What’s The Difference Between Back-lit And Edge-lit Lobby Signs?
While the benefits of light-up signs are well-known, choosing the right sign can be challenging. If you’re looking for edge-lit or backlit signs “near me,” this extensive guide will highlight the key differences and advantages between these sign types to help you decide.
What Are Backlit Signs?
Backlit signs are eye-catching illuminated signs found indoors and outdoors. The most common type of backlit signs for businesses are dimensional letters and logos. These signs have 3D construction like channel letters, but their LED lighting components are installed at the back. When activated, these lights create a glowing halo around the sign’s perimeter for a sleek and sophisticated style.
How Do Backlit Signs Work?
During the construction of the individual sign letters or dimensional sign shape, sign makers will attach LED lighting strips to the back of the sign. These flexible strips allow sign makers to follow the contours of the sign’s shape. When the lights are turned on, they shine toward the wall they are mounted on, adding an illuminated effect behind the letters, like a halo.
There are many benefits of LED backlit signs, including:
- Enhanced visibility
- Vibrant colors and sharpness
- Suitable for various lighting conditions
Depending on your needs, some features of backlit signs could be disadvantages, including:
- Potential higher energy consumption
- May require maintenance over time
What Is A Back-Lit Lobby Sign?
Essentially, a back-lit sign is any marker that is illuminated from behind. Back-lit lobby signs offer an excellent way to stand out, have your message seen, and increase readability. Back-lit signs consist of two components: the lightbox and the graphics.
To avoid hot spots, where the lighting is concentrated and thus messy looking, it is important to only use high performance translucent vinyl and sign grade acrylics for back-lit graphics. The lightbox is housed behind the graphics with the LEDs spaced according to the manufacturer’s specifications for an even illumination.
There is another type of back-lit graphic that does not involve the light shining through the graphics. Take a moment to look at the job we did for Kajabi. In this instance, we used brushed aluminum letters for the sign, and these were standoff mounted to a patina panel. The light source comes from behind the letters creating a nice halo effect that is as cutting edge as the business the lobby sign was designed for.
What Are Edge-Lit Signs?
Edge-lit signs are vibrant interior signage options in business lobbies, restaurants, and retail locations. These signs are often made from a transparent acrylic sign panel with a custom laser-cut design. LED light strips are placed along one or more edges of the sign to provide illumination.
How Do Edge-Lit Signs Work?
Depending on a client’s preferences, LED light strips are installed along the top, bottom, or sides, or even a combination of these placements. When the lights are turned on, they shine through a diffuser that evenly disperses the light throughout the sign panel. Sign makers might construct aluminum rails to conceal the LED light strips, giving the sign a polished look.
Businesses choose edge-lit signs for many reasons, including:
- Sleek and modern appearance
- Energy-efficient
- Easy to maintain
Some factors businesses should consider before choosing edge-lit signs include:
- Limited brightness
- Fewer color options
- Select customization options for the sign’s shape and design
What Are Eedge-Lit Lobby Signs?
The most basic definition for edge-lit markers is that they are illuminated signs where the light source comes from the outside of the sign face along one or more of the edges. The light is then shined back onto the sign face. The LEDs shine into a diffuser, which allows the light to be dispersed evenly across the image.
As with the back-lit lobby sign, you need to have graphics and a light source. The most common graphics are letters and images laser cut into clear acrylic. The illumination comes from LED strips or tape, which consist of evenly distributed and diffused LED modules. Getting the combination of lights, mounting methods, and acrylic just right takes a skilled professional.
As you can see, we nailed it with the Safran lobby sign. We used LED lights that matched the company colors, so that the logo we laser cut into the acrylic would match their other marketing materials. As the name would suggest, back-lit signs are lit from the back, but the light from edge-lit signs come from the edges. In the case of the Safran sign, it is lit from the top and bottom. The lights are hidden by the aluminum mounting hardware for a crisp, clean look.
Are you unsure about which option would work best for your enterprise? No problem! We can meet with you and perform a site survey before making a recommendation based on your budget, vision, and interior design. If you are ready to add a sophisticated touch to your reception area, contact Caliber Signs & Imaging today for a free consultation on back-lit and edge-lit lobby signs for Irvine, CA.
Key Differences Between Backlit and Edge-Lit Signs
- Illumination method: Both signs use bright, energy-efficient LED lights – the difference is where the lights are placed. With backlit signage, LEDs shine behind the sign, but edge-lit signs have lights installed along a panel’s edge.
- Aesthetic appeal: The aesthetic appeal of these signs depends entirely on personal preferences. Some people prefer the boldness of dimensional backlit signs customized with their branding, while others are drawn to the subtlety of edge-lit signs.
- Energy efficiency: Thanks to modern LED technology, both types of signs are extremely energy efficient. However, backlit signs may require slightly more energy due to their size and the number of lights they feature.
- Maintenance requirements: Backlit and edge-lit signs are both long-lasting business solutions with minimal upkeep. Because backlit signs have more LED light strips, when the time comes to update these lights, the process could take longer than changing one or two sets of lights with edge-lit signs.
- Suitable applications: Both signs are excellent interior options for enhanced branding. Backlit signs offer more versatility because they can also be used as exterior signage for storefronts or buildings.
Choosing the Right Sign for Your Needs
Selecting a business sign can be daunting, but signage professionals are here to guide you. When determining which illuminated sign to choose for your business, it’s important to outline your goals through the purpose of this new sign. Ultimately, this will direct you to a sign that addresses your current challenges.
Here are some factors to discuss with a signage professional when making your choice:
- Space and placement
- Budget considerations
- Desired visual impact
- Long-term maintenance
FAQs About Backlit and Edge-Lit Signs
What are the typical materials used for backlit and edge-lit signs?
Both backlit and edge-lit signs use energy-efficient LED lights to illuminate their message. The materials used to construct these signs can vary depending on the type of sign being made. For backlit signage, acrylic and aluminum are used to fabricate 3D shapes and letters. Edge-lit signs are commonly made from transparent acrylic sign panels.
Are there variations in brightness and color options between the two types?
Backlit signs are brighter than edge-lit signs. This is because the LEDs in backlit signs shine behind the sign toward the wall with nothing obstructing the light’s path. With edge-lit signs, the light is diffused through the sign panel, creating a more subtle effect. Both signage options are available in a variety of LED colors.
Which type of sign is more cost-effective in the long run?
Edge-lit signs are more cost-effective in the long run. These signs are usually constructed from a single acrylic panel, one of the most affordable signage materials. They also require fewer LED light strips.
With backlit signs, the cost can vary greatly depending on the materials used, the sign’s size, and the number of LED lights required to illuminate it.
Can both types of signs be customized?
Both backlit and edge-lit signs are highly customizable to meet a client’s vision. These signs can be tailored to suit a brand’s identity by including fonts, logos, colors, and emblems. Clients can also select their sign’s material, size, and LED light colors to add more personalization.
Are there any safety considerations for either type of signage?
For these signs, it is essential to work with an experienced signage company to manufacture and install these signs safely. In California, experts with a C-45 Sign Contractors License must install illuminated indoor signs, like those working for Caliber Signs & Imaging. This will ensure the sign’s electrical components are operating correctly and that the sign is installed securely.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer backlit or edge-lit signs, both options offer businesses a brilliant opportunity to stand out from competitors and make a lasting impact on guests. Ultimately, the decision comes down to choosing the sign that aligns with your vision, future goals, and preferences.
If you need more information to make your final decision, Caliber Signs & Imaging is here to help. Let our experts guide you through our extensive range of custom light-up signs to find one that meets your needs.