A window sign is read from the pavement, so size it to be legible at 10 to 20 meters, not at arm's length. That usually means bigger than you first think.
Behind glass, an indoor sign is fine. The outdoor build is only needed if it is mounted on the outside face.
Shop windows
The window is a display seen by people walking past at speed. Two or three words maximum, in a font legible at distance, facing outward.
- ✓ Mount it inside the glass. No outdoor build needed, no weather exposure, no permit questions in most cases.
- ✓ Hang it from chain rather than fixing to the glass, so it can be moved and the window still cleans.
- ✓ Put it on a smart plug so it runs to your opening hours without anyone remembering.
- ✗ Do not use a clear backboard on glass. There is nothing behind it, so the board is invisible and the mounting hardware becomes the thing people see. Use black, or No Backboard.
Inside a bar or cafe
An interior sign has a different job. It is not attracting anyone, it is setting the room and giving people something to photograph. That means it can be smaller, wittier and more saturated in color.
| Position | Width | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the bar or counter | 90 to 150 cm | Mirror board works well behind bottles |
| Facing the seating | 80 to 120 cm | This is the one people photograph |
| Window, facing out | 100 to 150 cm | Black or no backboard |
| Toilets, corridor, alcove | 40 to 70 cm | Where wit belongs |
Permits and landlords
A sign inside the window is normally treated as an interior fitting rather than signage, which avoids most permit questions. A sign mounted on the outside of the building usually is signage and may need consent, particularly on a listed building or in a conservation area. Check with your local authority and your landlord before ordering, not after.
Running it
The sign draws very little, is rated for 50,000 hours and does not mind being switched daily, so a timer costs almost nothing to run. Keep it back from the coffee machine and the wash area, and clean with dry microfiber only, never glass cleaner.
Buy one window sign that says your name, sized properly for the pavement, and one interior sign wherever people sit. Those two do more than four scattered pieces. And measure the legibility distance honestly, because the most common mistake in a shop window is a beautiful sign nobody can read from outside.
Frequently asked questions
What size neon sign do I need for a shop window?
Size it for the pavement, not the room. Letters around one tenth of the viewing distance work, so reading from 15 meters means letters around 15 cm tall, which puts a two word sign at 100 to 150 cm wide. Most window signs are ordered too small.
Does a window sign need to be waterproof?
Not if it hangs inside the glass, which is where almost all of them go. The IP67 outdoor build, which adds about 25 percent, is only needed if the sign is mounted on the exterior face of the building.
What backboard should a window sign have?
Black acrylic or No Backboard. A clear board has nothing behind it in a window, so instead of disappearing it just makes the mounting hardware the most visible thing. Black gives the letters contrast against daylight.
Do I need a permit for a neon sign in my shop?
A sign inside the window is normally treated as an interior fitting rather than signage. A sign on the outside of the building usually counts as signage and may need consent, especially on a listed building or in a conservation area. Check with your local authority and landlord before ordering.
Can I put the sign on a timer for opening hours?
Yes, a standard smart plug does it. The sign uses very little power, is rated for 50,000 hours and does not mind daily switching, so running it to your opening hours costs almost nothing.
We have made neon since 1998, and we still make it ourselves. If something here does not answer your question, ask us.
