You can make light-up decor out of wood, cardboard or even 3D printed plastic.

Las Vegas' brash glamour is hard to miss, like a million lights at night in the middle of a desert. Transplanting a bit of that style in your home or office can add a lot of fun to any room or party. A Vegas-style marquee sign makes quite the statement. 

Budget-Friendly DIY with Cardboard and Fairy Lights

For anyone who wants an approach that’s easy on the wallet, cardboard and fairy lights are a great way to go. For this style of signage, cut letter shapes from cardboard, paint them, and insert fairy lights through holes punched in the cardboard. The required materials and tools are minimal: cardboard, a craft knife, paint, and a string of fairy lights. The cardboard method is ideal for lightweight, indoor decorations. The approach allows for easy customization of letter sizes and colors.

A Classic Roadside Sign with Wooden Letters and Metal Flashing

This durable, traditional marquee sign is built with wooden letters and metal flashing. This letter shapes are cut from medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Metal flashing, attached around the edges, creates depth. Holes are then drilled in the MDF, light sockets installed and words are illuminated. Required materials: MDF sheets, metal flashing, screws, paint, and string lights with removable bulbs. Essential tools for assembly: a jigsaw, drill, and clamps. The build results in sturdy, professional-looking marquee sign suitable for events or permanent installations.

Lightweight Foam Board Display for Parties

Crafting letters from foam board makes for a display that’s portable and easy to handle. Outline letters on the foam boards, cut them out, and insert LED lights through the strategically placed holes. Required materials and tools: foam boards, a sharp utility knife, LED string lights, and adhesive. This marquee sign build can particularly useful for temporary setups like weddings or parties, where large, illuminated letters make a significant visual impact without the weight and complexity of wooden construction. See the full how-to at Instructables.

Vintage-Style with Corrugated Cardboard and Paint

To create a vintage aesthetic, the combination of wood and corrugated cardboard with paint and lighting can be surprisingly effective. Cut letter shapes from plywood, adding depth with corrugated cardboard. Finish with paint to create an aged look. Insert battery-operated string lights to complete the effect. Materials needed: plywood, corrugated cardboard, paint and string lights. The technique is ideal for creating signs with a rustic charm, suitable for themed events or home decor.

3D Printed Marquee Signs for Precision Customization

Anyone who has access to a 3D printer can create a marquee sign with high precision and customization. The process involves designing letter models using CAD software, 3D printing the sign pieces, and attaching LED lights into the printed structures. Required materials: filament for printing and LED strips or bulbs. The 3D printing method makes it possible to create intricate designs and is suitable for small scale signs or decorative pieces where detail and accuracy are important. For details on the build, check out the how-to at Instructables.