How to Custom A LED neon sign

How to Design and Order a Custom LED Neon Sign

Ordering a custom LED neon sign is a straightforward process that takes about 5 minutes of your time, followed by 9-15 business days for production and delivery. Here's exactly how it works, step by step.

Step 1: Decide What You Want

Before ordering, figure out three things:

Text, Logo, or Artwork?

• Text signs are the most common and most affordable. Any word, phrase, name, or quote in your choice of font. Example: "Better Together" for a wedding, or your bar's name.
• Logo signs reproduce your business logo, brand mark, or custom illustration in neon. These cost more due to design complexity.
• Artwork signs turn illustrations, icons, or custom drawings into neon. Think a guitar outline for a music room, or a palm tree for a tiki bar.

What Size Do You Need?

Measure the wall space where your sign will hang. A good rule of thumb:

• Desk/shelf accent: 12-15 inches
• Bedroom wall: 18-24 inches
• Living room/bar: 24-36 inches
• Restaurant/storefront: 36-60 inches
• Large commercial display: 60-120 inches

The sign should fill roughly 50-75% of the available wall space. Too small looks lost; too large overwhelms the area.

What Color?

LED neon signs are available in 20+ colors. The most popular choices:

• Warm white — Classic, elegant, works with any decor. Most popular for weddings and home decor.
• Cool white — Modern, clean, great for businesses and minimalist spaces.
• Pink/light pink — Trendy aesthetic for bedrooms and beauty spaces.
• Red — Bold, classic neon look. Popular for bars and restaurants.
• Blue/ice blue — Cool, calming. Popular for man caves and gaming rooms.
• RGB (color-changing) — Cycles through multiple colors with a remote control. Premium option.

Step 2: Request a Free Mockup

Go to ShineNeon's free mockup page and submit your design request. You'll need to provide:

• Your text, or upload your logo/artwork file (JPG, PNG, SVG, or PDF)
• Preferred size (or the wall dimensions so we can recommend a size)
• Color preference
• Any font preference (or let our designers suggest options)

Within 1 hour, our design team sends you a professional mockup showing exactly how your sign will look — the font, colors, size proportions, and layout on a simulated wall background. This mockup is completely free with no purchase obligation.

If you want changes (different font, different size, adjusted layout), just reply and we'll revise the mockup until you're satisfied. There's no limit on revisions.

Step 3: Approve and Place Your Order

Once you approve the final mockup, you'll receive a link to place your order. The price is based on:

• Size (biggest factor — accounts for 60-70% of cost)
• Design complexity (text is cheaper than logos)
• Number of colors (each additional color adds $30-$80)
• Backing options (clear, black, or cut-to-shape acrylic)

See our complete pricing guide for detailed price ranges by size.

Step 4: Production (5-8 Business Days)

After you place your order, production begins. Here's what happens in our workshop:

1. Template creation: Your approved design is printed as a full-size template on the acrylic backing board.
2. LED bending: Technicians bend flexible LED neon tubing (8mm silicone-jacketed) to follow the exact contours of your design. This is done by hand — each curve, letter, and detail is shaped individually.
3. Mounting: The bent tubing is secured to the acrylic backing using mounting clips and adhesive. Spacing is checked for even light distribution.
4. Wiring: All LED strips are wired in series, soldered (not crimped) at each connection point, and sealed with heat-shrink tubing for durability and safety.
5. Testing: The sign is powered on and inspected for brightness uniformity, color accuracy, dimmer function, and any visible defects. Signs that don't pass inspection are remade.
6. Packing: Your sign is wrapped in protective foam, placed in a custom-fit box with corner protectors, and shipped.

Step 5: Shipping and Delivery (4-7 Business Days)

All US orders ship free via standard shipping. Your tracking number is emailed within 24 hours of shipment. Typical delivery timeline:

• West Coast US: 4-5 business days after shipment
• Central US: 5-6 business days
• East Coast US: 6-7 business days

Expedited shipping is available at checkout for an additional fee.

Step 6: Installation

Every sign arrives with everything you need to hang it:

Wall Mounting (Most Common)

Use the included screws and standoffs. The acrylic backing has pre-drilled holes. Drill into the wall, insert wall anchors (included for drywall), screw in the standoffs, and hang the sign. The standoffs create a 1-inch gap between the sign and wall, which adds a beautiful backlight halo effect. Takes about 10-15 minutes.

Hanging Chain

Attach the included chain to the sign's mounting points and hang from a hook or nail. Great for temporary displays, events, or renters who can't drill holes.

Freestanding

Prop the sign on a shelf, desk, mantel, or table leaning against the wall. No mounting required — just plug in and enjoy.

Tips for the Best Custom Neon Sign

Font matters more than you think

Script and cursive fonts create an elegant, flowing neon look. Block and sans-serif fonts create a modern, bold look. Avoid fonts with very thin strokes — they can be difficult to reproduce in neon tubing and may have uneven brightness.

Less text is usually better

The most impactful neon signs have 1-4 words. Long sentences require either very large signs or very small lettering. If you need to communicate a longer message, consider two lines with a larger main word and smaller subtitle.

Consider the viewing distance

A 24-inch sign looks great from 6-10 feet away (typical room viewing). For storefront signs viewed from across the street, go 48 inches or larger. The further the viewing distance, the bigger the sign needs to be.

White and warm white are the safest color choices

If you're unsure about color, warm white works with virtually any decor and never looks dated. Colored neon is fun but can clash if your room's color palette changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a custom neon sign?

Total turnaround is typically 9-15 business days: 5-8 days for production plus 4-7 days for shipping. Expedited options are available for rush orders.

Can I customize an existing design?

Yes. You can modify any pre-designed sign in our catalog — change the text, color, size, or font. This is often faster and cheaper than a fully custom design from scratch.

What file formats do you accept for logos?

We accept JPG, PNG, SVG, PDF, and AI files. Vector formats (SVG, AI, PDF) produce the best results for logo reproduction. If you only have a low-resolution image, our designers can redraw it as a vector at no extra charge.

Can I preview exactly how it will look before ordering?

Yes. The free mockup shows your exact design, colors, and proportions on a simulated wall background. You approve the mockup before any payment is required.

What if I don't like the finished sign?

All ShineNeon signs come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If the sign doesn't match your approved mockup, we'll remake it at no cost. If you simply change your mind, our return policy applies.

Last updated: April 2026.