How Neon Signs Work in One Big Infographic

The process of making neon signs, first demonstrated in a modern form in December 1910 by Georges Claude, is actually a very durable and efficient form of light. Built to last, neon sign makers specialize in crafting complex designs - and this evolution has been propelled by the popularity of these incredible gas-filled, electrically charged tubes.

Scroll through to get the low-down on how neon signs are made, plus a few extra factual quirks.

Aspire to make your own neon sign? Tweet us about it @MondoNeon!

4 Neon Sign Lighting Hacks to Brighten Up Your Wedding

If you’re looking for a dazzling way to brighten up your wedding, a custom neon light is a wonderful solution. Available in a variety of unique styles and formats, this versatile modern accent can fulfill a variety of functions, such as helping guests locate the ceremony site or bringing attention to the couples new last name. You can even hang neon lights behind the bar to create a sparkling cocktail hour. No matter what kind of wedding aesthetic you’re aiming for, get some inspiration on how to rock custom neon at your wedding with these super chic examples!

Image Credit: Laura Goldenberger

1. Sweetheart Table

A sweetheart table serves as a private party and is a great place to add some custom touches. Turn your last names into a glowing neon mashup of the best kind. Who knew neon would make such dreamy centerpiece?

Image Credit: Juddric Photography

2. Vows

Say your vows under a romantic archway of neon lights. These one-of-a-kind beauties are just as pretty as they are functional, and you can use them again later in your home when the events all over to remind you of all the fun you had on your big day.

Image Credit: Pablo Laguia

3. Ceremony Backdrop

Take neon to the next level by uplighting your backdrop. You and yours will be constantly illuminated throughout your wedding and the custom neon will instantly turn your venue into a super stylish environment. Plus, the contrast will give off a chic vibe that modern brides will appreciate.

Image Credit: Kaity Brawley Photography

4. Welcome Sign

Place a custom neon sign near your welcome table for a greeting that will please the masses. Neon mounted inside an acrylic box can easily be displayed in front of any vibrant arrangement.

Are you on the hunt for more custom neon wedding ideas? Head over to our Pinterest for more light inspo!

3 Better-Than-Basic Neon Bar Signs

Summer is currently in full swing, which makes it a perfect time to go exploring your local bar scene. There are so many awesome neon bar signs in existence to help guide you on your drinking adventures through the scorching-hot streets. Personalized neon signs are all the rage, and there's a wide variety of custom-inspired bar signs to sample and endless Instagram pics to take. Whether you decide to head off for a repeat visit to your favorite dive bar or some new speakeasy which just rolled into town, there's virtually no better way to imbibe on some refreshing adult beverages than inside a bar, next to some unforgettable LED signage. An awesome time indeed.

1. Ramen

At a legit restaurant bar, neon ramen signs serve as the ultimate backdrop and the noodles are handmade - just like the custom neon itself. An entire culture surrounds this incredible dish, and neon wall lights help share it's message with the world, one tasty pastel-hued bowl at a time. 

2. Buzzworthy

Bad habits, here we come! Cue the leather jacket, dark glasses and studded belts: The brick wall featured against this not-so-average white neon light sign works on so many levels. You don’t make poor choices, you say? 

3. Classic

This custom neon bar sign - complete with multi-color fonts, no less - is more than enough for any muscle car act of machismo, fans of racing and midnight PBR runs! We dare you to disagree.

What’s your favorite drinking spot with a custom neon bar sign? Let us know @MondoNeon!

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Traditional Glass Neon Signs

There are plenty of things we all love about neon signs, but few people are aware of how they work. There’s a whole lot more that goes into the making of a neon sign than just the glass itself, from how the electrodes on each end are filled with neon or argon gas to how sign makers use blowtorches to heat the glass tubes, bending them and sealing them together in colorful designs. To keep things feeling fun and informative, we brushed up on our facts — and are sharing the best five below.

1. Neon is French

Georges Claude, a French engineer, invented neon lighting around 1902. He owned an air liquefaction company and was the first person to effectively pass an electrical current through neon gas in a sealed tube, causing a chain reaction of reddish-orange light to appear. With some tweaks and further scientific advancements, neon discharge tubes were officially for sale to the general public and the rest is history as they say.

2. Neon Signs are 100% Handmade

For the most part, everything you see on a neon sign is handmade. In fact, it requires a great deal of precision, experience and eye–hand coordination in order to make the glass tubes bend according to the design. Otherwise, the glass itself is prone to crack and break. While neon signs differ in color and shape, the process of creating them has ultimately remained the same since its inception.

