LED Signs

The Upside of LED Signs

The details of indoor or outdoor LED signs can be a bit overwhelming. The acronym LED stands for light emitting diode, and these types of business signs have multiple applications if your company is looking for a custom sign.

You may have LED lighting in your home. The cost for these may be a little more than the customary lighting that has been used for the 50 plus years, but the efficiency makes up for the cost in the overall scheme of things. This follows the same trend within the sign manufacturing industry.
Here at Ortwein Sign Company, we have made the transition to LED  for all of lighted signs. This includes Channel letters, cabinet signs and any custom signage or sign branding we do that requires illuminated signs.

Let’s go into details around the positives of LED lights vs. standard high output lamps. Within the last few years, when the “lamp” companies were trying to maintain the strong hold of the lighting aspect of the sign industry, they claimed that the output of the high out lamps were fifteen percent stronger with luminaire production than the LEDs that were currently available. Now the tables have turned and the LED Luminaire can make the claim that their product is substantially stronger. Ortwein doesn’t recommend looking directly at a LED that is in full power, unless you enjoy seeing green and blue spots for the next five minutes. A big plus is LED lighting is stronger and has higher longevity ratings than the traditional lamps, and maintenance is low for LED signs.

Another positive to note is that over time the efficiency of the LED will pay for itself. This isn’t an immediate return, but through time you will notice the utility cost decrease on the LED signage.

Our team at Ortwein Sign Company would love to help you assess if a custom LED sign is right for your business. Give us a callas our Chattanooga, TN headquarters or reach out to our Nashville. TN office!

LED Sign FAQs

Q: What is an LED?
• LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LED’s are very different from light bulbs as they last for many years without burning out, generate significantly less heat, and consume far less energy. They typically require less than 1/10 to 1/40 the energy of incandescent light bulbs.

Q: Are all LED’s the same?
• No, there are many different kinds. LED’s come in many grades of quality and brightness. Ortwein Sign uses only the top grade of LED’s Our LED’s are Hi–Brite LED ‘s which allow easy viewing in direct sunshine.

Q: Are all LED Signs waterproof?
• No, All LED signs are not waterproof; but we do offer outdoor that are specially made with waterproof materials.

Q: Can an LED Display help my business?
• According to the SBA (Small Business Administration) businesses that employ LED signage typically see an increase of 15 to 150 % in sales revenue.

Q: How can I determine the viewing distance of an LED Sign?
• Our rule of thumb is 60 feet for every inch of the character size. I.e. 2” characters can be read from 120 ft. So by knowing the size of the character on the display, you can determine how far away the message can be read.

Q: What is the difference between color vs. monochrome LED Displays?
• Monochrome outdoor signs are typically offered in Red or Amber and use a single LED of that color. Hyperion Monochrome LED displays can display 4096 shades of the Red or Amber. Full Color Outdoor LED displays use a cluster of Red, Green, and Blue LED’s that are turned on and off in various combinations to result in Billions of color combinations. Monochrome displays are more cost effective and are typically used to display simple text messages and limited graphical images. Full Color Led displays can display text, graphics, and video images in endless combinations.

Q: What makes a quality LED Sign?
• As with any electronic device, it’s all about the quality of the engineering and execution of manufacturing with high quality components. The entire system should be designed and engineered in house. There are many so called “manufactures” out there who outsource the entire build overseas, shipped pre-built to the USA. These organizations have a severely diminished ability to implement QC and support the product long term.

Q: What are the main advantages of having a LED sign?
• They have high-levels of brightness and intensity
• They are very efficient
• They use Low-voltage and current
• Radiate Low Heat
• Reliable (resistant to shock and vibration)
• No UV Rays
• Long Life Span
• easily controlled and programmed

Five More reasons to consider a LED sign

As you explore ways to increase foot-traffic to your brick and mortar store, and build brand/company-awareness, choosing the right kind of custom sign should be high on your list. Each form of business signage has its pros and cons, but LED is always an excellent choice for any type of business. Below are 5 reasons to consider an LED sign when considering your options.

