Introducing our Neon Art division

Neon Colour and Gas

Besides the actual design, colour is invariably the first thing people think about when it comes to neon art. But as with anything, there are nuances which we can help you with. The most important thing for us to understand is what you’re trying to achieve. Perhaps you want a hot pink that really pops out, or a light blue that’s more subtle.

Important considerations for you to make when choosing your colours are;

1. Does the colour you’ve chosen work within the context of your design.
2. How will the glass look when turned off [see more about this in the ‘Glass’ section].
3. Whilst it may appear obvious, it’s often overlooked that neon is a source of illumination, meaning the room in which the neon art is located will glow your chosen colour. Are you happy for a green glow in the room? Or orange? Or pink?

Neon Glass

When considering what glass to recommend in order to achieve your look, there are several factors that are in our minds: (i)  The diameter of the glass. 10mm or 12mm are the most commonly used glass diameters and the way we choose normally depends on the size and complexity of the curves in your design; (ii) The colour of the glass itself. Neon glass can be either clear, white or a certain colour. Here are the glass options to achieve our full colour range (ie, what the glass looks like when turned off). Note that as well as a full colour spectrum range, we also offer Blacklight where we can produce neon art designs that illuminates in the Ultra-Violet colour range and will illuminate ‘glow-in-the-dark’ materials:

• Warm White/Cold White – White glass
• Light Pink/Hot Pink – White glass
• Red – Clear glass; red glass [called ‘Ruby Red’]
• Orange – White glass; orange glass [Citrus]
• Yellow – Yellow glass [Gold or Sunflower]
• Green – White glass; green glass [Emerald]
• Turquoise – Light green glass
• Blue – White glass; blue glass [Bromo]
• Violet – White glass
• Blacklight – Black glass

Blackout paint

Blackout paint is the substance we paint on to the glass in order to mask parts of the glass that we don’t want to illuminate. For example, if we’re bending a 1m cane of glass into the word ‘love’, then we won’t necessarily want the glass to illuminate where it goes from one letter to the next, and will therefore apply blackout paint on that area of glass. We’ll also apply blackout paint to the electrodes (see separate section) as we don’t want them to illuminate either.

A specialist black paint always has to be applied directly to the glass in order to block out any light. An aesthetic decision can then be made as to whether a second colour is to be applied on top in order to achieve a different colour. This is fairly rare however, as traditional neon has always had black paint, which remains part of its appeal.

Rest assured we’ll consult you in any decisions that need to be made regarding how blackout paint is applied to your neon art piece.

Electrodes & Silicone Covers

Electrodes are located on each end of every section of glass, and are used to connect the transformer to the glass and pass the current through the glass tubes. Electrodes come in various sizes dependent on several factors, but that’s a decision we will make for each different piece.

The aesthetic consideration regarding electrodes is whether we locate them at a 90 degree angle to the glass, or whether they turn completely back on themselves 180 degrees.

1. 180 degree turn-back. The electrodes are located onto the glass in a manner which turns back on itself, so in essence when the glass is mounted, the electrodes are sitting under the glass and therefore visible. This method is the most commonly used method, and is always used when the glass is being mounted onto a solid substrate, as well as often being used on a hollow substrate for aesthetic reasons (ie they want to be visible).
2. 90 degree perpendicular. We use this option when the substrate onto which the neon glass is being mounted has a void behind it. In this instance we’ll drill holes in the substrate through which the the electrodes will be inserted. All of the wiring of the neon art piece will then be hidden out of site.

Black or White silicone covers are placed over each electrode once the neon art piece has been assembled.

Neon transformers

The neon transformer is located between the mains power supply and your neon glass, changing the voltage and current to the correct level needed for your particular neon art. All of our transformers are manufactured in Europe (Germany or Italy) and are CE-marked. There are in essence two different types of transformers, each of which then comes in different output voltage/current options:

Electronic Convertors (Hansen transformers)

• Integral earth leakage
• Constant-current output.
• Some models have built-in dimmer
• Physically smaller than Metalbox (see below)
• Most aren’t rated for outdoor use.
• Can choose from Black or White. Black comes fitted with a black power supply lead and White comes with a white power supply lead.
• HT cables are pre-fitted (~1.5m Long) and cannot be changed.

