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Glossary /  Terminology

Acrylic
Sturdy plastic sheeting suitable for signage, in transparent or translucent grades. Acrylic sheeting comes in various thicknesses and colors. Plexiglas® and Acrylite® are well-known commercial brands of the material.

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AI File
Adobe Illustrator file. A type of computer file used in the sign and design industry.

 

Allowable Sign Area
According to a municipality’s Sign Code, this is the maximum area (width x height) that a sign can be.

 

Awning
A building mounted structure that provides shelter fabricated with canvas fabric or vinyl on a metal frame (Aluminum or Steel), typically covering the top of windows or doors. Awnings can be decorated with the address or name of the business as the main sign and can be back lit.

 

Back Lit Sign
A sign which is internally-illuminated, such as a cabinet or channel letter sign

 

Banner
A temporary sign substrate made of vinyl fabric. 

 

Base Plate
A rigid piece of steel on the base of a pole or projecting arm, welded into place, drilled with mounting holes and attached to a footing or building using anchor bolts.

 

Bitmap
A computer file containing an array of binary data (computer info) which takes the form of a photograph.

 

Blade Sign
A double sided projecting sign which is mounted perpendicular to a wall.

 

Cabinet Sign
A cabinet sign is a fabricated sign box with a built-in light source and a face made of plastic or aluminum, showcasing letters or graphics. These signs can be mounted directly to a wall or integrated into monument or pylon signs for greater visibility and impact.

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Canopy
A metal structure, typically made of aluminum or steel, covered with materials such as glass, metal panels, canvas fabric, or vinyl. It extends over entrances or walkways, offering weather protection and branding opportunities. Canopies are usually supported by two posts on one end, with the other end attached to the building, similar to a traditional awning.

 

Channel Letter
A three-dimensional, fabricated letter designed for durability and style. Channel letters often feature an internal light source and a plastic face, providing eye-catching illumination. They are typically mounted to walls, making them a popular choice for business signage.

 

Clearance Bar
A horizontal bar suspended from the ceiling in parking garages or drive-thrus, indicating the maximum vehicle height allowed to prevent damage. Also referred to as a "bang bar" or "high limit bar," it serves as a clear warning for oversized vehicles.

 

Dimensional Letters

Dimensional letters are 3D signage elements individually crafted from materials like acrylic, metal, sign foam, or wood, normally mounted directly to the wall. They can be installed either flush with the surface or raised to create depth and visual impact. 
Depth options range from 1/16" to 1" for flat-cut materials, and from 1" to 5"+ for foam, layered MDF, or fabricated channel letters. 
We also offer custom shapes and dimensional logos to bring your brand to life. With in-house CNC and laser cutting capabilities, we’re your one-stop shop for high-quality dimensional letters and logo signage—designed, crafted, and installed with precision.

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Directional Sign
Essential tools for guiding people to key locations such as restrooms, parking areas, or an office. Ensuring convenience and ease of navigation in any setting. Typically mounted on a wall or post.

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Directory Sign
An interior wall sign at the entrance or lobby of a multi-tenant building. Directories typically consist of individual strips of plastic or metal decorated with tenant names, room numbers, etc.


Drain Holes
Small holes drilled into the bottom returns of channel letters or cabinet signs in order to let any moisture drain out. Weep holes are sometimes covered with another piece of metal so light doesn’t escape.

 

Double Faced Sign
A sign with two faces, back to back or 2 faces in one cabinet, readable from two directions.

 

Electronic Message Center
An (EMC) is a versatile sign capable of displaying dynamic content, including words, symbols, figures, or images. These displays can be updated electronically, either remotely or automatically, making them an effective and flexible communication tool.

 

Epoxy
A strong bonding two part glue system.

 

EPS File
Encapsulated Post Script file. A computer document intended to be usable in a graphics file format. EPS files are more or less self-contained and reasonably predictable. PostScript documents describe an image or drawing and can be placed within another PostScript document.

 

Exposed Neon
A sign crafted with neon tubing that remains exposed to the elements. It can utilize either LED neon or gas-filled glass neon tubes, producing a bright and vibrant glow that stands out both day and night, ensuring high visibility and a striking visual appeal.

 

Externally Illuminated
Describes a sign which is illuminated from external goose neck lights on the wall. 

 

Facade
The front of a building that looks onto the street or open space. Usually the façade dimensions are used when calculating sign area.

 

Flat Cut Out
Flat pieces of sign substrate (aluminum, acrylic or PVC) which are cut into letters or shapes and attached to a wall or backer. These letters or logos can be halo-Illuminated or non-Illuminated.

 

Flex Face
A flexible sign face material which can be printed or covered in vinyl graphics and used as the translucent face of a cabinet sign. Flex faces are typically more wind-resistant than rigid plastic faces.

 

Flush Mount
Sign mounting technique where the sign is attached directly against the wall with no space between wall and sign.

