced demand. Montreal-based Groupe Dynamite’s Garage fashion retail brand still uses neon for its big storefront signs domestically, but as it has expanded overseas, it has turned to LEDs instead. In Saudi Arabia, for example, this is because companies are prohibited from importing glass and mercury.
These types of concerns have driven both the retrofitting of neon signs with LEDs and the design and fabrication of wholly new signs. The last six to seven years of R&D have helped narrow the gap between the two technologies’ esthetic effect, but there is still room for improvement.
Taking a custom approach
Ultimately, achieving the desired appearance is not a matter of sourcing the right materials, but of how those materials are processed. Acrylic is acrylic; it’s a question of how it is machined with a computer numerical control (CNC) router to best mimic the edge and finish of glass. The final thickness and polish of the acrylic will have a significant effect on the appearance of the sign, as will the colour of the back of the LEDs’ lenses. There are specialty films and products that can be incorporated into a project.
With this in mind, a sign shop may well need to tool its own dies and meshes, rather than rely on off-the-shelf (OTS) tooling. Components can be mixed and matched in-house for optimal effect.
Even the best-quality LEDs need to be well-managed. While white neon signs used to encounter performance issues in cold temperatures, LEDs have just as much of an issue with heat buildup, which can be challenging to avoid when they are made available in ever smaller, more compact modules. Hence, North American sign shops need to find ways to work with major LED manufacturers, which are largely based in Asia, to ensure their signs can be engineered to meet their customers’ needs, including safety and longevity.
North American sign shops need to find ways to work with major light-emitting diode (LED) manufacturers, which are largely based in Asia, to ensure their signs can be engineered to meet their customers’ needs, including safety and longevity.
Indeed, many clients assume solid-state LEDs will last forever, but nothing does. Meanwhile, neon signs are considered less reliable, but once the gas is pumped in, it can burn for 50 years with no problem, particularly indoors, so long as the transformers are replaced as needed. In both cases, the key is how well the illumination technology is managed to meet realistic expectations.
Outside influences
Developments from elsewhere can also benefit the sign industry. Border tubing, for example, has transitioned away from neon and toward LEDs. This trend has had an impact on signage for gas stations, hotels, and other structures where border illumination is commonly integrated into architecture.
The interior decor industry, which has largely adopted LEDs in recent years for all types of buildings, has also helped drive R&D with respect to achieving a greater number of colours.
In the next few years, LED manufacturers will continue to try to reduce the size and scale of their products even further, but also prevent concerns over their reliability and longevity. In so doing, they will help the sign industry tackle whatever new challenges may come along.
Carlo Paolucci is president of Montreal Neon Signs. For more information, visit www.montrealneon.com.
