Sylvan Signs
Glossary - T
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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.
target audience:
The profile of the most desired
consumer prospects for a
product or service, listed
by characteristics such as
demography, lifestyle, brand
or media consumption, purchase
behavior, etc. This is common
to all media.
TCO (Temporary
Certificate of Occupancy):
This typically allows a
new building to be occupied
before it is fully complete
and therefore requires
life safety signs to be
in place to protect the
public at large.
TDD (Telecommunications
Device for the Deaf):
This communication system
enables visual typographic
messages to be transmitted
and received over telephone
lines. ADA requires use
of symbols to show where
TDD unit is available.
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.
tempera:
Pigment mixed in a water
medium, usually with a binder
and adhesive. Tempera paints
produce a luminous effect.
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.)
thermoforming:
A process that takes a flat
sheet of material and gives
it dimension by heating then
forcing it into a mold either
mechanically or pneumatically.
See also vacuum-forming.
thinner:
Any liquid used to reduce
the thickness of paint or
ink.
three-dimensional
(3D) 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.
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.
TIFF (tagged image
file format):
standard graphics file
format used for scanned
bit-mapped images.
tiling:
The digital process of dividing
a large image into individual
sections to print with overlap.
time and temperature
display: A variable
message sign which displays
current time and temperature
in a stationary or alternating
manner. Some also display
simple messages.
time switch:
A switch that utilizes a
clock or timer to automatically
turn on and off electric
signs at set times each day.
time, place, and
manner (TPM) regulations:
Consistently applicable
non-discriminatory sign
regulations that specify,
without reference to the
content of the message,
when, how and where a sign
can be displayed, with
physical standards, such
as but not limited to height,
size and location, that
allow the sign to be readable.
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.
tongue tear:
This is a property of fabrics
where a machine will tear
a strip of fabric across
the warp and filling. The
resulting effort to this
is measured in pounds.
top coating:
The coating intended for
the front, side or top of
a fabric or membrane.
touch screen:
Computerized CRT or LCD screen
directory or information
station that is activated
by touching the screen.
TPM (time, place
and manner) regulations:
Consistently applicable
non-discriminatory sign
regulations that specify,
without reference to the
content of the message,
when, how and where a sign
can be displayed, with
physical standards, such
as but not limited to height,
size and location, that
allow the sign to be readable.
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.)
trade area:
Most retail businesses have
a relatively fixed area that
customers come from to do
business at their store.
In general; the trade area
is either the living or work
locale for the customer.
The selling zone of place-based
retail business will be dynamic
for two reasons; the customer
is moving residences or jobs
or the customer is passing
through on a trip that intersects
the trade area. The trade
area for most small businesses
is 3 to 5 miles.
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.)
traffic count:
The estimated number of people
who will see a sign in a
given time period. Traffic
count is most commonly associated
with number of vehicles passing
a location in a day.
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.
transformer:
Electrical equipment that
converts input voltage and
current to a different output
voltage and current. In general,
a transformer is any apparatus
that continuously increases
or decreases the voltage
of a power supply. They are
an important element in all
neon signs, due to the high
voltage required. (Fluorescent
lamps require a specialized
type of transformer unit
called a ballast.)
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.)
tri-color LED:
An LED that displays only
the colors red, yellow and
green.
triple message
sign: A type of
sign consisting of rotating
triangular louvers. The
louvers turn in unison
showing three different
messages as the three faces
are exposed. Allows for
three times the static
advertising/communication
power at one location.
trough letter:
A metal channel letter with
an exposed cold cathode tube
in the trough for illumination.
tube colors:
Tubing for neon signs is
produced as clear glass or
in colors. Different tube
colors serve as filters that
only allow the desired color
to shine through. In many
cases, the only way to achieve
rich primary colors is through
colored glass.
tube diameter:
The term used to describe
the width of a tube. The
standard measurement to describe
the width of neon tubing
is expressed in millimeters.
tube supports:
Insulators that support a
neon tube, as well as hold
it away from the background
surface and provide some
impact resistance.
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.)
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Where creativity comes in all shapes and sizes! Call Sylvan
Signs today at 503.430.8072!
