How much do neon signs cost? A ready-made LED neon sign for a store window can cost under $150, while a custom glass neon sign with your logo can run into the thousands. The neon sign cost you pay depends mainly on whether the sign is LED or glass, how big it is, whether it is a stock design or custom made, and how complex the artwork is.
This guide lays out typical price ranges for each type, explains what pushes the price up, shows what a sign costs to run each month and gives real prices for stock LED neon signs, so you can budget before you order.
Neon Sign Cost at a Glance
The figures below are general market ranges drawn from typical sign listings. They vary by maker, materials and location, so use them for planning rather than as quotes.
- Stock LED neon signs (OPEN, ATM and similar): often around $50 to $200.
- Custom LED neon signs, small to medium: often around $150 to $600.
- Custom LED neon signs, large or detailed: often $500 to $1,500 or more.
- Custom glass neon signs, small to medium: often around $300 to $1,500.
- Large or complex glass neon signs: often several thousand dollars.
- Outdoor building signs with neon elements: priced as full signage projects, often including permits and installation.
If you only need a standard message such as OPEN or ATM, a stock LED sign is the lowest neon sign cost by a wide margin.
LED Neon Sign Prices by Size
For stock LED neon signs, size is the clearest price driver. Here is what ready-made signs cost at DFW Display & Fixture:
- 35x17 inch LED neon signs: $99.00. Options include ATM, Beer Cave, Beer Wine, Check Cashing, Cigars, Deli, Drive Thru, Glass Pipes, Hemp, Kratom and more. Browse the full range of 35x17 LED neon signs.
- 40x20 inch LED neon signs: $125.00 to $139.00. Options include ATM, CBD, EBT, Hookah, Kratom, Liquor and Smoke Shop at $125.00, with OPEN signs at $139.00. See our 40x20 LED neon signs.
- Circular neon signs: $125.00. Round designs for messages such as 24-Hour, ATM, EBT, Lottery and OPEN. View the circular neon signs.
Larger signs raise the neon sign cost because they use more LED flex, a larger acrylic backing and sometimes a stronger power supply. They also cost more to ship.
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How Much Is a Custom Neon Sign?
A custom neon sign usually costs more than a stock sign of the same size, because each one is designed and built individually. Expect the neon sign cost for custom work to depend on:
- Size: measured by the overall width and height of the sign.
- Line length: the total length of glowing line. A short word in block letters needs far less material than a full sentence in script.
- Number of colors: each color is a separate section of LED flex or glass tube, with its own connections.
- Complexity: detailed logos, small lettering and tight curves take more labor.
- Backing: clear acrylic cut to a rectangle is the simplest. Backings cut to the outline of the design, printed backings or colored acrylic add cost.
- Features: dimmers, remote controls, color-changing RGB LEDs and outdoor weatherproofing all add to the price.
- Turnaround: rush production usually costs extra.
A simple one-color custom word sign for a wall might sit near the lower end of the custom range. A multicolor logo several feet wide sits near the top.
How to Keep Custom Neon Sign Cost Down
- Choose one or two colors rather than four or five.
- Pick bold, simple fonts. They are easier to build and easier to read from a distance.
- Use a rectangular clear backing.
- Order the size you need for your viewing distance and no larger.
- Ask whether a stock design already covers your message.
Glass Neon vs LED Neon: Cost Compared
The type of sign has a bigger effect on neon sign cost than almost anything else.
Upfront Price
Glass neon generally carries a higher upfront neon sign cost. Every tube is hand-bent by a skilled craftsperson, then evacuated, filled with gas and sealed. LED neon uses factory-made flex that is cut and fitted to a design, which takes less specialist labor.
Running Costs
LED neon signs usually draw less power than glass neon signs of a similar size. They run at low voltage through a small adapter, while glass neon needs a transformer that steps power up to thousands of volts. Over years of daily use, that difference becomes a meaningful part of the total neon sign cost.
Shipping and Breakage
Glass neon is fragile, so packing and freight cost more, and breakage in transit is a real risk. LED neon is light and flexible, so it ships easily.
Repairs
A broken glass tube needs a neon specialist to re-bend and refill it. LED neon repairs are usually simpler, often a replacement section or power adapter.
Over the life of the sign, LED neon is typically the lower total neon sign cost. Glass neon remains popular for its authentic glow and craft value, especially for bars, restaurants and brands that want a classic look.
How Much Does a Neon Sign Cost to Run?
Electricity is the main ongoing cost. You can estimate it with a simple formula:
Watts ÷ 1,000 × hours per day × days per month × your electricity rate per kWh = monthly cost
For example, a sign drawing 20 watts, lit 12 hours a day for 30 days, uses 7.2 kWh a month. At an illustrative rate of $0.15 per kWh, that is about $1.08 a month. Check the wattage on your sign's power adapter and the rate on your electric bill to work out your own figure.
Ways to lower the running neon sign cost:
- Use a timer so the sign is only on during business hours or evening visibility hours.
- Choose LED neon over glass for long daily run times.
- Turn signs off in daylight hours if they face a bright window and are hard to see anyway.
