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How does Neon work?

Neons play a significant role nowadays. They are visible in the streets of big cities, small towns and villages. These neon lights can take the form of artistically curved shapes and letters. They add a colourful, glowing effect to each item that is made of them. A glowing logo, banner, sign on a restaurant, cinema or clothing store attract the attention of passers-by and encourage them to use the services or make pur-chases. Neon lights are an eye-catching idea that has been perfect for the advertis-ing industry from the very beginning.

The beginnings of the neon career

The very word "neon" is derived from the word "neos" and means "new gas". Neon occurs naturally in the atmosphere, but in negligible amounts. Neon gas was dis-covered in 1898 by William Ramsay and Morris Travers. However, it was George Claude who was the first to create the neon. He combined electric gases and then passed an electric current through them. The result of this experiment was dis-charge, visible in different colours. When the neon maker realized that glass tubes can be twisted in different ways, into different positions, he took part in an exhibition in Paris in 1910. It was the beginning of the glory of neon lights.

What is neon? How is it made?

Neon lights are glass tubes filled with inert gases. This fact means that the neon lights do not react with other chemicals. As soon as the gas fills the tube, several electrodes are connected to the end, at which point the energy transported by the volts contributes to the boiling of the atoms inside the gas.

What is the process of making neon lights?

The very process of creating neon lights consists of several significant steps and is a time-consuming and long-term process. As the first step, we always choose the project that we want to create. The next step is to print it on white, fireproof paper, on which we carefully mark the places where the material will need to bend. Then we can start shaping our tubes. This process takes place at a temperature of 800 ° C - 900 ° C, which is possible thanks to a tool called a ribbon burner. As soon as the glass becomes soft, and this happens after approximately 30 seconds, it is time to bend the glass to the desired shape. Then, after the melting and bending process, we start joining the electrodes at the end of each tube. Now we're hitting each of the tubes with a 20,000 volt electron bombarder. Towards the end, we must not forget to inject the gas used to make the element, and then we must stick the neon to another element made of wood or plastic. What else needs to be done? Turn on the light and enjoy the completed task. This is the last stage that allows us to verify the order we have made.

What colour is the neon?

Classic real neon is orange-red in colour. Red is visible in its pure form and in a transparent glass tube. Neon, whose colour is not classic red, informs us that it does not contain gas neon. It is generally known that noble gases glow in their own col-our when exposed to high voltage. So helium glows pink, krypton turns yellow-green, xenon turns lavender, and argon then turns light blue. Radon is also a noble gas, but it is the only one that does not react to electricity by shining with colour, and thus it is the only noble gas not used in neon.

More neon shades can be obtained by applying a variety of glass coatings that are used for the pipes. Therefore, when switched off, neon lights are white or colourful - in the latter case they are coloured. When delving further into the topic of neon col-ours, it is worth noting that classic red and classic blue neon are made of transpar-ent glass and, respectively, neon glass, as well as argon. However, all other colours can be obtained by manipulating the glass using fluorescent powders such as pink, purple or green neon as well as by tinting the glass.

Neon is an art in itself

Ever since the nineteenth century, neon lighting has spread around the world, many artists have become interested in its use in art. Neon lights began to be used in movies, TV programs and in modern art. Julia Bickerstaff, a famous neon design-er, has gained great popularity in the world. She made signs for Star Trek movies and for the famous hotel in Dubai. Bruce Nauman is another famous personality, a veteran among neon artists. He created dozens of designs and collections that he presented as his art in renowned, famous museums around the world.

Neons are certainly more than just "lights". It is real art, which nowadays also occu-pies an excellent position in the advertising industry.

2020.12.20

Pretende

Neon Led czy neon szklany?

Neon Led or glass neon?

Neon signs are one of the most popular advertising elements in marketing. They create colourful images, letters, logos or information for cinemas, restaurants, clubs, and companies. The art of implementing projects with the use of neon lights allows you to achieve unique and delightful effects. During the day they look very inconspicuous, only at dusk do they present themselves in all their glory. Neon lights sold by our company are perfect both inside and outside the building. This form of advertising is durable and resistant to harsh weather conditions. It is an ideal marketing investment for many years, which is why so many companies are choosing it. The undoubted advantage is also the large reach regarding the visibility of neon advertising. Such an advertisement does not require additional highlights, as is the case with banners or signs. In addition, the effective appearance of such an advertisement means that customers not only learn about the products or services of a given company, but also perceive it as trustworthy and recommendable. Perfectly presented glass neon lights add a professional character to the company.

We use the highest quality glass neon lights


Our company is characterized by market knowledge, many years of experience, and careful selection of materials and accessories appropriate for the implementation. We pay attention to the smallest details, which are extremely important in the entire process of creation and assembly. Therefore the whole realization takes on style and full precision. We use the highest quality neon glass from European and American producers. It is in the USA, the cradle of neon lights, which is associated with brightly lit Las Vegas, that the highest quality elements necessary for the production of this type of lighting are created. Therefore, the service life of our products is very long and pleases the eye even for several years of use. In addition, we have a properly adapted workshop, which is perfect even for the most demanding orders. This place facilitates the process of creating unusual compositions and interesting combinations for our clients. Highly specialized staff performs tasks that affect the final appearance and quality of our products.

