How to Make LED Neon Signs? Process, Customisation, and Design

Creating LED neon signs involves designing, assembling, and installing flexible LED strips in silicone tubing. These energy-efficient, durable, and versatile signs are popular in Australian homes, businesses, and events. Safer and consuming up to 80% less power than traditional neon, they last up to 50,000 hours and are highly customisable.

To make one, gather LED strips, silicone tubing, acrylic backing, wires, and a power adapter. Silicone tubing ensures flexibility, while tools like a soldering iron and wire cutters aid in precise assembly. Start by sketching your design, transferring it to the backing, and mapping LED placement for smooth lighting. Assemble by cutting strips, inserting them into tubing, soldering wires, and attaching them to the backing. Lightweight signs are easy to mount with adhesive strips or brackets.

Customisation options, including RGB controllers and animations, allow for unique designs like Aboriginal art or coastal themes. LED neon signs serve as wall art, branding tools, or event décor. Troubleshooting flickering or dim lights typically involves checking connections or soldering. Costing $50–$150 in Australia, they are affordable with bulk savings.

Waterproofing with IP65-rated materials makes them suitable for outdoor use, even in Australia’s harsh climate. Eco-conscious users benefit from their energy efficiency and solar-powered options. For those looking to scale, offering personalised designs and advanced features taps into the growing market. LED neon signs are a practical, stylish, and sustainable lighting choice.

How to Make LED Neon Signs?

Creating LED neon signs involves combining design, assembly, and installation using LED strips, silicone tubing, and an acrylic backing. These signs are energy-efficient, durable, and versatile, making them popular for Australian homes, businesses, and events.

What Are LED Neon Signs?

LED neon signs are modern lighting solutions that mimic the visual appeal of traditional neon lights using flexible LED strips housed in silicone tubing. They are safer, more energy-efficient, and customisable, making them ideal for diverse applications.

LED neon signs use 70–80% less electricity than traditional neon, reducing power bills for Australian households. For instance, a 12W LED neon sign consumes significantly less energy compared to a 120W glass neon sign​.

LEDs last up to 50,000 hours, more than triple the lifespan of traditional neon tubes.

Flexible materials allow intricate designs, from cursive fonts to thematic shapes.

How Are LED Neon Signs Different from Traditional Neon?

LED neon signs differ from traditional neon in material, power consumption, and usability. While traditional neon relies on fragile glass tubes and inert gases, LED neon uses silicone tubing and LED strips for safer, more versatile designs.

LED neon is shatterproof and remains cool to touch, unlike traditional neon, which heats up and poses breakage risks.

Traditional neon requires 15,000–20,000 volts to operate, while LED neon only needs 12–24 volts, reducing electricity costs​.

LED neon tubing bends into detailed shapes that glass neon cannot achieve.

What Materials Do You Need to Make LED Neon Signs?

To make an LED neon sign, you’ll need LED strips (single-colour or RGB), silicone tubing, acrylic backing, electrical wires, heat-resistant adhesives, and a power adapter. Each material plays a critical role in the sign’s functionality and durability.

Silicone Tubing: Provides flexibility and houses the LED strips safely.

Acrylic Backing: Offers a stable base for intricate designs.

LED Strips: Available in RGB for colour-changing effects or single-colour for simplicity.

A “Welcome” sign might require 2–3 metres of LED strip, a 12V power adapter, and an A3 acrylic sheet.

What Tools Are Required to Create LED Neon Signs?

Essential tools include a soldering iron, wire cutters, heat shrink tubing, adhesive tape, and a ruler. These tools ensure precise assembly and secure connections.

Soldering Iron: Used to join wires securely to LED strips.

Wire Cutters: Allow clean trimming of wires and LED strips.

Heat Shrink Tubing: Protects soldered connections from short circuits.

How Do You Design an LED Neon Sign?

To design an LED neon sign, sketch your idea on paper or use design software like Adobe Illustrator. Transfer the design to an acrylic backing and map out the LED strip placement for consistent lighting.

Sketching: Start with a simple drawing to outline shapes and fonts.

Spacing: Ensure LED strips are evenly placed to prevent uneven brightness.

For a 'Dream Big' design, use cursive fonts for an elegant look and plan even spacing for uniform lighting. Providers like Lit Neon Australia offer expert guidance and custom design tools to help create stunning LED neon signs tailored to your vision.

How Do You Assemble LED Neon Signs?

To assemble an LED neon sign:

1. Cut the LED strips to fit the design.
2. Insert the strips into silicone tubing.
3. Solder wires to the LED strip terminals.
4. Attach the tubing to the acrylic backing with adhesive.

Polarity Alignment: Incorrect polarity can damage LEDs. Always check wire alignment during soldering.

Heat Shrink Tubing: Insulates connections to prevent short circuits.

A 3-metre sign typically requires three soldered connections and secure adhesive placement on the backing.

How Do You Install an LED Neon Sign?

To install an LED neon sign, mount it on walls using brackets or adhesive strips. Ensure the power adapter is accessible and all wiring is properly insulated.

Weight: Most LED neon signs weigh under 3kg, making adhesive-based mounting feasible for indoor use.

Safety Tip: Avoid installing near water sources or heat.

For a wedding, mount a custom couple’s name sign on a flower wall using transparent brackets.

How Can You Customise LED Neon Signs?

Customisation options include adding RGB controllers for dynamic lighting, creating unique shapes, and integrating animations. Popular Australian themes include Aboriginal art and coastal-inspired designs.

RGB Controllers: Allow up to 16 million colour variations with programmable lighting patterns.

Australian Themes: Coastal designs like waves or palm trees resonate with local aesthetics.

Where Can You Use LED Neon Signs?

LED neon signs are versatile and can be used in homes, businesses, and events. They work as wall art, branding tools, or decorative pieces.

Home Use: Popular signs like “Good Vibes Only” or “Love” are ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.

Business Branding: Custom logo signs enhance visibility and brand recall.

A café can use a “Coffee First” sign to create an Instagram-worthy ambience.

How Do You Troubleshoot LED Neon Sign Issues?

If your LED neon sign flickers or doesn’t light up:

1. Check for loose connections.
2. Test the power adapter.
3. Inspect the soldering for alignment issues.

Flickering Issues: Often caused by insufficient power supply. Use a higher-capacity adapter if needed.

Maintenance: Clean the sign with a soft cloth to prevent dust buildup.

How Much Does It Cost to Make an LED Neon Sign in Australia?

The cost of making an LED neon sign ranges from $50 to $150 depending on the size, materials, and customisation. Recycled materials or bulk purchases can reduce costs.

A small “Open” sign might cost $50, while a larger, animated sign could cost $150.

Can You Use LED Neon Signs Outdoors?

Yes, LED neon signs can be used outdoors if they are waterproofed with IP65-rated silicone tubing and weather-resistant adhesives.

Waterproofing: IP65-rated tubing protects LEDs from rain and dust.

Durability: Outdoor signs must be securely mounted to withstand wind.

Are LED Neon Signs Energy-Efficient?

LED neon signs are highly energy-efficient, consuming up to 80% less power than traditional neon lights. For eco-conscious Australians, integrating solar power is an excellent option.

Power Usage: A 12W LED neon sign costs less than $2 annually in electricity for 4 hours of daily use​.

How Can You Turn DIY LED Neon Signs into a Business?

To scale up, focus on custom orders for events and businesses. Offer unique designs tailored to Australian customers, like wedding signs or Aboriginal art.

Market Demand: LED neon signs are increasingly popular for branding and personalised gifts.

Value Addition: Provide animation options and solar-powered signs to attract eco-conscious customers.