There are two identification methods, one is by hardness, the other one is by material composition. Scratch the surface with a metal blade. Organic resin-based self-luminous materials have low hardness and are easily scratched, while inorganic self-luminous materials have high hardness and leave no scratches. Burn with a windproof lighter. Organic resin self-luminous materials are flammable, produce smoke and a burnt odor, lose luminescence, and easy yellow. In contrast, inorganic self-luminous materials are stone-based and non-flammable, moreover, the higher the temperature the brighter the material.

In inorganic self-luminous signboards, inorganic mineral pigments for graphics and text are integrally fired onto the tile at thousands of degrees Celsius. They are wear-resistant, non-fading, optically stable with long service life.Organic self-luminous signs are printed with organic inks. They are not wear-resistant, prone to fading, optically unstable with short service life.