How to Find a Quality Neon Sign Manufacturer

So you have decided you need a neon sign in order to increase your sales and bring in new business. Congratulations! You’ve made an excellent choice – one backed by years of results. Your next step is to find the best business to make your sign. Certainly, we at Fire House Signs, believe that we are the best sign maker anywhere. But we’d like to prove it to you by listing what we believe exemplifies a quality sign maker.

Provide you with time and information. It’s important for businesses to spend time with their customers. Many businesses will provide you with time, but only during the sales process. We don’t think this is right. We believe that businesses should freely provide you with their time before, during and after the sales process. We are happy to share our expertise on how to take care of your sign, protect it from breakage and how to best clean and maintain your sign.

Listen to you. Sign makers need to listen to your needs and understand your goals. This makes sure that you get the right product to meet your specific needs. After all, you know your goals and you understand your long-term business strategies. If a sign maker is not willing to invest their time in you, why would you invest your money with them?

Help with design. Sometimes the customer needs something a little unique. In this case, a good sign maker will have experts in sign design to help you figure out the best design for your unique needs.

Provide options. Even if you don’t have unique needs, you need to know that you have more than one option for your sign. We have standard signs with many different options. For example, perhaps you want something as simple as an OPEN sign. We have more than 50 different options for an OPEN sign. These include Spanish signs, signs with a coffee cup next to it, signs that flash, signs that have multi-colored lights and even one that show you’re open 24 hours.

Provide Novelty. Neon signs are meant to be fun and nostalgic. A good sign maker will provide novelty options which include channel letters, border tubing or outdoor signs in addition to the traditional indoor neon sign options.

Have a history. Quality sign makers have a history of satisfied customers. We will provide references and testimonials so that you can verify for yourself that you will be getting great service and a great product from a great sign maker.

Show quality workmanship. Neon signs are intended to last for many years. Quality sign makers not only have a great reputation for customer service, but a long list of customers who’s signs are still up and running even years after being made.

Provide warranties. We make a great product right here in the USA and we stand by our product. We believe in the quality of our manufacturing process enough that we provide a full one-year warranty against any defects or errors made by us on almost every purchase. And before you buy a product, we will provide more detailed information on this warranty and any exclusions or exceptions so you know what to expect.  

How to Differentiate Your Business from Your Competitor

In today’s world, differentiation is often difficult. This is especially true if you are selling products or services that are similar to the products or services being sold by your competitors. As a small business owner in a market with tight competition, you need to ask yourself: “What would cause people in my market to buy from me instead of the other shops?”

Certainly, you have to look at the level of service being offered. You also have to look at quality of the product or service. These are great activities that are designed to keep customers coming back in. But to entice new customers to walk into your door and select your shop, you need to show people you are different from the competitor before they even walk in your door!

Proven Differentiation Tactics

Two of the primary differentiation tactics to attract new customers is by using signage and by branding your name. Signage could be anything that promotes a product, service or your business. It could be a 50% off sale sign. It could be your business name above the door. It could even be a large-scale menu in your front window. Basically, signage is external advertising that is designed to bring people inside.

The best way to know if your signage works is to simply go outside and look at it. If you are not drawn to your business by glancing at your signs, it may be time to rethink your tactics. Your signs should be eye-catching enough that it makes a passerby give your signs their full attention.

Secondly, you need to boldly brand your name in a manner that makes you look successful. If your business name is “Carol’s House of Beauty”, you had better make sure that people who pass by can clearly see that this is your business and be impressed at the same time.

Not only does it help when people are trying to find your business, it helps make your business name one that’s well known and well thought of even by people who have never frequented your shop. As a local business with an impressive business sign, potential customers are more likely to call you when they need something simply because they already know your name.

How Neon Signs can differentiate you!

Neon signs may be one of the oldest methods of advertisement in the modern age, but the reason is simple: they work! By adding a neon sign (or two or three), you are using a unique, eye-catching and cost-effective method of making sure potential customers know that you in business and ready to serve their needs right now.

Unlike conventional signs, they are always easy to see and they always attract attention. These signs can be created to your specifications and can contain your name, your mascot, specialized products that you offer or even just a simple open sign. These signs provide differentiation at a time when differentiation is difficult. Your business stands out and your business name gets remembered.  

