Short answer: for display cases and shelves, use a dotless COB strip along the front edge of each shelf or the top of the case, aimed back toward the products. Choose a white that suits what you display, use CRI 90 or more so colours look true, and add a dimmer if the case sits close to customers. A COB strip shows a clean line in glass and polished surfaces where an ordinary strip shows a row of dots.
Where to put the strip
- Front edge of each shelf, aimed back. Light falls on the face of the products, not in the customer's eyes. This is the most common placement for retail shelving.
- Top of the case, along the front. One strip lights the top shelf and spills down through glass shelves below.
- Vertical in the front corners. Lights products from the side and works well in tall, narrow cases.
- Under a shelf, at the back. Washes the back panel and gives depth, especially with a mirrored or light-coloured back.
Why glass and mirrors need COB
Glass shelves and mirrored backs repeat every light point. An ordinary SMD strip appears as a row of bright dots, and then again in each reflection. A COB strip appears as one continuous line, so the case looks calm and the products stand out. See COB vs SMD LED strip for more on the difference.
Choosing a white for what you display
- 2700K to 3000K, warm: wood, leather, gold, bakery and anything meant to feel cosy.
- 4000K, neutral: mixed merchandise, cosmetics and collectibles, where you want true colours without a warm or cool cast.
- 6000K, cool: silver, glass, watches, electronics and a crisp, bright look.
Keep one white within a case so shelves match. Colour rendering matters as much as the white: at CRI 90 or more, reds, skin tones and packaging colours look as they should. See Choosing a white for LED strip lighting.
Powering a display case
For a freestanding case or a shelf near a socket, a USB strip plugs into a charger hidden in the base or behind the case. For built-in displays or several cases on one circuit, a 12 V strip with a power supply is tidier and handles longer runs. See USB vs 12V LED strip.
Installation tips
- Measure each shelf and plan cuts at the marked points; Linework strips cut every 5 cm.
- Clean and dry the surface before fixing, so the adhesive holds.
- Run the cable down a back corner so it stays out of sight.
- Use a dimmer where customers stand close: bright enough to show the product, never glaring.
- Linework strips are for indoor, dry locations only.
Specifying Linework for displays
- Linework Remote: USB with one remote dimmer, or a set of three remotes for multi-shelf displays, 0.5 to 3 m.
- Linework USB and USB-C: plug-in strips for freestanding cases and shelves.
- Linework 12V: for built-in displays and longer runs, power supply not included.
All are sold in packs of ten of the same white and length, from one pack. See the full specification.