We take great pride in making our clients feel confident about their jobs during the production process. To help you gain a better understanding of what

• 3D (three-dimensional) engraving

  A routing procedure where the tool bit can be moved independently along the up-and-down z-axis while still traveling an x/y-axis tool path. 3D engraving can create relieves and hand-chiseled looks while removing material from a substrate.

• abrasion resistance

  The ability of a given surface to resist scratching or scuffing due to contact or friction with another material. It is one measure of durability.

• acrylic

  Generic term for a type of durable plastic commonly used in sign making. Noted for its excellent clarity, acrylic can also be manufactured in a wide range of transparent and opaque colors. Its ability to be easily machined, shaped and painted explains acrylic's popularity. Plexiglas® and Acrylite® are well-known commercial brands of the material.

• ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

  Legislation enacted by the U.S. federal government in 1991 with the goal of removing barriers that limit a disabled individual's ability to engage in normal daily activity in the physical, public environment. Title III of the ADA deals with related signage and wayfinding issues.

• ADAA (Americans with Disabilities Accessibility Guidelines)

  A set of U.S. standards enacted in 1990 with the goal of ensuring equal access to public places and facilities for all persons. For signage and wayfinding, the ADAA defines proper letter forms and letter heights for best legibility, proper Braille and tactile lettering forms, and also appropriate signage materials and finishes.

• adhesive

  A material or substance able to bind and hold two surfaces together. Examples include glue, epoxy and tape.

• Adobe Acrobat®

  Popular software package used for viewing and printing Portable Document Format (PDF) files. The advantage of a PDF file is that it allows anyone to view and print a document as it was originally intended without having to install the program or fonts used to create the file. Adobe Acrobat is a product of Adobe Systems®, Inc.

• aesthetics

  The general perception of an sign's artistic merit or beauty, both on its own and in relation to its surroundings. The design, construction, materials and colors of a sign all factor into its aesthetic appeal.

• aluminum

  A lightweight metal material used in sign panels, poles and frames. It is strong and durable in relation to its weight, and resistant to rust and corrosion.

• ambient light

  The sum of all non-directional light in a given area emitted by all sources at a given time. A high level of ambient light can have an impact on a sign's readability, and can be a consideration in a sign's design. Outdoor sunlight creates a high level of ambient light.

• American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

  A private, nonprofit organization in the U.S. that works to develop manufacturing and quality standards across multiple industries. The organization also works with the committees of other nations to develop standards that facilitate international trade and telecommunications.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  Legislation enacted by the U.S. federal government in 1991 with the goal of removing barriers that limit a disabled individual's ability to engage in normal daily activity in the physical, public environment. Title III of the ADA deals with related signage and wayfinding issues.

• anodized finish

  A thin aluminum oxide coating applied electrochemically to the surface of a metal object. The coating hardens, protects and enhances the appearance of the object. An anodized finish can be created in a variety of colors.

• architectural signage

  A term used to describe signage in a built environment having the purpose of providing wayfinding or other site specific information.

• artwork

  Any and all logos, graphics and images used in creating a sign.

• awning sign

  A projecting sign made of non rigid material such as heavy canvas supported by a framework that is attached to a building's substrate. The awning sign extends outward from the building and so provides shaded cover and protection from weather for customers and pedestrians. An awning sign will have lettering and/or graphics painted or screen printed on its exterior surface. It may or not be illuminated. (See also backlit awning and canopy sign.)

• banner

  A sign made of non rigid material such as canvas or vinyl, and typically having no enclosing or supporting framework. Often intended for temporary use, a banner sign can be screen printed or painted, and is commonly hung from a pole or mounted to the facade of a building. (See also flag and pennant.)

• blade sign

  A type of projecting sign mounted such that the face of the sign is perpendicular to the normal flow of traffic.

• bleed

  1. In screen printing, the term refers to the portion of a printed image or graphic which extends beyond the intended borders of a sign. This excess portion is trimmed away. 2. Sometimes used to describe the halation where sharply contrasting colors meet on an illuminated sign.

• blockout

  A specially formulated paint or coating for use on electric signs to block light emission where needed, for example between letters in a neon sign. It adheres well to glass, and resists weather, heat and electrical discharge. (Also called blackout.)

• border

  A line or band of color or material that defines that outer edges of a sign and/or elements within the sign.

• box sign

  A sign that is self enclosed in a typically square or rectangular structure with or without internal lighting. Can be single- or double-faced. (See also light box.)

• Braille

  A system of small raised dots that represent the alphabet, punctuation and numbers for the visually impaired. The ADA stipulates the use of Braille on signage in certain instances.

• Braille beads

  Small plastic or metal beads that can be placed in the face of a sign to create informational Braille text as required by the ADA. (Also known as Braille bullets or ballpoint Braille.)