How to Design A Great Neon Sign

By creating an effective and memorable custom neon signs you can increase customer interest, knowledge and retention of your products or services. Whether you own a deli in New York, a surf shop in Malibu, or a coffee shop in Seattle, creative and eye-catching neon signs can be crucial for the growth and success of your small business. Making smart design choices can really make a difference to the effectiveness of your sign. The following are some helpful tips so you can spend your advertising money wisely on neon signs that are designed to draw your customers’ attention to your storefront and create that professional image:

• Make header fonts bigger to create contrast. Contrast tells the eyes where to look and says "hey, look at me".
• Add a graphic image to your neon sign. Signs that display large, bold graphics in full color have been shown to draw people’s attention much more than signs that don’t. 
• Maybe it’s a graphic image with some text. Increase the size of the logo to make the contrast between the image and the font significant. Not only is the eye drawn to the super-sized image, but the small text now stands out too because it’s so different from the size of the graphic.
• Add a neon border. When reading a neon sign that is not defined by a border, readers tend to get lost and disinterested. Signs that are rimmed with a border help focus the readers’ attention and allows them to read faster.
• Use different colors. On a neon sign that displays text, displaying key information (prices, key words, etc.) in a different color increases the retention of that information by over 75%! 
• For example, if you have a sign with 5 words and you want the 3rd word to stand out. Make it a different color than all the rest. Even better, make the word bigger and change the font too. Don’t be afraid to take a risk. 
• Stay away from decorative and funky fonts. Stick with standard fonts. They’re already very beautiful and if you incorporate them into an already well designed piece… the end result is a masterpiece. To be honest, plain old Arial is one of the my favorite fonts to use when designing a neon sign.
• Use a variety of contrasting colors. If the colors are too close customers will struggle to read the text and will therefore not retain the information. Also the more colorful the sign the better it will stand out. You want your neon sign to catch your customers’ eye.
• Pick a color scheme and stick with it throughout all your signs. Repeating the same color in a variety of places, especially in a storefront window creates repetition. You want to incorporate repetition to unify your storefront and create drama. Think of you store window as one big sign! 
• Repetition shows up best when you’re designing multiple signs. Now you can break this rule if you’re trying to create contrast… maybe you have one sign that has a totally different graphic or is a totally different size. However, what causes the contrast is the fact that you have some repetition going on and you have purposely broken the repetition using contrast.

Neon signs are a great way to promote your business and increase customer awareness and interest in your products. Fire House Neon Signs can help you make stylistic decisions to create the right message for your business. If you’re looking to separate yourself from the competition and give your business a professional and colorful edge, use these simple design tips to create eye-catching and effective neon signs to entice your customers. We also make it easy by providing neon templates. Just add your business name and we will provide you a proof within one business day.

A Neon Sign in Times Square New York

Times Square in New York City has always been a place where people can find a good time, though that good time has changed drastically since Giuliani cleaned it up, and a place where advertisers know the value of a good neon sign. Alas marketers have forgone the tried and true for the latest and greatest. Every advertiser now believes in the value of video boards on store fronts rather than colorful artistic neon signs.

Where did all the neon go? It did not all leave. There are still plenty of advertisers who use neon (McDonald’s is one) to advertise what they are and the uniqueness of their product. The Square does sometimes hearken to its classic past and introduce a new neon glass masterpiece for people to wonder at.

Besides all of the video boards and scrawling ads, there are some businesses that realize the value of good long lasting signage. The city put up a giant flag made of neon that graced a sidewalk leading into Times Square and showed the city’s patriotic soul. Neon is also used beside the large boards in more subtle ways, not as the major advertisement, but to add color and grace.

One sign still shines bright, although it is just off of Times Square (less than half a mile away, at Radio City Music Hall. The sign that continues to showcase the front of one of the most famous buildings in New York City features neon lighting. It is iconic because of its relation to the theater district and the cultural heart of the city.

Just as neon has showcased everything from the dens of the city to the heights of culture and fashion, it has become an icon of America. New York is still America’s showplace, and what better advertisement than a richly dramatic neon sign.

Buying A Vintage Neon Sign?

Nostalgia is always en vogue and what is more reminiscent of a better time than neon signs. The word “better” may be improperly used here, but the thought is valid. People want to remember the past because it has more interest, usually, then the present. It can be romanticized and remembered not for what it really was, but for the best parts. Again, one of those best parts was an era when neon signs were everywhere flashing the way to entertainment and fun.

