Shine a Light
No matter the project or application type, the primary role of a sign is to draw the attention of passers-by. Be this something as simple as fire exit signs directing people to their nearest exit, or gigantic built-up letters on the side of a high-rise building, towering down over people below, catching the eye of people is key with signage.
The sign itself can only do so much and, more often than not, requires some sort of help in the form of lighting. In recent years, advancements in LED lighting have opened up new possibilities as to what can be achieved with signage, with this technology being used alongside many signage applications to capture even more attention.
Here, SignLink casts an eye over recent developments in this sector and speaks with those on the frontline of the market to find out a bit more about what we can expect from LED in the future.
Lasting Impressions
Unibox, a company that offers standard, customisable, and bespoke visual communication solutions to the market, is very much in the thick of the action. Head of marketing, Phillippa Barrett, says LED signage is the solution for customers looking to generate awareness for their brand or product.
Unibox says illuminated signs can create extra stand-out in low lighting and in daylight
“Illuminated signs are an invaluable asset for any business seeking to make a lasting impression on passers-by, creating extra stand-out amongst low lighting but also in daylight,” Barrett says, adding: “Eye-catching and visually exciting, illuminated signs allow brands in all sectors to assert their identity and strengthen their presence amongst competitors.
“Sign-makers have the opportunity to up-sell or charge a premium for LED signage, knowing that there is a benefit to customers. There is a constant demand for this kind of signage, creating an ongoing opportunity for sign-makers.
“At Unibox, we work directly alongside an international network of brands and design agencies to create a wide range of LED signs, all of which can be customised to meet the aesthetic and functional requirements of different environments.”
Looking at the current market, Barrett says Unibox has picked out a number of key trends, including that the cost of colour-changing and colour-addressable LEDs has come down. This, she says, makes them accessible for more projects, giving customers more control over how their branding and messaging is displayed.
In addition, Barrett says advancements in control gear mean sign-makers can set up mobile phone apps so that customers can control how signage is displayed in real time.
O Factoid: Advancements in control gear mean sign-makers can set up mobile phone applications that allow their customers to control how signage is displayed in real time O
“The scope for LED signage is enormous in terms of both aesthetics and functionality,” she explains, adding: “We know this because we have produced and shipped thousands of signs to the retail, hospitality, sports and leisure, events and exhibition and commercial workplace sectors.”
Looking at how Unibox has responded, and continues to do so, to the changing demands of customers, Barrett says changing costs have played a major role in market evolution.
“The cost of materials is still going up and import costs are increasing,” Barrett says, adding: “This means that signage solutions produced for volume are more important than ever. At Unibox, we have invested in machinery and technology to allow us to produce various formats of LED signage quickly and cost effectively.
“These formats range from panel box signage with changeable graphics, to individual 3D letters, to neon replicas. This means that we can replicate a brand’s look and feel without restriction.”
With this, Barrett offers advice on what sign-makers should be looking for in LED signage solutions. These include considering whether dimming is required and if their product can offer this, as well as whether the light engine is suitable for the function and surroundings.
Other considerations include how advancements in LED technology allow for many designs that were previously unachievable, being able to select the right colour temperature so that the signage can complement or contrast effectively with the colour temperature of current LEDs, and the ability to source high efficacy LED modules to reduce the energy used by the sign without impacting the brightness.
Positive Impact
Elsewhere and another company that works with LED lighting across a wide range of signage projects is Very Displays. Marketing manager Kirsty Corcoran says portable LED signage in particular offers multiple benefits to sign-makers and customers, from a more contemporary display to their positive environmental impact.
Very Displays says lower energy use makes LED a more environmentally friendly choice for sign-makers
“We believe that the main reasons to have these in any range are, firstly, the quality of their display,” Corcoran says, adding: “They illuminate any branding or message, giving it more visibility and stand out in-store or at an event. LED-lit displays tend to offer sharp, strong colours making it a more visual experience.
“Secondly, they offer environmentally friendly benefits, with the lower energy consumption of LED lighting one of the main arguments for having them within any range. They offer high brightness and low power consumption that lasts.
“Finally, their ease of use; the beauty of portable LED displays like lightboxes is that they are easy to put together and ‘install’ and don’t take up much space in your venue. Plus, they are incredibly easy to transport.”