• brand equity

  The value a customer places on a branded product or service. It is the qualitative sum of everything that a customer thinks, feels and knows about the product or service. The value of brand equity can be determined by comparing the expected future revenue of the branded product/service against the expected future revenue from an equivalent but non-branded product/service. (See also branding.)

• branding

  The process of creating a unique, positive and recognizable identity for a product or service. Along with marketing and advertising, creating a visual identity through signage is an important part of the branding process. (See also brand equity.)

• brushed finish

  A textured, non-reflective polished finish applied to metal by lightly brushing the surface with an abrasive material or briefly applying a mildly corrosive chemical.

• building code

  Regulations issued by state and local governments that establish standards for the construction, modification and repair of buildings and other structures in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare. (See also content neutral time, place and manner regulations.)

• building mounted sign

  Any sign that is applied or attached to a building in some manner.

• CAD (computer aided design) software

  Advanced software used in engineering and manufacturing to create and modify complex 3D technical drawings of a device and its components.

• canopy sign

  A projecting sign made of non-rigid material such as heavy canvas supported by a framework that at one end is attached to a building's substrate and at the other end supported by one or more poles. The canopy sign extends outward from the building and acts as a roof over the area it covers, providing weather protection for customers, pedestrians and possibly even vehicles. A canopy sign will have lettering and/or graphics painted or screen printed on its exterior surface. It may or not be illuminated. (See also awning sign and backlit awning.)

• CAS (computer-aided sign making)

  General term for the use of design software and computer controlled manufacturing equipment in the sign-making process.

• cast metal sign

  Any metal sign that is made through a casting process. Aluminum and bronze are commonly used for cast metal signs such as plaques.

• casting

  The process by which a material such as metal or plastic is poured into a mold while in a liquid state and then allowed to solidify, thereby taking the shape of the mold and creating a copy of the original object from which the mold was made. (See also die-casting.)

• changeable copy sign

  A sign where the copy on the face can be changed at will either manually using attachable letters, mechanically using a rotating panel or electronically via computer-controlled bulbs, LEDs or LCD screen, etc.

• channel letter

  A three-dimensional letter formed out of channel into which a light source such as a neon tube may be placed.

• CMYK

  Abbreviation for the ink colors cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black. Combinations of these four colors of inks are used in printing to create all other colors.

• coat-out

  Painting the substrate of a sign with a coat of primer prior to applying the lettering and graphics.

• color contrast

  The subjective degree of difference in hue, intensity and saturation of two colors when seen next to each other.

• color separation

  The process of decomposing and separating a color graphic or image into its four constituent CMYK ink colors such that each color ends up with its own printing plate. The plates are then used in a printing press to reproduce the image on paper.

• concealed fasteners

  Fasteners used to mount signs to walls and others surfaces while remaining hidden from view. (Also called blind fasteners.)

• concrete sign

  A sign for which the substrate is concrete. A concrete sign can be cast or poured in place.

• conforming sign

  A sign that has been legally installed in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local regulations.

• construction site sign

  A temporary sign, typically large and freestanding, displayed at construction site to promote and provide information about the company or companies involved in the project. These can include the contractor, architect, developer, etc. (Also called a job site sign.)

• content neutral time, place and manner regulations

  Those sign regulations which specify, without consideration of the sign's content or message, how, when and where a sign can be displayed, including such parameters as height, size and location. (See also building code.)

• copy

  As a whole, the written message on a sign. (See also artwork.)

• copy area

  The area on a sign face that contains the copy.

• corona treatment

  A treatment process that alters the static charge of material's surface, making it more receptive to the application of inks, coatings and adhesives.

• corrugated board

  A sign board created by gluing a corrugated piece of material to a flat a piece of material, or between two flat pieces. The most common type of corrugated material used in sign making is plastic.

• coverage

  1. The square surface area that a given amount of paint, glue or other applied substance will cover. 2. The percentage of people in a market that are reached by an advertisement in a given medium, e.g. print, radio, TV and signage.

• curing

  The process of drying or hardening ink, glue or other substances through the application of heat or ultraviolet light.

• decal

  Screen printed lettering and graphics that can be transferred and affixed to another surface through the application of water or heat.

• delamination

  The separation of the individual plies (layers) in a laminated substrate. Typically caused by the failure of the adhesive between layers.

• density

  The ratio between the mass (weight) of a substance to the volume of space it occupies. In sign making, the term is commonly applied to foam boards and is expressed in pounds per cubic foot.

• deposit

  In sign making, this refers to the amount of ink applied to the substrate.

• design

  The clear and complete specifications for the appearance, structure and implementation of a sign. A design may include technical drawings, illustrations and written descriptions of the sign.

