Neon Light Workshop
Neon Light, one of the symbols of Hong Kong, always being shot as a background from different movies. Recently, people found that few of neon light signboard on the street now. So, some organizations like SignBoardHK have held exhibitions to deliver the message to the general public. However, because the outlook of neon light is beautiful, some imitation neon light workshops are getting popular, people want to have their own neon light. This photo essay is talking about how a workshop run and how to make an imitation neon light on your own.
The neon lights on the street used to be one of the most representative images of Hong Kong in the 1970s and 1980s. However, in recent years, due to the lights getting popular and the government's regulation over advertising signboard, neon lights have gradually been replaced, and many of them have been gradually removed.
Neon is one of Hong Kong's special cultures. Young people in Hong Kong are paying more and more attention to the neon light culture. Therefore, there are some workshops that teach people DIY imitate neon lights.
One of the shopkeepers, Ann Lam, has been operating a workshop for 3 years. She said that the preparation materials for imitation neon lights are very easy. The easiest way to make them is to prepare: 2 meters long LED wire, a piece of white paper, hot-melt glue gun, adhesive tape, scissors, pencils. It is easy to learn so that this type of workshops become a business opportunity.
Lam explained, firstly, you need to draw the words or patterns you want to make on the paper. She also reminded that the text is best to be scribbled so you can connect the words together.
Lam said many boys come to DIY neon to give a surprise for their girlfriends. This is not a complicated handcrafting which is also romantic. Lam and the tutors will guide them if they need help.
After fixing the LED wire on the paper, then glueing the LED wire with a hot melt glue gun.
Lam explained this step is the most difficult and dangerous because of the high temperature of the hot-melt glue gun.
"Some customers have been burned, so I will pay more attention and give more reminder during this step." said Lam.
After the hot-melt adhesive is completely solidified, the guest can cut out the text along the LED wire and pay attention to the keep an edge.
After that, bundle the extra LED wire with the tape for convenient yourself.
At last, bundling the configured panels and the extra LED light. Then the imitation neon light is finished.
“in recent years, more people have known the culture of neon light in Hong Kong, so the income from the workshop is good. Basically, there are 3-4 classes in one week. The minimum charge isHKD299, calculated for each neon signboard. Moreover, the shop is in the factory which means the rent is relatively cheaper.“Lam said.
It needs to spend around one and a half hour for making an imitation neon light. The LED wire has a similar effect in the dark, but Lam said that the LED wire has a shorter illumination time than a real neon light, and it is more susceptible to breakage.