Sign Language: An Exhaustive Signage Glossary
June 28, 2016
New to the sign business? In this post, we’ve provide an all inclusive Signage Glossary, or an alphabetical list of terms or words that relate to the sign industry. Use this as your go-to guide for all of your sign related questions.
A
ADVERTISING MEDIA: The means by which an advertising message is carried to potential customers; including Internet, magazine, newspaper, radio, signage and television.
AESTHETICS: A term dealing with form, design, and/or quality of construction of a particular sign, building, site or structure, that presents a judgmental statement concerning the level of beauty or artistic value.
AMORTIZATION: 1) In accounting terms, this refers to the method in which an intangible asset is depreciated over a specified period of time. 2) In terms relevant to signage and urban planning, it conveys the “grace period” beginning on the date a sign owner is notified that removal of a previously conforming sign has been ordered, and ending on the date removal is required. This process makes a structure, which was legally erected with all permits, legally non-conforming for a period of time. After an amortization period, the sign becomes illegal and non-conforming. Amortization has often been found to be a form of regulatory taking. The legality of amortization depends on state law and numerous other conditions, and is frequently unenforceable.
ANIMATED SIGN: A sign depicting action, motion, light or color changes through electrical or mechanical means. Although technologically similar to flashing signs, the animated sign emphasizes graphics and artistic display.
ANNUAL AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC (ANNUAL ADT): Measurement representing the total number of vehicles passing a given location each day. These counts can usually be obtained from your State Highway Department.
AWNING SIGN: A building mounted sign that provides additional functionality as shelter.
B
BACKLIGHT LETTER: An illuminated reverse channel letter (open or translucent back) so light from the letter is directed against the surface behind the letter producing a halo lighting effect around the letter. Also referred to as silhouette lighted or halo lighted.
BALLAST: An electrical device required to operate fluorescent lamps.
BANNER: A sign composed of lightweight material. Promotional banners include those used to announce open houses and grand openings, make special announcements, or communicate events. Ornamental banners use images or colors of a decorative nature.
BENCH SIGN: A sign located on the seat or back of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way. A type of street furniture.
BRAND EQUITY (Branding): The intangible, but real, value of words, graphics or symbols that are associated with the products or services offered by a business. Developing branding of a site includes the presentation of signage and architecture to create a unique awareness and memory by the potential customer of the products or services offered at that site. Brand equity for a particular business is similar to the goodwill of an enterprise.
BUILDING CODE: State and/or local regulations governing public health, welfare and safety of construction and maintenance.
BUILDING FASCIA: That portion of any elevation of a building extending vertically from the grade to the top parapet wall or eaves, and horizontally across the entire width of the building elevation, including slanted wall surfaces sometimes referred to as a mansard.
BUILDING MOUNTED SIGN: A sign that is applied or attached to a building.
C
CABINET SIGN: A sign structure consisting of the frame and face(s), not including the internal components, embellishments or support structure.
CANOPY: See marquee.
CANOPY SIGN: 1) A building-mounted sign functioning as a marquee. 2) A sign mounted on a marquee or canopy.
CHANGEABLE COPY PANEL: A section of a sign that functions like a changeable copy sign.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN (also called VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN): A sign on which message copy can be changed through the use of attachable letters and numerals, or by the electronic switching of lamps or illuminated tubes. This includes public message displays or any sign that features automatic switching, such as time and temperature signs. The government refers to these signs as variable message signs. The primary types are Manually Changeable Copy Signs, Tri-or Multi-Vision Faces, Scrolling Plastic Messages, and Computer-Aided Message Changing Devices.
CHANNEL LETTER: Fabricated or formed three-dimensional letter that may accommodate a light source.
COATED TUBING: Clear glass tubing, coated on the interior surface with phosphorus powder. Coated tubing produces a variety of different light colors, dependent upon the specific mixture of phosphorus powders utilized.
COLD CATHODE: 1.) Electric discharge lighting, which uses an electrode with a large metal mass to emit electrons. Neon tubing is a cold cathode type. 2.) Generic term employed to specify custom interior lighting produced through the use of larger diameter cold cathode tubing.
COLORED TUBING: Transparent glass tubing manufactured with color pigments, typically color examples include ruby red, canary yellow, green, and midnight blue.
CONFORMING SIGN: A sign that is legally installed in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
CONSPICUITY: The characteristics of the sign that enable an observer to differentiate the sign from its surrounding environment.
CONTENT NEUTRAL: 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.
