When it comes to achieving bold, flexible, and long-lasting lighting effects, LED Neon Flex is one of the most innovative solutions on the market. At ArcLED, we offer a full range of Neon Flex options to suit a wide variety of applications—from decorative signage to architectural highlights and even heavy-duty in-ground installations.

But what exactly is LED Neon Flex, where can it be used, and what should you know before installing it? Let’s take a closer look.

What is LED Neon Flex?

LED Neon Flex is a type of flexible LED strip encased in a durable, translucent silicone or PVC diffuser. Unlike traditional glass neon, which is fragile and power-hungry, Neon Flex offers a safer, more energy-efficient alternative with the same iconic glow.

This lighting solution mimics the look of traditional neon but adds modern benefits:

• Flexible and bendable to fit contours and curves
• Waterproof and weather-resistant, suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• Low voltage and energy-efficient
• Available in various profiles and sizes

Where Can You Use LED Neon Flex?

LED Neon Flex is incredibly versatile, and it’s used in a wide range of settings:

1. Retail and Hospitality Design

Create attention-grabbing signage, logos, or ambient lighting for shopfronts, bars, and restaurants. Smaller sizes and side-bend flex types are ideal for detailed lettering or curves.

2. Architectural Features

Highlight building outlines, ceilings, coves, or stairs with sleek, uniform lighting. Use top-bend types for linear runs or where light needs to follow straight edges and corners.

3. Landscape and Garden Lighting

Because of its weatherproof properties, Neon Flex is a great choice for illuminating garden paths, patios, or exterior walls.

4. In-Ground Installations

Neon Flex is tough enough to be embedded in pathways or driveways, provided the correct installation process is followed—this is where injection moulding plays a key role (more on that below).

Choosing the Right Size and Type

Different sizes and profiles of LED Neon Flex are designed for specific tasks:

• 4mm x 10mm Micro Neon (side bend) – Ultra-slim and flexible, ideal for intricate logos, signage, and fine design work where space is limited.
• 6mm x 6mm (top bend) – Great for small text, decorative outlines, and tight curves where precision is essential.
• 8mm x 8mm (side bend) – A compact yet bright option for creative displays and accent lighting.
• 10mm x 10mm (top bend and side bend) – Offers a balance between visibility and flexibility, perfect for architectural accents.
• 12mm x 20mm (side bend) – A more robust option, perfect for lighting up pathways, driveways, and other garden features.
• 16mm x 16mm (top bend) – Heavy-duty and durable, recommended for outdoor or in-ground applications requiring high durability.

Choosing the right size depends on both the visual impact you want and the environmental demands of the installation.

What is Injection Moulding – And Why Does It Matter for Ground Installations?

For any in-ground installation, it’s crucial that the LED Neon Flex is completely sealed and protected from moisture, dirt, and physical pressure. That’s where injection moulding comes in.

Injection Moulding Explained:

This process involves sealing the ends and connectors of the Neon Flex with a high-strength, UV-stable resin. The resin is injected into a custom mould around the connection points, which then hardens to create a watertight and durable seal.

Why It’s Important:

• Prevents water ingress, which is the number one cause of LED strip failure.
• Reinforces connectors, so they can withstand weight and pressure when installed in concrete or paving.
• Ensures longevity, particularly in outdoor or high-traffic areas.

When installing Neon Flex in the ground, professional injection moulding is non-negotiable. At ArcLED, we offer these services to ensure your setup is robust and lasts for years.

Bend Capabilities

Although Neon flex is perfect for achieving the curved designs you may want, there are some important factors that you need to consider.  Do you need top bending strip or side bending strip?  Will your curve be within the bend radius of your strip?  How can I achieve a 90-degree angle?

What Does Top Bend Mean for LED Neon Flex?

Top bend refers to the way an LED neon flex light can bend vertically, like flipping the ends up and down. Imagine bending a strip over the edge of a table — that’s a top bend. This type of flex is ideal for shapes with curves that go up and down, such as arches or waves mounted flat against a surface. Because it bends perpendicular to the light-emitting surface, top bend flex is best suited for installations where the neon light needs to follow contours.

Understanding Side Bend LED Neon Flex

Side bend, on the other hand, allows the LED neon flex to bend horizontally, like bending around a steering wheel with the light facing you. This means the strip can follow curves that move left to right, making it perfect for signage, outlines, or designs that wrap around corners on a flat vertical wall. Side bend flex works well for applications that need smooth, sweeping motions, with the light always facing forward toward the viewer.

• Top bend or Side bend – Top bend strip will allow you to bend your strip up and down, side bend will go side to side. The easy way to visualise it is to picture the tape being wrapped around a barrel.  Top bend will shine outwards, and side bend will shine up or down
• Bend radius – The bend radius for Neon flex is 50mm. You can however achieve a smaller radius with the smaller tape.  Micro neon will be able to achieve a smaller bend radius then the large 16mm x 16mm strip.  You must keep the bend radius in mind when installing the strip, as if you try to bend too much, you could damage the tape.
• 90 Degree – The easiest way to achieve a perfect 90-degree angle is to have to individual strips butted together.  This will give the appearance of one strip but will mean that you are not going to damage the tape.

Accessories for Neon Flex

When it comes to ordering and installing Neon flex, you will need to consider what accessories will go with your tape.  As we have seen, there are lots of different sizes of Neon, and lots of different applications for each.

• Profiles – Neon tape can be mounted by using a straight aluminium profile or a bendable aluminium profile. Each tape will have its own profile to suit the specific size, so it is important to make sure you get the correct size for what you are buying.  The bendable channel will allow you to bend in the same fashion (top bend or side bend) as the tape you are selecting, allowing you to keep the curve of the tape whilst keeping it protected in a full profile.
• End caps – When you select your tail, you can either have a straight entry end cap, or a bottom entry end cap. This will decide where your tail comes out of the strip.  Straight entry will come off at the end and run straight away from the tape, whereas bottom entry will come vertically down from the light.  There are exceptions to think about.  RGBW can only be done on straight entry (unless injection moulded) as the solder points are too delicate to bend down to the bottom.
• Clips – There are also mounting clips that you can use to help you get creative with your design. You can screw the clip to your surface, and push the tape into it, gripping it in place.