Journal
Neon Sign Blog & Guides
Trends in the neon industry and the modern challenges of a historic art form.
Everything here comes out of the day-to-day of making neon signs in Los Angeles — glass bending, LED builds, installs and the questions clients ask along the way.
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Buyers Guide to Neon Signs
The most comprehensive piece on the site: specs to ask for, how to vet a fabricator, realistic pricing, installation and long-term care — all in one place.
Industry data
Neon Sign Industry Statistics 2026
Market size, LED vs. glass adoption, and search-demand data for the neon industry, sourced and cited.
How Much Does It Cost To Run a Neon Sign?
A working neon shop's breakdown of what glass neon and LED neon actually cost to run each month in Los Angeles, plus a calculator you can slide to your own hours.
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How Much Does a Custom Neon Sign Cost?
Real ballpark pricing from our Los Angeles shop for glass neon and LED neon, by size and letter style.
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Why are neon signs so expensive?
Neon signs are expensive because they're still made almost entirely by hand — and because the craft, the materials, and the people who know how to work them are all getting harder to find. Here's what actually goes into the cost, from someone who bends the glass myself.
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LED vs Glass Neon: Which Is Right for You?
A quick quiz to find out whether LED neon or hand-bent glass neon fits your space, budget and use — with the reasoning behind the call.
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Buyers Guide to Neon Signs
Everything I think a buyer should actually know before commissioning a neon sign — the specs to ask about, how to vet a fabricator, how to maintain it after, and a few things almost nobody mentions until it's too late.
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Are Neon Signs Dangerous?
A look into if a neon sign is actually as dangerous as your gut thinks it is.
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So You Want to Learn the Dying Art of Neon Bending?
So you want to learn the dying art of neon bending? Well, good luck, kid... just kidding. Here's everything I actually know about breaking into one of the hardest crafts to learn right now.
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Can a Neon Sign Be Refilled or Recolored?
Technically, yes — a neon sign can be refilled or recolored. But the process only really works one direction, and once certain elements touch the glass, there's no going back. Here's how it actually works.
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How Do Neon Signs Work? A Neon Fabricator Explains
Neon fabricator Dani Bonnet explains exactly how neon signs work - the physics of gas discharge, the six stages of fabrication, why colors come from different gases, and what makes a sign last.
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How to Clean a Neon Sign (Without Wrecking It)
A working glass neon fabricator walks you through how to clean a neon sign safely - from dusting the tubing to treating the backing - without cracking glass or killing a transformer.
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How to Design a Neon Sign - A Glass Fabricator's Guide
Most guides on how to design a neon sign are about LED flex kits. This one is different - Dani Bonnet, founder of Neon Flamingo in Echo Park, LA, walks you through what the real, hand-bent glass neon sign design process actually looks like when you work with a professional fabricator.
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How To Fix A Neon Sign
Neon sign not working? Fabricator Dani Bonnet walks you through the 4 root causes of a broken neon sign, a step-by-step symptom checklist, what you can safely DIY, and exactly when to call a professional.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Neon Backings
The backing behind a neon sign is doing more work than people realize — it shapes the color, the light bounce, and how long the whole piece lasts. Here's how I think about material, texture, and durability when I'm building a piece.
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Best Neon Signs in Los Angeles: A Local Neon Artist’s Insider Guide
Dani Bonnet, founder of Neon Flamingo and a working glass neon fabricator in Echo Park, walks you through the best neon signs in Los Angeles - neighborhood by neighborhood, with craft observations no tourist guide can give you.
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Exterior & Outdoor Neon Signs: Installation, Durability, and What to Know
Outdoor neon has to survive weather, UV exposure, and years of continuous use — which means it's built differently than an indoor piece from day one. Here's what actually goes into a durable exterior neon installation, and how long you can expect it to last.
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Signs Your Neon Sign Needs Repair
Not sure if your neon sign needs a real repair or just a quick fix? Here's the gut-check I run with almost every customer — and it's right about 80% of the time.
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How to Choose a Neon Sign Company in Los Angeles
Not every "neon sign company" actually makes neon. Here's what I think you should actually check before you commission a custom sign — from someone who bends the glass herself.
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Are Neon Signs Making a Comeback or Are They a Dying Art Form?
Neon really did decline for decades — LED, cost, and changing tastes nearly killed it. Here's why that happened, and why I'm seeing it come roaring back with a new generation.
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The Great Battle Between Real Glass Neon and LED signs
I used to say glass neon wins if your budget allows it. I've changed my mind — LED is actually the better choice in a few specific situations. Here's how I actually decide which one to recommend.
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Custom Neon Sign Creation in Los Angeles
The article describes the process of creating a custom handmade neon sign, from concept to finished product, and explains how customization is possible. The steps involved in creating a neon sign include coming up with a concept, designing the sign, glass bending, gas filling, wiring, and assembly.
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Tell us your idea, rough size and timeline — we'll come back with a mockup and a quote.