3. Neon Lights Can Cut Through Fog

Fog should generally be avoided when possible, but what about when you find yourself at the airport? You may think neon signs are strictly for advertising or fun, but they also function well in fog. In fact, neon lights are oftentimes used in airports to keep aircraft safe and questionable areas well lit. The hope is that you won’t ever need it to light your way, but the reality is that neon signs are awesome to have just in case you find yourself thousands of feet up in the air.

4. Neon Signs are Sculpted

Every neon sign starts out as a straight line. However, through the magic of intense heat and a box full of four-foot neon tubes - the process comes to life. Armed with a series of methodical motions and an impeccable sense of timing, the neon sign maker bends each section of glass tubing to the proper specification. Since neon sign making is all about experimentation, try your hand at making something unique and special.

5. Neon Signs are Bright

Most neon signs are easily recognizable at night and even during the daytime. That's because of an energetic transfer of energy which takes place during the time of production. Similar to a game of bowling, electrical currents hit the inert gas atoms with electrons knocking the atoms out of their orbits. The electrons then collide with other free electrons sending them back toward the atoms. As the electrons begin to get absorbed into the atom, energy is given off in the form of light!

Did you discover the perfect neon sign this weekend? Show us your style by tagging us on your next Insta-post + using hashtag #mondoneon!

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3 Reasons Why an LED Neon Sign Is the It Light For Your Business

Custom LED neon signs are artfully-authentic and can pull together an entire entryway. While some LED neon sign options can run on the pricier side, often putting them into the “investment” category, they also figure prominently in the most coveted decor shots found online. LED neon signs add immense luxe-factor and can easily be amped up to suit any vibe.

1. Size Matters

This is the light up sign you’ve been waiting to style, the one that you’ll use for the bold but so-memorable neon logo you've been dreaming about for months. So cool, so unique, and totally eye-catching!

2. Functional & Fun

Whether drinking happens to be your business of choice or you just love live music, this custom LED neon bar sign is sure to be an instant reminder to visitors that everything fun does and will happen here!

3. Lucky Charms 

If you’re going to establish a diner that serves up Americas favorite junk food obsessions, then ordering up an appealing neon ice cream sign is mandatory so's everyone knows it's a treat yo’ self kinda day! And the best part: it's deliciously “lets party” neon sign chic.

Will you be needing a custom neon sign to turn up the attention? Click here to share your idea with us using our do-it-yourself LED neon design tool.

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3 Small Spaces with LED Neon Signs You’ll Want to Hang Out In

We all like to think bigger is mostly better, but small spaces are teeny, tiny and can be extra fab with the right neon beer sign lighting. Just because you’ve selected location over square footage doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice an ounce of style. While some spaces may pose a challenge, they also offer unique opportunities to take fun risks. Just take a look at these 3 small spaces that prove just how stylish and creative small can be when accompanied by the right LED neon signs.

1. Colorful Organization

Embrace your inner you-niqueness by building up a bar wall filled with a few well-placed shelving items and an LED neon flex sign. Obviously, stay away from anything that resembles too much clutter. The rest of the wall should be fairly neutral but just busy enough to be fun and interesting to make your neon letters go pop.

2. Bright and Bold

Plenty of colorful highlights make this room feel much bigger than it really is, while the coveted neon logo accent piece in the middle of the room makes for a creative opportunity to add more character to the space. Anything ceiling height, such as this bright custom neon sign, can help draw the eyes up further and establish the illusion of extra height with a bit of added charm from the red LED signage centered about the restaurant. 

3. Minimize and Maximize

Figure out what pieces of decor you can’t have without, such as this beautiful cat inspired neon open sign, and stick to being minimalist with your color choices. This approach offers a all sorts of opportunities to create something that’s both thoughtful and playful at the same time.

Do you have genius tip for a new neon sign blog article? Let us know by tweeting @mondoneon!

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3 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Your Own LED Neon Sign

There are more than a few essentials to crafting the ideal indoor LED neon sign. Whether you want to upgrade your living room or you’re trying to work within a small space, there’s an idea here to fit your home and your budget. Here are 3 simple tips for creating the best custom neon lights that ever lived. 

1. Surface

We’ll kick things off with a super biased pick: brick. This classic backdrop really adds a nice punch t neon bar signs. And all you need is some paint, neon letters, and a bit of patience to make a swoonworthy look for the ages.

2. Space

Figuring out how to make space for both your neon lights and whomever occupies that particular area can be a challenge, especially in a small environment. Take for example this coffee neon sign. The customers get the advantage point and can easily see outside the windows, while all the neon LED flex parts live safely out of reach above.

3. Pattern

Bold decorating choices like neon wall lights are right up our alley, so beautifully patterned exteriors are, of course - no exception. Whether you playfully mix yours up or stick with one specific favorite, patterns can tie lose light up signs together.

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