Illuminated vs Non-Illuminated Signs: Which Should You Choose?

Advertising for businesses can come in many forms, with radio, television and, more recently, social media, playing a large role in attracting new customers to your company. But let’s not forget about one of the oldest and most effective forms of all–physical signs.

Signs will direct nearby customers to your business, so it stands to reason that they need to be eye-catching while staying easy to read. If you are looking into indoor or outdoor business signage, then deciding between an illuminated or non-illuminated sign will often be your first major decision.

This blog will go into detail about what each of these signs entail, as well as how to choose which is the best choice for your business.

Non-Illuminated Signs

You’ll see non-illuminated signs everywhere, from sleepy small town cafés to bustling shopping centres. Let’s dive into what makes these signs tick (or not).

What Exactly is a Non-Illuminated Sign?

When we refer to ‘non-illuminated signs’, we are talking about any sign that isn’t lit up using electricity. They can be as simple as a piece of cardboard written in texta advertising a lemonade stand, or as detailed as a printed banner hung above a brand-new shop.

Traditionally, non-illuminated business signs have been made from wood or metal, which offer charm and durability. While modern signmakers still use these materials, you’ll also see them now made out of acrylic, vinyl, steel, and durable synthetic materials.

Examples and Types of Non-Illuminated Signs

Look around and you’ll probably be able to see an example of a non-illuminated sign! They can include:

• Logos, phrases and information painted directly onto a wall
• Hanging wooden signs outside businesses in historic towns, such as dentists and post offices
• Hanging banners for market stalls and pop-up venues
• Pylons on nature strips for schools and businesses on the streets
• A-frame signs that are out front of shops

If you can see a sign that has no electrical component or inner lighting, then it can probably be classified as a non-illuminated sign.

Check out Swift Sign’s range of custom signs in Melbourne–we can create interior and exterior signs for your brand.

The Benefits of a Non-Illuminated Sign For Your Business

Non-illuminated signs have several advantages over their brighter counterparts, including:

• More affordable to make. Because they don’t contain any expensive electrical components, non-illuminated signs can be cheaper to make.

• Cheaper to run. Once your non-illuminated sign has gone up, you’re done paying for it! Your sign will work without the need for power bills.

• Easier to repair. If your sign is somehow scratched, torn or otherwise damaged, repairs tend to be easier because, again, there are no delicate or fiddly electrical components to worry about. Of course, this will depend on the material your sign is made from and the extent of the damage!

• Environmentally friendly. These signs do not need a power source and so will not drain power or give off any fumes that could be harmful to our planet.

• Charming and down to earth. Many people love the clean and sometimes rustic look of a non-illuminated sign. Badly-made illuminated signs can sometimes look tacky, which may turn away customers!

If you operate a 9-5 business or work outside these hours in a well-lit area, you probably won’t need an illuminated sign for readability reasons either.

Potential Drawbacks of Non-Illuminated Signs

Of course, non-illuminated signs are not perfect. Here are some potential downsides to keep in mind:

• Not suitable for use in darkness: Because they are not lit up, non-illuminated signs can be hard to read at nighttime or in dark areas. They might be fine for daytime, but at night, when every other store has a lit-up sign, customers may even think your store is closed from a distance!

• Can fade over time: Older non-illuminated signs are susceptible to fading over time due to wear and tear from the sun and rain. This can be due to using natural materials like wood or paints that are not UV resistant.

• Harder to update: If you want to change or alter a non-illuminated sign, it can be a bit more laborious when compared to, say, a digital sign that is running an image that can be changed at the click of a button.

• Can be tricky to repair: We did say that these signs are easy to repair, but this can really depend on the extent of the damage. Extensive amounts of graffiti, significant cracks, rust or large dents and cracks can take a bit of time to repair.

If they aren’t taken care of, you may find your non-illuminated sign quickly starts to look old and dated.

Illuminated Signs

Walk down any shopping strip at night, or explore your local large shopping centre, and you’ll see many illuminated signs around! Let’s explore what you need to know about these types of business signs.

What Exactly is an Illuminated Sign?

