Helpful Definitions
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 these typical sign terms mean, we have put together some definitions for a quick reference. Still not sure about any term, no problem just give us a shout and we will help you understand. We love talking about Signs and that is a great sign of being a sign company! Make sure you get your next sign from OM Signs.
- 3D (three-dimensional) engraving
- abatement
- abrasion resistance
- access door
- access panel
- acetate
- achromatic
- acid etching
- acrylic paint
- additive colors
- additive primaries
- adhesion
- adhesive
- advance notice sign
- aesthetics
- age in
- airbrush
- aluminum
- ambient light
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- amortization
- anchor
- animated sign
- annual ADT (annual average daily traffic)
- annual average daily traffic (annual ADT)
- anodized finish
- applique
- approach
- approach sign
- architectural signage
- argon
- artwork
- aspect ratio
- awning cord
- awning sign
- back-to-back sign
- Backer panel
- background panel
- backlighted letter
- backlit awning
- backlit sign
- ballast
- ballpoint Braille
- banding
- banner
- base plate
- bench sign
- bevel
- bid package
- billboard
- blackout
- blade sign
- blank
- bleed
- blind fasteners
- blistering
- block color
- blockout
- bombarding
- bonderizing
- border
- box sign
- Braille
- Braille beads
- Braille bullets
- brand equity
- branding
- breakaway foundation
- breaking strength
- brightness
- bronze
- brushed finish
- buff
- building code
- building mounted sign
- built-up letter
- bulletin colors
- burn-in
- burnish
- butt joint
- candela
- canopy sign
- canvas
- carved letters
- carved signs
- cast metal sign
- casting
- changeable copy panel
- changeable copy sign
- channel
- channel letter
- Channel letters
- chase
- chisel
- chrome plating
- cladding
- clearance
- coat-out
- coated fabric
- coated tubing
- Code-required
- cold cathode
- color contrast
- color depth
- color separation
- colored tubing
- concealed fasteners
- concrete sign
- conduit
- conforming sign
- conspicuity
- construction site sign
- content neutral time, place and manner regulations
- contrast
- copy
- copy area
- cordage
- corona treatment
- corrugated board
- cost per thousand (CPT)
- cove lighting
- coverage
- crazing
- crocking
- crossover
- curing
- customer acquisition costs (CAC)
- daily effective circulation (DEC)
- dead load
- debossed lettering
- decal
- deck cabinet
- delamination
- denier
- density
- deposit
- design
- design intent drawings
- dib
- die-casting
- die-cutting
- dielectric welding
- Dimensional
- dimensional letter
- direct illumination
- Directional
- directional sign
- directory sign
- display quality
- dithering
- dot pitch
- double back
- double-faced sign
- double tube
- dpi, dots per inch
- drop shadow
- dye
- edge-lit sign
- electric sign
- electro-mechanical sign
- electronic display
- electronic message center (EMC)
- electrostatic film
- elevation
- embellishment
- emboss
- embossed plastic sign face
- enamel
- engine-turned
- engrave
- entrance canopy
- epoxy
- eps
- erect
- Etching
- expansion anchor
- extender
- exterior illuminated sign
- extrusion
- eyelet
- fabricate
- fabricated letter
- facade
- face
- fascia sign
- fasteners
- fiber-optic display
- fiber optics
- fiberglass
- filament lamp sign
- fill pressure
- fingerpost sign
- fire proof
- fire retardant
- First surface
- flag
- flammability
- flange
- flashing sign
- flat cutout letter
- flat screen
- flex face
- flexible face material
- fluorescent lamp
- font
- footing
- foundation
- four-color process
- frangible sign mount
- freestanding sign
- frequency
- front end documents
- front lighted letter
- galvanized steel
- gateway sign
- gauge
- gif
- gilding
- glare
- glazing
- gloss
- glossimeter
- gold leaf
- gradation
- grade
- gradient
- grommet
- ground sign
- guardian letter
- guy rope
- guy wire
- H-channel letter
- hairline joint
- halation
- halftone
- halo
- halo lighting
- hanging sign
- Header
- heat-bending
- heat color-transfer
- height
- height above grade
- high-rise sign
- hinged side
- hue
- identification sign
- illuminance
- illuminated awning
- illuminated sign
- incandescent lamp
- incidental sign
- incise
- inert gas
- Infilling
- inflatable sign
- initial lumens
- ink
- ink receptive
- inscribe
- insert
- intensity
- interior sign
- internally illuminated sign
- italic
- J-bolt
- job site sign
- jpeg
- Kelvin
- kerf
- kerning
- kick plate
- kiosk
- lacing
- lacquer
- lambert
- laminated fabric
- laminated glass
- lamination
- lamp bank