• die-casting

  The process by which molten metal is poured into a hardened metal mold and then allowed to cool and solidify, thereby taking the shape of the mold and creating a precise copy of the original object from which the mold was made or designed. (See also casting.)

• die-cutting

  The process of cutting material such as paper or vinyl using a steel blade (called a die) manufactured to cut a specific shape. The die-cutting process is typically used when a large number of items must be cut to the same shape or size.

• dimensional letter

  Any letter, logo or symbol that has a raised profile in relation to the sign substrate.

• direct illumination

  Illuminating a sign by means of an external light source directed at the sign face. (See also exterior illuminated sign.)

• directional sign

  A sign providing information, either written or visual, that helps direct a person to a destination.

• directory sign

  A sign that provides an organized list of names of people, offices or facilities located within a given building or area. Usually located at a public access point such as a building lobby, a directory sign may provide simple text listings or also include maps and other wayfinding information.

• DOT (Department of Transportation) symbols

  The set of standardized symbols developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for use in traffic signs.

• double-faced sign

  A sign having two faces mounted in opposite directions. Pole signs are typically doubled-faced. (Also called a back-to-back sign.)

• drop shadow

  The visual effect of creating a false shadow behind a letter or object by placing a darker colored but identically shaped copy of it behind it but slightly offset up or down and to one side.

• dye

  Any of a range of soluble compounds used for coloring fabrics. (See also pigment and stain.)

• electrostatic film

  A thin, electrostatically charged material such as PVC used for lettering and graphics on glass and other smooth surfaces. The static charge enables the material to firmly adhere to the smooth surface, yet still be peeled off relatively easily.

• engine-turned

  A process of using a tool such as a drill press to create uniform circle or swirl patterns on metal or gold leaf finish.

• engrave

  To incise (cut) a design into the surface of hard material such as metal using a handheld or machine controlled tool called a burin.

• epoxy

  A very strong, two-part adhesive--resin plus hardening agent--capable of bonding together a wide range of materials, including woods, composites and metals.

• etching

  The removal of selected portions of a layer of material from a substrate using a chemical or electrolytic process. Typically, a stencil is used to mark the areas to be etched and protect the other areas. (See also acid etching.)

• expansion anchor

  A type of anchor that is designed to expand inside the drilled hole it is placed, thereby securing itself by the resulting pressure and friction against the sides of the hole. Typically used to anchor awnings to concrete or masonry.

• eyelet

  A small metal or plastic ring that is inserted into a hole made in another piece of material. It prevents fraying of the material around the hole and provides a durable, easily threaded opening for rope or twine. (Also called a grommet.)

• facade

  The exterior walls of a building, especially the front or the most prominent side of the building.

• face

  Typically refers to the most prominent message area of a sign but may refer generically to any message area. (Also called sign face. See also panel.)

• fascia sign

  A sign mounted to a wall or other vertical surface. A flat sign that is mounted on a wall and the face of which runs parallel to the wall. A fascia sign does not typically project from the wall.

• fasteners

  General term for nuts, bolts, clips and any other mechanical device that helps hold a sign together.

• fiber-optic display

  A sign that utilizes fiber optics to create or illuminat the sign's message.

• fire retardant

  A chemical compound applied to a material that reduces the material's flammability and retards the ability of fire to spread across its surface. Fire retardant does not make the material fire proof.

• first surface

  That element or layer that comprises the outermost surface of a sign.

• flange

  On a sign, it typically refers to the 90

• font

  A set of letters and numerals sharing the same design characteristics. Examples of font sets include Times New Roman and Arial. (Also called typeface.)

• footing

  The base of a sign's supporting structure. The footing is typically secured to a foundation or other anchor such as a building's roof.

• foundation

  A concrete substructure that anchors a sign and its supporting structure to the ground. (See also footing.)

• four-color process

  A halftone printing process that uses the four essential ink colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) to create a full range of colors on a printed surface. (Also called process color.)

• freestanding sign

  A sign that is not attached to a building, has its own support structure and is typically secured to a foundation or with guy wires.

• galvanized steel

  Refers to steel that has been coated with a thin layer of zinc for corrosion protection.

• gateway sign

  A sign marking the entrance to a town, neighborhood, development, park or other public area. (Also called precinct sign.)

• gauge

  A unit of measurement for the thickness of sheet metal or wires. The lower the gauge number the greater the thickness.

• gold leaf

  A very thin type of foil made of gold and used in gilding.

• gradation

  The smooth transition from one color to another color, from black to white, or from color to the absence of color. (Also called gradient.)

• gradient

  The smooth transition from one color to another color, from black to white, or from color to the absence of color. (Also called gradation.)

