When it comes to sought-after signage, nothing beats the buzzy vintage aesthetic of neon retro signs.
Searches for neon signs have increased eightfold in recent years, with neon being the most popular trend on Pinterest in 2021, meaning it is now official: Neon is back in vogue. Let’s take a deep dive into the world of neon retro signs.
History of the Neon Sign
Cited as one of the 100 inventions to have shaped the 20th century, neon lights have been illuminating the way since 1910 after being accidentally discovered a couple of decades earlier. Even the term ‘Neon’ comes from the word ‘new’, as it was a new and exciting discovery at the time.
The golden age of neon signage ran from the 1920s to the 60s – just picture the strip in Las Vegas or the bright lights of Times Square – but started to be replaced with more durable and easily-made light solutions. Unfortunately, it had also become synonymous with less family-friendly nightlife, with the red glow of neon becoming known as the ‘Soho glow’, from the red strip club and bar signs that populated that area.
Neon signs did benefit from a brief revival in the 80’s thanks to two immensely popular shows Miami Vice and Magnum PI. The look even influenced the style of the era, with faux neon effect graphics appearing on everything from clothing to company logos. Neon eventually fell out of favour one again though,, both in practical and aesthetic trends, with most of the signs being replaced by super bright white or blue lighting by the mid-1990s.
Yet this is no longer the case! Consider this the Neon revival: it is back and brighter than before, with more applications than ever: the signs are seen indoors as part of interior decor just as often as they are used as exterior business signs, for locations that rely on eye-catching exteriors, such as roadside motels.
How does a neon sign work?
Neon retro signs are bright and highly visible, even in the daytime, thanks to their unique energy production. They consist of a glass tube that is filled with an inert noble gas which, in its natural state is invisible and harmless, but when an electric current is passed through it, it creates a reaction which gives off the light’s instantly recognisable glow.
On a technical level, this involves electrons and atoms: whole lot of them bumping into each other at high speed, to create the energy that is then given off, in the form of both heat and light. The name is a bit of a misnomer, however, as it is not only (or even always) Neon that is used, but also Argon, Krypton and Xenon. Mercury was even added to the mix before we realised how bad an idea that was. Different gases give off different coloured light, and some are mixed to create various effects, although nowadays the colour comes from coatings on the glass.
Like most things with a strong vintage vibe, Neon signs are artisanal items: creating them is an art form that requires a very particular skill set. As the glass has to be bent by hand, every neon sign you have ever seen would have been designed and hand sculpted to a bespoke brief by someone with the skills to do so. Not an easy task, given glass’ propensity to crack or shatter under pressure.
Practical uses for Neon Signs
Far from being considered old hat, neon retro signs are now seen in the trendiest of settings, such as the artwork that Tracey Emin created for her beloved hometown of Margate; itself now widely regarded as an up and coming creative hub and desirable relocation destination for artists, musicians and the like.
 |
 |
You’ll be hard-pressed to find cafes, eateries, breweries, niche retail premises, or even some offices, that don’t contain an off-beat neon sign hanging somewhere on the wall, usually containing an ironic slogan or image, such as a pop culture reference. ‘You wanna pizza me?’ in a pizza galleria is the perfect example.
These types of signs are an easy way to declare to the public that you don’t take yourself too seriously and that your brand is fun and approachable.
If you don’t want to go for a catchy slogan, neon signs can be used to display your company branding, such as a logo or your colours to great effect inside, and if you have large windows, will also be a visible branding tool when seen from outside at night.
Occasion and Wedding Neon Signs
Neon signs are also being used for special and limited time occasions, such as weddings. They serve two purposes: as a quirky, easily customizable decoration for the big day, and as a beautiful reminder when hung in the home afterwards. These wedding neon signs are usually designed with something personal to the bride and groom, or something funny that people will remember and use in photographs, and this is a key aspect of neon signs and their popularity that businesses can learn from: the photo opportunity.
Neon signs, by their very nature, are instantly recognizable and photograph really well, regardless of the time of day. People are drawn to them and love to take pictures of them, either of the sign alone or with a person posing with it, and companies looking for easy social media shares would be wise to utilise this. As an example, neon wings that people pose in front of are becoming increasingly popular, as are neon sign’s use in pop up shops or limited period promotional setups where social media shares are a crucial part of generating buzz.
Considerations for Neon Retro Signs
Whether you want to inject a bit of retro cool into your branding, or if you simply like the look of neon, (many pubs and retail businesses still use a neon open and closed sign, for example) there are a few things to consider before deciding if they are right for your business or retail signage:
Longevity
If well-made and maintained, neon signs can be extremely long-lasting. In fact, there are still many around from the first heyday, although many have suffered somewhat from neglect and lack of maintenance. It is worth noting however, that these signs are made of glass, so extra care will need to be taken when cleaning, moving or installing them.
Heat and Electricity
Neon signs use a lot of electricity. This is mainly down to the fact that they give off heat when switched on, so they lose a lot of passive energy. If this is an issue there’s always led light, some of which have been used to replicate the look of classic neon, if not the trademark hum and buzz.
As mentioned above, true neon signs get hot, so keep them out of reach of wandering hands if your business welcomes children, and maybe don’t place them above where you were going to sell ice cream or other heat sensitive items.
Design factors
Neon signs won’t work for every design type: remember each one starts as a straight tube of glass that is then worked and bent into a set shape. They suit logos, slogans or brand names better than complicated designs, although they could work well as supplementary signs, with a simplified version of your branding.
 |
 |
When considering lettering and typeface, consider how legible it will be from a distance. The actual light itself will be visible, but will passersby be able to make out what it is depicting? Joined-up lettering works best as the word will be formed of one long piece of piping, although the spaces between can be blacked out if needed. Opt for text that is easy to read, with enough space between the main parts of each letter to easily differentiate them from each other, even if they are connected by a ligature. For example, the letters R and F can be particularly troublesome in some calligraphy styles.
Fun fact: Neon lights are still often used in airports, due to their ability to cut through the fog and inclement weather: perfect for times when visibility is an absolute must.
No matter your industry, neon signs are distinctively eye-catching and can be a viable option for business signs when illumination is necessary. As well as nostalgic retro cool, they can help add to a company’s branding with overt and subconscious messaging, and if they are made well, and maintained, can be functional for decades to come.
Medash have been making neon business signs in their workshop in Kent for decades and have the expertise to create the sign that is just right for you. Get in touch today to start discussing your illuminated sign project.