Which neon to choose - LED neon or glass neon?


Often, customers ask us about the specificity of neon lights, their way of creating, and their durability. Due to the fact that we are supporters of glass neon, we often emphasize that the very process of creating glass neon influences their quality and durability. Glass neon lights are a tradition in itself. Over the years, they have been refined in terms of production techniques, made of more and more durable components. Therefore, they are more resistant to failures. They have been fulfilling their role perfectly for a century, enjoying great support among people choosing proven and original products. Various shapes and sizes are created from glass neon, while maintaining the authenticity of the colors. Contrary to an ordinary light bulb, glass neon lights can be easily formed into various shapes, because they consist of a thin tube, and the light in the neon is generated by the process of electric discharge in gases.

Where can glass neon lights be used?


Mainly, glass neon signs have been used for years as a form of advertising and providing information to many companies towards their potential customers. Recently, glass neon lights are also increasingly used to create various types of interior decorations, in particular lamps. They are also often used to illuminate furniture, stairs, or ceiling spaces. They are gaining more and more popularity in gardens, especially near ponds. This form of lighting is also extremely popular in bars and hotels. Illuminated rooms in entertainment spaces not only illuminate the rooms but also give them a unique character. The atmosphere created by neon lighting allows you to achieve the intended effects. These traditional forms of neon lights are appreciated by supporters of interesting and extraordinary designs.

Choose professional traditional neon signs by Pretende and enjoy the quality and professionalism!

2020.12.05

Pretende

aquarium-neon-on-the-wall-of-the-building-literature-covered-patina-neon-over-the-entry-to-restaurant-green-neon-on-the-elevation-of-the-building-neon-on-the-stage-under-glass (31).jpg

Neon as a unique and timeless form of communication

Four years ago…. I remember it like it was yesterday, in mid-October 2016, I received a mysterious phone call asking me to take pictures of several spatial advertisements in the Tri-City. My first thought was - "I should take pictures of billboards and store advertisements… It makes no sense". But on the other hand, as a photographer, I always value gaining photographic experience in undiscovered areas. After the first meeting with the boss of the Pretende company, I knew that they would not be just some hanging advertisements, but creative, modern and elegant, unique and eye-catching spatial advertisements. Not only are there spatial letters decorating various entrances, but also LED illuminated letters, exclusive golden letters or futuristic inscriptions made of wooden and stainless steel letters. However, none of them delight me as much as neon ads!

This is how my four-year-long adventure with various neon signs all over Poland began. And all of them came from one studio located between Gdańsk and Sopot - Pretende.pl. And there is no neon sign among them to repeat.

Most of you might say that you would have gotten bored with taking another neon photo a long time ago (after all, 4 years is a long time). However, let me tell you that each new order is even more interesting than the previous one. It is related, among other things, to the development of neon ads over the past few years. During this time, the forms that neon advertisements took have changed completely. We used to be able to watch simple neon signs above the entrance to a shop or a fitting room. Now, neon signs have taken on completely new shapes of company logos, inscriptions several meters long on the walls of office buildings (inside and outside), people and objects. I would never have expected that neon lights would become such a universal creative and unique form of advertising. Over the years, they have found their way to the windows of branded salons. They decorated the walls of restaurants and cafes, and now they advertise the largest music festivals. The material from which they are made (I cannot reveal too many details) is so plastic that you can create almost any shape from it, and the availability of their colours is limited only by our imagination.

Interestingly, I see neon lights decorating the walls of… our apartments more and more often. Because there is no better way to create the atmosphere of a modern industrial interior than to order an original, glowing neon, which, illuminated in the evening, attracts the attention of all household members and guests. In addition, neon is a great gift idea! Each of us would like his apartment to be unique but in the style in which we feel best. Thus, the neon hanging on the wall will suit any interior - you just need to think what it is supposed to represent, choose its colour and the right place ...

During these few years of cooperation, I have visited over 150 places in our country where there are advertisements made by Pretende. Most of them have neon lights. There are still many places ahead of me that I have not managed to visit with my camera yet, including foreign ones, because recently the Pretende company has also sent neon signs abroad. One of them was, among others, at the opening of the first LPP store in London, which was hosted by the well-known top model Kate Moss.

And let me tell you that in my work as a Pretende photographer there is no time for boredom. Each new advertisement, especially the neon one, brings delight, a large dose of curiosity and the desire to have your own neon on the bedroom wall. But this is only after the next renovation ... although the idea for shape and colour is already here!

2020.11.05

Pretende

Litery metalowe, reklamy z metalu, zardzewiała blacha

Metal letters, metal advertisements, rusty sheet metal

Korten steel letters, metal letters have an antique, rusty look. Raw steel letters or hot rolled steel letters, completely rusty steel letters have a natural appearance. They will rust over time if left outside. We are pioneers in making rusty steel letters. Our precise waterjet cutting technology will give you the exact shapes and patterns you need, with the faded look of antique rusty steel. They have been used in many architectural applications in indoor and outdoor office buildings in retail stores, and wherever a rustic, industrial antique look is desired. Rusty letters filled with neon glass, installed at Alior Bank's headquarters in the recruitment training centre section.

