No matter what type of business you have, visibility is everything. Whether you’re operating a small retail shop, a national franchise, or a booth at a trade show, how you present your signage can mean the difference between being noticed and being overlooked. Illuminated signs are one of the most effective tools in a visual marketing strategy to promote your brand.
Here, we’ll go over the most common types of illuminated signs, their benefits, and how they can be used across different industries and settings. If you’re not already using illuminated signs in your office, retail space, or other setting, you will see why you should consider it!
What are Illuminated Signs?
Illuminated signs refer to any type of signage that uses light to increase visibility, especially in low-light or nighttime conditions. These signs can be installed indoors or outdoors and are commonly powered by LED, fluorescent, or neon lighting technologies.
What are the Benefits of Illuminated Signs?
Aside from looking very cool, illuminated signs attract attention, improve readability, and make your brand more memorable. Your business will be seen even after dark with illuminated signs, and bright signs attract more foot traffic.
Thanks to new designs and technology, illuminated signage can be created in any colour and material to achieve the look you want. This customization potential allows you to create a coherent look that blends with your overall decor or branding.
Common Types of Illuminated Signage
Illuminated signs come in several forms, each suited for different applications. Here’s a breakdown of the most widely used types and some of their advantages:
Backlit Signs (Lightbox Signs)
Backlit signs, which are also commonly known as lightbox signs, are illuminated from behind using a light source placed inside a box or frame. The face of the sign is often printed on acrylic, fabric, or translucent film, and diffuses the light evenly for a professional and eye-catching look.
Lightbox signs are best suited for storefronts, indoor directory boards, and wayfinding signage that needs to be very visible. For example, many ‘exit’ signs in building stairwells, in theatres, and in schools are lightbox signs.
Edge-Lit Signs
This type of illuminated signage has LED lights embedded along the edges of a clear acrylic or glass panel, which allows engraved or printed features to light up from the sides. This type of signage is best for indoor signs, directories, and modern reception and office areas.
Halo-Lit Channel Letters
Channel letters are a type of visually striking signage in which each individual letter is a separate three-dimensional unit (rather than 2D lettering printed on a box design). Halo-lit channel letters are designed to have the light shine out from behind the letters, creating a sort of halo or glow effect on the wall surface.
Halo-lit letters offer a sophisticated and elegant appearance that creates depth and visual contrast, making them a great option for high-end businesses such as law firms, spas, modern real estate presentation centres, and boutique brands.
Front-Lit Channel Letters for Exterior Signs
In this type of illuminated sign, lighting is installed in each fabricated letter so that the light shines through the front face. This type of sign is clearly visible from a distance, especially at night, making this a great option for exterior building signage and hoarding boards. These are also a great option for construction signage to attract attention to upcoming developments.
Digital or LED Display Signs
These are signs that display text, image, and video content on programmable screens. This is an ideal solution for displaying real-time messaging and dynamic content updates such as those required at transportation hubs, event venues, and anywhere else where a lot of information must be conveyed.
How Illuminated Signs are Used in Real Settings
The application of illuminated signage is limitless, but here are a few of the most popular ways this kind of signage is used:
Real Estate Presentation Centres
Whether it’s a custom fabrication for a presentation centre interior or professional signage for the exterior of a real estate presentation centre, illuminated signs are a fantastic way to elevate branding and attract foot traffic. From 3D logos to project names on hoarding boards, lit-up signs are a sure way to increase visibility of your projects.
Corporate Offices
Reception area logos, room identifiers, and emergency exit lighting are all examples of how illuminated signage can be incorporated into a workplace to enhance aesthetics, organization, and safety.
Events and Exhibitions
When participating in a trade show or other event, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. Using branded lightboxes, portable edge-lit displays, and illuminated booth headers is an effective way to capture the attention of passersby and promote your service or product.
Retail and Shopping Centres
Whether indoors in a mall or outside in a business complex, illuminated signs ensure your storefront and promotions will be visible 24/7. From attractive storefront signage to wayfinding signs, illuminated displays help get your message across.
Brighten Up Your Space With Custom Illuminated Signs
Whether you’re rebranding, launching a new location, or just looking to elevate your signage, illuminated signs are a worthwhile investment to enhance your visibility and professionalism. From professional installation to industry-leading performance, no one else does illuminated signage like we do.
We can help you design a light box from scratch, retrofit a new sign over an old light box, or even refurbish an existing frame. Contact us today to learn more about how we can create stunning illuminated signs for your presentation centre, office, retail business, or other space.