Backlit Signs

Backlit display signs are any type of print that’s designed to be viewed with a light source behind it. Backlit signs are a great way to: increase visibility, stand out from competitive signs & have your message seen, night or day.

There are two main components of backlit signage: a Lightbox and the Printed Graphic itself. There are many kinds of lightboxes and graphic styles to choose from Sign Pros can help you select the right one for your needs.  

Choosing the right backlit lightbox for your sign

We will help you through the whole process of deciding on the three main things to consider when choosing a lightbox: 

• Graphic size
• Graphic location
• Longevity / durability

Your needs will most likely be met with one of the  3 most common kinds of lightboxes:

Fluorescent
Fluorescent light boxes use standard fluorescent tubes to light the graphic. They have great diffusion - meaning the lighting is evenly spread across the image and won’t cause hot-spots. Fluorescent light boxes are usually deep in order to house the lamps. They’re most commonly used outside in places like transit shelters, store-fronts, etc.

LED

LED light boxes are a popular choice because they’re exceptionally bright and use very little energy. Unlike fluorescent lighting, LED lights are a point source, meaning that without adequate diffusion they can create ‘hot spots’ of concentrated light. They require a deeper box or additional diffusers to diffuse (spread) the light without hot spots.

Edge-lit LED
Edge-lit LED light boxes contain LED lights around their edge frame. These LEDs shine into a diffuser, dispersing the light evenly across the image. Edge-lit LED light boxes can be made very thin, are inexpensive and use very little power, making them very popular and ideal for retail graphics.

Choosing the Right Backlit Material

After understanding and choosing the right lightbox for your application, Sign Pros will help you decide on the material to use to print your graphics on.  Some of our more popular choices are:  

Backlit Paper 
A thin (7pt) translucent bristol, that’s specially coated to resist warping in humid conditions. Backlit paper is thin and inexpensive.  It’s the kind of thing you’d most likely see on bus shelters and and other short-term signage.

Printable Film
Thin translucent plastic sheets such as styrene or polypropylene can make very durable outdoor backlit signage.  Yull notice this in longer-term installations like transit signs, theatres, mall displays, etc. 

Photographic Transparency Film
When image quality is of most importance, transmissive photographic media (often referred to by the brand name ‘Duratrans’, or also sometimes called ‘translites’) is the choice for you.   Although more costly to produce than other options, the image quality is very high, and this type of application does not do well when exposed sunlight.   You’ll notice Photographic Transperency Film mostly indoors, and used by retail establishments typically focusing on cosmetics, jewelry, and fashion.

Inkjet Backlit Film
Injet Backlit Film is a lower cost alternative to photographic transparency film.  It uses a similar polyester film as Duratrans that is coated with an ink receptive layer instead of photographic emulsion. Printed with our high resolution printers, this media is a close rival to Duratrans in quality, only much less expensive and has excellent lightfastness for indoor or outdoor use.

Vinyl/Fabric Backlit
These medias are printed on grand-format inkjet printers with either solvent or latex ink. Generally used for sizes beyond what can be imaged with photographic or large-format inkjet films, vinyl and fabric backlit frames have tensioning systems built in to hold the backlit perfectly flat without any wrinkles. These work so well it’s sometimes hard to tell they are not rigid sign faces! Despite the size, these large back lits are easy to roll and ship making them a great choice for retail signage.

Adhesive-Backed Translucent Vinyl
Usually mounted to acrylic or lexan for installation as storefront and other permanent outdoor signage.

As you can see, there are many options and choices available for backlit signs depending on your application and budget.  Let the professionals at Sign Pros walk you through your sign project  from conception to installation. There’s a reason that ‘Pro’ is in our name! 

Sign Pros – a local business helping local businesses.  Call us today!