Metalbox Transformers (Siet transformers)

• Suitable for outdoor and indoor use
• Physically larger and substantially heavier than electronic.
• May make slight buzzing noise.
• Need to be more accurately rated to the glass.
• Off-white in colour and can be fitted with any length power supply lead and HT cables.

Neon Cables

The cable that connects the neon transformer to the neon glass, and one section of neon glass to the next, is called ‘HT’ cable, standing for ‘High Tension’ cable. The coating of the cable comes in several specifications. Often, the way in which the cable is being used dictates the cable we need to use for your neon art piece, but in instances where you there’s the opportunity to make an aesthetic decision, we’ll let you know what your options are. In summary, the most commonly used HT cables for our neon art pieces are:

1. Transparent PVC. The coating of the cable is clear, meaning the wire running through the centre is visibly.
2. Translucent (milky appearance), White or Black silicone. This has a softer more pliable feel to it than transparent, as well as a different appearance.
3. Double-insulated White LSF PVC. This is often used when the cable passes through or over metal, to eliminate the occurrence of the neon flickering.

Mounting – to substrate

More often than not we mount the neon glass onto a substrate. We work with a broad range of materials, so whether it’s timber, acrylic or metal, we’re experienced in most mediums.

As always, when creating your piece, it’s important to consultant with us so we can advise on a few things you’ll need to consider to make sure your neon art comes together as you hope. Key considerations for us to work through in collaboration with yourself are:

• Whether you want electrodes and cabling visible or shall we ‘hide’ them in the substrate.
• Whereabouts we can locate the transformers.
• Where you would like the power cable to exit your piece. Sometimes this is out of the side, and sometimes it can be out from the back. We also may discuss the colour of the power lead.
• The order in which your neon art is put together. It may be that we wish to pre-drill holes before you paint it for example, so we do as little work on it as possible once you have completed parts of it.

Mounting – to wall

Mounting neon glass directly to a wall will require specialist installation. We will put you in touch with a specialist installer and explain everything about your neon art piece to them. The ‘Neon Art Installation’ section below explains more about questions your installer may have, and considerations that need to be made.

It’s worth noting from experience that if a neon piece is mounted directly to a wall, and the owner decides that they wish to relocate the piece at some point in future, it will need specialists to come and take the piece down as well as move it to the new location, and the wall will need making good from where holes were drill to fix the tube supports onto the wall.

Flashing & Dimming neon

It is possible to make your neon flash or animate, but it’s important to let us know about your intentions at the concept stage as this will dictate how we produce and assemble your neon art piece.

The dimmers and units used to flash and animate neon can be relatively cumbersome so it’s often better-suited to larger neon pieces. Some hansen transformers do come with an integrated flashing option, as well as dimming, but this does depend on the specific transformer that your neon piece will require.

Neon Art Packaging & Delivery

The most important consideration for us when packaging up and delivering your neon art pieces, is how we get them to you in pristine condition, and we can offer a white-glove service. The best way to do this is normally for us to lightly wrap the substrate but to leave the neon glass exposed and visible. The reason for this is so that people can clearly see that it’s glass, and don’t for instance place items on top. It’s also to stop any potential damage from people removing the packaging and breaking the glass or marking the substrate in the process. We are also able to provide protective cases if required, such as bespoke flight cases. We work with a select portfolio of specialist art packagers and case-makers, so often draw on this expert service when required.

Neon Art Installation

If you’re piece is already pre-assembled onto a substrate, with a main power lead coming off it, then it can be hung by a client, gallery or handyman, just like any other light fixture. If however, your neon is being fitted directly to a gallery or client wall, then your neon art piece will require specialist installation.

We work with several neon art installers and will make this process as easy as possible for you. They will need to know various bits of informations such as: Where geographically is the neon install location? Where will neon transformers be located? Will is the power supply located on-site? It may be that your installer needs to conduct a site visit in advance of the neon install, or they may be able to just use photographs and a telephone conversation. The specialist neon installer will quote and invoice you directly as a third party.

And Finally!

We’d just like to finish by reminding you that we’re here, in the UK, to help you bring your vision to life. You can consider us a neon art consultancy. You can consider us a neon sign making company. You can consider us an art advisor. Whatever it is that you need, feel free to give us a call and we’ll help with all of your work.