Sign Glossary

Signage plays a crucial role in our everyday lives, conveying information, promoting businesses, and enhancing our environment. Here at Signarama Troy, we want to empower you with knowledge! Let’s explore some key terms related to signs:

1. Acrylic Signs

   Acrylic signs are made from a durable plastic material that can be transparent or colored. They are commonly used for sleek, professional-looking indoor and outdoor signage.

2. Backlit Signs

   Backlit signs are illuminated from behind, often using LED lights, to make the sign visible at night or in low-light conditions.

3. Banner

   A banner is a large, flexible sign typically made of vinyl, used for temporary outdoor or indoor advertising. Banners can be printed with graphics, text, or both.

4. Channel Letters

   Channel letters are custom-made 3D letters, often illuminated, that are used for exterior signage on buildings. They are typically made from aluminum or plastic.

5. Coroplast

   Coroplast is a brand of corrugated plastic sheeting used for lightweight, cost-effective signs like yard signs or temporary signage.

6. Dimensional Letters

   Dimensional letters are 3D letters that are mounted to a surface, giving the sign a raised effect. They can be made from various materials, including metal, plastic, or wood.

7. Digital Signage

   Electronic displays that show dynamic content like videos, images, and text, ideal for advertising or real-time information.

8. Directional Signage

   Directional signage provides guidance and information to help people navigate a space, such as arrows pointing to specific locations within a building or facility.

9. Evacuation Signs

   Signs with clear instructions and symbols to guide people safely out of a building during an emergency.

10. Illuminated Signs

    Illuminated signs use internal or external lighting, such as LEDs or neon, to make the sign visible at night or in low-light conditions.

11. Lobby Signs

    A sign is displayed in the entrance area of a building, often identifying the business and welcoming visitors.

12. Monument Signs

    Monument signs are freestanding signs typically located at the entrance of a business or facility, often made from stone, brick, or metal, and placed at eye level.

13. Neon Signs

    Neon signs are illuminated signs made from tubes filled with neon gas that glow when an electric current passes through them. They are often used for retro or high-impact signage.

14. Pylon Signs

    Pylon signs are tall, freestanding signs, usually mounted on one or two poles, and used to attract attention from a distance, often for shopping centers or businesses near highways.

15. Retractable Banners

    Banners displayed on a stand that can be easily rolled up and transported for portable advertising.

16. Retrofit

    Retrofit refers to the process of updating or converting an existing sign with new technology or materials, such as converting a fluorescent sign to LED lighting.

17. Sign Cabinet

    A sign cabinet is an enclosed structure that houses the components of a sign, such as the lighting and sign face. It’s often used in illuminated signs.

18. Sign Face

    The sign face is the visible surface of the sign where the graphics, text, or images are displayed. It can be made from various materials, including acrylic, vinyl, or aluminum.

19. Signage

    Signage refers to the collective use of signs or a system of signs to communicate information, brand identity, or advertising messages.

20. Sign Permit

    An official authorization from a local government permitting agency to install a specific sign.

21. Substrate

    A substrate is the material or surface onto which the sign graphics are applied. Common substrates include aluminum, PVC, wood, and acrylic.

22. Trade Show Displays

    Trade show displays are portable, often modular, signage systems used at events to attract and engage attendees with a company’s branding and messaging.

23. Vehicle Wrap

    A vehicle wrap is a large vinyl graphic or decal that is applied directly over a vehicle’s paint, used for advertising or customizing the appearance of a vehicle.

24. Vinyl Lettering

    Vinyl lettering is custom-cut adhesive letters made from vinyl, used for creating text-based signs on various surfaces like windows, walls, or vehicles.

25. Wayfinding Signage

    Wayfinding signage helps people navigate through a building or space, providing directions and identifying locations, such as exits, restrooms, and specific rooms.

26. Window Clings

    Window clings are non-adhesive vinyl graphics that stick to glass surfaces using static electricity, making them easy to apply and remove without leaving residue.

27. Window Graphics

    Window graphics are customizable vinyl decals or prints that are applied to glass surfaces, such as windows or doors. They can be used for advertising, branding, or decorative purposes, and offer a versatile and eye-catching way to enhance the appearance of a space.

28. Wrap Around Signage

    Wrap-around signage refers to signs that cover multiple sides of a structure, such as a corner building or column, providing visibility from multiple angles.

Stay tuned for more terms and insights from National Branding! We’re here to help you navigate the world of signage for your company or franchise group.  We create solutions that meet your specific needs. Contact National Branding to discuss your signage and branding project!