How to Make an LED Neon Sign In Personalized Handwriting

Watch as I take some LED strip lights and transform them into a dimmable "neon" sign!

This particular sign was made in a future bride's handwriting to put behind the head table on her big day. Use these tips and tricks to make your very own custom LED Neon sign!

#neonsign #neon #ledneon #led #howto #makersofyoutube

LED Neon and Backlit Sign Material List:

I have also used thin aluminum diamond plate sheet to attach LED’s to. Gives the sign an industrial look. That’s also available in many sizes at Lowe’s or Home Depot, and your local fab shop as well.

LED Neon:

I mostly use 8x16mm 12V Neon Flex made by Topatom Neon from The Vasten Store on Amazon. It diffuses the light better than thin 6x12mm neon flex, and is easy to work with.


For thinner neon(6x12mm), I’ve used Lamomo neon flex. Again, I’ve found the 8x16mm neon listed above has better light quality and durability than 6x12mm. But, if you need thin neon for a certain project, here it is.

Clips for LED Neon:

These clips I use for curves in signs. The link is for 8x16mm neon only, but they do make the same clips for 6x12mm.

Clips for LED Neon (Cont.):

For straight lines and hard corners, I use these clips. Again, the link is for 8x16mm.

Screws for mounting clips:

Back Lighting Adhesive LED’s:

Wire for soldering lights:

24 Gauge wire seems to work best. The silicone coating makes it much more flexible than pvc coated wire.

Solder:

Thin solder will melt quicker and make attaching the wires easy.


Heat Shrink:

Heat shrink is used when connecting the wires on the back of the sign. Makes for a strong dependable connection. I use clear for the back of the sign, and black for the power chord.

Dimmer Switch:

Power Adapter:

Wire to Extend Power Adapter Chord:

The length of the power adapter chord makes it difficult to power the sign from a low outlet. I use this wire to extend it.

TOOLS

Jig Saw Blade:

To cut the glass, I use a jigsaw. The blades are important; too many teeth won’t cut as quickly, and a dull blade with melt the glass as it cuts. This is the blade I’ve found to be best.

T Shank Jig Saw:


Flap Disc:

To clean up the edges after a cut, I use a 120 grit flap disc on a grinder. You could also use files and sandpaper, if you don’t have a grinder. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the glass.

Grinder:

Drill bits:

This is the size drill bit I use to pre-drill the glass for the screws. 3/32

For Mounting holes, and holes to run the wires behind the sign, I use several sizes of drill bits. I’ve found a step bit works best and covers everything.

Drill:

Phillips Bits for Mounting Screws:

Soldering Iron:

Wire Strippers:

Utility Knife:

Heat Gun:

A lighter will work, but you will risk burning the heat shrink. Heat gun is very helpful.

Projector:

Having a projector makes sizing the sign super easy. You can also draw out your sign on paper and use that to trace over. Or have an office store print you out a picture to trace.


Hose Cutters:

The hose cutters make cutting the neon very quick, easy, and accurate. The utility knife will cut the neon just fine if you just want to start with it. You can always add the hose cutters later.

Additional Plugs:

The LED’s come with one female plug, and the power adapter comes with one male plug. Here are more if you need them.

[gooddaymate]

This was the cleanest looking build I've seen so far, especially love that glue wasn't used. Could you tell me what grit you used for the disc sander? Also, what type of acrylic did you use? And Thickness? Thanks!

[SmittenKitten.]

Why so many thumbs down? People are jerks. This was an excellent tutorial, exactly what you'd want: straight to the point, detailed, no extra nonsense, and it works! Thank you so very much.

[hammerofgodminiatures]

Great quality build, looks great and as an electrician I appreciate the clean wire routing.

[tbranch]

"Always make the back as pretty as the front" < pro tip!

[rainflowers]

Great video, very clear instructions. I really want to give this a go now!

[edbohemier]

A real artist understanding balance hands on and impact w/out being too technical

[justthatjoeguy]

I’ve been thinking about neon signs for a while now, I really thought I’d have to get into CNC to get what I’ve been thinking and this video has really helped with a lot of ideas. Thank you so much

[Hajjat]

Stunning! But man, the amount of effort you put into this!

[molla]

Best video out here to understand it, thank you very much!

[Biokemist-ok]

Really beautiful job my friend!! looks like such a time consuming endeavor for someone who is just starting...lol

[emadleiman]

Nice tutorial! Can you show do a detailed video or instructions on how you were able to cut the ropes on angles so the connections will work? Thanks in advance.

[tonka]

You should get youn either a laser cutting or a cnc machine. It would make cutting and drilling so much easier. That being said these look fantastic

[KymEdwards]

Great job! Your video has inspired me to make an attempt, fingers crossed.

Some people are so rude and just hateful. I’m sure it’s irritated answering some questions 1, 000 times, you definitely handle it well and with respect. Great job on your sign and dealing with idiots!

[antongerrits]

Awesome help; thank you for that!
Just two doubts;
- is it feasible to stick the sube with glue in stead of clips? pro´s / cons?
- you do the wiring in parallel; that ends up with a lot of wire! Why not in serie? Then only the end connects to the next start.

[stevereisman]

Outstanding video, thank you for the time you took in making it. The plexiglass or clear plastic substrate you're is that and where can I get it? Also, if this were going outside in an area near the ocean, would you recommend sealing all the gaps and connections with clear silicone or perhaps put the whole unit in an enclosure, perhaps in a box with a large sheet of plexi in front of it?

[jaimejereb]

So good! How did you get your iPad to be used as a projector on the wall? I don't have an another way to be able to trace so hoping I can do the same as you. Thank you!

[anewlife]

Hi I like your video
Wondering what LED you are using

[workout]

can you do a more detailed video on the soldering process.thanks

[krzysztofhryniewicz]

Great video. I'm lovin' it ;-)

[brendanfitzpatrick]

Just a comment, I've never used these lights before but I don't think you need to run wires back to the source at each cut.. if you simply "jump" each "broken" set of lights that should be enough.. this is a parallel circuit, not serial so no need for direct power to each independent strip .. you would save LOTS of time and a little money