FAQ | Facts & Questions for Custom Neon Signs
Q: “What is a Neon Sign?”
A: In the signage industry, neon signs are electric signs lighted by long luminous gas-discharge tubes that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They have been a staple in bars for decades.
Q: “How do you achieve the color in the neon tubes?”
A: Neon lighting consists of brightly glowing, electrified glass tubes or bulbs that contain rarefied neon or other gases. Neon lights are a type of cold cathode gas-discharge light. A neon tube is a sealed glass tube with a metal electrode at each end, filled with one of a number of gases at low pressure. A high potential of several thousand volts applied to the electrodes ionizes the gas in the tube, causing it to emit colored light. The color of the light depends on the gas in the tube. Neon lights were named for neon, a noble gas which gives off a popular orange light, but other gases and chemicals are used to produce other colors, such as hydrogen (red), helium (yellow), carbon dioxide (white), and mercury or argon (blue). Neon tubes can be fabricated in curving artistic shapes, to form letters or pictures.
Q: “What kind of detail can I achieve with a custom neon sign?”
A: Since neon is bent tubes of glass you cannot get great detail; however, we can add custom shaped translate acrylic panels or parts on the neon sign that are illuminated from the back where we can screen print detailed graphics. See our Southern Tier and San Miguel signs.
Q: “How long do neon signs usually last?”
A: Neon signs are some of the most long-lasting light fixtures you can find anywhere. However, like any kind of lighting material, the lifespan of a neon light depends on how much a particular fixture is going to be used. In general, a good-quality neon sign should last for about 30,000 hours.
Q: “Can you use neon signs during the day?”
A: Oh yeah. The brightness of neon signs is so bright that any person can see the glow even during the day. The brightness will obviously not be as vivid as it is during the night. The beauty is with the sign turned off, you can still see the sign in the daytime and still get marketing visibility.
Q: “How far away will my sign be readable?”
A: Figure for each inch of height, your sign will be legible up to 38 feet away. So a 4” logo you can see at 152’ away. A 6” logo at 228 feet away. A 12” logo at 456 feet away.
Q: “Is there a more durable option to using neon that looks like neon?”
A: Yes. We can produce LED signs that use either soft silicone molds, hard injection molds or vacuum formed plastic to look like true neon tubes. These signs have either injecting molded backs or vacuum formed housings. All have different benefits or drawbacks depending on quantity. See Brewdog LED sign made with silicone molded tubes.
Q: “Why use The Alison Group?”
A: We have been a family owned business for over 60 years. We believe that great service and quality at a competitive price makes for a long lasting relationship.
Q: “Can I use LED’s with my custom neon sign?”
A: Yes. We can use both tube neon and LED light or back lit panels lit by LED light in one sign.
Q: “What is the minimum quantity of custom neon signs I can order?”
A: Our minimum quantity for production is 50 units. However, if you are just looking for one or two neon signs we suggest going to a local sign shop due to cost and shipping.
Q: “Where do the signs ship to?”
A: We usually deliver the neon signs to the port of LA and from there we will ship to the destination of your choice. We can however ship to any port or airfreight direct to your location.
Q: “What kind of design do we provide?”
A: The Alison Group provides a 3D graphic design of every custom neon sign we do. For new clients on small orders of 50 we charge $250.00 - $500.00 per design. We will do up to three tweaks to this design at no additional charge. Should the design turn into an order we will rebate this design fee on the final invoice. For any client we design a custom neon sign, display, or tap handle and orders from another company, there will be a $2,000 charge for our creative services.
Q: “What do I get as a prototype?"
A: You will receive an exact sample of what your full production order will look like.
Q: “What do prototypes cost?"
A: Prototypes run from $300.00 up to $900.00 depending on the complexity of the design. This cost includes the freight to your door.
Q: “How long do prototypes take?"
A: Prototypes can run from 3 to 4 weeks.
Q: “How long to produce my neon sign?”
A: Production may take from 6-8 weeks depending on the complexity of the neon sign. Once produced, ocean transit and customs clearance is usually 3 weeks. Larger orders take longer but can be shipped in increments.
Q: “What is the warrantee of my neon sign?"
A: The Alison Group stands behind every neon sign we make. We warrantee our custom neon signs for 1 year.
Q: “How are my neon signs packed?"
A: Packing is key. Each neon sign has foam between the neon tubes to protect the tubes from touching each other during shipping. The neon sign is then packed in a box with hard foam all around the sign. That box is then placed in a larger box with foam on the top, bottom and corners with a barrier of air - see example. It is very important that a neon sign is packed so it can ship via UPS or FedEx and arrive in one piece and in working order.