EL Tape & EL Panels

Flat Electroluminescent Light.
Adhesive-Backed or Panel Form.

EL Tape and EL Panels are the same core electroluminescent technology in two form factors — EL Tape has an adhesive backing for direct surface mounting, EL Panels do not. Both produce a smooth, even, thin glow across their entire surface and can be cut to any shape. Parallel electrode construction — the right tool for costumes, accent lighting, props, bars, and short runs.

5–7K
Hour lifespan
Any
Cut to shape
EZ
Snap ready
IP68
Optional seal

EL Tape vs EL Panels — What's the Difference?

Same electroluminescent technology, two different form factors. The difference is entirely in the backing and how you integrate it.

EL Tape
Adhesive-Backed Strip
Peel, stick, connect, glow
BackingPressure-sensitive adhesive
FormLong strip on reel
ConnectorPre-soldered EZ Snap
CuttableYes — any length
Outdoor ratingIP68 available on request
Best forBars, accents, costumes, stairs, props
✦ The adhesive backing is pressure-sensitive — clean, dry surface required for best bond. For permanent outdoor installs, use Edgeguard sealant to protect the edges.
EL Panels
No Backing — Panel Form
Clean integration, any shape or size
BackingNone — mechanical or adhesive mount
FormPre-cut shapes or custom sheet
ConnectorEZ Snap (crimp or solder)
CuttableYes — requires sealing cut edges
White overlayYes — neutral appearance when off
Best forBacklighting, gauges, displays, signs
Browse EL Panels →
Coming Fall 2026
Need Long Linear Runs?
VynEL™ Reel-to-Reel Is the Answer.

Commercial and architectural applications — egress lighting, hotel accent rails, retail perimeters, long corridor runs — have historically used Split Electrode EL Tape. The problem most installers and designers have always hated: the visible split seam running down the center of the tape. It's a structural limitation of how Split tape is manufactured, and there's no workaround.

Rather than continuing to sell a product we don't fully stand behind, we're building the right solution: VynEL™ in a reel-to-reel format that supports long linear runs without a center seam. Same seamless, even glow across the full panel width — just in continuous commercial lengths. Arriving fall 2026. Get notified when it's ready.

Notify me when available
Technical Details

EL Tape can be cut to any length, but the cut edge exposes the electroluminescent layers to moisture and damage. For short-term or indoor use, a clean cut is often all you need. For anything that needs to last — particularly outdoor installs or anything that might get wet — the cut edges should be sealed with Edgeguard EL Tape Sealant immediately after cutting.

The cut is made perpendicular to the length of the tape. Cutting at an angle is possible and sometimes useful when fitting the tape into a tight connector cover. After cutting, do not leave the exposed edge unsealed for extended periods — moisture ingress at the cut edge is the most common cause of premature EL Tape failure.

✦ If you're cutting Parallel EL Tape and connecting your own ends, the Crimp Connectors and Silicone EL Tape Connection Cover in EL Accessories give you a clean, professional result without needing a full solder setup.

Standard EL Tape is rated for indoor use. Outdoor-rated (IP68) EL Tape is available on request — this version has a fully sealed construction that can handle moisture, rain, and humidity without ingress damage.

For indoor tape that needs to handle occasional moisture — bar tops, event installs, anything that might get splashed — Edgeguard EL Tape Sealant applied to all cut edges and connection points provides significant protection. It won't give you IP68, but it substantially extends the life of any EL Tape in a damp environment.

Don't submerge standard EL Tape. Even sealant-treated tape is not waterproof — it is moisture resistant at best. If your application needs actual submersion, contact us about fully waterproofed options.

All Parallel EL Tape ships pre-soldered with EZ Snap connectors — plug directly into any EL inverter that uses the standard EZ Snap format, which is the vast majority of EL inverters on the market including all Ellumiglow battery packs and wall units. The EZ Snap connector has been the industry standard for over 20 years.

If you need to cut the tape and reconnect after cutting, you have two options. The easiest method uses Crimp Connectors — punch them through the tape panel, one on each side of the electrode traces, and connect. No soldering required. The Silicone EL Tape Connection Cover keeps the connection protected and is flexible enough for costume applications.

For a more permanent or robust connection — or anything that will see heavy use — soldering is the better choice. See the Cut & Solder services page if you'd prefer to have this done for you.

EL Tape has a rated lifespan of approximately 5,000–7,000 hours at standard brightness. The technology dims gradually over time rather than failing suddenly — by the halfway point of rated lifespan you may notice a roughly 50% reduction in brightness compared to when new.

Brightness can be partially extended by using an inverter that runs at a slightly lower frequency — this reduces output but slows the degradation rate. For permanent installations where longevity matters more than peak brightness, discuss inverter options with us before specifying.

EL Tape is not the right choice for applications requiring consistent high brightness over many years. For those applications, Pixel-Free LED™ or LED strip alternatives are more appropriate. EL Tape excels where the thin profile, flexibility, and even glow are more important than raw brightness.

One of EL Tape's less obvious applications is as a flat frame light source for astrophotography. Astrophotographers use flat frames — evenly lit images captured through their telescope — to calibrate their imaging setup and remove sensor artifacts like vignetting and dust shadows.

The challenge with flat frames is getting a perfectly even, flicker-free light source. EL Panels are exceptionally well-suited to this because they produce completely even illumination across their entire surface with no hot spots, no flicker, and a thin enough profile to sit flat against a telescope aperture.

We offer pre-built Astrophotography Flat Frame Kits in standard telescope aperture sizes — available in the EL Panels collection. If you need a custom size for a non-standard aperture, contact us.

Need a custom size or outdoor-rated version?
We cut to order and can seal for outdoor.

Custom lengths, IP68 outdoor sealing, or commercial-scale quantities — contact us with your spec and we'll sort it.