 

Font
In typography a font is traditionally defined as a quantity of sorts composing a complete character set of a single size and style of a particular typeface.

 

Formed Plastic Letter
Heat is used to form and shape plastic sheeting into letters or graphics which will eventually be affixed onto a background. These letters and logos are non-Illuminated.

 

Gold leaf letters
Letters decorated by applying thin sheets of 23 Kt. gold, called "gold leaf," giving it a luxurious, shiny appearance often used in wood signs, artwork, and decorative elements to convey a sense of elegance and high quality

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Halo-Lit Letter
A reverse channel letter (mounted 1 ½ inches away from the wall), with an aluminum face and returns and a translucent backer, which when lit produces a halo of light around the letter onto the wall.

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Hand-painted sign
The art of hand-illustrating words, phrases, or letters using paint or a brush pen.
It's an old technique that's recently experienced a resurgence in popularity.

 

HDU
High Density Urethane.  A material that simulates redwood that is environmentally friendly, and very durable (It does not mold, rot, or mildew like wood), making it the perfect material for routing any sign

 

Interior Sign
Any sign or letterset which is mounted to the interior of a building or mall.

 

Internally Illuminated
Any sign or letter which is lit from the inside.

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JPEG
The most common image format used by digital cameras and other photographic image capture devices. A bitmap file of gradient colors.

 

LED – Light Emitting Diode
A small, bright, energy efficient light source used in the sign industry in place of neon or fluorescent lamps.

 

Lexan®

is a trademarked name for a high-impact polycarbonate resin (plastic) commonly used in signage, banking, and automotive applications. Due to its strength and durability, polycarbonate—or glass-clad polycarbonate—glazing is a popular choice for bullet-resistant windows in banks, vehicles, and other high-security environments.

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Light Box
Is a fabricated sign Cabinet with a built-in light source and a face made of plastic or aluminum, showcasing letters or graphics. These signs can be mounted directly to a wall or integrated into monument or pylon signs for greater visibility and impact.

 

Logo
Also called logotype. A graphic representation or symbol of a company name, trademark, abbreviation, etc., often uniquely designed for ready recognition.

 

Marquee Sign
A permanent structure attached to the front of a building 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.

 

MDO Plywood – Medium Density Overlay Plywood
An exterior grade layered wood product which can be painted and used as a temporary or permanent sign.

 

Monument Sign
An upright double sided sign located on the ground with a brick or aluminum base.

 

Mural
Painted sign, typically on a wall.

 

Neon
A hand-blown lamp that utilizes electrically charged neon or argon gas contained within a clear or color-coated vacuum glass tube to generate light.

 

Non-illuminated channel letters
Are three-dimensional signs made from metal, plastic, or acrylic, designed without internal lighting. They are an excellent choice for businesses seeking a subtle, professional, or budget-friendly signage solution. These signs are commonly used in city districts where internal lighting is prohibited or in commercial properties where illumination is less critical than in retail environments.

 

PDF
A file format used to represent documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware or operating systems.

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Permit
An official city, county or state document allowing a business’s individual sign to be installed on premise. City inspectors issue a permit after noting that the sign meets local building codes. Signs are typically not allowed to be installed without an official permit.

 

Pan Face
A vacuum and heat formed plastic sign face which gives the perimeter of the face depth, like a cake-pan. This adds rigidity to flat plastic and increases the distance from the internal light source. The depth of a Pillowed or Pan face can vary, but is approximately 2”.

 

PMS Pantone Matching System
A standard industry wide system of color match swatches which are used in the graphic arts industry, typically used in communicating paint, ink or vinyl colors.

 

Post and Panel Sign
A sign system typically utilizing two posts with a single or double sided panel between. Generally used for directional signs.

 

Powder Coating
Is a durable, solvent-free finish applied as a dry powder, typically using electrostatic methods. It is cured with heat or UV light and can use thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers, creating a thick, tough, and long-lasting surface superior to conventional paint.

 

Projecting Sign
A sign which projects perpendicular to a wall or post.

 

Push Thru Letter
A transparent or translucent letter system which is “pushed through” a routered aluminum sign face. The push-thru letters are held in place by a backer slightly wider than the letter hole. May be combined with a vinyl overlay on the front or back.

 

PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride
A common thermoplastic resin, used in a wide variety of manufactured products including sign substrates. (Sintra is a brand of PVC)

 

Pylon Sign
A typically tall, freestanding outdoor sign mounted onto 1 or 2 poles, usually illuminated, and advertising the name of businesses. A pylon sign is installed on the business property, but not attached to the building.

 

Raceway
A metal box running the length of a set of lighted letters, where all electrical wires and transformers are housed. All letters are connected together on the face of the raceway and the entire unit is mounted to the wall. This method of installing lighted letters minimizes wall penetrations and makes for easier service in the future.

 

Removable Letters
Changeable plastic letter set system, where the customer may change their own wording and message. Changeable letters fit into plastic tracks, typically on the face of a cabinet sign. Letters come in various colors, sizes and types.