How Much Do Neon Signs Cost by Business Type?
What a business needs from its signs shapes the neon sign cost more than the industry it is in, but some patterns are common.
- Convenience stores and gas stations: usually several stock LED signs for OPEN, ATM, EBT, Lottery and Beer Cave. A full window set can often be bought for a few hundred dollars in total, which keeps the neon sign cost per message low.
- Smoke and vape shops: stock signs such as Smoke Shop, Hookah, CBD, Kratom and Glass Pipes cover most needs, with a custom logo sign often added behind the counter.
- Liquor stores: Liquor and Beer Wine signs in the window, plus category signs inside. Most choose LED for the long opening hours.
- Bars, restaurants and cafes: more likely to invest in a custom logo or slogan sign as part of the interior design, which raises the neon sign cost but also gives the space a signature look.
- Salons, studios and boutiques: often a single custom script sign for photos and branding, sized for a feature wall.
- Events and homes: custom word signs for weddings, parties and bedrooms, usually small to medium LED neon.
A practical approach for a store is to cover the standard messages with stock signs and save custom work for the one sign that carries your brand.
Neon Sign Cost: Online vs Local Sign Shop
Where you buy also affects the final neon sign cost.
Online and stock sign suppliers offer fixed prices on ready-made designs and simple custom orders. They are usually the cheapest route for standard messages and ship quickly.
Local sign shops can measure your space, advise on visibility from the street, handle permits and install outdoor signs. Expect to pay more for that service, but it can be worth it for building signs and large custom pieces.
Glass neon specialists are the only option for authentic glass tubes. There are fewer of them, so lead times can be longer and prices higher.
Whichever you choose, ask for the size, number of colors, backing type, power supply and warranty in writing before you pay.
Other Costs to Budget For
The sign itself is not always the full neon sign cost. Depending on the project, plan for:
- Shipping: larger signs cost more to ship, and glass neon needs special packing.
- Mounting hardware: chains for window hanging, standoffs or brackets for wall mounting.
- Installation: usually do-it-yourself for indoor LED signs. Glass neon and outdoor signs may need a professional and an electrician.
- Permits: outdoor building signs often need a sign permit from the city. Check local rules before ordering.
- Timers and switches: an inexpensive plug-in timer pays for itself in saved electricity.
Is a Neon Sign Worth the Cost for a Store?
For most retailers, yes. A lit sign in the window tells passing drivers and pedestrians that you are open and what you sell, often from much farther away than a printed sign can be read. Messages such as OPEN, ATM, EBT, Lottery, Beer Cave or Smoke Shop answer a customer's question before they reach the door.
Because stock LED neon signs often cost less than $150 and very little to run, the neon sign cost is easy to recover if the sign brings in even a few extra customers. For more on how lighted signs affect traffic, read how LED storefront signs boost foot traffic and sales. For placement inspiration, see our neon light sign ideas for retail stores.
Choosing the Right Sign for Your Budget
Use these questions to narrow your choice. Answering them first keeps your neon sign cost in line with what the sign actually needs to do:
- What does the sign need to say? If it is a standard message, start with stock signs.
- Where will it go? Window signs need to be readable from the street. Counter or wall signs inside can be smaller.
- How far away are viewers? Larger letters for parking lots and roads, smaller for indoor displays.
- How long will it run each day? Long hours favor LED for lower running costs.
- Do you want your logo? That points to a custom sign and a larger budget.
- Indoor or outdoor? Outdoor signs need weatherproofing and may need a permit.
An OPEN sign is usually the first sign a store buys. Browse our open signs if that is where you are starting.
Buy LED Neon Signs in Dallas
DFW Display & Fixture stocks LED neon signs for convenience stores, smoke shops, liquor stores and other retailers, with custom text and design options available. Visit our showroom at 10793 Harry Hines Blvd #120, Dallas, TX 75220, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM, or call 361-339-0323 to ask about a sign for your store. We ship across the United States.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a neon sign cost for a small business?
A stock LED neon sign for a small business often costs under $150. At DFW Display & Fixture, 35x17 inch signs are $99 and most 40x20 inch signs are $125.
How much are neon signs with custom text?
Custom LED neon signs often start around $150 to $200 for a small single-color design and rise with size, colors and detail. Custom glass neon usually costs more.
Why do custom glass neon signs cost so much?
Each glass tube is bent by hand, then cleaned under vacuum, filled with gas and sealed. That skilled labor, plus fragile shipping, makes glass neon more expensive than LED.
Are LED neon signs cheaper to run than glass neon?
Generally, yes. LED neon runs at low voltage and usually draws less power than glass neon of a similar size, which lowers monthly electricity costs.
Does sign size affect neon sign cost more than design?
Both matter. Size sets the amount of material, while design complexity, line length and the number of colors set the labor. A large simple sign can cost less than a smaller, highly detailed one.
How long does a neon sign last?
Well-made LED and glass neon signs can both last many years. LED neon is less likely to break, since it has no glass tubes or gas. A longer lifespan also spreads the neon sign cost over more years of use.
