Electroluminescent (EL) wire is a cheap and easy alternative to traditional glass neon for “neon” looking signs. It’s much thinner than glass tubing (EL wire is about 2.5 mm in diameter) and is quite flexible, so it needs a frame to hold it into place. There are several ways to do this: clips on a pegboard, fishing line, and even clear tape can all be used to secure the wire in a desired shape. Two ways I have used is sandwiching it between laser cut clear acrylic and 3D printing a channel and frame for the wire.

CLOSED 24 HOURS

After buying several colors of EL wire, this was my first neon sign I made with the wire. I based the mounting design after others I had seen online. The wire is held in place with three layers of acrylic: a middle layer that routes the wire through the letters, a bottom layer with holes for access from one line to another, and a top retaining layer to hold the wire in place. The three layers are all held together with four nuts and screws. I used black masking tape to cover the in-between wire (though you can still see it peek through). Overall, I’m pretty happy with my first attempt.

Voyage to the Moon

This sign is based off of a famous frame from the 1902 French silent film A Trip to the Moon. I made this in much the same way as the Closed 24 Hours sign, but in this case left the paper backing on the acrylic so I would not need to cover up the in-between wire. Capturing the anthropomorphic moon’s frustration about having a spaceship shot into its eye was crucial for me.

Dodgers Logo

This sign was designed and made as a gift for a major LA Dodgers fan. I did not have easy access to a laser cutter to make an acrylic sign, so I made do with my 3D printer. The A’s center triangle and the outer LA outline are both glued to a thin T-piece that connects the two channels. The bends in the channel hold the wire in place in most sections, though I did need to tack the wire down with some superglue in spots. The battery pack also helps to keep the whole sign upright. The STL files to print your own are located here.