CONTRAST: The difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures, such as light and dark areas, colors, or typefaces.
COPY: The words or message displayed on a sign.
COPY AREA: Areas that enclose the actual copy on a sign.
COST APPROACH (Valuation): An approach to estimating the value of real property whereby the appraiser determines the production cost of the property, minus any accrued depreciation. This approach does not merely include the hard costs of construction, but includes all soft costs such as interest, permits, and fees. In sign appraisal this concept includes the cost of replacing the message delivered to viewers.
COST PER THOUSAND (CPM): Refers to the cost for an advertiser to send a message to 1000 receivers. The measure is calculated by dividing the amount of money spent for a given advertisement by the number of people exposed to it. (Based on this measure, signs are usually considered to be the least expensive form of advertising.)
COVERAGE: A marketing term that refers to the percentage of the total market population reached by an advertising message displayed in a given medium; measured at least once a month.
CUSTOMER ACQUISITION COSTS: Basic value calculation used to measure the cost versus return from the presence of signage; the cost of acquiring a customer.
CUSTOM SIGN: A sign designed, manufactured and installed to meet the requirements of a specific location.
D
DAILY EFFECTIVE CIRCULATION (DEC): The average number of daily potential exposures to a display or group of signs determined by counting only those vehicles traveling toward the face of the sign, and then multiplying that number by the average number of people per car during the hours the sign is visible. Pedestrian and mass transit circulations are not included. This is the basic measure in establishing cost per thousand exposures on signs. The basic traffic numbers can usually be obtained from your State Department of Transportation.
DECK CABINET: Similar in detail and use as a raceway except larger in cross section to provide a background area.
DIMENSIONAL LETTER: A specification description of a letter, logo or symbol, either cut out, cast, molded or fabricated in material such as metal or plastic to create a raised condition.
DIRECTIONAL SIGN: Signs designed to provide direction to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
DIRECTORY SIGN: A sign that identifies the names and locations of tenants in a multi-tenant building or in a development made up of a group of buildings.
DOUBLE-SIDED SIGN: A sign with two parallel opposing (back-to-back) faces.
E
ELECTRIC SIGN: Any sign containing or using electrical wiring.
ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER: A variable message sign that utilizes computer-generated messages or some other electronic means of changing copy. These signs include displays using incandescent lamps, LEDs, LCDs or a flipper matrix.
EXTERIOR ILLUMINATED SIGN: A sign that is illuminated by a light source that is directed towards, and shines on the face of a sign. Also called direct illumination.
F
FACE: The surface area on a sign where advertising copy is displayed.
FAIR MARKET APPROACH: One of three appraisal approaches. The highest price at which a property could be sold given a reasonable exposure period in the market. The price is arrived at by a willing seller and willing buyer, neither being under duress to act.
FASCIA SIGN: A building mounted sign.
FIBER OPTIC MESSAGE CENTERS: With these signs, a series of fiber optic lines are run to the face of the sign and are mixed with a reflective material to use in the daytime and the fiber optic supplies the illumination at night. A mechanical flip disc is used to illuminate either the reflective material or the light. Computer aided and used mostly at night.
FLASHING SIGN: A sign with an intermittent or flashing light source. Generally, the sign’s message is constantly repeated, and the sign is most often used as a primary attention-getting device. Government highway departments frequently use flashing signs to improve highway safety.
FLAT CUTOUT LETTER: A dimensional letter cut from sheet or plate stock.
FLUORESCENT LAMP OR TUBE: Electric-discharge lighting utilizing glass tubing manufactured to standard lengths.
FONT: A set of letters, numerals, and shapes, which conform to a specific set of design criteria.
FREESTANDING SIGN: A sign that is not attached to a building.
FREQUENCY: The average number of times an individual has the opportunity to see an advertising message during a defined period of time. Typically measured over a four-week period.
FRONT LIGHTED LETTER: An illuminated channel letter with translucent face.
FULL SERVICE SIGN COMPANIES: Sign companies that complete the entire signage project, including surveying, designing, engineering, permitting, manufacturing, installing, and maintaining signs.
G
GROUND SIGN: A freestanding sign with no visible support structure.
H
H CHANNEL LETTER: A dimensional letter with baffles at the center of the cross-sectional shape for support of neon tubing and mounting of transformers.
HIGH-RISE SIGN: A tall freestanding sign.
I
IMPULSE BUYING: An unplanned or shifted purchase.
INCANDESCENT BULB: A lamp that produces light through the application of electrical energy to a wire filament, which glows as it is heated.