• grommet

  A small metal or plastic ring that is inserted into a hole made in another piece of material. It prevents fraying of the material around the hole and provides a durable, easily threaded opening for rope or twine. (Also called an eyelet.)

• ground sign

  A freestanding sign that is not secured to a foundation or other secondary support structure.

• guy wire

  A rope or cable used to secure and stabilize mounted signs, or awning and canopy signs. It is attached to the sign on one end and the ground or a building at the other end. (Also called guy rope.)

• halftone

  The process by which a continuous tone image such as a photograph is reproduced and simulated using a pattern of printed or silk screened dots of varying size and equal spacing. At a normal viewing distance the reproduced image appears as continuous tone.

• hanging sign

  A projecting double-faced sign mounted to a wall or pole and hung from a bracket or support arm. (Also known as a projecting sign.)

• heat color-transfer

  A process of applying color to fabric whereby a pigmented resin is activated by heat and then pulled into the fabric with a vacuum applicator.

• hue

  A given color's tendency towards any of the four base wavelengths of visible light: red, yellow, blue and green. For example, if yellow appears more dominate in an orange colored ink, then that color orange would be said to have a yellowish hue. Hue is one of the three attributes of color along with brightness and saturation.

• identification sign

  A sign that provides the name of the business displaying the sign.

• ink

  Pigmented liquid used for screen printing, press printing, writing and drawing. Inks are either water-based or solvent-based depending on the application.

• ink receptive

  Refers to any material that will absorb ink and bond with it.

• interior sign

  Any sign located within a building or structure.

• italic

  A font style characterized by a distinct slant in the letters and numbers. (Example: ABC123.)

• J-bolt

  A 'J' shaped bolt that is threaded on the long straight portion of the 'J.'

• job site sign

  A temporary sign, typically large and freestanding, displayed at construction site to promote and provide information about the company or companies involved in the project. These can include the contractor, architect, developer, etc. (Also called a construction site sign.)

• JPEG (Joint Photographic Exports Group)

  A common file format for color digital images. The JPEG standard utilizes a 'lossy' data compression method, meaning that in order to reduce the overall size of the file a small amount of sharpness from the original image is sacrificed.

• kerning

  The act of moving printed or mounted letters further apart or closer together in order to achieve a desired effect. (See also letter spacing, tracking and justified.)

• kiosk

  A small, freestanding structure traditionally used for the posting of temporary signs and notices. May also be equipped with an interactive computer screen and provide services such as event ticket sales.

• lamination

  The process of binding together two or more layers of material by means of one or more of the following: heat, pressure and adhesive bonding. (See also delamination.)

• landscape format

  An image or sign panel where the length is appreciably greater than the height is said to be in landscape format.

• layout

  The overall arrangement of the graphics and lettering on the face of a sign.

• letter spacing

  A typographic term for the space between letters and words.

• light box

  A sign that is self enclosed in a typically square or rectangular structure and houses an internal light system for illumination of the sign face. (See also box sign.)

• line screen

  The resolutions of a halftone print measured in lines per inch. The higher the number of lines per inch, the higher the resolution of the resulting print. Most halftone printing is at a line screen resolution of 133 and 175 lines per inch.

• line spacing

  A typographic term for the space between lines or blocks of text.

• load

  Any measurable force exerted on a structure or object. Things that can add load to a sign and its supporting structure include water, snow and wind. (See also dead load.)

• logo

  A visually distinctive name and/or symbol that identifies a business, product or service. (See also trademark.)

• low profile sign

  A freestanding sign built close to the ground or on top of a base sitting directly on the ground. Often incorporates the support structure into the overall design. (See also monument sign.)

• luminous flux

  The total visible light energy emitted by a source in all directions, where the luminous flux is the radiant flux multiplied by the human eye's sensitivity. The unit of measurement for luminous flux is the lumen.

• magnetic sheeting

  A layer of magnetic material laminated to a flexible surface material such as vinyl that can be printed with lettering and graphics. Magnetic sheeting is commonly used for temporary signage that can be placed on the side of vehicles or other metal surfaces.

• mall signage

  A general term for on-premise signs located within a multi-tenant building or mall.

• margin

  The space between the any lettering or graphics and the border of the sign face.

• marquee sign

  A permanent structure attached to the front of a building and which incorporates a large message center. Typically illuminated and often ornate in design, a marquee sign projects over the entrance of the building and provides a canopy over at least a portion of the sidewalk or street. Marquee signs are often used by movie theaters and concert halls.

• matte

  Having a dull or non-shiny surface or finish.

• MDO (medium density overlay)

  An exterior grade plywood sheet that has been given a resin-impregnated overlay on one or both sides to improve its paintability.

