Investing in a custom neon sign is about creating a unique piece of illuminated art for your home, business, or event. Naturally, one of the first questions is: “How much does a neon sign cost?”
There’s no single answer, as prices can range from under £200 for a simple, small design to several thousand for a large, complex masterpiece. The final price is a sum of several key factors. This guide breaks them down to help you understand the investment and plan your project.
1. The Primary Cost Driver: Size & Complexity
This is the most straightforward factor. More material and more labour time equal a higher cost.
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Size: Linear length of the design is a primary metric. A 50cm sign costs less than a 150cm version of the same design.
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Complexity: A simple, single-line word is more economical than a detailed logo, intricate script font, or a multi-layer design with separate elements. Complexity increases both material use and fabrication time.
2. Material & Technology: Real Gas vs. LED Neon
Your choice between traditional and modern neon significantly affects the price, durability, and aesthetic.
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Traditional Glass & Gas Neon: Crafted by hand-bending borosilicate glass tubes and filling them with noble gases. This is a specialist artisan craft, requiring significant skill and time. It typically commands a higher price point due to the labour-intensive process, material cost of gases/glass, and the need for a high-voltage transformer. It offers an authentic, warm, and slightly flickering glow that is difficult to replicate.
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Modern LED Neon Flex: Made using flexible tubing housing LED chips. It is generally more cost-effective, especially for complex designs, as it is easier to fabricate. It’s also more energy-efficient, runs cool, and is ideal for outdoor use or intricate, multi-colour designs. The light is bright and even.
3. Design & Branding Work
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Ready-Made Design: Choosing from a pre-existing template or a very simple text-based design minimises this cost.
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Fully Bespoke Design: If you need a custom logo drawn, a complex illustration adapted, or expert typography created, this involves a designer’s time. Some makers include simple customisation in a base price; others charge a separate design fee, which is often deducted if you proceed with the build.
4. Colour & Lighting Effects
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Standard Colours: Most providers have a standard palette.
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Specific Pantone Matches: Requiring an exact brand colour match, especially in real gas neon (which uses specific gas/phosphor combinations), can increase cost.
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Dynamic Effects: For LED neon, options like colour-changing (RGB), dimming, strobe, or pattern sequences require more advanced controllers and programming, adding to the price.
5. Installation & Additional Hardware
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Self-Installation: You receive the sign, power supply, and mounting hardware with instructions.
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Professional Installation: Many makers, especially for large or complex commercial installations, offer or recommend professional fitting. This ensures safety (particularly for high-voltage real neon) and perfect placement but is an additional cost based on location and complexity.
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Backing & Framing: Choices like a clear acrylic backing, a painted wooden frame, or a metal stand add to both material costs and labour.
Understanding Price Ranges (Guide Only)
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Small, Simple LED Sign: (e.g., a one-word name, 30-40cm) can start from £150 – £400.
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Medium, Custom LED Sign: (e.g., a small logo or short phrase, 50-80cm) often falls in the £400 – £1,200 range.
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Large/Complex LED or Basic Real Gas Sign: (e.g., a detailed multi-element design, 1m+) typically ranges from £1,200 – £3,000+.
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Large, Bespoke Real Gas Neon Sign: As a specialist artisanal product, these are custom-quoted and can range from £2,000 – £5,000+ depending on all the factors above.
How to Get an Accurate Quote: A Checklist for Buyers
To help a maker provide you with the most accurate estimate, have this information ready:
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Your Design: A sketch, logo file, or clear idea of the text/font.
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Preferred Size: Ideal dimensions in centimetres or metres.
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Material Preference: Real gas neon or LED flex? (If unsure, ask for advice).
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Colour & Lighting: Desired colour(s) and any dynamic effects.
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Mounting & Location: Where will it go? (Indoor/outdoor? Wall, window, hanging?)
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Timeline: When do you need it by?
The Bottom Line
A neon sign is a lasting investment in atmosphere, branding, or personal expression. While upfront cost is a key consideration, the value lies in the craftsmanship, durability, and the transformative impact it brings to a space. By understanding what influences the price, you can make informed decisions and collaborate effectively with your chosen maker to create a piece that fits both your vision and budget.
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Smithers of Shoreditch provides transparent, bespoke quotations for both real gas and LED neon signs. To begin the process, share your project ideas with our team for a tailored quote.