Backlit sign: project layout suggestions

[ecclesiastes]

Looking for the project parts suggestions.
I have a sign holder: https://ac-order.staplesadvantage.com/i ... gavail_sc7
This is a sign for a microscopy facility, which is supposed to be dark. I want to place microscope instructions into such holders and have them evenly backlit. I'd be very thankful for any suggestions on how to realize that.

Thank you in advance.

[tastewar]

EL Panel? http://www.adafruit.com/category/81

[ecclesiastes]

Thank you, tastewar. There's a small problem with that - the sign is A4 size. I'm guessing there might be some LED solution as an alternative? But then the problem is how to make the diffuse light without making the whole assembly bulky.

[adafruit_support_bill]

If you can etch the sign directly into the acrylic, you can edge-light it with a few leds as shown here: http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2008/ed ... day-cards/

[ecclesiastes]

Thank you, I think I'll do that for some other signs, but for these instructions it wouldn't look too nice - too much text and there's a need to put a drawing there.

[adafruit_support_rick]

You don't necessarily have to etch the instructions into the plexiglass. If you rough-up a sheet of acrylic with sandpaper (or spray some clear satin varnish onto it), it will diffuse the edge-lighting. Put your instructions on a transparency, and they should light up nicely.

[tastewar]

Is the room *always* dark? If not, could you put some glow-in-the-dark plastic material behind a cutout sign?

[ecclesiastes]

Fantastic, I'll try that. Thank you!

[ecclesiastes]

Is the room *always* dark? If not, could you put some glow-in-the-dark plastic material behind a cutout sign?

Tastewar, interesting idea. I'm not sure it will glow enough through the paper with instructions printed, but worth trying.

[tastewar]

I think what you'd want is your instructions in a "negative" form, basically black paper with the words cut out...