Pixel-Free LED™ Knowledge Base
Pixel-Free LED™ — All Your Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know about uniform-glow LED strips — no hotspots, no visible dots, just smooth continuous light.
The Difference
What Makes It Pixel-Free?
Traditional LED strips place individual diodes far enough apart that you see the dots. Pixel-Free LED™ uses high-density or chip-on-board (COB) construction to eliminate that effect entirely.
Standard LED Strip
Traditional Strip
LED Visibility
Individual dots visible
Hotspots
Yes — bright points between LEDs
Diffuser Required?
Yes, to hide dots
LED Density
Low–medium (30–60 LEDs/m)
Light Uniformity
Uneven — varies between LEDs
Emission Direction
Forward only (~120°)
Bare-Channel Look
Poor without diffuser
Works fine for hidden runs where the strip itself is never visible, but any exposed application will reveal the dot pattern — especially obvious in cove and under-cabinet lighting.
Pixel-Free LED™
High-Density / COB
LED Visibility
No individual LEDs visible
Hotspots
None — smooth continuous glow
Diffuser Required?
Optional — looks great either way
LED Density
Very high — COB or 200–400+ LEDs/m
Light Uniformity
Perfectly even along full length
Emission Direction
Forward only (~120°)
Bare-Channel Look
Professional finish, no diffuser needed
The result is a continuous line of light — indistinguishable from a neon tube or custom light fixture. Perfect for exposed coves, retail displays, hospitality accent lighting, and anywhere the light source is visible.
Pixel-Free LED 360™
360° Omnidirectional
LED Visibility
No individual LEDs visible
Hotspots
None — smooth all-around glow
Diffuser Required?
No — illuminates all sides
LED Density
Very high — full circumference COB
Light Uniformity
Perfectly even, all 360°
Emission Direction
Full circumference (360°)
Bare-Channel Look
Designed for tube fixtures
Light radiates from every angle simultaneously. Designed for translucent tube pendants, neon-look builds, cylindrical signage, and any fixture where the strip is viewed from multiple sides.
Product Lines
Five Series. One Standard.
Every Pixel-Free LED™ series delivers the same dot-free uniformity — the difference is form factor, output level, and mounting method.
Trim Series
A slim, flexible silicone profile that bends 90° left or right — designed to seat cleanly inside standard aluminum channels. The most versatile Pixel-Free LED™ form factor for trim and accent runs.
Width
~8mm profile
Density
High-density COB
Output
Moderate — accent/trim
Best for:
Under-cabinet lighting, furniture accents, shallow channel installs
Base Trim Series
A wider silicone profile with a flanged base that press-fits into larger routed or extruded channels. Delivers more output than Trim and hides mounting edges for a finished-from-the-factory appearance.
Width
~12–16mm profile
Density
High-density COB
Output
Medium-high — display/cove
Best for:
Wide-channel cove lighting, retail shelving, millwork with larger grooves
On-Board / COB
Ultra-thin chip-on-board strip with a peel-and-stick adhesive backing — the slimmest Pixel-Free LED™ option. COB construction places hundreds of micro-chips in an unbroken line for perfectly seamless output.
Width
4–8mm strip
Density
Ultra-high COB (seamless)
Mount
Peel-and-stick
Best for:
Tight spaces, direct-to-surface mounting, wearables, ultra-thin fixture builds
Commercial Strip
High-output architectural-grade strip built for large-scale installations — hospitality lobbies, retail environments, and commercial cove runs where lumen density and longevity are non-negotiable.
Output
High — architectural grade
Voltage
24V DC (primary)
Rating
IP65 / IP67 options
Best for:
Hotels, restaurants, retail, large architectural cove and signage installs
360° Series
Emits light from all sides simultaneously — a full 360° around the strip. LEDs wrap the entire circumference, making the strip glow in every direction without hot spots or flat faces.
Emission
Full 360° omnidirectional
Profile
Cylindrical / round
Mounting
Tube, pendant, rope fixture
Best for:
Translucent tube pendants, neon-look builds, signage, decorative rope replacements
FAQ
Common Questions
Everything you need before buying, planning, or installing Pixel-Free LED™.
Standard LED strip places discrete diodes at regular intervals — typically 30–60 per meter. This spacing means you can see each individual LED as a bright dot, with darker areas in between. The result is a striped, hotspot-heavy light output that requires a diffusing cover to look acceptable.
Pixel-Free LED™ uses high-density or chip-on-board (COB) construction — hundreds of micro-chips packed so closely together that no individual light source is distinguishable. What you see is a continuous, even glow from one end to the other, with or without a diffuser.
No — that's one of its main advantages. Because the light source is already perfectly uniform, a diffuser is optional rather than required. You can run Pixel-Free LED bare in an open channel and it will look like a continuous neon-style line.
If you prefer a softer, more frosted look, a frosted or opal channel cover can be added. But unlike standard strip, you're making an aesthetic choice — not compensating for a technical problem.
All five series deliver the same dot-free uniformity. The differences are form factor, output, and mounting:
- Trim Series: Slim silicone profile (~8mm), bendable 90° left/right, fits standard aluminum channels. Best for under-cabinet and accent trim.
