Why Are Neon Signs So Expensive?
Neon signs are the timeless classic of the lighting world. Since their invention in the 1920s, they remain quite popular across the world. Not even the invention of modern alternatives like LED neon flex light signs has fully managed to steal their thunder.
The price of neon signs has also surprisingly managed to stand the test of time. If you are in the market for one, you might want to start saving up in advance if you want a good quality sign. Which brings us to the question, why are neon signs so expensive to begin with?
Let’s look further into that mystery, shall we?
Table of Contents
Understanding Neon Signs
To understand the basis of the pricing, perhaps it would be helpful to first understand neon signs.
While they were envisioned as a lighting solution, their attention-grabbing display instantly made them a hit in the advertising world. This is how they ended up at every diner, bar, or business worth its salt. This is, in part, made them more valuable than any other average lighting fixture.
Neon signs are made of glass tubes that have electrodes running through them and are filled with noble gases. This is, in fact, where they get their name from given as neon is a noble gas. Other gases used to produce different colors on signs include argon, krypton, and helium.
Factors That Contribute to the High Cost of Neon Signs
Now that we have some background and an understanding of neon signs, let us zero in on pricing. Like all other products, multiple factors influence how much you pay for a neon sign. They include:
The Components
The components used to make a neon sign are quite costly. As a result, neon sign makers pass these costs on to buyers at a markup which results in higher prices. Furthermore, the cost of the components is not limited to just buying them, handling them may equally be expensive.
Materials like glass require lots of care and manpower to transport. The list of components comprises:
Glass tubes- these are not just ordinary glass tubes but rather, lead glass tubes. They are soft enough to be molded into different sign shapes but they are also very resilient to heat.
The transformer – this is the source of power that keeps the sign lit. It has a special casing to shield the electric wires from outdoor elements like rain, snow, or pests.
Electrodes – these are electrical conductors that supply electric current from the transformer to the glass tubes filled with noble gas. It is this current that invigorates the molecules of the gas to produce light.
Noble gases – to produce well-illuminated neon signs, a neon sign maker needs a supply of pure noble gases. Impure gas may emit poor lighting or an undesired color of light.
High Production Costs
Once all the components are gathered, production kicks off. Compared to other sign designs, the process of making a neon sign is quite intricate. First, the glass tubes have to be bent into the shapes or letters needed for the sign. This is done through several rounds of heating, molding, and cooling. The electrodes are then inserted into the formed glass tubes before they are filled with neon gas.
So, with all that being said, how much does it cost to get a neon sign made? Costs differ from one sign to another. However, each of the aforementioned steps requires specialized manpower and takes a significant amount of time. Aside from the cost of manpower and the components, sign makers also incur other costs like energy bills. At the end of the day, these expenses accumulate to a huge sum. Large-scale production in big firms may reduce costs due to economies of scale but only by a small margin.
Choice of Design
The larger and more stylish your neon sign is, the more of a statement it would make, right? The problem is, the more complex your design, the more work it requires. As a result, the size of your neon sign bill will be heftier than if you had chosen a simpler or smaller design. Complicated color effects could also cost you a pretty penny as they are more complex to create.
Further, most neon sign manufacturers offer ready-made signs and an option to order custom designs. Ready-made signs are made en masse, using a standardized template and production process which makes them cheaper. Custom signs, on the other hand, are unique and made only for you. They require special templates and singular production with no economies of scale. For this reason, custom neon signs cost more.
Value
From a business perspective, price and value are different concepts but they influence each other. Price is how much you pay for a neon sign. Value is the service and benefits you gain from it. As such, when the value you get from a product is high, the price will also likely be high.
Case in point, as neon signs became a preferred method of advertising and building decoration, their demand and value increased. Subsequently, their price range also went a notch higher. Had they remained undesirable, their rates may not have been as high.
Are There Low-budget Neon Signs?
Yes. There are workarounds that you could explore to cut down the cost of your neon sign. This is not to say that you will get it for half the price but even a small margin could make a difference. Here are cost-reducing ideas worth considering.
Order small to medium neon signs – if your heart is set on using a neon sign, aim for small to medium-sized designs. If they are well lit and properly elevated, they could give you just as much visibility and make as much of a statement as a big sign. More importantly, you will spend much less.
Opt for in-stock designs – in-stock designs are also known as ready-made neon signs. They are more affordable than custom designs and you can have them installed right away.
Compare sign makers- ask for neon sign price quotes from different signmakers and weigh them against each other. Consider the quality of their work as well in relation to their prices. Aim for the signmaker that offers the fairest balance of quality and price.
Are Neon Signs Expensive to Run?
The maintenance costs of an outdoor neon sign will likely be higher than those of an outdoor sign. Outdoor signs are more prone to tampering by passersby or incidents of vandalism. The insects such as soil mites are also threats. Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain or snow can also result in damage to the sign. There are also insects damage In contrast, indoor signs are better sheltered and can remain in good condition for longer.
Maintenance expenses, like neon sign prices, vary from one sign to another. However, it can be expensive to repair or carry out maintenance checks on a neon sign. Technicians must exercise lots of caution and have top skill precision lest they break the glass tubes. Exposure to the gas in a neon glass tube can also be harmful to their health. More so if it is an old sign with mercury in it.
Are There Alternatives to Traditional Neon Signs?
Fortunately, yes, there are. If you would like a neon sign that is way more affordable, delivers the same aesthetic, and is easier to maintain, consider getting a LED neon sign. Most people may never even notice that it is not a traditional neon sign but your checkbook will certainly be grateful.
LED Neon Signs
LED neon signs are made by mounting LED neon flex lights onto a backboard. Given as the lights are jacketed in flexible silicone coating, they can easily be bent into different shapes and letters. All that is required is a template to guide the signmaker on how to position the strip of lights. The simplicity of this process makes it cheaper to make LED neon signs and consequently also makes them more affordable to buyers.
Alternatively, if the cost of ordering a custom LED neon sign is more than your budget, you can make your own. It is a straightforward process and poses no risk as there are no gases or fragile materials involved. That notwithstanding, if you choose to go this route, watch tutorials, read helpful LED neon sign making guides and be sure to take safety precautions.
LED Neon Flex FAQs
Are LED Neon Signs Cheaper to Run?
On maintenance, quality LED neon flex lights are well-insulated and are thus very resilient. They can be installed indoors or outdoors and perform optimally due to their high Ingress Protection ratings. In light of this, LED neon signs require little maintenance and would save you money in both the long and short term.
Do LED Neon Signs Offer as Much Value as Neon Signs?
Like classic neon signs, LED neon signs can be made in a variety of colors using RGB or RGBW LED neon flex lights. Better yet, it is possible to change the color of your sign remotely using an RGB LED controller. This could easily make your sign the coolest one on the block and make your display stand out.
Other advantages of LED neon signs include:
Longevity as they are not prone to breakage
Even sign lighting
No restrictions of sign sizes or shapes
Conclusion
Neon signs are a lot like vintage cars; great designs with lots of style and unmatched classic charm. The challenge, however, is that sometimes vintage models have a hard time keeping up with the demands of the modern world. They are also undoubtedly expensive and harder to maintain. Still, now that you understand why neon signs cost so much, perhaps you may begin to appreciate them more. Nevertheless, if they are beyond your budget, you could explore LED neon flex manufacturers and find out what they have to offer.
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