LED Light Sheet Buying Guide | What to Consider

What Are LED Light Sheets?

LED light sheets are customizable lighting solutions used in various residential and commercial spaces, emitting uniform lighting for an even glow. Our light sheets come in industry-standard sizes: 24” x 12” and 18.9” x 9.5”. Color options include single CCT, tunable CCT, RGB, RGBW, and RGB+CCT. Their low-profile LED design generates less heat than many traditional lighting technologies, making them well-suited for shallow or enclosed installations when properly ventilated. LED light sheets are flexible and cuttable, making them great for custom projects. 

Applications

Light sheets are flexible for various installation areas, including:  

1. Backlit signs and graphics 

• Logos

• Directory signs

• Wayfinding signs

• Advertising graphics

• Building identification

• Menu boards

• Translucent printed graphics

2. Retail and POP displays

• Cosmetic displays

• Beverage displays

• Electronics displays

• Product pedestals

• Illuminated branding

• Endcaps

• Store fixtures

3. Architectural feature panels

• Translucent stone

• Onyx

• Resin panels

• Decorative glass

• Fabric

• Acrylic

• Perforated metal features

Note: When installing the lights in areas such as coffee tables, countertops, or epoxy tables, plan out where you want to connect the lights and hide the power supply. 

Tips to Maintain Lights Before and After Installation 

For your lights to operate as long as intended and to reduce the risk of product damage or failure, follow these guidelines before and after installing your light sheets.

Before

• Select a compatible, good-quality power supply. Installing power supplies with the wrong wattage or voltage can cause lights to malfunction. Power supplies should have a wattage that is 20% greater than the wattage of all connected sheets. Compatible power supplies will also be listed under ‘Accessories & Power Supplies’ on the product page. 

• Install in low-heat areas. Overheating can cause lights to dim, flicker, change colors, decrease the lifespan, increase power consumption, and more.

• Protect the lights from moisture in areas where they can get wet. Our light sheets have an IP20 rating, meaning they have no protection against moisture. 

• Pay attention to the max run. 

• Ensure the installation area has good ventilation.

• Use dimmers where appropriate. Dimmers increase energy efficiency, reducing the amount of power used by the lights and extending their lifespan.  

After 

• Regularly check wiring and electrical connections for signs of failure.

• Keep sheets free of dust and debris. Because these sheets only have an IP20 rating, they don’t offer protection against dust, debris, and other small particles. 

• Minimize handling and mechanical stress. Installing light sheets in areas prone to vibrations or impact can lead to early product failure. 

• If you install the sheets on a vertical surface, periodically check that the adhesive bond is holding. Use appropriate fasteners for added safety and reduced maintenance. 

Frequently Asked Questions About LED Light Sheets 

Can I Cut Light Sheets? 

Yes, LED light sheets can be cut to fit your installation area. However, you must cut along the pre-marked cut lines to guarantee the lights still work after being cut. 

Can I Connect LED Light Sheets Together?

Connect LED light sheets using XH or pigtail connectors. Light sheets can also be soldered together for a more permanent installation. Ensure you’re paying attention to the max run of the light sheets. Max run is the maximum number or length of light sheets that can be connected to a single power feed while maintaining acceptable voltage and brightness throughout the installation. The maximum run may also be limited by the 100W Class 2 power limit for 24V installations, where applicable. The specific max run length will depend on the fixture, with certain sheets having a max run of 1 sheet, and others can connect up to 5 sheets. 

What Are the Benefits of Using LED Light Sheets?

There are many reasons to consider using LED light sheets in both residential and commercial spaces. 

• Ease of installation: Installation of these lights is simplified with a double-sided adhesive backing, allowing you to attach the lights without requiring additional tools. If you want a more permanent installation, you can install the lights using the included mounting screws, but they must be installed only in the designated mounting areas between the LEDs.

• Full customization: Being able to cut, bend, connect, and change colors (if applicable) of the light sheets lets you install the lights exactly as needed for the installation area. 

• Multi-year warranty: All of our LED light sheets are backed by either a 5-year or 7-year warranty. 

• 90+ CRI: Select light sheets feature high 90+ CRI, meaning they provide great color rendering, making them a strong choice in retail stores, display cases, billboards, photography lighting, and more. 

Are Flexible Light Sheets Dimmable?

Our LED light sheets are dimmable using pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming.  The light sheets must be installed with a compatible dimmer power supply, low-voltage dimmer, or controller. Find compatible dimming accessories under ‘Accessories & Power Supplies.’ 

How Many Light Sheets Do I Need?

The number of light sheets you should use depends on both the size of the light sheet and the amount of area you’re covering. If you anticipate covering a larger amount of space, it would be more effective to use one of our 24” x 12” light sheets. 

Do These Lights Work with Smart Home Systems?

While the lights themselves aren’t integrated with smart home systems, they can be installed with a smart-compatible controller. Once the lights are connected to the controller, you can control the lights through the associated app with your smart device or, depending on the controller, with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. 

Get Started

Shop our extensive line of flexible LED light sheets now and elevate the look of your space. Choose between various color options, sizes, wattages, and more. For more information and other questions you may have, reach out to our knowledgeable team of product support specialists by calling 866-590-3533 or by filling out the email form.