EL sheets offer a versatile media for designing any sort of display or lighting system.
EL sheets act much like a stiff piece of paper or thin cardboard. First generation sheets cannot be folded, however second generation sheets can be folded (but not creased).
Because of their flexibility, sheets can be attached to any flat or curved surface. They can be framed like a picture or hung like a banner.
Typically, sheets have only one connector for the electrical supply which will usually run along the outside edge of the sheet. This supply is sometimes called a bus bar. However, other connectors can be added for any custom order. Of course specially designed animated sheets will have several connectors to drive the various elements of the display. These connectors are usually joined to a ribbon cable.
Sheets are often called panels --- usually when referring to larger sizes. They can be manufactured in sizes up to 60 cm wide (about 23.6 inches) and lengths of 100 cm (about 39.3 inches). Typically, they are produced in European sizes from A5 (about 8.2 inches by 5.8 inches) up to A1 (about 23.4 inches by 33.0 inches). Of course these panels can be connected together to make larger sizes and they can be overlapped so that no seam is visible in a field of light.
Because panels are so thin, they are remarkably light. An A3 panel (about 16.5 inches by 11.7 inches) designed for a four-lamp flashing display advertisement with a 25 cm long ribbon cable and connector weighs only 110 grams (less than 4 ounces).
Sheets and panels can be produced in a full range of colors with green to blue-green being easiest and brightest, and a pure white tape yielding a pure white light being the most difficult. A white light can be produced by an inexpensive, pinkish, colored sheet. POWO designates the change from a light Pink when the lamp is Off to White when switched On.