People need to know how to ship neon signs safely. These lighting fixtures are fragile and prone to damage. The older types made of glass tubing are bulkier and more fragile during transit. The newer LED versions are lightweight but prone to damage if you pack them wrongly.
Damaged neon signs of any kind are expensive and difficult to repair. Sometimes, the damage is beyond repair, warranting a costly replacement. So, read this guide to learn how to prevent neon sign breakages during transit.
How to Ship Neon Signs According to Their Types?
Before you turn your new neon signs over to a carrier like a ship, pack them safely. Fixtures of various kinds require unique packaging styles and materials. Here is how to ship neon signs of varying types:
Standard Neon Lighting Fixtures
Standard neon signs are made of brittle glass tubing, requiring methodical packaging. The shapes and sizes of standard neon signs may or may not allow you to pack them quickly and safely. Hence, follow these steps to pack a neon sign for shipping:
- Get a double-walled corrugated cardboard box. It should have a generous amount of protective foam inside. Insert your standard neon sign inside this box. Seal it tightly with cell tape or adhesive.
- Pick another wider and taller double-walled corrugated box to house the first one. Now, insert the first protective box inside the second one. Encircle it with protective foam to reduce the probability of damage to the neon sign during shipment. Place more foam above the first box to increase safety. Lastly, seal the top of the second box tightly.
- Third on how to ship neon signs securely; get a third box with protective foam and storage space. You want to be sure your standard neon signs will not shake or break. Most people will use only two boxes for packaging. However, a third box offers more safety when shipping glass-tubed neon signs to a distant destination.
- Seal the third box with a cell tape featuring the “Breakable” or “Fragile” label. The carrier workers will read this label and handle your cargo more carefully.
Acrylic LED Neon Signs
How to ship neon signs with a modern acrylic design is easy. Modern acrylic LED neon signs are less susceptible to breakage than the standard ones. Regardless, these fixtures require proper packaging before reaching the carrier. Here is how to ship acrylic neon sign without damage:
- Wrap your acrylic neon sign in protective plastic material.
- Place it inside a double-layered corrugated cardboard box. Add foam inside this box to prevent unnecessary movements and damage to the lighting fixture.
- The exterior part of the neon sign needs more protection because it is more prone to breakages. So, place a double-layered corrugated cardboard over its face to keep it shatter-free.
- Lastly, regarding how to ship neon signs made of acrylic, seal the protective box tightly with tape. This tape should have the “Fragile” label denoting that items inside the box are brittle.
Things to Reflect on When Packing Neon Signs
How to ship neon signs successfully begins at the packaging stage. To pack your new neon signboards correctly, first consider some crucial factors. Here are the most important ones:
- Mounted or Un-mounted – Some signs have mountings, and others do not. Thus, the best packaging boxes for un-mounted neon signs will be the wrong ones for mounted ones. The latter ones need more storage space, additional protective foam, and bubble wraps to reduce their odds of breaking.
- Size – LED and glass tubing neon lights offer a variety of sizes. When looking to pack and ship a neon sign safely based on size, consider buying double-walled boxes with adequate storage. Large signage will require a roomy box with enough space for the fixture and protective foam. Small neon signs with complex designs might use a more specialized packaging material.
- Value of the Neon Sign – How to ship neon signs also includes calculating their value. Some neon signs are too expensive and valuable to ship carelessly. These require the highest-quality packaging materials you can find near you. Lower value neon signs still require protection during transit, but you do not have to buy every packaging item. For instance, you can substitute bubble wrap for old newspapers.
- Shape and Design – Some neon signs are easy to pack and transport because they have simple shapes and designs. If your neon light has a complicated design, you must determine the most appropriate packaging material. If a typical two-walled corrugated cardboard box won’t work, then improvise a shipping crate. First look for online tips on how to build a shipping crate for shipping neon signs.
- Overall Neon Sign Weight – A vital factor to reflect on when learning how to ship neon signs is overall weight. Bulkier cargo in any carrier will attract higher shipping and insurance costs. So, prepare your wallet if your neon signs are large and heavy because you will incur higher costs. Also, bulky cargo requires more thorough packaging to prevent damage during transportation. That means you will spend more money on proper packaging materials.
- Number of Neon Signs - How many neon sign fixtures do you plan to ship? Even if you have many neon signs to ship, chances are that you need to pack them in separate boxes to minimize the probability of damage and losses. This is a vital thing to consider because it will affect your budget. The cost of packaging materials will increase.
- Travel Distance – Your lessons on how to ship neon signs securely also include the shipping distance. If the distance is long, your neon signs could use extra layers of protection. While this can inflate your budget slightly, it can reduce the risk of damage to the neon signs.
- Insurance Cost- Even after packing your neon signs correctly, they are still prone to damage due to unavoidable circumstances. For instance, a ship could capsize or collide with another sea vessel. In such an occurrence, you could lose your cargo. To handle a situation like this, you need insurance cover. This cover is a separate cost from your shipping expenses. As you discover how to ship neon signs, investigate if some carriers combine insurance and shipping costs or charge them separately.
- Shipping Rules in Your Country - Some countries do not allow people to import anything they want. Regarding neon lighting, you may not ship the mercury glass tube signs to your jurisdiction. Check with the customs department in your country to know if there is a law that prohibits citizens from importing certain kinds of neon lights. In short, learn how to ship neon signs correctly in your region.
- Types of Packaging Materials - If you can import the types of neon signs you desire, consider the appropriate packaging materials next. Focus on how to ship neon signs safely when selecting suitable boxes, foams, and wrappers. Any of these materials should absorb shock perfectly and reduce the odds of breakages. The most reliable type of packaging is a double-walled cardboard box with extra cushioning. Place soft foam on the sides and above the first packaging box to minimize movements and collisions. If dealing with acrylic neon lights, use a wrapper before placing them in a corrugated box with foam cushioning and an extra cardboard protective layer at the top.
Taking Care of Neon Signs After Shipping
If you master how to ship neon signs and do it successfully the first time, the work is not over. How you handle your neon signs after shipping can increase or reduce their longevity. Here are tips on how to do this safely:
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on unpacking and assembling your neon lights.
- Follow this step-by-step guide for seamless installation of your neon signs at home. You can eventually get a professional to assist you on the process.
- If your items are for resale, continue finding tips on how to wrap a neon sign for shipping. When a customer orders an item, you will not delay their shipment because you know how to ship neon signs safely.
- If you must clean your neon light, unplug it first to prevent electrical faults. Then, use a soft cloth or a tiny brush, water, and a washing liquid to clean the tubing. Reassemble and plug in the neon lamp only if the components are dry.
- Inspect Your Neon Lights Regularly – Do not send cracked or damaged neon lights to a customer. Also, do not insist on using a cracked neon light at your shop or home. Have it repaired first.
- Choose a Safe Area for Portable Neon Signs – A portable neon sign is prone to accidental falls or improper handling. Always put it in a safe position and handle it carefully.
- Do Not Allow Children or People to Touch Working Neon Signs – Although neon signs are safe to touch, they could fall if unstable. Do not allow kids to play with the neon signs or come near them to avoid unnecessary accidents. Even excited customers should not touch installed neon signs to prevent damage.
Winding Up
Shipping neon signs calls for methodical packaging and safe handling for sure. As you learn how to ship neon signs safely, consider the tips shared in this guide. Pack neon signs according to their types to reduce the odds of breakage. Also, think about the most crucial factors when packing your neon signs for shipping to see if you can cut your overall shipping costs.