- landscape format
- laser
- layout
- letter spacing
- life safety signs
- light box
- light emitting diode (LED)
- light reflectance value (LRV)
- line screen
- line spacing
- liquid crystal display (LCD) sign
- load
- logo
- low profile sign
- low voltage
- lumen
- luminance
- luminance ratio
- luminescence
- luminous efficacy
- luminous flux
- magnetic sheeting
- mall signage
- margin
- marquee sign
- matte
- medium density overlay (MDO)
- memorial sign
- menu board
- mercury
- mesh
- message area
- message center
- mild steel
- mildew resistant
- Millwork
- mobile billboard
- mobile sign
- mock-up
- model
- Modular
- molded letter
- molding
- monolith
- monument sign
- mottled
- Mow strip
- mpeg
- muntz metal
- mural
- nameplate
- National Electric Code (NEC)
- negative space
- neon gas
- neon lamp
- neon sign
- neon tubing
- neoprene
- nickel plating
- notched
- nylon
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- off-premise sign
- oil canning
- on-premise sign
- opaque
- open channel letter
- outgas
- Overage
- paint
- painted wall sign
- pan channel letter
- pan face
- panel
- Pantone Matching System (PMS)
- parapet
- parapet sign
- patina
- pattern
- pavement graphics
- pegged out
- pennant
- permanent sign
- permit
- phosphor
- phosphorescent sign
- Photo CD
- photopolymer
- Photopolymer process
- PICT
- pictogram
- pigment
- Pin-mounting
- pinned out
- pixel
- pixels per inch, or ppi
- pixels per inch(PPI)
- planning permission
- plaque
- plasma screen
- plastic
- plastic faced letters
- Plexiglas
- plywood
- PMS
- point-of-purchase (POP) sign
- pole sign
- polyester
- porcelain sign
- portable sign
- portrait format
- positive space
- post and panel sign
- post mounted sign
- poster
- poured in place
- powder coating
- precast concrete
- precinct sign
- primary colors
- primary wiring
- print quality
- projecting sign
- prototype
- public path
- push-through
- pylon sign
- quality assurance
- quarter round
- quicktime
- raceway
- readability
- readerboard
- recall
- recognition
- reflective sheeting
- reflectorized sign
- registration
- regulatory sign
- relief
- rendering
- resin transfer
- resolution
- retainer
- retardant
- retractable awning
- return
- reveal
- Reveals
- reverse channel letter
- revolving sign
- RGB
- roof sign
- router-cut sign
- routing
- Sandblasting
- sandwich sign
- sans serif
- schematic design
- scoring
- screen
- screen printing
- seam
- second-surface
- Second surface
- serif
- service
- service cover
- setback
- shade
- shadow
- sheet metal
- shop drawings
- sidewalk sign
- sight triangle
- sign band
- sign cabinet
- sign can
- sign code
- sign face
- sign location map
- sign location plan
- signage
- signature building
- signcentric design
- silhouette
- Silk Screening (Screen Printing)
- silkscreening
- single face sign
- skeleton
- slip-base
- snipe sign
- soda-lime glass
- solvent
- spacer
- specifications
- spectacular
- spinner sign
- spotlight
- spun glass
- sputtering
- squeegee
- stain
- stainless steel
- Stanchion
- stand-offs
- standard frame
- star of life
- stationary sign
- stencil
- stippling
- stochastic screening
- stone signs
- strain
- streamer
- street furniture
- stretching
- stroke
- stroke width
- structure
- styrene
- substrate
- supports
- Surface-applied
- symmetry
- tack
- tactile sign
- tagged image file format (TIFF)
- target audience
- Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)
- tempera
- template
- temporary sign
- tensile strength
- TGA
- thermoforming
- thinner
- three-dimensional (3D) engraving
- thumbnail
- tiling
- time and temperature display
- time, place, and manner (TPM) regulations
- time switch
- tint
- tone
- tongue tear
- Top-coated
- top coating
- Touch Screen
- tracking
- trade area
- trademark
- traffic count
- transfer tape
- transformer
- translucent
- transparent
- trapping
- tri-color LED
- triple message sign
- trough letter
- tube colors
- tube diameter
- tube supports
- tunneling
- typeface
- Typography
- ultimate strength
- ultraviolet light (UV)
- under-canopy sign
- UV resistance
- vacuum forming
- vacuum pump
- variable message sign
- variable plank sign
- variance
- vector graphics
- Veneer
- video matrix signal
- video sign
- Vinyl
- vinyl letters
- visibility
- vitreous
- vitreous enamel
- wall mounted sign
- wall sign
- water resistant
- waterproof
- wax transfer
- weathering steel
- weave
- webbing
- weed
- weep hole
- weft-fill
- weld
- welt
- welt cord
- wet location fixture
- white space
- wickability
- wind load
- window sign
- wood lag screws
- word space
- working load
- x-height
- yield
- zinc