1. Digital signage drives actual results, our LED Signs provide a constant stream of new and interactive information that will grasp the attention of potential consumers and promote brand awareness without the need to continue spending significant amounts of money.
2. Impulse purchases will be more frequent if you use LED signage for outdoor advertising purposes. Your business can promote on-going discounts and receive traffic almost immediately after the advertisement goes live!
3. Digital Signage is bright and vibrant even during dark nights and gloomy days. LED signs work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide consumers with brand, product, and discount awareness without the need to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
4. LED Signs give you the biggest bang for your buck. When compared to billboards, radio, television, and newspapers, LED Signs are the most cost-effective, traditional media form. Aside from initial purchase, digital signage uses no more than a few dollars a week in electrical costs, it easily pays for itself.
5. All outdoor, digital signage options from Ortwein can be controlled wirelessly providing you with total control over your signs brand messaging and on-time. Allowing you to be as interactive as you please with potential customers.

Ortwein LED signs pay for themselves in the long run. If one advertisement does not reel in customers, you have the freedom to take a different approach without experiencing additional costs. Contact Ortwein Sign’s Digital and LED Sign professionals and we can create a unique, branded, signage solution for your organization.

Choosing a LED Sign and Message Center

Many would have you believe selecting an LED Sign or Message Center is similar to going down to Best Buy and selecting your new TV. Just get the largest size and resolution you can afford and you’ll be OK. Unfortunately it’s not that easy. People that don’t do their homework and seek out a reputable LED distributor and installation company are often very disappointed with their purchase.  Ortwein Sign’s LED sign considerations will help optimize your company’s marketing and advertising plan with the lowest cost per impression technology known.

So what should you take into consideration when purchasing your LED Message Center?

How do you plan to use your message center?

Will it be for…

• text only
• scrolling text
• images and text
• scrolling images and text

Do you want to utilize…

• Animation
• Color or monochrome
• Video

If using video, what aspect ratio will you need?

• 4:3 (Traditional)
• 16:9 (Widescreen)

How will your content will be viewed?

• Vehicle traffic (at what distance, angle and speed)
• Pedestrian traffic (at what distance and angle)
• What zoning restrictions apply
• Are there any unique installation considerations
• Access to power (electricity)
• Retrofit to current signage
• Accessibility for maintenance

Based on the above answers, which resolution should be chosen?

• 10mm & 12mm (high resolution)
• 16mm & 19mm (medium resolution)
• 25mm & 35mm (low resolution)

Warranty, Maintenance and Serviceability

• What is the warranty with your LED Message Center?
• Does your LED dealer provide a maintenance agreement for your new message center?
• Does your Message Center need to be cooled and will the air conditioner filters have to be maintained? If so, who will maintain them and what is the cost?

Software and Content Management

• How is easy it is it to create content in the Message Center Software?
• Can your LED Distributor provide content management services?

The Benefits of LED Display Signs vs Neon

Here are some pros and cons of choosing an LED sign instead of a neon sign.

• Price: The initial prices are roughly comparable, although LEDs tend to be around 10% cheaper to purchase.
• Reusability: Once you get a neon sign, there’s no changing it. LED displays can be updated as often as you like, with whatever messages you like.
• Power usage: LED displays use between 5 and 10 times less power than a comparable neon sign, leading to significant long term cost savings.
• Maintenance: Neon tubes have to have their gasses periodically refilled, something that is best left to a (costly) professional. LED signs require virtually no maintenance and can last up to around a decade before needing to be replaced.
• Sustainability: Neon signs are easily broken, made of glass, and contain noxious gases, which leak out. Ortwein can restore and repair them, but LED does not have this problem. Adaptive LED displays are also made in the USA.
• Brightness: LED displays are far brighter than neon. They can be seen from further away, even in broad daylight.

What about Neon?

Neon has a long history, having been used for nearly a century as an established technology, it’s reliable. It’s everywhere, all over the world, and finding dealers and repair facilities for neon signs is easy in virtually any city worldwide.

Additionally, many believe that neon light is more aesthetically pleasing. It gives off a much “warmer” light than LED lights do. Plus, thanks to its association with the Art Deco movement and countless films showing drizzly, neon-drenched city streets, it does have an undeniable romance to it.

Which Sign Should You Choose?

In short, if versatility and cost-effectiveness are priorities to you, LED display signs are the clear winner. However, if you’re going for the timeless nostalgic look and feel then a Neon Sign might be right for your business. Still Unsure? Our team at Ortwein Sign is here to help. 1-866-867-9208