Sylvan Signs
Glossary - D
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daily effective
circulation (DEC):
The average number of persons
per day who see a given
sign or group of signs.
A "day" equates to a 12-hour
period for non-illuminated
signs, and an 18-hour period
for illuminated signs.
dead load:
The total weight of the materials
used in a sign and its supporting
structure. The dead load,
including its distribution
within the sign structure,
must be taken into account
when calculating load bearing
requirements.
debossed lettering:
Sign lettering where the
lettering has been engraved,
carved or otherwise recessed
into the sign substrate.
(See also embossed lettering.)
DEC (daily effective
circulation):
The average number of persons
per day who see a given
sign or group of signs.
A "day" equates to a 12-hour
period for non-illuminated
signs, and an 18-hour period
for illuminated signs.
decal:
Screen printed lettering
and graphics that can be
transferred and affixed to
another surface through the
application of water or heat.
deck cabinet:
A structure that houses the
electric components of a
sign, but also serves as
the background and support
structure of the sign. Similar
to a raceway except larger.
delamination:
The separation of the individual
plies (layers) in a laminated
substrate. Typically caused
by the failure of the adhesive
between layers.
denier:
A unit of measure for the
weight of fiber. Specifically,
it is the weight in grams
of 9,000 meters of a given
fiber.
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.
design intent drawings:
Drawings of a sign that show
the basic size, profile and
parts of it, but provide
no further design details.
Design intent drawings are
typically included as part
of the bid package from the
customer.
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.
dielectric welding:
The process of joining two
pieces of vinyl or other
applicable material by heating
and melting the seams together
using high frequency electrical
impulses.
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 back:
A 180-degree bend in a neon
tube.
double tube:
Two neon tubes running parallel
to each other.
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.)
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Where creativity comes in all shapes and sizes! Call Sylvan
Signs today at 503.430.8072!
