LEDs Illumination Exposed on Signage

The reasons to apply lighting sources to signage are distinct: first to make signs more visible with illuminations at night, and second to decorate signage with various colors. If we think about the true nature of a sign, the first reason seems to have more significant to signage. Most of the LEDs illuminations are applied to open-faced channel letters to increase visibility.

Sign Visiblity
Most of channel letters use neon as lighting sources now for its low prices and flexibility to represent any types of shapes including from simple graphics drawings to complicated letters. Neon can be easy to apply on flexible faced signs and install inside channel letters. Instead of hiding illuminations inside, signage with neon exposed outside, these days, starts to show up on the streets. Now there are a lot of such signages in every corner of the street. What needs to be noted is that signage produced with LEDs, not neon, are increasing. The difference between neon and LEDs applications respectively is that neon is appropriate to highlight channel letter frames while LED illumination is used to fill in spaces in letters or graphics layout. But both share one goal: to enhance readability and visibility of signage from passers-by. Instead of restricting lighting source to only illuminating purposes, the attempt to install lighting sources out of the box of channel letters was made out of the efforts to think from a fundamental point of view that signage should be outstanding

The Bright and Dark Sides of LEDs
When considering use of LEDs for signage, the most likely factor to make people hesitant will be cost. It must be more expensive than other illuminations. Cost should be critical for sign installers and retailers, yet it can no longer be a major hindrance to applications of LEDs. This means economic benefits from use and low maintenance of LEDs must be also considered along with its durability and reliability. LEDs, as people know, are expensive but boast long life and consume less power, which result in save the cost for long-term application. Even a small volume of LEDs use can produce a lot of effects and be worth every penny of it. Seol Yi Planning, which installed the sign for TNGT store based in Myoungdong, explained that the most difficult challenge was to keep each LEDs at a certain distance and horizontal level with one another. The TNGT channel letters were made of stainless steel using LED dotting type, measuring at 3m x 0.7m x 0.1m and consisting of 800 LEDs. What is the biggest advantage of using LEDs? It is, needless to say, the good readability. Yet it is not always the case. Expected benefits can be achieved only when store’s location must be seriously taken into account.

Think Out of The Box
There are many other stores who used the same method mention above when producing their signs. They all share one thing: they used the method of exposing LEDs to make their signs more visible. One thing that needs to be considered is the shift of thoughts. Idea is the competitive edge as this magazine persistently argues. New and fresh ideas are always needed for a store to stand out among countless stores and signs in the busy street. Those signs produced and installed based on ideas and considerations provide a remarkable level of satisfaction in terms of efficiency and uniqueness. We will be able to leap benefits more than we expect if we give more thoughts and considerations to what materials to use for signs. Do not be satisfied with the status quo and try new things. You will be rewarded for sure.