• menu board

  A changeable point-of-purchase sign that provides a list of products and prices. It is a type of sign commonly seen in sandwich shops and other fast service restaurants where it is used to display the menu. (See also variable message sign.)

• mesh

  1. Any fabric or woven material having a loose or open weave. 2. In screen printing, the material through which ink or paint is applied to a surface.

• mobile sign

  A large sign mounted on a trailer or back of a truck. The sign may or may not be illuminated. (Also called a mobile billboard.)

• mock-up

  A full scale model of a structure. A sign mock-up is created to test and review in detail the appearance, legibility and other aspects of a final design. It is typically made of cheaper, less durable material than the final sign but given the same colors and finishes. (See also model.)

• monument sign

  A freestanding sign that stands directly on the ground or ground level foundation. A monument sign is often used to mark a place of significance or the entrance to a location. (See also low profile sign.)

• nameplate

  A small wall-mounted or freestanding sign made of plastic or metal that states the name, occupation and/or title of the occupant of an office, desk or building.

• negative space

  Empty or unused space (having no lettering or graphics) within the sign face. (Also called white space. See also positive space.)

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

  A U.S. federal government agency that monitors and enforces workplace safety laws.

• off-premise sign

  A sign that is not located on or directly adjacent to the business or property to which it relates. A billboard is an example of an off-premise sign. (See also on-premise sign.)

• on-premise sign

  Any sign that is located on or directly adjacent to the business or property to which it relates. (See also off-premise sign.)

• opaque

  Describes any material or substance through which light does not pass, i.e. it is neither transparent nor translucent.

• pan face

  A plastic sign face that has had three dimensional lettering or graphical elements vacuum molded (embossed) into its surface. (Also called embossed plastic face sign.)

• Pantone Matching System (PMS)

  A standardized color scheme used in the printing industry to ensure the consistency of color from design to final print.

• parapet

  A low wall built along the edge of a building's roof.

• pattern

  A full-scale design layout of a sign or its components such as the neon tubing or lettering. (See also pounce pattern.)

• permanent sign

  Any sign that is affixed to a building or structure in such a manner as to give it the support necessary to resist environmental loads over time and to preclude easy removal.

• permit

  A legal document (license) granted by the appropriate government agency that gives official permission to take a specific action, e.g. erect a sign.

• photopolymer

  A type of plastic having a photosensitive coating which can be masked and photo-etched to create a tactile sign message. It is commonly used for ADA signage that requires Braille lettering.

• pigment

  A natural or synthetic insoluble compound used to infuse color into other materials such as paints and inks. (See also dye and stain.)

• plaque

  An inscribed, commemorative plate or tablet, usually of metal, placed on a building, monument or the like.

• plastic

  A generic term for a wide range of synthetic materials which consist of long chains of polymers that are moldable and soften when heated. Many plastics used in the sign industry are of the thermoplastic variety, which means they can melt and solidify repeatedly.

• Plexiglas

  The trade name for a brand of acrylic sheeting, which (like Kleenex) is often mistakenly used as a generic term.

• plywood

  A common type of wood product sold in 4' x 8' sheets. Plywood is made of a number of thin sheets of wood laminated together with the grain of the adjacent layers perpendicular, except for the two outside plies, which are parallel to provide stability.

• PMS (Pantone Matching System)

  A standardized color scheme used in the printing industry to ensure the consistency of color from design to final print.

• point-of-purchase (POP) sign

  In-store advertising designed to stimulate impulse purchases by shoppers inside a store. The term applies to a store's internal sign system, as well as special displays and dispensers created by and for specific product manufacturers. Also known as "point-of-sale advertising."

• pole sign

  A freestanding sign, usually double-faced, mounted on a round pole, square tube, or other fabricated member without any type of secondary support.

• POP (point of purchase) sign

  In-store advertising designed to stimulate impulse purchases by shoppers inside a store. The term applies to a store's internal sign system, as well as special displays and dispensers created by and for specific product manufacturers. Also known as "point-of-sale advertising."

• portable sign

  A freestanding, on-premise sign, not designed to be permanently affixed in place. These could include free-standing signs or notices as well as point-of-purchase signs.

• portrait format

  Proportion of a sign in which height is appreciably longer than width. (See also landscape format.)

• positive space

  The copy and art on a sign face. The opposite of negative space.

• post and panel sign

  A sign panel with one or more posts.

• post mounted sign

  A sign that is attached to one or more sign poles.

• poster

  1. A series of paper sheets printed for use on a billboard. Other substrates used for posters include plastic and cloth. 2. Also, a sign typically printed on paper and intended for indoor use. Other substrates used for posters include plastic and cloth.

• PPI (pixels per inch)

  The number of pixels in a raster image that will occur in one line in the span of one inch. The higher the PPI, the greater the resolution and the less distinguishable each pixel becomes.