The problem with nostalgia is that it can be pricey and broken down. If you want something that is truly from a certain era, that was constructed of gas filled glass tubes, it may be difficult to find it in good condition. Of course, a neon bender can make something that mimics the time and the style of yesteryear, with the efficiency and safety of modern times.

So what are the issues you will face if you must have the original?  

First, is the sign original or is it a reproduction? It is not easy for the uninitiated to tell the difference. Second, are there problems that need to be addressed? What does a properly operating neon sign look and sound like? And finally, what is a fair price to pay for an original sign? Take the Hamm’s bear for example. If you find an original sign somebody is selling on eBay, what should you pay?

Original or Reproduction

It is difficult sometimes to tell the difference, but a professional can. The product should be marked as authentic if it is. If it not certified, you may want to look for another seller.

How to Notice Problems

Look for cracked tubes (that can be replaced), faulty electrical connections (that can cause a fire), and outdated power supplies (not UL2161 listed). Vintage signs often come with old heavy coil and core power supplies, While they may still work to power the sign, they lack the safety features of modern electronic power supplies. Modern power supplies have a mandatory secondary ground fault, which is a beneficial safety protection feature that causes the power supply to automatically shut down when it senses a fault. The introduction of UL2161 in 1996 requiring all new neon signs to have a power supply with a secondary ground fault has improved sign safety tremendously and virtually eliminated neon sign fire hazards. If you vintage sign still carries the old style power supply, you may want to have it replaced for the safety of your family. Also, when you are purchasing a product make sure that it works in your presence. It is always better if the buyer is wary.

What is a Good Price?

This of course varies widely, but its worth what you are willing to pay. Some large vintage neon sign can go for up to $20,000. A sign listed as vintage always seems to cost more. Do not be fooled by reproduction products though. Have an expert verify what you have.

Edmonton's Outdoor Neon Sign Museum Lights Up

In Edmonton, Alberta eight large, neon signs are now  turned on last Friday, marking the official opening of the cities outdoor Neon Sign Museum along 104 Street.   

The idea originated in 2008 by city planner David Holdsworth  in the "hope that the museum will draw people to enjoy the art, beauty and heritage preserved in these neon designs.” Located near Edmonton’s new downtown arena district, the project was part of the city’s revitalization and beautification project of the street. “This is just splendid,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “This is bringing alive some of our history."

The City of Edmonton Heritage Planning has been collecting the historic neon signs at the City of Edmonton Archives over the past few years, salvaging them from both demolished buildings and or old businesses. The city has four more signs it will add to the collection over the next few months, each representing a piece of Edmonton’s history. Pieces from Mike’s News Stand, XL Furniture, WW Arcade, Cliff’s Auto Parts and Canadian Furniture are a few that make up the current collection. Each of the current signs has an accompanying plaque that tell the story of the sign and it's historic role in the development of the city. 

The city says it plans to locate and restore more signs for the museum to foster activity and walking traffic in the surrounding area. There is currently has enough space for 30 signs showcased on the side of the Telus building, with more to be added to nearby buildings as the museum expands. 

Vintage Neon Signs in Las Vegas

Want to see a cool restored film of some of the old neon signs that made Las Vegas famous? One or two of the signs featured in the film are still visible in Vegas today. However most have been lost to us, as anyone who's paid a visit to the cities Neon Museum can attest.

Ice Cream Neon Signs

Spring has sprung. Now is the time to open the doors to the local ice cream shoppe. Here is the scoop. The selling potential of one our our ice cream neon signs will have every sweet tooth in town knocking at your window.

Business is tough and it can be a rocky road when your business is only operational part of the year. But our ice cream neon signs are the cherry to top off your advertising campaign. They are very affordable, extremely effective and work for you 24/7 without complaint. Whether your customer prefers plain old vanilla ice cream or death by chocolate topped with whipped cream and sprinkles, a neon sign will help bring in the cold hard cash every business owner is looking for.

How to Buy a Custom Neon Sign

Custom neon signs can be a very visible and essential part of how a business adve rtises on a day-to-day basis. You see them in windows, on building walls, and above doors. They brand your business, tell customers what you sell, proclaim your shop is open and present a professional image.

If you are considering purchasing a custom neon sign you need to know the right questions to ask and the features to consider. The neon sign features you should consider should be driven by the business objectives you hope to meet by purchasing a custom neon sign. This “How to Buy a Custom Neon Sign?” blog will be a guide that can help make your buying decision easy.

