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The Ultimate Guide to LED Sign Illumination
- SignComp Europe
- Sep 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 5
How to choose brighter, greener and longer‑lasting lighting for every sign project.
Why focus on LEDs for signage?
LED modules have become the benchmark for illuminating signage – including built‑up letters, flex face signs and internal lightboxes. Why? Because they deliver high brightness, low running costs and long lifespans.
Before diving deeper, it is important to touch base on some terminology around LEDs.
Term | What it means | Why it matters to signs |
LED (Light‑Emitting Diode) | A semiconductor that emits light when current flows through it. | Smaller, cooler and far more energy‑efficient than fluorescent tubes. |
Lumens (lm) | A measurement of total visible light output. Higher lumens = brighter sign. | Aim high for indoor retail spaces; dial back for night‑time external signage. |
Wattage (W) | Electrical power consumed. | Lower wattage cuts electricity bills and allows for smaller power supplies. |
Efficacy (lm/W) | Lumens ÷ Watts: light produced per watt. | A core efficiency metric - today’s best modules exceed 170 lm/W. |
Kelvin (K) | Colour temperature of the light. 6500 K = “daylight” white. | Choose cooler whites (6000–7000 K) to make graphics pop; warmer whites (3000–4000 K) for boutique ambience. |
Pro tip: When comparing modules, look at all three numbers together (lumens, watts, efficacy). A very bright module that guzzles power may cost more to run than a slightly dimmer, ultra‑efficient alternative.
Benefits of LED illumination for signs
When it comes to lighting up signs, LED technology continues to set the standard -and for good reason. Here’s why:
🌱 Energy & carbon savings
LEDs are incredibly efficient, using up to 70% less energy than traditional fluorescent or neon options. That means lower running costs and a smaller carbon footprint -helping businesses stay on top of both sustainability goals and energy bills.
📏Slimmer, Lighter Sign Designs
Because LEDs produce less heat and don’t require bulky tubes, modules are small. Couple this with ever improving lens technology, boxes can be made shallower and lighter - good news for all signage installations.
💡Uniform brightness & long life
Modern optics spread light up to 175° so you can use fewer modules and still achieve perfectly even faces. Many premium LEDs continue to perform at 70%+ performance after 100,000 hours of use, delivering years of low-maintenance lighting.
How to choose the right LED module
With hundreds of LEDs on the market, it helps to go through a process of elimination to establish which product is best for your project.
Inside or out?
Internal rated LEDs cannot be used outside – eliminate a large portion of products with this simple bit of information.
Voltage requirements?
If there is a technical requirement, find a product that suits. If there isn’t one, 12v is great for smaller applications and 24v is efficient for large-scale signage.
Colour temperature?
Some brands require cool and crisp – some need subtle and warm. Continue to refine your selection with these details.
Signage type and materials?
LEDs are often designed for specific applications. Channel letters with an acrylic face may need different LEDs to a large-scale Flex Face sign.
What are the dimensions?
Generally, slim signage will use smaller LEDs more frequently – deeper signage will tend to use fewer, larger modules.
Is there a lumen target?
An internal shopfront will need a significantly brighter sign than an external, road-facing sign. Consider legal restrictions and the surrounding area.
Is there a budget?
If there are strict budgets, some LEDs may be more suitable for your project. Having said that, quality products are always more cost-effective in the long run.
Let’s take a look at two proven LED brands we stock at SignComp Europe for the UK & EU signage trade.
Brand spotlight: SloanLED
SignComp distributes products from the long-standing global leader in sign lighting, Sloan LED. Being an industry leader, including ISO 9001 processes and LM testing behind their products, they have serious reliability for national and international rollouts.
Here are a couple of products to focus on…
VL5 Range (12V & 24V) – This range of modules tick pretty much every box you need for illuminating signage…
Ultra-wide 165°optics
173 lm/W in across the range
Range of modules covers depths from 30-300mm
Constant current technology within the LEDs for longer chains
Colour temperatures ranging from 3000K to 7200K
Protection is both IP66 & IP68 rated
Industry leading lifetime rating of L80 >54,000 hours
10 year warranties for your peace of mind
BrightLINE 2 – A ladder system purpose-built for shallow lightboxes to get uniform faces with fewer connections.
Save 75% of time during install using a ladder system v standard modules
New and improved efficiency with an efficacy of 173 lm/W
24V for even longer chains and further reductions in install time
Market leading brightness with up to 530 lumens per strip – perfect for internal retail signage.
Beyond these products, Sloan offer their PosterBOX range for all edge-lighting requirements, a selection of products to assist with Border Tubing and Accent Lighting and their industry leading Quantum Power Supplies that have IP68 protection, available in both 12V and 24V and now come complete with dimming capabilities.
Where it fits best: premium channel letters, shallow cabinets that demand uniformity, and multi-site programmes where consistency and warranty matter.
Take a look at our SloanLED page for more information.
Brand spotlight: KAISEN
KAISEN’s modules have one thing in mind, economy. They are high-quality modules with warranties of up to 7 years, all at a price point that is effectively unbeatable.
Their main ranges are….
P-Series – These are compact channel-letter modules focusing on cost-effective builds.
TN-Series – New series available in both 12v & 24V. With 175° beam angles, they are well suited for boxes - wider spacing, fewer modules, less labour.
LED Strips – A huge range of cost-effective LED Strips for all your lighting needs.
Power Supplies – An unbeatable range of economical Power Supplies for both external and slimline internal applications.
Where it fits best: budget-sensitive channel letters and lightboxes where cost savings are needed.
Take a look at our Kaisen page for more information.
Ready to make your signs shine brighter for less?
At SignComp Europe, we’re proud to be leading suppliers of both SloanLED and KAISEN LED modules. To learn more about what each brand has to offer, visit their individual product pages. If you’d like further guidance on your project, we also offer free, bespoke LED layouts - contact sales@signcompeurope.com to get started.