• primary colors

  The three colors from which all other colors can be created. In paint pigments, the primary colors are yellow, red and blue. In four-color process printing, all colors are mixed from yellow, magenta(red) and cyan(blue). In light, the primary colors are red, green and blue. See also RGB display, additive colors.

• projecting sign

  A sign that is attached to a building but extends beyond the building structure. Regulators often set a predetermined distance that a sign must extend beyond a building for it to be considered a projecting sign. A decorated awning is an example of a projecting sign. (Also called blade sign.)

• prototype

  Usually a full-sized sample that uses final materials, methods of construction, fasteners and finishes to test assembly, design, construction and appearance issues. Also used approve the "first sample" in a long production run.

• pylon sign

  A freestanding sign that is not a pole or ground sign.

• readability

  The quality of a sign's overall design that allows the viewer to correctly interpret the information presented on it. Also, the optimum time and distance in which this can be done. Letter size and style, legibility of typeface, color contrast between letters and background, and a sign's layout all contribute to readability. (See also conspicuity.)

• readerboard

  A readerboard is a sign on which copy can be changed manually. It usually consists of a panel on which individual letters or pictorials are mounted. Like a window sign, it can advertise special prices or items. It can also be placed so that it can be easily seen from a passing motor vehicle.

• recall

  In signage, this refers to the ability of a viewer to remember the message even when they are not viewing it.

• recognition

  Refers to the ability of a viewer to identify the message.

• reflective sheeting

  Film with very small glass or glasslike bead materials encapsulated below its surface, creating the ability to bounce light beams back to their source, such as from a car headlight back to the driver.

• reflectorized sign

  A sign that has been coated with a highly reflective material. (See also reflective sheeting.)

• registered trademark

  A trademark that has been officially registered with the government by its owner. Indicated by the symbol ®. (See also trademark.)

• registration

  1. In screen printing, the correct placement of the image to be printed on the substrate. 2. In multicolor printing, registration also refers to the correct alignment of the colors with one another.

• regulatory sign

  Signs installed by various government bodies to inform the public of traffic laws and other regulations.

• rendering

  An artistic sketch or representation of a design concept.

• resolution

  1. In digital images, the number of pixels shown on a screen; the higher the number of pixels in a given space (i.e., the greater the density of pixels), the more precise the pictured image. 2. In plotting, the degree of accuracy with which a plotter will place a knife-head in relation to a theoretical, perfect location of a coordinate.

• retainer

  The projecting rim around the sign face that holds it in place.

• return

  The sides of a channel letter.

• roof sign

  A sign structure that is erected on or above a roof or that is installed directly on a roof's surface.

• router-cut sign

  Describing a sign cut with a hand router or by a computerized router, using various shaped cutting blades (in a variety of sign materials).

• routing

  Elimination of material in a substrate, using a tool bit that has been machined for this purpose. In computerized sign making, using a CAD/CAM machine, a tool is programmed to eliminate material along a tool path created along x-,y-,and z-axes.

• sandblasting

  A method for decorating glass or wood. A rubberized stencil of the artwork is either hand- or computer-cut and applied to the substrate, which is then sprayed with a pressurized stream of sand or synthetic particles to texture the unprotected area. Once the desired depth has been achieved on the item being blasted, the stencil is removed, and if on wood, the surfaces may be painted.

• sandwich sign

  A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an A. (Also known as sidewalk sign.)

• sans serif

  Any typeface that lacks serifs. In most sans serif fonts, there is little differentiation between the width of strokes within the letter. Helvetica and Futura are familiar sans serif fonts.

• screen printing

  Graphic application method capable of printing great detail and color on a variety of substrates such as paper, plastics, aluminum, vinyl and banner materials.

• second-surface

  Refers to a sign made of a clear substrate, such as acrylic, where the art is applied in reverse on what can be an interior face of the sign, providing extra protection from the environment. Some large exterior signs are painted that way,as are many smaller identification, wayfinding, restroom and evacuation signs that are subject to handling on a regular basis.

• serif

  A small line or embellishment finishing off the strokes of letters in some fonts (like this one). Well-known serif fonts include Souvenir, Times Roman and Garamond.

• setback

  In a sign or development code, the distance between the primary face of the sign and the property line or right of way. The distance is measured in a straight line from the base/bottom of the sign. Most municipalities require that signs comply with specified setbacks or that a variance from the regulations be applied for and secured.

• shade

  A color made darker than the original by adding black to it.

• shadow

  Duplication of an image that is slightly offset. Drop shadow is a simple copy and offset; block shadow joins the outlines of the original and duplicate to create a 3D-relief effect; and cast shadow alters the shape and size of the duplicate to imitate shadows cast from varied placement of light, as the sun does on a sundial.

