The Complete Guide to Illuminated Signs

Make your signage stand out. Illumination is a great solution to add another dynamic to your branding. Not only are illuminated signs eye-catching, but they’re especially effective in low-light conditions and at night. From late night restaurants and bars in hospitality to warehouses, offices for professional services, to safety and wayfinding illumination within hospitals and healthcare. 

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What businesses use illuminated signs?

No matter your sector, illuminated advertising signs can be a benefit:

  • Retail & hospitality – to signpost shops and restaurants across the high street 24/7.
  • Industrial – used on large industrial buildings to advertise the business.
  • Professional – add an extra element to branding, creating a sleek and stylish look.
  • Healthcare - for wayfinding or safety to highlight departments, especially 24 hour units.

 

 

Why should I illuminate my sign?

Illuminated signs and graphics look impressive with a captivating feature, but they also have many benefits for your business:

 

INCREASE VISIBILITY – Keeping your signage well-lit throughout the dark and dreary winter months ensures you stand out and remain visible 24/7. When clocks go back and the nights draw in, make sure your customers know you’re still there to serve them.

 

DRIVE SALES - Updating your signage can have a positive impact on sales, with roughly 60% of businesses reporting increases of around 10%*.

 

ATTRACT CUSTOMERS - We provide the latest innovations within the industry and deliver striking solutions to catch your customers’ eye and make your brand stand out from the crowd.

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What are the types of illuminated signs?

Our most popular solutions are just an insight into the endless possibilities illumination offers. With a variety of customisable design solutions at your fingertips. 

 

BUILT-UP ILLUMINATED LETTERS

Transform your 2D signage with built-up letters and make a bigger, more impressive impact. There are lots of versatile style options available, resulting in a high-impact and professional service.

Built-up letters can be illuminated in several ways, including face-lit, edge-lit or halo-lit. Having multiple illumination options allows you to create an iconic and bespoke sign.

 

HALO ILLUMINATION

Halo illumination produces a soft glow behind built-up letters, adding depth and definition to each character for a subtle and yet stylish finish. With lights positioned on the reverse of the sign, this technique creates a decorative illumination and shadow effect that delivers a striking visual impact. 

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LIGHTBOXES

Lightboxes can be used to create large, impactful signs. Externally, flex faces are frequently seen on large buildings and high streets, while silicon-edge displays make vibrant internal features. Wall mounted, projecting, hanging or even freestanding, this versatile solution is ideal for when you need a bright exterior or interior display.

 

FRET CUT SIGN TRAYS

Illuminated fret cut sign trays are often seen on shop fascias and as part of freestanding monoliths and post mounted signs. This style of illumination creates a clean and sharp finish, which results in a professional look.

By using varying thicknesses of acrylic letters pushed through the sign tray, you can create different effects; having the letters flush with the tray results in a sleek look, while having letters protruding from the tray creates a brighter and bolder effect.

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FAUX NEON

Faux neon is a modern alternative to traditional neon, offering a more reliable and versatile option. Its biggest advantage lies in the wide variety of design, font and colour options, making it easy to create a fully customised look. Stylish and eye-catching, faux neon is an ideal choice for showcasing your brand name, logo or creating a striking feature display.

 

TROUGH AND SPOTLIGHTS

This type of illumination is a traditional solution that can be fitted around or to an existing sign; as a result, it can be a lower-cost option if you don’t want to replace your entire sign. Trough or spotlights illuminate your sign from the front, meaning it does not distort your brand colours. Most light casings can also be colour coded to complement your signage.

 

CABOCHON LIGHTING

Cabochon bulb lighting creates a retro-style feature, often seen in the hospitality and leisure industry. By using a built-up letter with exposed bulbs, this design-led solution is largely decorative, with different formations and colours available to create a show-stopping feature. Despite being one of the more costly illumination solutions, cabochon lighting is relatively inexpensive to run.

 

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Faux Neon Sign
Product Spotlight

Interior Illuminated Signage

Illumination isn't just for exterior signs. Bring light to your interior spaces with various illumination options, creating an ambient glow, crisp lit letters, or vibrant displays.

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BACKLIT RECEPTION SIGNS

Make a great first impression with backlit signs in your reception area. These sophisticated and professional signs illuminate your company name or logo to welcome visitors.

 

ILLUMINATED WALL GRAPHICS

Transform any blank wall into a vibrant, eye-catching display with illuminated wall graphics. These can include inspirational quotes, branded messages, or artistic designs that align with your business's theme and values.

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LED MENU BOARDS

LED menu boards are an excellent choice for restaurants and cafes, offering bright, easy to read displays that can be updated effortlessly. By showcasing menu items and prices clearly, they not only improve visibility but also enhance overall customer experience.

 

DIRECTIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL SIGNS

Help customers navigate your space with illuminated directional signs. Whether it's pointing to restrooms, exits, or specific departments, these signs improve customer flow and enhance safety through wayfinding.

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Do illuminated signs need planning permission?

Illuminated signage requires careful consideration, including factors such as planning permission and power supply, so it’s important to consult our local authority. As with any investment, researching which products best suit your needs is essential. With our extensive experience, we can guide you through the options and help manage the entire process with confidence.


* The economic value of on-premise signage, Economics Centre, UC

Case Studies

Would you like to see what projects we have completed for illuminated signage solutions, know what to expect, and get inspiration for your brand?

Stannah - Signage for New Andover Facility

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LED Signage & Graphics for Croque Monsieur

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Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Edge illuminated sign READ MORE

FAQs

With over 30 years of knowledge, let Signs Express give you the answers to some of the most common illuminated signage questions.

  • Q. What is an illuminated sign?
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    An illuminated sign is any signage solution, exterior or interior, that includes lighting, from lightboxes and fret cut sign trays to faux neon and cabochon. Find out more about illuminated signage and how Signs Express can help your business stand out.

  • Q. Do you need planning permission for an illuminated sign?
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    Interior illuminated signage solutions do not require planning permission, and most exterior illuminated signs do not either. However, if they are used as large-scale shop front fascia signs, then they will need permission to ensure they are not a risk to traffic safety. Our experts will guide you through every step of the process.

  • Q. How long do LED signs last?
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    Our signage solutions are manufactured and installed by professional experts who will ensure the illuminated signs are efficient and
    long lasting. 

    1. LED Built-Up Letters (Halo or Face-Lit)

    • Typical Lifespan: 50,000 – 70,000 hours (about 5–7 years with daily use).
    • Notes:
      • High-quality modules can last closer to 100,000 hours.
      • Drivers and power supplies usually need replacing sooner (every 3–5 years).
      • Ideal for shopfronts, corporate branding, and high-visibility retail.

     

    2. LED Lightboxes (Tray Signs or Fabric-Faced)

    • Typical Lifespan: 40,000 – 60,000 hours.
    • Notes:
      • Lifespan depends on whether edge-lit or backlit LEDs are used.
      • The printed/fabric face often needs replacing for fading long before LEDs fail (usually 3–5 years).
      • Acrylic or aluminium housings can last over 10 years with proper care.

     

    3. Neon-Effect LED Signs (Flex LED / Faux Neon)

    • Typical Lifespan: 30,000 – 50,000 hours.
    • Notes:
      • More durable and energy-efficient than traditional neon.
      • Lifespan is shorter than rigid LED modules because the flexible tubing is more prone to wear.
      • Popular for interior retail, hospitality, and decorative signage.

For more frequently asked questions, visit our FAQs page.

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