A business identity can make or break you. Every year Fortune 500 companies spend thousands of dollars on ad agencies to brand their business. From the logo to the marketing materials to the interior design, every detail ultimately revolves round getting noticed. While a small business may not have the advertising budget of a McDonalds or Coca Cola, there is no reason that they have to miss out of the advertising potential of a custom neon sign that features their logo in neon. Neon lighting has been a part of the American marketing arsenal for over 87 years for good reason They are one of the most cost effective forms of advertising available adding zip to streets that go dark after 5 p.m.

1. Neon Sign Size - Purchasing a neon sign online is a great way to buy a custom neon sign, no matter where you are located in the United States a custom neon sign can be shipped directly to your door. However, understand that the size of the neon sign you purchase will be limited to the size that can be safely shipped by common courier. You can safely ship a custom neon sign for indoor or outdoor use up to around 24″ x 31″ or 20″ x 37″ when shipping via UPS or FedEx. You will want to ensure the the seller guarantees safe shipping of the custom neon sign, as UPS and FedEx will not cover breakage of neon signs, even if you purchase insurance. Guaranteed safe shipping will ensure you receive a custom neon sign that works straight out of the box or the neon sign company will repair or replace it at their cost.

The size of your sign depends somewhat on your logo, artwork or amount of text. Popular sizes for text only custom neon signs are 13″ x 32″ and 20″ x 37″. As a general rule of thumb, your letters will be legible up to 38 feet away for every inch of letter height. Hence a 6″ lettering would be readable up to 200 feet away.

If you are needing a larger custom neon sign than cannot be shipped via courier, look to your local sign company. They will be able to assist you with specialized installations and generally offer a dedicated truck for delivery.

If you have your own design or logo, most neon sign companies will be able to adapt it to neon as long as the design is not to complex. You can often send you design to the designer as a hand drawn sketch, image or logo. Once you decide on a neon sign’s lettering and graphics, neon glass benders begin handcrafting each design by heating, bending and shaping straight sticks of hollow glass, small portions at a time.

We are often asked to create “just a small” custom neon sign. Customer often do not realize that the smaller the neon sign the more intricate the bending that is involved. It can take a glass bender years to obtain the skill necessary to bend a small intricate design, without cracking the glass when re-entering the fires. The smaller diameter glass necessary to achieve a small sign, is also more fragile and prone to breakage during shipping.

Neon glass sizes range form 8mm to 15mm. Interior neon signs are general done in 10 or 12mm glass, 15mm is used for border tubing and large outdoor channel letters. Small intricate designs are done in 8 and 9mm.

2. Neon Colors - The two most common gases are neon, which emits a fiery red, and a mixture of argon and minute particles of mercury, which emits a subdued blue. Clear glass allows you to see the characteristic neon colors emitted by the gas. Fluorescent powders may be painted or baked to the inside walls of the glass tubing and the source light is then converted into a multitude of shades such as pink, turquoise, and green. By altering the mixture of elements, subtle differences are possible. For example, white is available in a wide array of color temperatures from warm to cool.

A neon designer can assist you with selecting colors that work well together for your custom neon sign. Some colors are more suitable for borders, others work well for text. For example, red neon letters are most readable, and account for its popularity in open signs. Purples and yellows are least readable and are usually recommended for borders. Black backings will also increase the visibility of your sign. Intense colors work well on an outdoor sign, but would be to bright in your home bar.

3. Neon Font Styles - A wide variety of font styles can be recreated from block to script. Details like serifs require a letter large enough to achieve the detail. If this neon sign will be used to promote your business, keep it simple. Try to limit the amount of words you use just to those that explain your business.

4. Neon Sign Cost - What does a custom neon sign cost? Cost is dependent on the size and detail of the sign. They generally range from $250 to $450 if using a template design. While neon’s upfront costs can seem prohibitive, neon holds up surprising well and is one of the most economical forms of advertising over the long term. Don’t expect to purchase a custom neon sign for less than $200. The quality and craftsmanship of custom neon glass work shows in every sign. Ensure only premium UL listed components and UL2161 neon power supplies are used in your custom neon sign for long reliability, dependability and safety. You will see difference quality makes!

How Does a Neon Tube Produce Light?

Electrical current bombard the inert gas atoms with electrons knocking neon's atoms out of their orbits. The electrons collide with other free electrons sending them back toward the atoms. As the electrons are absorbed into the atom, energy is given off as light.