An illuminated sign is one that involves lighting of some sort in its design to help it stand out and stay readable at all hours. They could be backlit, feature neon writing or have LED bulbs making up a digital screen.

Illuminated signs are usually made from a combination of metal and glass or plastic. The electrical components should be hidden away, both for a neater look and to protect them from the effects of the weather or pests.

Examples and Types of Illuminated Signs

Here are some of the types of illuminated signs you’ll see every day:

• 3D illuminated letter signs spelling out well-known brand names, like Gucci, Coles or Ozmosis.
• Lightboxes hanging down in a shopping strip advertising restaurant names
• Neon ‘open’ signs or neon signs with short, catchy phrases in them
• LED digital screens above busy roads that show changing advertisements
• Solar-illuminated speed signs near schools or busy shopping centres

Their brightness and colour make illuminated signs easy to see, no matter your location or the time of day.

Check out our 3D illuminated signs to see if they’re the right choice for your business!

The Benefits of an Illuminated Sign For Your Business

There are many great benefits of illuminated indoor and outdoor business signage, including:

• 24/7 readability: Quality lighting will mean your illuminated sign can be read at the dead of night or even through heavy rain. Customers will never miss your business!

• Eye-catching amongst the crowd: In a sea of plain metal or plastic signs, an illuminated advertisement is always going to stand out. If customers aren’t sure where to go, your illuminated sign might be what helps them make up their mind!

• Easy to update: Digital signs that show messages or a carousel of images are easy to update to show new content. Have new prices or products you wanna show off? In a few clicks, you can make it happen instantly!

• Long-lasting clarity: A high-quality illuminated sign will last you for many years and continue to showcase your message, as long as it is maintained. No fading or cracking here!

• Eco-friendly options: If the power issue is one your wallet is worried about, look into solar panels to power your sign! Panels on the roof of your store can be a great idea, and roadside pylons are super easy to power this way, too.

If you want a sign that is eye-catching and modern, many can’t go past the clarity and colour offered by illuminated business signs in Melbourne.

Interested in LED signs in Melbourne? Swift Signs has created custom LED signs for many successful brands.

Potential Drawbacks of Illuminated Signs

No advertising is perfect, and this is true for illuminated signs as well.

• Small damages can make a big impact: A dead pixel, flickering bulb or sparking connection may be all it takes to ruin the look of your illuminated business sign. A darker spot on your sign needs to be fixed quickly, otherwise, customers may be turned off by your apparent lack of care in how your business looks.

• May be expensive to make and run: Larger illuminated signs can need a lot of power to run, especially if you are using older globes over newer technology. Of course, using solar panels can help with this.

• Can be tricky to install: These signs aren’t the kind you can whip up and install yourself. Large, heavy illuminated signs need a lot of finesse to install and connect correctly, and should always be done professionally.

• Not always easy to read: Low-quality illuminated signs may actually be harder to read, not easier! Overly loopy neon writing or a poor colour choice may mean customers can’t actually make out what you’re trying to say.

Many of these issues can be avoided by partnering with a professional illuminated light business.

To Illuminate or Not? How to Choose The Best Business Signs for Your Property

Have you decided what type of business signs you’ll go with? Let’s break it down in a visual way that’s easy to read.

	Non-Illuminated Sign	Illuminated Sign
Readability at night	★	★★★★★
Ease of installation	★★★★	★★★
Ease of repairs	★★★	★★
Ease of updating	★★	★★★★
Eco-impact	★★★★★	★★★
Eye-catching	★★★	★★★★★

If you want an affordable sign that won’t need to be read at night and still looks good, then you won’t need to shell out for an illuminated sign. However, if you want a sign that gets your message across all day and night and is more flexible, then an illuminated sign is a better choice.

Browse The Best Range of Illuminated and Non-Illuminated Signs in Melbourne at Swift Signs

No matter what kind of custom signs in Melbourne you want for your business, the team at Swift Signs is key to making it happen. We can create the perfect general signage or illuminated signs for your needs, whether you own a small roadside stand or a thriving chain of restaurants.

Get in touch using our online form or give us a call on +61 3 9357 8299 to get started.