US Partner USB teaser campaign for their Threadlites brand

The US Branding Group is the official partner of Luminous Media/Flashwear for branded apparel in the US. They understand their market and audience perfectly - as demonstrated in this campaign. The guys basically performed a various product tests in bars and clubs

This is the response they got from our shirts.

See more on Threadlites.tv

Bar tables a new form of media communications

The beauty of our animated EL posters is the fact that they are flat, thin and flexible. This means that we can apply them almost anywhere. Here we have used the application to the classic bar table seen here with a Heineken advertisement.



The table sits there and brings the advertising to life with the use of EL so while people are drinking and socialising they are also being communicated with. The table can also be fitted with a motion sensor so that it activates when someone is at the table or vice versa.

Luminous Media at Le Man

This year we were delighted to be commissioned by several of the race teams at the 2009 Le Mans to produce their illuminated number boards. Being a 24hr race the cars have to be identifiable at night.

This demonstrates not only a fantastic use of EL but also our ability to produce to some of the most stringent standards.

Well done Team RML, Modena & Corvette!

Washroom Media Opportunities - Using Mirrors

This is a fantastic new product we launched earlier this year which we are now packaging in to a
media opportunity for our partners. The product is a beautifully crafted 2 way mirror which is back lit and controlled buy a motion sensor. Behind the mirror and in front of the light panel we place a picture

The activation controls the light when it detects movement so it can be an advertisement 1st then a mirror when someone gets close - or vice versa.

Luminous Media - Battery Powered EL signs

We are always being asked about powering our EL displays using batteries. The main issue with this is that there is only a finite amount of time the batteries will last and of course this all depends on the size of the EL panel, how much of it is illuminated and what the sequence is.

In short, a panel approx A5 with 50% illumination in a sequence will last a lot longer than a panel A1 with 100% illumination permanently lit.

That said we have been making some tests recently because we do see a fantastic opportunity to revolutionise in store POS/POP where mains power is not always an option.

In our tests we used rechargeable D Cell Batteries with a power rating of 8000 mAh and AA Cells with a power rating of 2500 mAh

Results for an A4 panel with 90% illumination:

8 x D Cells = 45 hours

8 x AA Cells - 15 hours

Luminous Media Produce Automotive Components

OK - we have to be VERY careful here.

For the past 12 month Luminous Media have been working very closely with one of the leading suppliers to the Automotive industry to develop our technology for use as an internal lighting component. The path has not been an easy one - we admit that the project has been a challenge. But then again it is challenges and how we react to them which sorts out the men from the boys.

Right now we can't say who it is for and what it is - but we can say they look fantastic and when we can tell you more we will

Watch this space

Dewars Whiskey sees the light

Just a quick blog here.

We have just supplied a large order of these Dewars Whiskey window displays for South East Asia. We think they are quite stunning to be honest with you.

The face of the panel is treated with an electrostaic coating which means they can be stuck to the inside of a window.

Going Green & Lighting the future

Many will be aware of the energy efficient qualities associated with the use of phosphor in lighting. In fact our own range of EL Road Signs can save up to 80% of energy consumption when compared to the traditionally lit signs using incandescent lighting.

The statistic we quote (which does stack up) is that if a government body swaps 2000 of its traditionally lit road signs with our EL or LED road signs they will save themselves over 0.5 million pounds within 2 years.

With Government legislation across the EU making demands on countries to reduce energy consumption we realised a great opportunity. Being a lighting manufacturer using combined technologies which include EL, LED & Solar Power we have created a sister business called Elumin8 which is devoted to "eco lighting technologies". The new site is live at http://www.elumin8.com/ and we are seeing tremendous early interest.

Dispelling a few myths

In the years that we have been involved in the EL industry we have seen "solution providers" within the market place come and go; while we have seemingly grown from strength to strength. Many of our clients who have also been involved in EL for a while have asked us where we think our success has come from. Good question.

I suppose one of the easiest ways to answer that is that we very soon realised that in order to develop, produce and sell a good (in fact great) product we had to be in control of production. This doesn't mean making any bogus claims about being partnered with a factory but actually setting one up. That's right, find premises, buy the machinery, employ the specialists and start making the stuff. And we did just that.

However we then coupled this with a few other competitive edges - produce in Asia (like the rest of the world) focus on improving the quality, keep it western managed so clients round the world have someone to talk to at the "pit face", get a strong distribution chain round the world so that we can supply globally but provide a local level of service and expertise.

And that is about it.

But even so there are still one or two businesses out there making the claims that do an injustice to the industry as a whole. Only the other day a customer called us asking us to produce an EL lamp that would work for the "standard 30,000 hours" - yet the phosphor manufacturers themselves (who I think have a pretty good idea about this sort of thing) would only suggest a half life of 3,000 hours.


So a word to the wise - whoever you use to produce your EL products for you can I suggest you do so with your eyes open, eyes closed and carry a BS detector with you.

Alternatively pick up the phone to us

Flashing Star Wars shirts

Some 6 months ago we were at a trade show launching our new range of FlashWear products when we were offered the opportunity to take on a Star Wars licence. And frankly we bit their arm off at the shoulder. However for the past few month while still in negotiation with Lucas Film we couldn't really tell anyone and so we have been running around like a bunch of children the night before Christmas.

Well - Christmas is here, the deal is signed and the products are being created. We will be launching a range of hats, shirts and bags which illuminate using our Electro Luminescent panels. Light Sabres, blasters, rocket propelled R2D2 - they will all be coming to life using EL.

In fact we are confident in saying that these will be the 1st ever flashing star wars shirt in the world.

We anticipate the 1st products will be ready for UK & Ireland distribution by the end of September and we see them as being a sure fire hit. And lets not forget the other licenced products we have produced under the FlashWear brand; Star Trek, Space Invaders, Rolling Stones, Top Gun...

1st Blog - Why are we here?

No. That question isn't a quest for the meaning of life. It is meant a little more literal than that.

If you are reading this I am guessing that you have something to do with media products, out of home advertising, Electro Luminescence etc. Or may be you have landed here by chance. Either way I just want to say thanks for stopping by.

This is the 1st and certainly not the last Luminous Media post. Why are we blogging - well the answer to that is varied. We want to add this medium to our web presence as a way of keeping clients, investors, partners, friends and dare I say even competitors up to speed with what we are doing.

It may surprise you that I said competitors - but to be frank we welcome competitors who come to our site because of the fact that we feel more than secure in our position as one of the worlds leading manufacturers of EL products. So if you are a competitor (you know who you are) - welcome.

Another reason for us to start blogging is a way for us to communicate with you (the reader) in an informal and less sterile way. Websites are fantastic tools but lets be honest, the communication is one directional.

So here we are and hope to see you again soon.