- Base Trim Series: Wider flanged silicone profile (~12–16mm), press-fits into larger channels, hides cut edges. Best for wide cove runs and display lighting.
- On-Board / COB: Ultra-thin peel-and-stick strip (4–8mm), seamless COB chip array, no separate profile needed. Best for tight spaces and direct-mount applications.
- Commercial Strip: High-output, architectural-grade, primarily 24V, available in IP65/IP67. Best for hospitality, retail, and large-scale commercial installs.
- 360° Series: Omnidirectional emission — light radiates from all sides simultaneously. Cylindrical profile designed for translucent tube pendants, neon-look builds, and any fixture viewed from multiple angles.
Pixel-Free LED™ is available in both 12V DC and 24V DC variants, depending on the series and model. Check the product listing for the specific voltage of the strip you're ordering.
As a general guide: 12V is common for shorter runs and residential accent work. 24V is preferred for longer runs and commercial applications because it allows more feet per driver without voltage drop issues.
Never connect an LED strip directly to mains AC power. Always use a compatible LED driver (see below).
Yes — Pixel-Free LED™ is fully dimmable. You'll need a compatible dimmable LED driver and the appropriate dimmer type for your setup:
- PWM dimming — most common; works by rapidly switching the power on/off. Flicker-free at high frequencies.
- 0–10V dimming — used in commercial applications with compatible drivers and controls.
- TRIAC / leading-edge — available with specific driver models for wall-switch dimmer compatibility.
Do not use a standard AC incandescent dimmer with LED strips. Always verify that your driver and dimmer are rated for each other.
Pixel-Free LED™ requires a constant-voltage LED driver — not a transformer, not an inverter. Key specs to match:
- Voltage: Must match your strip (12V driver for 12V strip, 24V for 24V strip).
- Wattage: Add up the watts per foot (or meter) of your strips, multiply by total run length, then add 20% headroom. Example: 5W/ft × 10ft = 50W → use a 60W driver.
- Dimming protocol: If you want to dim, choose a dimmable driver with a compatible protocol (PWM, 0–10V, TRIAC).
If you're unsure, contact us with your project specs and we'll recommend the right driver.
Yes. Pixel-Free LED™ strips have cut marks at regular intervals — typically every few inches (check the specific product for exact cut spacing). Cut only at the marked points using sharp scissors or a utility knife.
Strips can be re-connected using solder or compatible solderless connectors. If you're cutting and rejoining multiple segments, ensure the polarity is correct (+ to +, − to −) before powering on.
Pixel-Free LED™ is available in three IP ratings depending on the series and model:
- IP20 — No moisture protection. Indoor use only, away from humidity.
- IP65 — Water resistant. Protected against low-pressure jets of water. Suitable for damp locations (bathrooms, outdoor-covered areas).
- IP67 — Submersible. Can withstand temporary immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Suitable for wet locations and some outdoor applications.
Always verify the IP rating on the specific product listing before installing in any wet or outdoor environment.
Pixel-Free LED 360™ is a variant that emits light from all sides simultaneously — a full 360° around the strip. Standard LED strip emits forward only (one direction). The 360° construction wraps LEDs around the entire circumference of the strip.
This makes it ideal for installations inside translucent tubes, cylindrical channels, or any fixture where the light source is viewed from multiple angles. Common uses include: hanging pendants, neon-look tube builds, signage with translucent faces, and decorative rope lighting replacements.
Absolutely. The Commercial Strip Series is specifically engineered for architectural and commercial applications — high lumen output, 24V for long-run voltage stability, and IP65/IP67 ratings for demanding environments.
For large orders, custom lengths, or project-specific questions (driver sizing, channel specs, color temperature matching), we offer custom project support:
Start a Custom Project → — tell us your scope and we'll configure the right solution.
Getting Started
Installation in Four Steps
A straightforward process from bare wall to finished lighting. Each step has decisions — we're here to help with any of them.
Step 01
Measure & Plan
Measure the total linear feet of your run. Note any corners, curves, or breaks where you'll need to cut and reconnect. Plan your power injection points — for runs over 16 feet, feed from both ends or mid-point to avoid visible dimming.
Tip: Add 10% to your measured length for waste at cut points
Step 02
Choose Your Series
Pick the right Pixel-Free LED™ series for your application — Trim for narrow channels, Base Trim for wider grooves with a flanged finish, On-Board/COB for direct-stick and tight spaces, or Commercial Strip for high-output architectural runs.
Tip: Match the strip width to your channel internal dimension
Step 03
Select Your Driver
Calculate your total wattage (W/ft × total feet), add 20% headroom, and choose a constant-voltage LED driver at the correct voltage (12V or 24V). If dimming, select a dimmable driver with a protocol compatible with your dimmer switch or control system.
Tip: One driver per circuit — don't daisy-chain drivers
Step 04
Mount & Connect
Clean the mounting surface, peel the adhesive backing (or seat the strip in its channel), and press firmly in place. Connect the strip to the driver — observing polarity (+ red, − black). Power on and confirm uniform output along the full run before closing up any channels or covers.
Tip: Test before finalizing mounts — much easier to adjust now
Ready to Build?
Have a specific project in mind?
Browse the full Pixel-Free LED™ catalog, or tell us about your project and we'll help you spec the right strip, driver, and channel for a flawless result.
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