• shop drawings

  Drawings prepared by trades to describe the quantity, shape, size, materials and other details of a product's construction. In signage, it refers to drawings prepared by fabricators describing their intended methods of construction and sequence of assembly to be reviewed by designer and owner for approval prior to construction and fabrication. Shop drawings help assure that the original design concept is accurately carried out in the construction process.

• sidewalk sign

  A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an A. (Also known as sandwich sign.)

• sign cabinet

  The enclosure of an electric sign, not including the components and mounting structure. (See also box sign and light box.)

• sign can

  An informal term for sign cabinet.

• sign code

  A sign code may be part of a government body's land use planning regulations, or it may be a separate document designed to interact with other land use codes. As part of the police powers granted to local governments, a sign code normally seeks to promote the health, safety and welfare of the public. Sign codes may regulate size, placement, illumination, structure and aesthetics of sign content and design.

• sign face

  Typically refers to the most prominent message area of a sign but may refer generically to any message area. (Also called face. See also panel.)

• sign location map

  Usually a site plan or floor plan indicating where signs will be placed (called "sign locations").

• silkscreening

  One of the oldest and simplest forms of printing. A print is made using a squeegee to force ink through stencil or emulsion that is supported by fabric that has been stretched over a frame to create a screen. Several synthetic fabrics have replaced silk as the fabric of choice for screen printers. (See also screen printing.)

• single face sign

  A sign consisting of one face, rather than back-to-back faces on a common frame or back-to-back messages on the same piece of material.

• snipe sign

  An overlay sign added to an existing sign layout, as an additional message to the main sign, for example a band across a corner saying "coming soon." Also a term for illegal posting of handbills and posters without permits.

• spacer

  Any device used in mounting letters or signs that separates them from the surface to which they are being installed. A spacer allows letters to be pinned out.

• specifications

  May include General Requirements, Products and Execution sections for sign specification package. Similar to architectural construction format per CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) standards.

• squeegee

  1. In screen printing, a flexible blade mounted in a wood or metal handle and used to force ink through a stencil mounted on the screen. 2. In sign making, a hard plastic or nylon blade used to apply pressure to increase surface adhesion between cutting vinyl and the transfer tape or between the vinyl and sign face.

• stainless steel

  As the name implies, this is a special steel alloy that is made more stainless than regular steel, due to higher concentrations of chromium and nickel.

• stand-offs

  Insulators that support a neon tube,as well as hold it away from the background surface and provide some impact resistance. (See also supports).

• stationary sign

  A sign with a power cord for attachment to a source of electrical power that is not readily moveable or portable.

• stencil

  A thin sheet of material into which a design is cut. When a stencil is placed on another substrate and paint or ink is applied, the image represented by the cut-out portion of the stencil is printed on the substrate below it. Stencils range from metal to card stock to photo emulsions.

• stroke width

  The width of the major lines comprising a letterform. A wider stroke width is used to make a bolder letter; a narrower stroke width is used to make a lighter letter.

• styrene

  Refers to polystyrene, a usually colorless, rigid plastic that can be molded into objects, used in the manufacture of signs.

• substrate

  The material out of which the face is made. Wood, metal sheeting, paper and acrylic are some examples of sign substrates.

• supports

  Insulators that support a neon tube, as well as hold it away from the background surface and provide some impact resistance. (See also stand-offs.)

• tack

  The stickiness of an adhesive under a given condition. Some adhesives require a particular temperature range for maximum tack.

• tactile sign

  A sign, or an area within a larger sign or area, that conveys its message through raised or engraved artwork, making it accessible to the visually impaired. Required by A.D.A. for all permanently identified rooms

• tagged image file format (TIFF)

  Standard graphics file format used for scanned bit-mapped images.

• Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)

  This communication system enables visual typographic messages to be transmitted and received over telephone lines. The ADA requires use of symbols to show where TDD unit is available.

• template

  A full-sized pattern, layout or computerized output showing the exact size and placement of letters. Typically used for installing dimensional letters, signs or architectural elements.

• temporary sign

  Any sign that is not intended to be permanently installed. Banners and signs at construction sites are good examples of temporary signs. Often, sign codes seek to limit the length of time a temporary sign can remain in place.

• tensile strength

  The maximum load a material can withstand before it breaks. (Also called breaking strength.)

• thumbnail

  A type of rough sketch of a design made prior to developing more finalized presentations. Some sign artists prepare several thumbnail sketches of a job, varying their layouts and fonts, before preparing one or two more complete ideas to take to a client.

• tint

  A color made lighter than the original by adding white to it.

• tone

  The effect on a color brought about by blending it with another color.

