How do I choose between edge-lit and backlit LED light boxes for retail signage?

How do I choose between edge-lit and backlit LED light boxes for retail signage?

A:Edge-lit is thinner and gives more even light in shallow boxes up to about A1, which is why it is the usual choice for shelf talkers and menu boards. Backlit puts out higher, more uniform brightness across large panels, so it is what wall-mounted brand signage above roughly 600 mm is built on.

Edge-lit20–40 mm deep
Backlit60–120 mm deep
30,000–50,000 hUsable brightness

The four decision points

  • Depth available — edge-lit fits in 20–40 mm; backlit needs 60–120 mm behind the graphic.
  • Format and viewing distance — edge-lit up to about A1; backlit for large panels read from several meters away.
  • Serviceability — ask whether the LED module can be changed from the front without taking the frame apart.
  • Environment — chilled and humid areas need sealed diffusers and moisture-rated modules.

Plan for fading, not for failure

LEDs fade rather than fail outright. Expect roughly 30,000–50,000 hours of usable brightness, and specify a replaceable module if the sign will run for years, because a sealed unit means replacing the whole box.

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