Light Up Your Brand: A Guide to Different Types of Illuminated Signs
Illuminated signage is one of the smartest investments a Perth business can make, providing around-the-clock visibility and brand impact. Whether day or night, rain or shine, illuminated signs ensure your business name and key messages are always seen.
Typically powered by energy-efficient LED lighting, illuminated signs can be created in many forms, from lightbox signs and fabricated 3D letters to neon and pylon signage. With so many illuminated signage options available in Perth, it can be challenging to know which type best suits your brand.
Not sure where to begin? This guide explores the most popular types of illuminated business signage and the key factors to consider before choosing the right sign for your business.
Types of Illuminated Signage
Lightboxes
Lightbox signs are one of the most popular forms of illuminated signage in Perth, commonly used on shopfronts, building facades, and retail displays. These internally lit signs feature a translucent acrylic face that showcases your logo, graphics, or key brand message with maximum visibility.
As a cost-effective illuminated signage solution, LED lightboxes make it easy to update graphics while ensuring your business stands out day and night. They are especially popular with retail shops, hospitality venues, and businesses looking for consistent brand exposure in high-traffic areas.
Options include:
- Single or double-sided formats for both indoor and outdoor use
- Clear or opal acrylic faces, paired with translucent or custom cut-to-shape graphics
- Push-through LED lightboxes with acrylic letters or logos for a striking 3D illuminated effect
Stencil Cut Lightbox
A stencil cut lightbox sign is a creative twist on the classic illuminated signage box, designed to make your brand stand out. The face is cut from ACM (aluminium composite material) to form custom letters, logos, or graphics, with LED lighting shining through for a striking effect.
This type of illuminated signage is popular in Perth for shopfronts, retail fit-outs, and offices that want a modern, high-end look. Businesses often opt for stencil-cut lightboxes to showcase their brand with precision and style.
Options include:
- Push-Through: Acrylic elements extend through the cutouts, creating a dimensional, glowing effect.
- No Push-Through: Flat acrylic or vinyl backing allows light to shine through the cutouts for a clean, crisp appearance.
Fabricated illuminated letters
Fabricated illuminated letters, also known as 3D signage letters, are a premium choice for businesses in Perth wanting maximum brand impact. Each letter is individually built and illuminated with LED lighting, which can shine through the face, sides, or both, creating a clean, bold, and highly visible result.
This signage style is ideal for office entrances, retail shopfronts, and building facades where strong brand presence is essential.
Options include:
- Halo Lit: Mounted slightly off the wall, these 3D illuminated letters create a refined halo glow from behind, adding depth and sophistication. Popular for corporate offices and reception areas where first impressions matter.
- Face Lit: LED lighting shines directly through the letter faces, usually made from acrylic and available in a range of colours and finishes. Face-lit signs are very effective for exterior shopfronts and large-scale building signage.
LED Neon Signs
LED illuminated signage mimics traditional neon signs by using flexible, energy-efficient LED strips encased in silicone or PVC. They’re safe, low-maintenance, and incredibly versatile, ideal for bars, boutiques, or bold statement walls. In Perth, LED neon signs are a popular choice for businesses wanting the classic neon glow with modern durability and efficiency.
Illuminated Pylon Signs
Freestanding illuminated pylon signs are a classic choice for roadside visibility, designed to catch the eye from long distances. These tall, internally lit structures are often placed near busy highways, shopping centres, and service stations to maximise brand exposure and guide customers to your business.
Sometimes referred to as illuminated totems, pylon signs ensure your brand is seen day or night, in any weather conditions. They’re not only a powerful advertising tool but also serve as an effective wayfinding solution, helping customers easily locate your premises in high-traffic areas.
Digital Signs
Digital signs are fully programmable LED panels that display text, animations, or videos, making them one of the most dynamic forms of illuminated signage. Whether you need to showcase daily specials, promote upcoming events, or share important updates, digital signage grabs attention quickly and delivers messages with impact.
They are a popular choice in Perth for large venues, schools, local councils, and businesses that need to communicate multiple messages to a wide audience. With their flexibility and visibility, digital signs are an ideal solution for organisations that want to engage and inform customers in real time.
External Lit Signage
Instead of being illuminated from within, external or front-lit signs rely on dedicated external lighting. This type of signage is often used to extend visibility after dark by adding floodlights, spotlights, or gooseneck lamps.
External lit signage is a cost-effective way for Perth businesses to highlight existing signs or building facades without the need for a full illuminated sign system. It’s a practical solution for shops, offices, and commercial buildings wanting improved nighttime visibility.
Key Considerations Before You Choose
Here are the key things to consider when selecting what illuminated sign type best suits your needs.
Budget
Illuminated signage costs can vary widely depending on the design and execution. Standard LED lightboxes are one of the most cost-effective options, while more customised illuminated signs, such as fabricated 3D letters or large pylon signs, require more investment.
Factors such as fabrication, materials, size, and installation all influence the final price of illuminated signage in Perth. Understanding your budget early will help narrow down the best signage type for your business needs.
Branding & Aesthetic
Your signage should be a direct reflection of your brand. The overall design aesthetic, including colours, fonts, and finishes, plays a key role in how your business is perceived. A well-designed illuminated sign not only conveys professionalism but also reinforces brand consistency across shopfronts, offices, and commercial spaces.
When planned carefully, illuminated signage can enhance your brand identity in Perth’s competitive market and leave a lasting impression on customers.
Building Features & Planning Permission
The suitability of a site for illuminated signage often depends on practical factors such as existing fixtures, wall strength, and available mounting surfaces. These considerations ensure the sign can be safely and effectively installed.
In addition, local council regulations in Perth play an important role when it comes to planning permissions. Depending on the size, type, and location of the sign, permits may be required before installation can proceed. Working with an experienced signage provider helps streamline this process and ensures compliance.
Location
- Internal: Ideal for reception feature walls, directional signage, or standout illuminated pieces within office, retail, and commercial spaces. Internal illuminated signs create a professional first impression and help guide customers through your premises.
- External: Perfect for maximising brand exposure and attracting attention along busy streets or highways. Large illuminated logos, fascia signs, and freestanding pylon signage are highly effective for Perth businesses wanting to be visible day and night.
Visibility & Viewing Distance
Whether your sign is viewed from across the street, along a busy highway, or up close on foot, visibility is critical. Factors such as size, lighting strength, colour contrast, and materials all influence how effectively your illuminated signage captures attention and communicates your brand message.
For businesses in high-traffic areas, choosing the right design and brightness ensures your signage stands out both day and night.
Electrical Access
The location of nearby power sources and the ease of installation play a key role in determining suitable signage positions and lighting options. For illuminated signage, ensuring safe and efficient electrical access is essential to both performance and long-term maintenance.
Working with a professional signage installer helps identify the best placement and avoid costly electrical modifications during installation or maintenance.
Your signage partner
One of the most important factors in executing illuminated signage effectively is your signage partner. Partnering with someone who is skilled in delivering illuminated signage and works with you to understand your needs, brand, budget and unique requirements will be the biggest factor in your illuminated signage success.
Go Graphics has been helping Perth businesses for nearly 25 years, maximising brand visibility day and night through the delivery of custom-designed illuminated signage solutions. Our experience ensures every project is well planned, strategically executed, and built to last.
Whether you’re aiming to increase visibility in high-traffic areas, enhance your brand image, or make a strong impression after dark, illuminated signage is a powerful marketing tool and should be part of every business signage strategy.