• top coating

  The coating intended for the front, side or top of a fabric or membrane.

• tracking

  The ability of a computer, at the operator's instruction, to add or subtract minute increments of space between letters. (See also letter spacing and kerning.)

• trademark

  Used by a business to distinguish itself and its products from competition. A trademark may include a name, symbol, word or combination of those. Protected by the federal government and considered to have financial value, a sign maker should only reproduce a trademark with the company's permission and should discourage customers who seek to imitate well-known trademarks too closely. (See also logo and registered trademark.)

• transfer tape

  A medium-tack adhesive coated on translucent paper. Transfer tape is placed on weeded vinyl images still on the original carrier liner; the tack of the tape is stronger than the adhesion of the vinyl to the coated liner, so the image is pulled off the liner in a transfer to another surface.

• translucent

  The property of a material such as vinyl, paint or ink that allows the passage of some light through it without being transparent. Internally illuminated signs rely on translucent paints and vinyls.

• transparent

  The property of a material that allows light and images through and may also show a color tint.

• trapping

  In screen printing, to overlap one color on another. Trapping may result in the creation of a third color in the overlap area, or, if opaque links are used, the edge of the first color may be hidden for purposes of registration. (See also bleed.)

• tunneling

  The separation of a laminate from a substrate, appearing in a straight line/channel, due to insufficient adhesion, inadequate tension/stability during application, inadequate quality of substrate or improper curing after application.

• typeface

  A set of letters and numerals sharing the same design characteristics. Examples of font sets include Times New Roman and Arial. (Also called font.)

• ultraviolet light (UV)

  Part of the spectrum ranging form 185 to 450 nanometers. UV has both a negative and positive influence on the sign industry. When UV strikes certain surfaces, such as the phosphors in neon and fluorescent tubes, it is transformed into visible light. UV is also used for curing some screen printing inks and paints. On the other hand, UV light is the prime cause of pigment failure in some paints and vinyls, especially red ones.

• UV resistance

  Ability to withstand decay due to the damaging effect of the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

• vacuum forming

  Method of forming sign faces in which a plastic sheet is clamped in a stationary frame, heated and forced down by a vacuum onto a mold.

• variance

  A method by which a government body formally deviates from the terms of its sign or zoning ordinance. Typically, obtaining a variance for a sign requires the applicant to show that it would not be contrary to the public interest or that a literal enforcement of the regulations would result in unnecessary and undue hardship (due to conditions unique to the property).

• vinyl

  Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film that, in sign making, is backed with an adhesive that creates a strong bond to a surface when pressure is applied. Many different integral colors are available with adhesives having different levels of aggressiveness (adhesion) for various applications from permanent to semi-permanent to temporary.

• vinyl letters

  Letters cut from adhesive-backed material, in dozens of opaque, translucent, metallized, and transparent colors and patterns.

• visibility

  The quality of a letter, number, graphic, or symbol, which enables the observer to distinguish it from its surrounds or background.

• wall mounted sign

  A single-face sign mounted on a wall. (See also wall sign.)

• wall sign

  In the most literal sense, a sign that is painted on a wall. The term is often expanded to include flat signs that are placed on or attached to the wall of a building. These latter signs are also called fascia-mounted signs and wall mounts. (Also known as a wall mounted sign.)

• water resistant

  Describing a face that has been treated to make it resistant to damage or deterioration caused by water.

• waterproof

  The use of the term in relation to treated cotton ducks is prohibited by the "Fair Trade Practices Act" unless the product shall be impervious to the passage of any water so long as the fabric may endure. "Water Resistant" is the proper designation for cloths treated to resist water penetration and leakage.

• wax transfer

  A method of heating a colored wax material and printing it on to vinyl.

• webbing

  A sturdy fabric woven in narrow widths for use where strength is required, such as seat belts or headbands. Often used in banners, where heavy duty usage is required, like over-the-street banners.

• weed

  The process of peeling extraneous vinyl or matrix way from a plotter cut, leaving only the sections representing the final image. Pulling the extra material away in one quick stroke is known as "rip weeding."

• white space

  Empty or unused space (having no lettering or graphics) within the sign face. (Also called negative space. See also positive space.)

• wind load

  The basic term for describing the design strength of a sign. Standard windload is 30 PSF (pounds per square foot), which can withstand winds up to approximately 90 MPH. Heavy windload is 55 PSF, which can withstand approximately 110 MPH.

• window sign

  A sign that is mounted for display on a window and intended to be viewed from the outside.

• wood lag screws

  Screws which are tapered to a point and do not utilize nuts. Their strength is proportional to the hardness of the wood in which they are embedded. In many awning applications that require fastening to wood framing, wood lag screws may be the best available option.

• word space

  Horizontal space between words.