The neon sign design proof: what to send and check

Every custom sign we make starts with a design proof: a digital mockup that shows your sign before anything is cut. It is free, you can revise it as many times as you like, and nothing goes into production until you approve it. The proof is where you catch a misspelled name or a color that is not quite right, so it is worth knowing what to send and what to look at.

How the proof process works

1. You order your sign in the neon designer or on a product page, with your text or logo and the options you want.
2. We prepare a digital proof that shows how the sign will be made.
3. You review it and ask for any changes. Revisions are free and unlimited.
4. You approve it. That day starts the production clock.
5. We make the sign exactly as the approved proof shows.

What to send us

The more we know at the start, the closer the first proof will be.

• Your exact wording. Type it the way you want it to appear: capitals, accents, an ampersand or the word “and”, and where each line breaks. You can have up to 3 lines.
• A font. Pick one in the designer, or tell us the name of a font you like or send a picture of lettering you want matched. Any font can be matched on the proof.
• Colors. One color for the whole sign, a color per line or per word, or color changing (RGB). Several fixed colors cost nothing extra.
• A width. Measured across the widest line, from 20 to 120 in. Allow about 2 in per character, spaces included, on the longest line. Our size guide helps you choose.
• A photo of the wall, if you like. It helps when you are unsure about size or about a clear, black or colored backboard.
• Your logo file, for a logo sign. Vector files work best; a photo or a sketch is enough to begin. If you did not send it at checkout, we email you to collect it. See turn your logo into a neon sign for what works best.
• How you will hang and power it. Wall standoffs, ceiling cables, no-drill adhesive mounts or a free-standing base, and plug-in only or plug-in plus a battery box.
• Your date. If the sign is for a wedding, an opening or a gift, tell us the date so we can plan the timing with you.

What the proof shows

The proof is a picture of your sign as it will be made, not just a font preview. On it you can check:

• The width and estimated height.
• The lettering in tube. Thin lettering runs on one tube along the centre of each stroke; bold letters and solid shapes are outlined. Sharp corners are rounded to about 3/4 in (20 mm), because a tube cannot bend to a point.
• The colors of each word or part.
• Any UV printed parts. Details too small for tube, like a tagline under a logo, are printed on the board instead.
• The backboard shape and finish: cut to the design, a rectangle, each letter on its own board, or printed, in clear, black, a color or mirror.

Screens show colors differently, so treat the colors on the proof as a guide to which tube color goes where. If you want to see how a color looks switched on and off, our guide to neon colors on and off helps.

Asking for revisions

Ask for anything that is not right: a different font, a bigger name and a smaller date, a color swap, a tighter backboard, a line moved. Revisions are free and unlimited. A few tips make them faster:

• Put all your changes in one reply rather than several.
• Be specific: “make the date smaller and move it under the names” works better than “make it look better”.
• If you are unsure between two options, ask to see both side by side.
• For a logo, tell us which details matter most to you. If something cannot be drawn in tube, we will show it printed on the board.

Before you approve: a checklist

1. Spell every word letter by letter, especially names, dates and accents.
2. Check capitals, punctuation and line breaks.
3. Check the color of every word or part.
4. Confirm the width.
5. Confirm the backboard shape and finish.
6. Confirm the mounting and power choice.
7. Confirm indoor or outdoor.
8. Confirm your date, and whether you need rush production.

What happens after you approve

Your approval turns the proof into the plan for production, and the sign is made exactly as it shows. Standard production takes 15 to 20 days from the day you approve, then 3 to 5 days in transit in the US. Priority rush makes it in 10 to 14 days and Express in 7 to 9 days. If a date cannot be met, we tell you before production starts. You can follow the steps in how custom neon signs are made.

If you notice something after approving, contact us straight away. The earlier you write, the better the chance that a change can still be made before work on your sign begins.

Timing: how to keep your date

The proof stage is the part of the timeline you control. Each day a proof waits for a reply is a day added before production starts. For a fixed date, count back like this:

Step	Time
Proof and revisions	As fast as you reply
Standard production	15 to 20 days after approval
Priority production	10 to 14 days after approval
Express production	7 to 9 days after approval
Transit in the US	3 to 5 days

With standard production, that means about 4 weeks from approval to your door. For a wedding or an event, order early enough to leave room for a few rounds of changes. Our custom wedding neon sign and custom logo neon sign pages both start with the same free proof.