Sylvan Signs
Glossary - A
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abatement:
Related to signage, it is
the removal or correction
of a sign that violates local
community code or standards.
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.
access door:
A hinged or removable panel
that when opened provides
access to the interior of
a sign allowing for the inspection
and servicing of its internal
components. (Also called
access panel.)
access panel:
A hinged or removable panel
that when opened provides
access to the interior of
a sign allowing for the inspection
and servicing of its internal
components. (Also called
access door.)
acetate:
A thin, clear plastic material
that is both flexible and
strong. Available in both
glossy and matte finishes,
it is receptive to ink, and
is popular as a substrate
for point-of-purchase advertising
signs.
achromatic:
Literally means without color.
Black, white and grays are
achromatic.
acid etching:
A method of marking or decorating
a surface. In acid etching
an acid resistant stencil
of the artwork or text is
applied to the chosen surface.
A corrosive compound such
as hydrofluoric acid is then
applied to the remaining
exposed areas. After a specified
length of time during which
the acid mixture is allowed
to eat away at the exposed
material, the entire surface
is washed and the stencil
removed, leaving behind an
etched impression of the
artwork. (See also etching
and sandblasting.)
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.
acrylic paint:
Any water-based paint having
its pigments or dyes bound
in an acrylic resin emulsion.
Once dry, acrylic paint forms
a tough, flexible film that
is resistant to water. These
types of paints are often
used for silkscreening and
screen printing and for hand
painted signs.
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.
additive colors:
Red, green and blue are the
three additive colors of
light. All other colors of
light are created by combinations
of these three. If the three
additive colors come together
in equal proportions, the
resulting light is white.
(Also called additive primaries.
See also primary colors.)
additive primaries:
Red, green and blue are the
three additive colors of
light. All other colors of
light are created by combinations
of these three. If the three
additive colors come together
in equal proportions, the
resulting light is white.
(Also called additive colors.
See also primary colors.)
adhesion:
The force that holds the
surface of one material to
another. The strength of
adhesion is affected by the
type and condition of the
surfaces in question and
the adhesive used. Generally
the surfaces need to be clean
and porous enough to allow
for a certain amount of penetration
by the adhesive.
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.
advance notice
sign: A sign indicating
the approach of a specific
destination such as a highway,
street intersection or
building entrance. Different
to a directional sign in
that it announces a single
destination. (Also called
an approach sign.)
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.
age in:
The initial time a new neon
light must be on before it
is able to achieve full brightness
thereafter. The amount of
time this takes can vary
widely. (Also called burn-in.
See also initial lumens.)
airbrush:
A handheld painting device
that uses compressed air
to generate a fine spray
of paint. The pressurized
air passes through the airbrush
nozzle creating a vacuum
that siphons paint from an
attached container. Airbrushes
come in a variety of sizes
for different applications,
and can be fitted with a
variety of nozzles for different
effects and levels of detail.
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.
amortization:
When a previously conforming
sign is subsequently deemed
to be non-conforming, the
owner of the sign is notified
and given a grace period
during which he may continue
to keep and use the sign.
At the end of the grace period
the sign must be removed.
This process is referred
to as amortization. The legality
and enforceability of amortization
depends state and local law,
and other possible conditions.
anchor:
In general, any device that
connects and secures one
object to another. An example
would be the devices used
to secure awnings and fascia
signs to facades. (See also
expansion anchor and J-bolt.)
animated sign:
A sign that uses the sequential
switching on and off of graphically
arranged fluorescent lamps,
cathode tubes, LEDs or incandescents
so as to provide the illusion
of movement. (See also chase
[2].)
annual ADT (annual
average daily traffic):
The average number of vehicles
passing a given location
each day over the course
of a year. This statistic
can usually be obtained
from your state or local
roads department.
annual average
daily traffic (annual ADT):
The average number of vehicles
passing a given location
each day over the course
of a year. This statistic
can usually be obtained
from your state or local
roads department.
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.
ANSI (American
National Standards Institute):
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.
applique:
A graphic element made separately
then affixed to a cloth or
fabric covering such as an
awning.
approach:
The distance at which a sign
becomes readable to a viewer
to the point where the sign
is no longer readable as
the viewer passes by.
approach sign:
A sign indicating the approach
of a specific destination
such as a highway, street
intersection, or building
entrance. Different to a
directional sign in that
it announces a single destination.
(Also called an advance notice
sign.)
architectural signage:
A term used to describe signage
in a built environment having
the purpose of providing
wayfinding or other site
specific information.
argon:
An inert gas used in fluorescent
lamps and neon tubes. By
itself, argon generates pale
lavender light. Combined
with mercury, it can generate
a blue or ultra-violet light.
artwork:
Any and all logos, graphics
and images used in creating
a sign.
aspect ratio:
The width-to-height ratio
of an image. For example,
a high definition television
image has an aspect ratio
of 1.78:1 (commonly referenced
as 16:9), meaning that for
every 1.78 inches of image
width the image extends 1
inch in height.
awning cord:
Most commonly a small diameter,
cotton braid cord manufactured
for stretch resistance and
used for tying down awning
covers.
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.)
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Where creativity comes in all shapes and sizes! Call Sylvan
Signs today at 503.430.8072!