INCANDESCENT MESSAGE CENTERS: These signs use 5- or 10-watt wedge base lamps of various intensities.
INTERIOR SIGNS: Signs that are located inside a building or other facility.
INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN: A sign that is illuminated by a light source that is contained inside the sign.
ISA: International Sign Association.
J
JUST COMPENSATION: The full monetary value to be paid for property taken by the government in accordance with the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Just compensation is generally determined by obtaining an appraisal.
L
LEGIBILITY: The characteristics of letters, numbers, graphics, or symbols that make it possible to differentiate one from the other. See Conspicuity.
LISTED SIGN: A sign labeled to indicate that the manufacturer of the sign is identified in a list published by a National Recognized Testing Laboratory as producing signs in conformance with the applicable American National Standard.
LOGO: A design that represents goods, identity or service.
M
MALL SIGNAGE: A wide variety of typical on-premise sign types located within the interior of a multi-tenant building or mall.
MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES (MUTCD): This manual establishes minimum standards of placement that a sign must achieve to accomplish readability and conspicuity. The manual covers a range of traffic control devices; specifically signs, which it breaks into three categories-guide signs, warning signs, and directional signs. It is based on the principle that signage deficiencies cause traffic accidents.
MANUALLY CHANGEABLE COPY SIGNS: These signs typically use florescent lamps to illuminate the interior of a sign and have fixed letters where the message is developed on the panel and are changed by hand.
MARQUEE: A permanent canopy often of metal and glass projecting over an entrance.
MARQUEE SIGN: 1) a sign mounted on a permanent canopy, 2) a traditional industry term for the variable message section of a canopy sign, 3) an integral sign and permanent canopy.
MENU BOARD: A variable message sign that allows a retailer to list products and prices. For example, the bill of fare for a fast food restaurant.
MESSAGE AREA: The area within the sign panel describing the limits of the message.
MESSAGE CENTER: An electronically or mechanically variable message sign enabling changes to be made from locations other than at the sign. (See also variable message sign.)
MOBILE SIGN: A portable sign mounted on a trailer.
MONUMENT SIGN: A ground sign with low overall height. (See freestanding sign.)
N
NEC: National Electric Code
NEON SIGN: A sign manufactured utilizing neon tubing, which is visible to the viewer.
NEON TUBING: Electric discharge, cold cathode tubing manufactured into shapes that form letters, parts of letters, skeleton tubing, outline lighting, and other decorative elements or art forms, in various colors and diameters and filled with inert gases.
NESA: National Electric Sign Association, the previous name of the International Sign Association (ISA).
NON-CONFORMING SIGN: A sign that was legally installed or modified in accordance with federal, state and local laws, ordinances and approvals in affect at the time of installation or last significant modification, but does not comply with laws or ordinances enacted subsequent to that time.
O
OFF-PREMISES SIGN: Any sign that is not appurtenant to the use of the property, a product sold, or the sale or lease of the property on which it is displayed, and that does not identify the place of business as purveyor of the merchandise, services, etc., advertised upon the sign. Also known as Outdoor Advertising.
ON-PREMISES SIGN: A communication device whose message and design relates to a business, an event, goods, profession or service being conducted, sold or offered on the same property as there the sign is erected.
OPEN CHANNEL LETTER: A dimensional letter that has no face and, if illuminated with the light source visible. A clear face for physical protection of internal components may be used.
P
PAINTED WALL SIGN: See building mounted sign.
PAN CHANNEL LETTER: A dimensional letter that is constructed with side walls, back and a face making the letter a solid integral unit with the side walls and back having a pan-shaped cross section.
PAN FACE: A plastic sign face molded into a three dimensional shape. Also called molded face, molded and embossed face, molded and debossed face.
PARAPET SIGN: A sign mounted on top of the parapet of a building. (See building mounted sign.)
PERMANENT SIGN: A sign attached to a building, structure, or the ground in a manner that enables the sign to resist environmental loads, such as wind, and precludes ready removal or movement of the sign.
POINT-OF-PURCHASE SIGN: Signage that advertises a product at its point of sale, or “point of purchase” location.
POLE OR PYLON COVER: An enclosure for concealing and/or for decorating poles or other structural supports of a ground sign.
POLE SIGN: A freestanding sign with visible support structure.
POP (Point of Purchase): Signage that advertises a product at it’s point of purchase.
PORTABLE SIGN: A sign not permanently attached to the ground or building, with a power-cord for connection to an electrical source, and readily removable using ordinary hand tools.
