Custom LED Neon Sign Pricing: How to Price Name, Logo and Wedding Signs
How to price custom LED neon flex signs: cost neon flex by the foot, the acrylic backer, power supply and packaging, add design and build time, then quote names, logos and event signs.
In this guide
Custom LED neon signs are popular for weddings, salons, game rooms and storefronts. They use flexible LED neon tube mounted on a cut acrylic backer, so they are safer and cheaper than glass neon. But the parts list is longer than it looks. This guide shows how to price a custom neon sign from neon flex by the foot, with worked examples for a name sign, a logo sign and a wedding sign.
- Neon sign price = neon flex (feet x cost) + acrylic backer + power supply and dimmer + hardware and packaging + design and build time, then overhead and profit.
- In the example below, an 18 in name sign costs $152.32 to make and sells for about $205.
- Measure the length of neon flex from the design path, then add 10% for bends and ends.
- Packaging matters. Large acrylic signs need custom boxes and foam to arrive in one piece.
Why neon signs are easy to underprice
The acrylic backer and the neon flex are obvious costs. The power adapter, dimmer, wires, standoffs or chain, and the big box are not. Together they can add $25 to $60 per sign.
The build also takes time: cutting the backer on a laser, routing the flex into channels or clips, soldering connections and testing. Script fonts with lots of small letters take longer than block letters.
The steps
1. Measure the neon flex length
Trace the design path and measure total length in feet. Script names often need more flex than they look. Add 10% for bends, joins and ends.
2. Cost the backer
Clear or black acrylic is usually 1/4 in thick. Cost the sheet area used plus laser cutting time.
3. Add power and hardware
Include a power adapter, a dimmer or remote, the cable, mounting hardware or chain, and connectors.
4. Add packaging and shipping
Large signs need double boxes with foam. Price the box and shipping into the quote, or charge shipping separately.
5. Count design and build time
Include the mockup, revisions, cutting, mounting the flex, soldering, testing and packing.
6. Add overhead, profit and card fees
Use about 12% overhead for the laser and tools, 25% to 35% profit, and about 3% for card fees.
Worked example: three neon signs
$30 an hour for design and build, 12% overhead, 30% profit and 3% card fees. Parts prices are examples only.
| 18 in name sign | 30 in logo sign | 48 in wedding sign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic backer and cutting | $12.00 | $25.00 | $55.00 |
| Neon flex at $4/ft incl. 10% | $24.00 | $56.00 | $96.00 |
| Power, dimmer and hardware | $15.00 | $20.00 | $28.00 |
| Box and foam | $10.00 | $18.00 | $35.00 |
| Labor at $30.00/hr | 2.5 hr = $75.00 | 4.5 hr = $135.00 | 7 hr = $210.00 |
| Overhead (12%) | $16.32 | $30.48 | $50.88 |
| Cost to make | $152.32 | $284.48 | $474.88 |
| Plus 30% profit | $198.02 | $369.82 | $617.34 |
| Cover 3% selling fees (divide by 0.97) | $204.14 | $381.26 | $636.44 |
| Suggested price | $205 | $382 | $637 |
Labor is the biggest cost on every sign. Standard designs, like popular wedding phrases, can be built faster once you have the file and process down, which is a good way to raise your profit.
Rental vs sale for event signs
Wedding and event signs are often rented instead of sold. A common approach is to rent for about 25% to 40% of the sale price per event, plus a refundable deposit. After four or five rentals the sign has paid for itself, and you still own it.
Bulk and custom order pricing
For a business order of matching logo neon signs, logo file prep and a mockup takes about 2 hr at $30.00/hr. Charge that once per order, then spread it across the pieces. Materials are $119.00 per piece and hands-on time is 270 minutes, which drops when you batch the same design. Overhead is 12%, profit 30%, and 3% covers card or invoice fees.
| Quantity | Setup share per piece | Cost per piece | Price per piece | Order total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $60.00 | $351.68 | $471.32 | $471.32 |
| 2 | $30.00 | $318.08 | $426.29 | $852.59 |
| 5 | $12.00 | $275.24 | $368.88 | $1,844.39 |
| 10 | $6.00 | $253.40 | $339.61 | $3,396.08 |
The price per piece falls from $471.32 to $339.61 because the setup is shared, not because you cut your rate. Quote the tier the customer actually orders, ask for a 50% deposit before you buy blanks, and set a minimum order size for custom work.
Neon sign quote checklist
- Neon flex length measured from the design path, plus 10%.
- Acrylic backer cost and cutting time.
- Power supply, dimmer and hardware.
- Box, foam and shipping.
- Design, build and testing time.
- Overhead, profit and card fees.
- A 50% deposit before you cut.
Turn a neon design into a clear quote
Type your parts, hours and markup into the peach cells. The calculator totals the job and shows the deposit and balance.
Get the Custom Order Quote CalculatorCalculators that help
- Laser hourly rate: Know what laser cutting time costs. Use the Laser Engraving Hourly Rate Calculator – Labor, Machine & Shop Rate.
- Acrylic signs: Price printed or engraved acrylic panels. Use the UV Printed Signs & Acrylic Panels Pricing Calculator – Substrate, Ink, Cutting & Hardware.
- Design fees: Price mockups and revisions. Use the Design & Setup Time Cost Calculator – Setup Fee, Proofs, Samples & Cost per Item.
- Shipping boxes: Find a box that fits and check dimensional weight. Use the Dimensional Weight & Shipping Cost Calculator – Billable Weight, Rates & Smaller Box Savings.
Common questions
How much does a custom neon sign cost?
Small custom LED neon signs often sell for about $100 to $250, and large wedding or business signs for $300 or more. In this guide an 18 in name sign prices at about $205 and a 48 in wedding sign at about $637.
How do you price a custom neon sign?
Measure the neon flex length, cost the backer, power and hardware, add design and build time, then overhead and profit.
Is LED neon cheaper than glass neon?
Usually, yes. LED neon flex is cheaper to make and ship, uses less power and is safer to handle. Glass neon is a specialized craft and is priced higher.
How much neon flex does a sign need?
Trace the design path. A short script name might need 5 to 8 feet, and a large phrase 20 feet or more. Add 10% for bends and ends.
Should I rent wedding neon signs?
Renting can work well. Many shops rent for 25% to 40% of the sale price per event, with a deposit.
What size neon sign should a business get?
It depends on the viewing distance. Signs for a wall behind a counter are often 24 to 36 in wide.
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