Rusty neon letters can be mounted on any wall surface, on interior drywall, exterior brick, stone, metal stucco using studs on the back of the letters. All our metal letters come with an installation template that shows where to drill the holes.

2019.05.24

Pretende

Dekoracja wewnętrzna – Neon Rocotillo

Interior decoration - Neon Rocotillo

One of our recent projects was the implementation of lighting decorations for the newly established Rocotillo restaurant, located in the largest business and office centre in the Tri-City.

For the purposes of the arrangement, we made a coffer with retro-style light bulbs and an aquamarine neon beautifully matching the interesting interior design of the restaurant.

2019.05.24

Pretende

Neon “Jestem z Gdańska”

Neon "I'm from Gdańsk"

At the request of one of the largest development companies in Poland, Echo Investment, we have realized the largest neon sign in northern Poland. Hand-bent neon glass creates the inscription "I'm from Gdańsk", which emphasizes the local character of the new investment - the Tryton Business House office building. The new neon light is turquoise. The width of the neon sign is 12 meters and its height is 4 meters - it is the largest neon in northern Poland. Many European cities have neon lights for which they are famous. Gdańsk deserves its new neon symbol. The thickness of the hand-bent neon tube is 18 mm.

We invite you to watch a short promotional film presenting the process of creating neon:

2019.05.24

Pretende

Reklamy świetlne – Spot promocyjny

Illuminated advertisements - commercial spot

We invite you to watch a short commercial spot in which we present some of the projects from our offer.

The video spot presents some of our projects of particular categories, such as: Neon signs - illuminated letters - letters with light bulbs – “textil displays” textile light boxes - Stainless steel letters - metal letters - gold sheet letters. We encourage you to watch a quick report of our daily work. We create light advertisements every day, the advertisements which we improve every day.

2019.05.24

Pretende

LED Neons: Acrylic LED Neon VS Flex LED Neon

Classic glass neon signs – gas-filled, full of noble nostalgia and characteristic light – have ruled the streets for years. They still impress with their charm. But the world changes, and so do our needs. Not everyone can afford the delicacy of a glass tube, especially in lively spaces like food trucks, festivals, or dynamic retail and hospitality settings. In such places, we start looking for alternatives. That’s how LED neons were born – durable, flexible, and just as eye-catching.

But “LED neon” is too broad a term today. In reality, we are talking about two entirely different worlds: acrylic LED neons and flex LED neons. Although they may look similar at first glance, the difference in craftsmanship, durability, and aesthetics is vast and hard to ignore.

How are they made?

 

Acrylic LED neons use an impressive technology: we start by precisely milling shapes from acrylic – letters, icons, symbols, even the tiniest details. Then we fill them with LED light – high quality, even, soft. The result? Perfectly clean edges, depth, and precise project reproduction. You can also choose where the light goes – front, side, back, or all around. Play with color – RGB, RGBW, transitions, halo effects. This gives the designer full control.

And flex neon? Well, it’s simply a flexible LED strip embedded in silicone. Its only real advantage – you can bend and install it quickly. But only if you don’t expect much. The strip can’t handle tight curves or fine details and always ends up simplified. It looks bulkier, less precise, and with less “wow.” As a commercial neon – flex doesn’t hold up in daylight (literally or figuratively). In professional spaces, it just looks cheap.

Durability and light quality: a gap between technologies

 

The acrylic neon’s strength lies in accurate shapes – refined, clean-cut letters and symbols. Durability? Unmatched. Acrylic resists impacts, doesn’t break like glass, and – importantly – it’s not flexible like flex. Its rigidity is a major advantage: acrylic neon is solid, stable, and doesn’t bend or deform under temperature changes.

Acrylic also acts as a light diffuser. This means letters and logos are illuminated smoothly and evenly – easy on the eyes. The light is soft and natural – comfortable even at close range.

Flex neons are the opposite. The silicone used doesn’t diffuse light evenly – especially blue tones become harsh and irritating. It strains the eyes and ruins the visual appeal.

What’s more, flex neon is unreliable – it’s made from cheap roll LED strips. Connections short, LEDs burn out. White flex turns pink, then dies. Dark spots appear – ugly up close.

From afar? Still bad – the glow is harsh and artificial, letters blur together, readability drops.

End result: what makes the difference

 

Acrylic LED neons simply look professional. With flame-polished surfaces, they shine and feel refined. The result is premium – evoking both elegant glass neon and luxurious 3D lettering. A branding upgrade.

Flex? Just a bent tube – often cut with a knife, glued by hand, full of imperfections. Far from professional. Not suitable for premium projects. Doesn’t inspire.

To sum up: not every glowing line is a neon

 

Sure, LED neon tape has its place – it’s cheap, quick, and decorative. But if you want more – quality, durability, standout aesthetics – acrylic LED neons have no rival.

This is next-gen lighting: combining modern tech with elegance. If you want your space to truly stand out – choose the solution that deserves it.

2025.07.17

PRETENDE