Neon signs are a great way to attract people into your business establishment. Restored vintage neon signs are also becoming popular interior design elements in modern homes. These signs are made of bent glass tubes filled with inert gases like neon which glows when activated by electricity.
Whether shipping a neon sign to a buyer, restorer, or as a gift to someone special, proper packing precautions must be observed to ensure that the fragile item reaches its destination undamaged and in good condition. Here are some tips on how to ship neon signs.
Depending on its size and shape, a neon sign can either be double boxed or crated for shipping. Either way, the key is to pack it tight so the sign doesn’t move around while in transit. Also, do not allow the glass tubes to get in contact with packing materials or the sides of the box or crate. Place Styrofoam blocks that are a few inches raised than the glass tubes on strategic locations on the face of the sign. The blocks will prevent the glass tubes from touching the sides of the box/crate.
Use generous amounts of thick foam pads to wrap the back and sides of the neon sign. Also, use this material to fill up void spaces and prevent the sign from moving within its container.
Never use packing peanuts to fill empty spaces within the crate or interior box. You can only use packing peanuts when filling spaces between the interior and exterior shipping boxes.
Seal a double-boxed neon sign with heavy-duty packing tape, making sure that opening are well secured and seams are reinforced. Address and label the package with “Glass” instead of “Fragile”. Shipping personnel is more likely to take care of a package labeled with “Glass” because they don’t want to clean up the mess in case the item inside breaks.
Many carriers offer crating services for huge and fragile items. Hiring these professionals can ensure that a massive neon sign is properly packed for shipping.