Choosing the right font for your lettering
The font decides whether your illuminated lettering looks like real neon or like a sticker with a light behind it. Three rules of thumb:
- Script with joined-up letters looks most natural in neon, because the lettering is formed as one continuous line. Ideal for names, quotes and weddings.
- Block capitals read better from a distance. They suit company names, shop windows and anything people should read in passing.
- Very fine fonts and serifs can't be bent cleanly into a neon line below a certain size. We UV-print those details instead, or you choose a larger format.
A popular mix: the name or main word in script, a short second line in block capitals. The design preview shows how the two work together before anything is made.
How big should LED lettering be?
At home, it's mostly about how it looks on the wall. Tape a sheet of paper or some masking tape to the wall at the planned size before you order, and you'll see straight away whether the proportions are right.
If your lettering needs to be read in a shop window or from across a room, the rule of thumb is about 1 cm of letter height per metre of reading distance. To be read from the opposite pavement 10 m away, letters should be around 10 cm high.
LED lettering, illuminated letters or a lightbox?
“Illuminated lettering” means different things to different people. For businesses, a quick comparison helps:
| Option | How it glows | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| LED neon lettering | Glowing lines on acrylic, plug-in adapter | Interiors, shop windows, bars, events, home |
| Illuminated letters | Solid individual letters with a glowing face or halo, mains connection | Company name on the fascia or building |
| Lightbox | The whole face glows, logo and text printed on it | Lots of text, entrances, busy streets |
On the outside of a building, illuminated letters or a lightbox are usually the better choice; inside and in the window, LED neon lettering. See every option in our overview of sign types.
LED lettering for business, events and home
- Restaurants and cafés: your name behind the bar or a quote on the photo wall – more on our restaurant and café neon signs page.
- Shops and windows: lettering that keeps advertising after closing – see retail and shop window signs.
- Offices and receptions: your company name or strapline in light – more on our business and logo neon signs page.
- Weddings and parties: names and date as a photo backdrop – see wedding neon signs.
- Home: a name or favourite quote – see neon signs for the home and name neon signs.
Design your lettering in the configurator with a live price. Installation and certification marks are explained in our guides.




