Neon signs are trending and Insignia Designs is on it!

Bright, colorful neon signs were first used in 1910 in the United States and remained popular until the 1960s when they lost favor commercially for a variety of reasons. Not only did they look ‘dated,’ but they were costly to manufacture and replace. There was added danger when signs were damaged, cracked or broken, given the colors derived from electrifying mixtures of neon or argon/mercury gases inside glass tubes.

Thanks to modern technology, the 21^st  century version of neon, called “Faux Neon,” is helping bring these cool, colorful signs back in a way that is safer and more cost-effective to maintain and fabricate.

I researched wholesale fabricators producing the “new” neon and found one I really enjoy working with. Their Faux Neon- LED flex signs look like vintage signs but last longer. They also don’t use as much energy and are much more durable.

How durable? Bump into an older neon bulb and it shatters, releasing noxious gases into the air. However, this new product is made from acrylic plastic tubing with lighting inside. The colors come from the colored plastic tubing, which replaces the older clear glass tubing, and the light inside is white.

The flexible plastic tubing is easier to work with than its glass counterpart, and can still be manipulated into endless shapes and letters- without using extreme heat to bend it.

Not only does the final product look cool, it stays ‘cool’ to the touch, thanks to the LED technology.

So who is embracing this vintage vibe? Well, obviously the traditional customers you would expect- restaurants and bars. In fact, I just finished a replica of the original Pleasanton Hotel neon sign for the new owner of the restaurant.

Surprisingly, Corporate America is also using faux neon to bring atmosphere and personality into their offices. Many high-tech businesses are laid out with open space and no cubicles and using bright neon helps delineate work areas in a fun, new way.

A perfect example is the sign I just fabricated for Alacos in Redwood City. Their floor plan is open concept and they wanted a sign to alert employees when their café, “The Lounge,” transitioned to happy hour. Their new neon sign, featuring a whimsical palm tree and the word “OPEN,” now lights up at the flip of a switch when it’s time to gather at the end of the day.

Ready to go retro? Contact us at Insignia Designs today!

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