Sylvan Signs
Glossary - U-V
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ultimate strength:
The maximum strength under
which an awning material
is capable of sustaining
a gradual and uniformly applied
load.
ultraviolet light
(UV): Part of
the spectrum ranging form
185 to 450 nanometers.
UV has both a negative
and positive influence
on the sign industry. When
UV strikes certain surfaces,
such as the phosphors in
neon and fluorescent tubes,
it is transformed into
visible light. UV is also
used for curing some screen
printing inks and paints.
On the other hand, UV light
is the prime cause of pigment
failure in some paints
and vinyls, especially
red ones.
under-canopy sign:
A sign designed to be mounted
underneath a canopy.
UV resistance:
Ability to withstand decay
due to the damaging effect
of the ultraviolet rays of
the sun.
vacuum forming:
Method of forming sign faces
in which a plastic sheet
is clamped in a stationary
frame, heated and forced
down by a vacuum onto a mold.
vacuum pump:
A device used by a neon shop
to draw a vacuum on the inside
of a neon lamp.
variable message
sign: A sign on
which the copy can be changed,
either manually through
the use of attachable letters
(usually plastic) or electronically
using incandescent bulbs
or light emitting diodes.
(See also marquee sign,
readerboard. changeable
copy panel, changeable
copy sign, electronic message
center, menu board.)
variable plank
sign: A variable
sign that consists of a
frame within which pre-printed
sign planks can be assembled.
variance:
A method by which a government
body formally deviates from
the terms of its sign or
zoning ordinance. Typically,
obtaining a variance for
a sign requires the applicant
to show that it would not
be contrary to the public
interest or that a literal
enforcement of the regulations
would result in unnecessary
and undue hardship (due to
conditions unique to the
property).
video matrix signal:
Array of CRT monitors, plasma
screens, etc., linked to
display a single image or
variety of images.
video sign:
A variable sign displayed
on a television screen.
vinyl:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
film that, in sign making,
is backed with an adhesive
that creates a strong bond
to a surface when pressure
is applied. Many different
integral colors are available
with adhesives having different
levels of aggressiveness
(adhesion) for various applications
from permanent to semi-permanent
to temporary.
vinyl letters:
Letters cut from adhesive-backed
material, in dozens of opaque,
translucent, metallized,
and transparent colors and
patterns.
visibility:
The quality of a letter,
number, graphic, or symbol,
which enables the observer
to distinguish it from its
surrounds or background.
vitreous:
Resembling glass, as in transparency,
brittleness, hardness, glossiness,etc.
vitreous enamel:
A hard, brittle glass coating
applied to steel by firing
at high temperature in an
oven. Some limitations to
panel size and complexity
of shape due to distortion
at temperature but is very
hard wearing.
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