From Neon to LED: The Evolution of Sign Making

  • Author
  • Date Posted
  • Category

LED illuminated sign being manufactured on a workbench at Fabricut's workshop in London

A Brief History of Sign Making

Sign making is an art form that has been around for centuries. From the elaborate hand-painted signs of the Tudor era to the neon signs of the 20th century, and now, the highly efficient and versatile use of LED signs. For a sign maker, the evolution of sign making has been nothing short of fascinating. Fabricut has remained at the forefront of this evolution, providing high-quality sign solutions for businesses nationwide. In this article, we take a brief look at the history of sign making and how it has evolved to what we now know as modern-day LED signs.

The early signs were simple and often hand-painted on wooden boards. The signs were commonly adorned with the coat of arms of the local lord, or king, or scenes from mythology. During the Tudor era, many signs featured pictorial representations of the name of the business. Later followed the red and white striped pole that was commonly seen hung outside of barbershops.

As time progressed, so did the methods used to create signs. The 19th century saw the development of illuminated signs that were created using gas lighting. These signs were the precursors of neon and LED signs. The first gas-lit illuminated sign was installed in Paris in 1860. The sign spelled out “Barbier” and quickly became an architectural wonder.

The gas-lit illuminated signs were quickly replaced by the neon sign, which was introduced in 1910. Georges Claude, a French engineer, developed the first neon sign using a method known as “neon tubes.” Neon signs became popular fast because they were easy to see at night and could be used to emphasise certain areas of a business.

By the 1950s, neon signs had become a staple in advertising. Large 3D built-up signs graced billboards, shops and even Las Vegas was famous for its neon lights.

The Emergence of LED Technology

The first LED (Light Emitting Diode) was created by Nick Holonyak in 1962. The LED was initially used as a decorative light for electronic devices. It was not long after that that the LED began to make its way into the sign industry. However, LED signage was not popular initially because it was considered too expensive.

However, as LED technology began to advance and sign manufacturers began to invest in more efficient techniques for producing LED lights, the cost of producing LED signs began to drop and the technology became more accessible. Today, LED signs are one of the most commonly used types of signage for businesses.

Advantages of LED Signs

LED signs have a number of advantages over traditional forms of lit signage. For example, they are brighter, more energy-efficient, can be programmed to display information in a variety of ways and can be customised to reflect the unique brand of a business. Additionally, LED signs have a lower cost of ownership than traditional forms of signage because they require less maintenance and last much longer than other forms of lighting.

Fabricut: Leading the Way in LED Signage

At Fabricut, we have been at the forefront of the LED sign industry in the UK for several years. We pride ourselves on being a dependable partner to businesses nationwide, and our customers know that we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of our signage and the speed of our delivery times.

In keeping with our ethos of being a family-run business, we have remained committed to providing our customers with a warm and professional service that reflects our West London roots. We understand that businesses need to stand out from the competition, and we are here to help them do just that by providing high-quality and cost-effective LED signage solutions.

A Reliable Partnership

Sign making has come a long way from the hand-painted wooden signs of the Tudor era to the highly efficient and versatile LED signs of today. As a reliable partner in the sign industry, Fabricut continues to provide high-quality signage solutions that are reflective of the changing technology in the industry. If you’re looking to set your business apart from the competition, Fabricut is the partner you need.