How to Hang a Neon Sign - Step-by-Step Guide

We make hanging a neon sign super simple. Our orders all come with instructions and a guide. However, if you lost those instructions or need to re-hang the neon sign in a different location, we have this installation guide that walks you through the process.

The installation process should take 15-30 minutes, depending on your chosen method.

This guide is for customers who want to know how to hang a neon sign - either from a wall or from a ceiling.

Let's find out the easiest ways to hang a neon sign.

Determine the mounting location

You probably already know where you want to place the neon sign. Still, if you're going to understand and consider all aspects of placement, I wrote a longer article on how to correctly size a neon sign, including a section on choosing the correct location.

Select your desired position and then move on to the next step.

Prepare the mounting surface

There are two great ways to prepare the mounting service.

Firstly, if you bought from us, we provide an exact guide on where to mark the drill holes.

This design above shows small black dots, which are the pre-drilled holes. For this customer, they printed out the full-scale size of the sign, stuck the drawing to the wall, and then drilled the holes. This was a more complicated installation as there were five pieces of the sign, and they needed to be lined up perfectly.

Second, for most installations, customers can hold the sign up to the surface and poke a pen through each of the holes marked on the surface.

Also, our drawings show the locations where power wires come off the sign, which allows for hiding the cables in cavities or planning for power outlet locations.

How to hang a neon sign

Neon signs can be hung in two main ways: from a wall or from a ceiling. Customers usually mount their sign to a wall, as this is more stable and secure.

Hanging on a wall with metal pins (recommended)

This method involves mounting the neon sign 1/2" off the wall, suspended on small metal pins - This is our recommended method.

Steps to follow to mount with metal pins:

1. Mark the holes on the wall using one of the above methods.
2. Drill the pilot holes.
3. Insert a screw dowel into each hole.
4. Put the metal screw inside the body of the metal cylinder, and screw it into the dowel in the wall.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as required. Once completed, you will have metal cylinders positioned in all of the correct spots on the wall.
6. Place a washer over the mounting pin, and put the mounting pin through a hole in the acrylic backing and add another washer on the other side of the acrylic backing. The acrylic backing should be sandwiched between two washers and a metal pin going through the hole. It's easier to start at the top.
7. Push the mounting pin into the body of the metal cylinder and screw the pin in.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 as required.

Hanging on a wall with mounting screws

This method means the neon sign will be flat on the wall, with the backboard up against the drywall or brick surface. Mounting screws are supplied with your order so that you can do this easily.

Steps to follow to mount with screws:

1. Marking the holes on the wall using one of the above methods to prepare the surface.
2. Drill the pilot holes.
3. Insert a screw dowel into each hole.
4. Place a washer over the screw and through the hole in the acrylic backing. It's easier to start at the top.
5. Line the screw up with the dowel, and screw into the dowel into the wall.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the sign is mounted.

Hanging a neon sign from a ceiling with wire/chains

There is also the option to hang a neon light sign from the ceiling. We offer two methods to do this - wire or chains.

Steps to follow to mount with hanging chains/wire:

1. Measure the distance between the hanging holes on the neon sign.
2. Plan out the mounting location on the ceiling by measuring the same distance.
3. Mark the holes in the ceiling using a pencil.
4. Drill the ceiling mounting holes.
5. Attach the ceiling mount to the hole drilled, and ensure it is securely attached.
6. Attach the hanging chain to the sign and slide the sign into place at the correct height.

How to hang a neon sign without drilling holes

There are two options for hanging a neon sign on a wall without needing to drill holes.

Both methods are great for rental properties or testing out the location to see if you want to have the neon sign in that location more permanently.

Both methods use adhesive strips from 3M.

Hanging on a wall with 3M Double Sided Tape Pads

We offer the option to use 3M sticky pads - which are double-sided sticky pads with velcro in the middle.

Steps to follow to mount with double-sided tape:

1. Peel off one side of the tape.
2. Attach the pad to the back of the neon sign and evenly space between 4 and 6 pads.
3. Peel off the remaining side of the tape.
4. Mount the neon sign on the wall.

Hanging on a wall with 3M Command Hooks

These are 3M sticky pads with a hook backing. To hang a neon sign using a 3M hook, all you need to do is ensure your sign is designed to hang from the top and then use the 3M hooks with hanging wires.

Steps to follow to mount with command hooks:

1. Peel off the back of the sticky on the 3M Command Hook.
2. Stick the 3M hook in place on the wall.
3. Attach the hanging chains or hanging wire to the neon sign.
4. Loop the hanging chain or wire over the 3M hook.

When you make a mistake hanging with 3M sticky pads

Both 3M Sticky Pads and 3M Command Hooks can easily be removed, leave no sticky on the wall, and don't remove paint - making them perfect for people renting their home.

To unstick the pads or hook, simply pull the sticky part of the pad down, and stretch until the pad comes off the wall. 3M pads and hooks leave no residue on the wall, and don't remove paint.

Wall hanging equipment

We will supply the corresponding installation kit based on your requested installation method.

We supply one of these installation kits for wall mount installation.

We supply one of the below installation kits for ceiling hanging installation.

Links to our install guides

Download our high-resolution and printable PDF guides.

• Wall mounting with stand-offs (default).
• Wall mounting with screws.
• Wall mounting with 3M tape (no-drilling).
• Install with hanging wire (ceiling or wall).
• Install with hanging chains (ceiling or wall).

Connecting the power supply

After you have mounted the neon sign using the desired method, then its time to connect the sign up to the power and test it.

Our neon signs all come with the wiring pre-connected for you, so you don't need to mess around, however if you want to better understand how it is connected please see the steps below, and a diagram showing this connection.

Steps to connect your sign to the power outlet:

1. A power wire coming from the neon sign will be connected to the Dimmer Receiver - this box receives the commands from the remote control and manages the dimming and on/off of the sign.
2. There will be a wire from the Dimmer Receiver to another small box, the Step-Down Transformer. This box has a power cable that plugs into a regular power outlet.
3. Pick up the remote and ensure the batteries are inserted.
4. Plug the power cord into the power outlet, and using your remote control, turn the neon sign on.

Testing the sign

Once you have plugged the neon sign into the power outlet, you can turn the sign on, off, and try dimming the sign.

Test and make sure there is no unexpected flickering or dimming and that all elements with LED neon flex are lighting up as expected.

Concealing the wires

The final step to making sure your neon sign has a secure and professional look is to conceal the wires. Some customers funnel the cable into the cavity behind the drywall, some dig a channel in the brickwork, and some run conduit up the surface to the sign - the particular method of how you hide the wires is totally up to you.

After Installation

Sit back and admire your handy work.

Conclusion

I hope our installation guide has been thorough and covered all the different ways you may want to hang, mount, or suspend your neon sign in your space.

If you need more detailed instructions on how to hang neon signs, please email our customer service team.