In terms of what sign-makers should be aware of in the market at present, Corcoran says one of the main trends in LED signage in particular is the rising popularity of the battery-powered solution. She explains that while LED is already a more environmentally friendly option than halogen, battery is further improving this.
“From battery-powered portable lightboxes that last eight hours and other LED battery-powered signage, we are seeing more battery-operated options trickling into the portable display market,” Corcoran comments, adding: “This is an area to keep an eye on for sure.”
Glancing at Very Displays’ own range of solutions, Corcoran explains that the company has recently worked on increasing its selection of LED spot lighting. Very now offers a 5w banner light, and 10w, 12w and 24w lights that fit to its traditional pop-up systems and a new smart, slimline 12w light to suit all fabric tube displays.
In addition, to add to its larger displays offering that currently consists of two plug-in lightboxes, SEG LED fabric pop-up and LED desk displays, Very’s in-house product development team is exploring wider-format portable LED displays including battery-powered lightboxes.
“Very Displays is here to service the display and printing industry with great quality portable display products at competitive prices, with a personal service from our well-trained team,” Corcoran says.
“We design and supply indoor and outdoor display solutions, concentrating on four main categories: Exhibition & Events, Retail & POS, Fabric Solutions, and Outdoor options. We have a full range of easy-to-use LED lighting to add to event stands and impactful LED lightboxes in a variety of sizes and specs.”
Versatility and Flexibility
Expanding our scope further still, Alfalite is a manufacturer of LED technologies, many of which are suitable for use in signage work. Executive director Luis Garrido says there are many benefits of using LED signage, primarily its ability to attract attention in indoor and outdoor locations through bright and vibrant displays.
“Another advantage of LED displays is their versatility and flexibility,” Garrido says, adding: “Unlike traditional advertising methods, such as billboards or print ads, LED displays can be designed and configured in almost any shape or size. This means that sign-makers have more creative freedom to design screens that fit their specific needs and preferences.
Unlike traditional advertising methods, such as billboards or print ads, LED displays can be designed and configured in almost any shape or size”
“The screens can be used in various unique set ups like totems, video walls, towers, banners, archways, and more. They can also be ordered in various sizes to fit different spaces, from small areas up to massive wall-sized screens. Custom configurations, such as curved or angled displays, help create a more immersive and engaging experience for viewers.”
Such is this level of flexibility, Garrido says, that LED signage is perfect for use in public spaces, casinos, theme parks, shopping mall kiosks, retail, hospitality, airport and public transit signage, corporate installations, houses of worship, broadcast, control rooms, and conference rooms, among many other environments.
When it comes to selecting LED technology and solutions for signage applications, Garrido says there are certain features and capabilities to look out for. One of the most important considerations is ensuring the LED product has low average power consumption of around 35w.
Garrido also highlighted the importance of low levels of electromagnetic compatibility in this line of work, as this will allow the displays to coexist with other electronic systems without interference.
Other key factors include that the LED technology passes all the independent laboratory tests for brightness, colourimetry, viewing angle, frequency, consumption, and CE tests, while sign-makers should consider both the support and customer service offered by the manufacturer.
For this reason, Garrido recommends sign-makers look for trusted vendors that offer warranties, technical support, and parts availability to ensure that they are backed up for any future issues or needs.
With this, he draws attention to some of the latest developments at Alfalite. For use within indoor environments, sign-makers can now benefit from a multilayer of protection and optical properties with the Optical Resin Injection Module (ORIM). This offering is a new termination system for LED panels through an injection of optical resin that improves precision between modules.
“It also provides a magnified 175º horizontal and vertical viewing angle,” Garrido explains, adding: “LED panels with ORIM technology have superior antistatic electricity protection (ESD > 10kV), improved thermal dissipation parameters, and excellent resistance to impacts, liquids, chemicals and fire (with UL94 compliance).
“They are also easier to clean, suffer less deterioration and have the shortest repair time on the market.”
The benefits of LED lighting in signage applications are plentiful and clear to see (pun very much intended). Adding this technology to your pieces will help them shine even brighter and capture more attention in what is a busy and fast-paced world, where the focus of the consumer will likely be elsewhere.
Your text here...
