“How to Make a Neon Look Sign” is sponsored by Command™ Products. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Since moving into my first college apartment, I’ve dreamed about having one of those totally photo-worthy neon signs you see all over social media…until I saw the price point. At $200+ for a small sign, it wasn’t exactly a practical purchase for my tiny studio apartment. Instead, I decided to get creative with an inexpensive neon sign that will give you the same neon look! Bonus, this sign is so lightweight and easy that it can be hung with a few Command (™) Brand Products Large Picture Hanging Strips for damage free hanging in your college dorm room or apartment.
DIY NEON SIGN SUPPLIES
- EL Wire {$9.99}
- Acrylic board large enough for your selected word or phrase {12″ x 24″ at 1/8″ thickness for $12.00}
- a drill
- dry erase marker
- super glue
- masking or painter’s tape
- {$1.10 for lemons for your friend if you’re me, and your drill takes 40 mins to do one hole so you drill two holes and he does the rest with his much more powerful drill in exchange for lemons}
Click below to shop DIY neon sign supplies:
HOW-TO MAKE AN INEXPENSIVE NEON SIGN
Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Time to DIY your own neon sign: 1-2 hours depending on the length of your word or phrase.
- Trace your word or phrase
Using your dry erase marker, draw out your word or phrase. I preferred to use my own handwriting for this, but if you aren’t comfortable with that, type out your phrase in a font you like, print it, and trace off the print. EL wire doesn’t like tight loops or right angles, so I recommend using a script or round bubble font. To make sure my writing was even, I used an extra piece of acrylic to trace a straight line slightly under the center of my board with a dry erase marker to act as a baseline.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: after tracing your phrase, mark x’s where the drill holes will go. If you’re using a script font, you’re going to want to drill where the EL wire would overlap itself as if your pencil was tracing over it again. Examples of these letters include a, d, i, g, n, etc.
- Drill Holes
Drill holes where you previously marked x’s. Make sure your drill slowly, or you’ll risk cracking the acrylic {as seen below}.
- Thread EL Wire through
Thread your EL Wire through your drilled holes, tracing your letters and erasing as you go. As you go, add a drop of super glue periodically, press to set, and tape down with masking tape to hold. When finished, cut the excess EL Wire and secure at the back with a small piece of tape. If any wire from the back shows through to the front, cover it in masking tape.
- Secure to the wall with Command™ Strips
Secure to the wall with Command™ Large Picture Hanging Strips
Using four large pairs of Command™ Large Picture Hanging Strips for the acrylic, and one pair for the switch, secure your sign to the wall! Simply click the strips together, remove the backing off one side, and stick them onto the board. Then, press the board firmly on the wall. Remove the sign, keeping the other half of the strip on the wall, and press each individual strip into the wall for 30 seconds each. Wait one hour for the strips to set, then press your sign onto the wall again. Congratulations, you’re done, and your living space just got a little bit brighter!
Shop everything you need for a DIY neon sign below:
Thank you to Command™ Brand for sponsoring this post! Click here to shop Command™ Products to add your personal style to your living space.
If you decide to try this inexpensive neon sign DIY, take a photo and post it on Instagram tagging @eva_phan and #DarlingDIY. I want to see your take on it!
FAQ
Real neon signs should not be made at home by those who are untrained, but EL Wire neon signs can be made easily at home! EL Wire neon signs are way less expensive than genuine neon signs, and can be DIY’d in just a couple hours.
Real neon signs are only made by trained professionals in controlled environments. They should never be made by amateurs as making them can be a complicated process. EL Wire neon signs are easy for anyone to make, and far less complicated!
Looking for more fun DIYs? Click here, or the links below:
Felt Bow Pillow Case Cover DIY + Tutorial + Pattern
Minky Cuddly Bow Pillow DIY Tutorial
xx,
E
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Where did you get your supplies (acrylic and neon light)?