Back to Insights

Custom 3-Sided Top-View 12×12 Flex Neon – Front White + 3 Black Sides, 84 LEDs/m, WS2811

Custom 3-sided top-view 12×12 digital flex neon with front white + three black sides, 84 SMD3535 RGB LEDs/m, 28 WS2811 ICs, DC12V, and 10m per roll. Designed for a client seeking a sleek architectural look.

Project Behind-the-Scenes

8 min read • By Elisa

When a client approaches us with a specific vision, we love the challenge of bringing it to life. Recently, we had the pleasure of working with Doug, a designer who needed a custom lighting solution that combined aesthetics, performance, and reliability.

The result? Our 3-Sided Top-View 12×12 Digital Flex Neon — a product that exceeded his expectations and became a key element of his project.


The Challenge: A Unique Housing Design

Doug’s project required a neon strip that would deliver bright, focused light while maintaining a sleek, professional appearance. He specifically wanted a front-white, three-sides-black housing design:

Requirement

Why It Mattered

Front white

To maximize light output and brightness for direct viewing

Three sides black

To minimize light spill and reflection, keeping the focus on the illuminated area

Sleek, modern appearance

To blend into dark backgrounds when viewed from the side — ideal for architectural installations where a clean, unobtrusive look is desired


Our Solution: A Custom 3-Sided Top-View Flex Neon

We developed a custom flex neon solution that met every requirement:

Feature

Specification

Product Name

3-Sided Top-View 12×12 Digital Flex Neon

Housing Design

Front white + other three sides black

LED Type

SMD3535 RGB

LED Density

84 LEDs/m

IC Type

WS2811

IC Density

28 ICs/m (1 IC controls 3 LEDs)

Voltage

DC12V

Power

16W/m

PCB Width

8mm

Cross‑Section

12mm × 12mm

Beam Angle

180° (3‑sided top‑view)

Connector

3‑pin JST (male/female)

Roll Length

10m per roll (customizable)


Key Features

1. Front White + Three Sides Black – Clean, Focused Light

This unique housing design offers several advantages:

Feature

Benefit

White front face

Maximizes light output and brightness for direct viewing

Black sides and back

Minimizes light spill and reflection, keeping the focus on the illuminated area

Sleek, modern appearance

Blends into dark backgrounds when viewed from the side — ideal for architectural installations where a clean, unobtrusive look is desired

2. 3‑Sided Top‑View – 180° Beam Angle

The 12×12mm profile provides three top‑view light‑emitting surfaces, offering a 180° beam angle for wide, even illumination — perfect for:

  • Letter signage and channel letters

  • Building outlines and facades

  • Display cases and shelving

3. 84 SMD3535 RGB LEDs/m – High Brightness

With 84 LEDs per meter, this strip delivers:

  • Vibrant, saturated colors

  • High brightness for excellent visibility

  • Smooth color mixing and transitions

4. WS2811 Pixel Control – Dynamic Effects

The WS2811 IC enables pixel‑level control:

  • 1 IC controls 3 LEDs (28 ICs per meter)

  • 256 grayscale levels per channel

  • Full‑color animations, chasing, and gradients

  • Compatible with standard SPI controllers

5. Compact 12×12mm Profile

The 12×12mm cross‑section with 8mm PCB width is compact enough for:

  • Tight installation spaces

  • Narrow channels and recesses

  • Discreet architectural outlines

6. 10m Roll Length – Extended Coverage

The 10m per roll length provides:

  • Longer continuous runs

  • Fewer connections and power injection points

  • Reduced installation time

7. Cutting Marks – Precise Sizing

The strip features cutting marks for easy, precise length adjustment — ensuring a perfect fit for any project.


The Result: Doug’s Feedback

After receiving and testing the samples, Doug’s response was clear:

“After testing the samples, I no longer hesitated and decisively chose this product for my project — because it truly looks amazing!”

His decision was driven by:

  • Exceptional visual quality – the front-white/three-sides-black design delivered exactly the look he wanted

  • Reliable performance – consistent brightness and color across the strip

  • Professional appearance – the sleek design blended perfectly into his architectural installation

This is exactly the kind of feedback we strive for — a client who sees their vision realized and is confident in their choice.


Applications

Application

Why This Strip Fits

Channel letters

Clean white front, black sides minimize light bleed

Building outlines

180° beam, compact profile

Architectural accents

Sleek design, high brightness

Signage

Vibrant colors, WS2811 pixel effects

Retail displays

Easy cutting, secure mounting

Backlighting

3‑sided emission for even illumination


Installation Overview

Step

Action

1

Plan the layout and measure required length

2

Cut at the nearest cutting mark if needed

3

Secure using aluminum clips, aluminum profiles, or flexible profiles

4

Install end caps (with or without holes)

5

Connect 3‑pin JST connectors to controller and power supply

6

Power on and enjoy dynamic lighting effects


Related Content

Looking for Custom Architectural Lighting?

This project demonstrates how we can adapt standard products to meet specific design requirements — from unique housing colors to custom lengths and control configurations.

Whether you need a front-white, three-sides-black neon or any other custom design, we can help.

👉Write to me for samples, technical support, or a quote.