POST AND PANEL SIGN: An unlighted sign fabricated by using one or more visible posts to support the sign body.
PROJECTING SIGN: A building mounted sign with the faces of the sign perpendicular to the building fascia.
PUSH-THROUGH: A letter or logo cut out of a backing material that is as thick or thicker than the sign face material, and mounted on the inside of the sign face so that the backing material’s thickness extends flush with or through and beyond the front plane of the sign face.
PYLON SIGN: A freestanding sign with visible support structure or with the support structure enclosed with a pole cover.
R
RACEWAY: An electrical enclosure that may also serve as a mounting structure for the sign.
READABILITY: (Also conspicuity.) The quality that enables the observer to correctly perceive the message. In transportation engineering, this word is being replaced by conspicuity.
RECALL: In signage, this refers to the ability of a viewer to remember the message even when they are not viewing it.
RECOGNITION: Refers to the ability of a viewer to identify the message.
REFLECTIVE MESSAGE CENTERS: These types of signs use fluorescent lamps to illuminate reflective material on each pixel. Pixels are turned or “flipped” mechanically to reveal the reflective material. (These are also called FLIP DISC SIGNS.)
REGULATORY SIGN: A sign having the primary purpose of conveying information concerning rules, ordinances or laws.
RETAINER: A framing member mounted around the perimeter of a sign face, and attached to the sign cabinet structure. It is designed to attach the face to the cabinet and/or intended to provide a decorating trim piece.
RETURN: The sides of a channel letter.
REVEAL: An indented detail on a sign.
REVERSE CHANNEL LETTER: A fabricated dimensional letter with opaque face and side walls.
ROOF SIGN: A building mounted sign erected on the roof of a building.
S
SCROLLING PLASTIC MESSAGES: This type of sign has a thin plastic roll in the sign that can be changed mechanically or by automation to add a new message.
SIDEWALK/SANDWICH SIGN: A moveable sign not secured or attached to the ground or surface upon which it is located, but supported by its own frame and most often forming the cross-sectional shape of an A.
SIGN: Any visual display with words or symbols designed to convey information or attract attention.
SIGN BAND: A horizontal area above a multi-tenants’ building’s entrances, architecturally designed to accommodate signage in a sign-centric manner.
SIGN FACE: The area of a sign on which copy is intended to be placed.
SIGNAGE: A system of signs.
SIGNATURE BUILDING: Architectural design of a building or structure that reinforces signage.
SIGNCENTRIC DESIGN: Building architectural design which makes the signage the prominent visual feature.
SINGLE-FACE SIGN: A sign with only one face plane.
STATIONARY SIGN: A sign with a power-cord for attachment to a source of electrical power that is not readily moveable or portable.
STREET FURNITURE: Advertising displays, many which provide a public amenity, positioned at close proximity to pedestrians for eye-level viewing or at a curbside to reach vehicular traffic. An example is a bench sign.
T
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.
TEMPORARY SIGN: Any sign not intended for permanent installation, such as banners and signs at construction sites. They may be incidental or miscellaneous in nature, such as political and real estate signs.
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, 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.
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 the competition. A trademark may include a name, symbol, word or combination of those. Protected by the federal government and considered to have financial value. The circled “R” or “Reg. T.M.” printed with the mark indicates that it is a registered trademark. See United States Trademark Act 15 U.S.C. Section 1127 (1988).
TRAFFIC COUNT: The recording of the vehicles and pedestrians passing a given point, usually in a day.
TRANSFORMER: Electrical equipment that converts input voltage and current to a different output voltage and current.
TRI-OR MULTI- VISION FACES: These are signs where an individual face is cut and placed on a mechanical device with multiple sides that change and then return to create a uniform system.
U
UL: An abbreviation for Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.
UNDER-CANOPY SIGN: A sign designed to be mounted underneath a canopy.
V
VARIABLE MESSAGE SIGN: A sign that includes provisions for message changes. Also called changeable copy panel, changeable copy sign, time and temperature sign, electronic message center, menu board.
VARIANCE: Special administrative procedure by which one may obtain an exception to zoning rules such as height, setback and type of use.
VISIBILITY: The quality of a letter, number, graphic, or symbol, which enables the observer to distinguish it from its surrounds or background.
W
WALL SIGN: A building mounted sign. (See also Fascia sign.)
WAYFINDING: Enabling a person to find his or her way to a given destination thru the use of effective signage.
WINDOW SIGN: A sign that is displayed in a window.
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