An illuminated signage system having a printed surface and at least one electroluminescent element embedded within the printed surface and a substrate layer or coupled between the printed surface and the substrate layer, and a rigid backing substrate. Also, an illuminated signage system having a non-opaque material with an etched portion that diffuses light from a light source adjacent to the non-opaque material and a printed layer having indicia visible through the non-opaque material. Also, a method of forming an illuminated signage system, the method including providing a printed surface, coupling the printed surface to a substrate layer, and embedding an electroluminescent element through the printed surface and into at least the substrate layer.
