Nothing comes quite close as to the unmistakable illuminance of neon signs.
THE BRILLIANCE OF NEON
Some of the most enticing and beautiful signs are neon signage. The buzzing of the electricity, the brightness of the light, intricate shapes and the craftsmanship bring a new level of inspiration and stir the emotions. Mention neon signs, and perhaps the first imagery that comes to mind are the glitzy, dazzling strips along Las Vegas.
BRIEF HISTORY OF NEON
Neon lights were first developed in the late 1800s with neon signs becoming commonplace in the early 1900s, and are created by higher skilled and experienced signage professionals who have spent considerable time perfecting this craft. Neon signs were used by many businesses in the early to mid 1900s to help make them stand out.
To date, neon signs and signboards have decorated the skyline of many great cities around the world from New York, Las Vegas, Tokyo and London for their distinctive look and feel, highlighting the building, logos, company names in a very retro manner.
This part of the signage industry is one that has declined over the years as LEDs have become to flood the market. Thankfully there has been a renewed interest in neon with specialised niche markets being created for the true cognisor of traditional signage illumination. Many artists and architects are now returning to the original neon techniques for their projects. Neon signage is created by higher skilled and experienced crafts people.
APPLICATIONS OF NEON
Neon signage contains few parts while producing incredible imagery. So how does neon work? Basically, neon signs contain long luminous gas discharge tubes that contain rarefied neon or similar gases. When an electrical current is added, the gases glow in different colours depending in the gas used and also the tube colour. To form the bends and shapes required for signages, the tubes are bent using heat and templates. It is a highly skilled job that takes a high level of craft, patience and accuracy.
Neon signs are used in a variety of settings, with the most traditional being the primary signs for businesses. There are many other applications for neon signage such as:
- Open and closed signs
- Operating hours signs
- As illuminated borders around other signs
- Around letters to highlight them at night
- As decorative lighting
- Intricate artwork, much more
If you have requirements for neon signage, contact us today! Or check out our portfolio for alternative ideas and inspiration!