 

Return
The side or edge of a channel letter or cabinet sign which “returns” the face to the wall. Return depths can vary.

 

Reveal
An indented horizontal line running the perimeter of a monument sign or other sign, usually between base and cabinet or between two cabinets.

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Routed Face
Typically an aluminum face with letters or graphics cut out. These cut out areas may be backed with translucent white acrylic or have push thru letters inserted.

 

Sandblasting
A process where sand is blown at high pressure against a substrate (typically wood) that has an area blocked away, usually for letters. The blasted sand eats way the wood only in the area where there is no blocker, creating a weather-worn look

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Shop Drawing
A drawing or group of drawings featuring exploded views, multiple views and/or section details, assembly instructions, etc. These drawings further explain sign information and help the shop in fabrication of the signs.

 

Sign Area
The measurement of a wall sign or letter set, (width x height), used in calculations for sign code. Sign codes explicitly mandate the maximum sign area allowed. Sign areas may be calculated a few different ways: (W x H) Pi R Squared, or even using separate boxes around individual parts or letters. The municipality will dictate the measurement method.

 

Sign Backer
A fabricated sign background panel (aluminum, Sintra, wood) with lighted, flat cut out or vinyl letters installed onto the face of the backer. The entire sign (backer and letters) is then installed on the wall.

 

Sign Band
A specific area on a building or tenant space where signs may be installed.

 

Sign Code/Ordinance
Municipalities dictate laws written to regulate the size, type and scope of building signage in that city, etc. Ordinances are usually divided along Zoning Areas. All municipalities have their own Sign Ordinances which need to be researched thoroughly before signs are designed and submitted for review. Sign Permits will not be issued until all requirements are met.

 

Sign Face
The front of a sign, made from translucent white acrylic and applied vinyl letters, or painted routed aluminum (or any other substrate.)

 

Survey Plan
A survey plan as a specialized map, serving as a legal document that establishes and demarcates a property boundaries. Surveys hold great significance as they provide an accurate and up-to-date representation of the land's features and limits. 

 

Site survey
Is a detailed 2D drawing of a space, accurately shows all dimensions and key features, including doors, windows, and columns.

 

Skirt
An aluminum covering around the bottom of a monument sign typically used when a masonry base is not required.

 

Stand-Off
A sleeve of hollow metal, slipped over the install hardware, so that the letter or sign is not mounted “flush” to the wall, but stands off by a certain measurement.

 

Stud Mount
Threaded metal pins which are screwed into letter backs and then pushed into a wall where they are adhered and sealed into place.

 

Temporary Sign
A non-permanent sign, usually installed for a short period of time, fabricated from cheaper, less durable materials.

Trademark (Service Mark): A symbol that distinguishes a business and its products from the competition.  This may include a name, symbol, word, or any combination thereof. Trademarks are protected by the federal government and considered to have financial value.

 

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.

 

Trimcap
A plastic piece which holds a sign face onto the sign body. Comes in various colors. Trim-cap is typically used in the manufacture of channel letters.

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Trimless Channel Letters
Are illuminated dimensional letter that have no visible margin or trimcap, and the acrylic face extends past the return, so when lit, creates a sharp looking modern lighting effect.

 

UL – Underwriters Laboratory
A safety consulting and certification company, providing safety-related certification, validation, testing, inspection, auditing, advising and training services. All electrical signs and components need to be UL listed.

 

Variance
A special administrative procedure by which one may attempt to obtain an exception to municipal zoning rules such as height, setback and type of use.

 

Vector Art File
A “vector” is a line between two points. Vector graphics are based on images made up of vectors which lead through control points. Each of these points has a definite position on the x and y axis of the work plan. Plotters and routers use this information to cut letters and shapes. This type of artwork file is different from “bitmaps” (see above). Exampe: EPS file, Adobe Illustrator file.

 

Vehicle Graphics
Cut and applied vinyl letters and printed graphics on car or truck bodies.

 

Vinyl
Colored adhesive sheeting on rolls, used for sign graphics. Letters and graphics are cut out of the rolls on a plotter. The plotter is connected to a computer, where the sign is designed. The cut vinyl is applied to the substrate. Comes in various sizes, colors and grades.

 

Wall Sign
A sign mounted and installed onto a building wall, either interior or exterior. Can be channel letters, cabinet signs, flat cut out letters, etc.

 

Wayfinding Signs
Signs, maps and other graphics used to convey locations and directions to potential customers traveling either in a vehicle or on foot.


Wireway
Similar to a Raceway, but thinner in depth. The wireway contains the secondary wires, but the power packs or transformers are contained within the building. May also refer to a wireway inside of a cabinet sign, where electrical is contained.

 

Window Sign
A type of sign hanging inside a window. Example: Neon or LED OPEN sign or beer sign.

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Work Order
A request for service or fabrication, etc. The work order has information specific to that particular job, and also has a specific reference number.

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