LED Signage Core Analysis and Buying Guide
I. Technical Advantages of LED Signage
High Brightness and Energy Efficiency
LED signs are renowned for their high brightness, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight (such as outdoors). For example, Shenzhen's fully transparent, light-guiding illuminated road signs offer extended visibility in rainy and foggy conditions, providing a significant warning effect.
Compared to traditional signage, LEDs consume 60%-80% less energy, significantly reducing electricity costs over time.
Long Life and Low Maintenance
LEDs typically have a lifespan of 50,000-100,000 hours, three to five times that of neon lights, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
The modular design facilitates maintenance; for example, exposed illuminated signs can be restored to service by simply replacing a single LED.
Dynamic Content Management
Supports diverse content, including text, images, videos, and animations, and can be updated in real time via the cloud. For example, mall promotional information can be quickly adjusted to reflect current events, improving timeliness.
Environmental Adaptability
Waterproof, dustproof, and resistant to high and low temperatures, they are suitable for a variety of indoor and outdoor scenarios. For example, traffic signs must pass IP65-level protection testing to ensure proper operation in rainy and snowy conditions.
II. LED Signage Classification and Application Scenarios
1. Classification by Form
Horizontal/Vertical Signs: Commonly found on store walls or building facades, such as the "Suzhou Dade Signage" hospital garage sign (priced at ¥1.71 each).
Protruding Signs: Three-sided signage suitable for shopping mall entrances or landmark buildings.
Ground Post Signs: Used for ground-level directions, such as parking lot zoning signs.
Rooftop Signs: Billboards atop large buildings, requiring consideration of wind resistance.
2. Classification by Function
Traffic Signs:
Road signs, speed limit signs, construction warning signs, etc. For example, the Fuzhou "Xinqichen" solar speed limit sign (¥468) uses LED self-luminous technology, improving nighttime visibility by 300%.
Intelligently connected variable lane signs: Sensors adjust the signage in real time.
Commercial Signs:
Store signs, shopping mall signage, and digital menu boards. For example, Shanghai's "Shuomei" LED restroom signage (¥64.6) supports dual-sided illumination, meeting the needs of complex spatial navigation.
Public Service Signage:
Hospital department signage, school area signage, and airport boarding gate information screens. For example, hospital emergency exit signs must comply with the GB 17945-2010 standard and feature dual battery and power supply modes.
Creative Signage:
360-degree neon signs, transparent LED glass screens, and glasses-free 3D screens. For example, the "Vegas Sphere" spherical screen in Las Vegas, with a diameter of 100 meters and an 8K resolution, is designed for immersive advertising.
3. Classification by Process
Exposed Illuminated Signage:
Punched iron or stainless steel, with waterproof LED light strings installed, provides high brightness and is easy to maintain. For example, Dongguan's "Jiamei" solar radar speedometer screen (¥854.5) is suitable for highway monitoring.
Plastic Illuminated Signage:
Heat-molded acrylic sheets create a strong three-dimensional effect and are commonly used on storefronts. Borderless illuminated signs:
Optimize the light source arrangement to achieve uniform illumination across the entire surface and avoid spotting.
III. Key Indicators for Selecting LED Signs
Brightness and Viewing Distance
Outdoor signs require ≥5000 cd/m² to ensure long-distance legibility; indoor signs can reduce brightness appropriately to reduce light pollution.
Protection Level
Traffic signs must be IP65 or higher, while commercial signs can be IP43. For example, the Shenzhen "Xingsheng" solar-powered STOP sign (¥750) has passed salt spray testing and is suitable for use in coastal areas.
Content Update Methods
Choose a model that supports Wi-Fi/4G remote control, such as the "Absen" digital signage cloud platform, which allows for one-click management of global devices.
Energy Consumption and Cost
Compare initial investment with long-term electricity costs. For example, while LED signs are more expensive per unit than traditional signs, they can reduce overall costs by 40% over five years.
IV. Market Price Reference (July 2025 Data)
Type | Price Range | Representative Products |
Traffic Warning Signs | ¥95-¥1420 | Yangzhou "Yueyou" LED Illuminated Signs (¥47.5) |
Commercial Signs | ¥31-¥500 | Shanghai "Shuomei" Restroom Signs (¥64.6) |
Solar Signs | ¥268-¥427.5 | Dongguan "Jiamei" Arrow Signs (¥427.5) |
Creative Design Screens | ¥6688-¥100,000+ | Glass-Free 3D LED Screens (Customizable) |
V. Industry Trends and Recommendations
Technology Upgrade Directions
Mini/Micro LED technology is becoming increasingly popular, with resolutions increasing to P0.4-P1.0, making it suitable for high-end commercial scenarios.
Interactive signage is becoming mainstream, such as personalized advertising push using facial recognition in smart retail.
Purchasing Recommendations
Transportation: Prioritize products certified to the GB 5768-2009 standard to ensure compliance.
Commercial venues: Focus on ease of use in content management systems (CMS), such as support for multilingual switching and data analysis.
Public service venues: Consider accessible design, such as adding voice prompts or Braille signs.
Maintenance Tips
Clean the sign surface regularly to avoid dust and dirt; inspect the power supply circuit quarterly to prevent aging and short circuits.
LED signage, with its efficiency, flexibility, and durability, has become the preferred solution for information display across various industries. From traffic warnings to commercial advertisements, from static signs to dynamic interactions, its applications are constantly expanding. When purchasing, a comprehensive evaluation should be conducted based on scenario requirements, budget, and technical parameters to achieve the best input-output ratio.