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Sign FAQ's
From concept to completion - Paladin Signs & Graphics can help you with projects from flat stock printing, such as business cards and brochures to multi-tenant pylons and channel letters. We surround ourselves with the "best of the best" in the industry to maintain our standards and give our clients a quality experience while completing their objectives.ALLTHREAD: Steel or metal shaft with continuous threads.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITES ACT (ADA): A law passed in July 1990 to facilitate access to businesses, public buildings, services, and employment to people with a variety of disabilities. Signage requirements for both the exterior and interior of the buildings affected are specified in the law. Specifications for the types of signs required under the Act are delineated in regulations. Visibility specifications, for example, are established that require letters on the signs to be “clearly visible” to persons with impaired vision.
ANCHOR: An insert in a solid base, e.g. concrete, brick, to bolt and anchor a structure such as an awning. The width, length, and thickness of the base material of an awning must be considered when installing an anchor into a sub-surface reinforcement. The composition of the anchor must be considered.
ANGLE IRON: 90 degree steel or iron piece used in sign structure.
ANIMATED SIGN: A sign depicting action or motion of graphic nature, or color changes requiring electrical energy, electronic or manufactured sources of supply, except wind actuated elements such as flags, or banners. While some of the technology in an animated sign is similar to flashing, the sign’s commercial component is more involved with graphics and artistic displays.
APPLICATION TAPE: The adhesive tape used to transfer pressure sensitive letters, graphics or symbols from their liner to the display surface.
ARGON: An inert gas used with mercury to create blue gas; used in neon products. When ionized, argon is a dim lavender color.
ARTERIES OR ARTERIALS: The major collector streets within a defined urban or rural area.
BACKLIGHTED UNITS: Signage structures which incorporate a light metal, wood, plastic, fabric, etc. cabinet to direct light through translucent advertising printed on plastic or heavy duty for visibility, especially at night.
BALLAST: An auxiliary device required to operate fluorescent lamps. Ballasts serve several important functions, depending on the type of lamp used:
BALLAST, CERTIFIED: A ballast that has been made to precise specifications to assure that it will operate fluorescent lamps within prescribed standards.
BANNER: A temporary sign composed of light weight material not enclosed in a rigid frame, secured or mounted so as to allow movement of the sign caused by movement of the atmosphere. Includes those used to announce open houses, grand openings, make special announcements, or communicate events. Banners may be secured or unsecured.
BILLBOARD: A standardized panel or flat surface, usually outdoors, for displaying notices or advertisements. Commonly associated with wooden or steel structures that carry either poster paper, painted messages, or backlit. In the late 19th Century bills were posted on leased wooden boards for advertising messages or “bills,” hence the term billboard. In common usage the term often refers to painted bulletins and poster panels. The act of using billboards is also called hoarding.
BLEED POSTER: Bleed posters have designs extending beyond the normal copy area to the molding trim for greater impact. This is achieved by printing additional sections of paper or by using oversized posters and trimming them to panel size. Blanking papers of the same color as the poster background are used to bring the design area up to the molding. Due to printing and paper variables, lettering and essential design elements should be limited to the normal copy area.
BLEED THROUGH: A production difficulty created when the previous design used on an advertising structure can be seen through the current message. This can occur because of the type of paper used, the chemical reaction of certain pigments or because of excessive wetting from heavy rain.
BOLD FACE: A heavy stroke letter style.
BRAND EQUITY: The value of graphics or symbols that are associated with goods, products, or services that help establish name awareness, type and quality of product and are involved in customer loyalty and perception of the product. Brand equity for a particular product is similar to the goodwill of an enterprise. Soft drinks, tobacco, and soaps are examples of products with high brand equity value.
BRUSHED FINISH: A non-glossy finish that is usually applied mechanically to metal for texturing a decorative surface.
BUILDING FAÇADE: That portion of any exterior 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.
CABINET: The enclosure of an electrical sign in either single or double face, consisting of faces, or faces and backs and edging; the whole comprising an integral enclosure.
CAMERA READY ART: Artwork or copy ready to be printed, photographed or otherwise reproduced.
CANOPY OR MARQUEE: A permanent roof structure attached to and supported by a building and projecting over public property but does not include a projecting roof.
CANS: A metal area which holds the face of a plastic sign; the frame and working of a sign.
CHANGEABLE COPY PANEL: Any panel which has changeable or variable copy, regardless of the method of attachment.
CLEANING AND INSPECTION: A service or maintenance operation in which all exposed surfaces of sign cabinets, letters, tubing, etc., are washed down and wiped or polished. In this process the sign in general and the electrical components in particular are examined to make sure they are in good and safe operating condition.
CLEAR SIGHT TRIANGLE: The triangle area formed by a diagonal line connecting two points located on intersecting right-of-way lines (or right-of-way line and the edge of an access road), usually each point is 35 feet from the intersection, and the two intersecting right-of-way lines (or a right-of-way line and an access road).
COLOR: Any hue or combination of these hues. Black is the presence of all colors and white is the absence of color. In sign codes, black and white are considered to be colors. The Americans with Disabilities Act has requirements in this category.
COMPREHENSIVE SIGN DESIGN: Building design and signs integrated into one architectural plan. The comprehensive plan must be complete in all other building structural, and electrical requirements. It is one technique used in signage reputation allow older structure to become commercial functional. The comprehensive design, if used as part of the sign code, should require a plot plan of the real estate parcel, site elevations and a color rendering of the primary building frontage and signage. The plot plan should include all entrances/exits, plus all parking spaces, light fixtures and buildings. The site elevation or color rendering should include the exact colors and details of the building after the renovation (fore lift) is completed. Further, a narrative report of the applicant should include traffic count, description of materials and detailed specification of the materials. The narrative should contain a report of how this renovation or comprehensive design enhances its zoning district.
CONDUIT: A tube or pipe, normally steel, used to house wire or cable and protect it from weather and physical damage.
CONFORMING SIGN: A sign which was legally erected in accordance with federal, state and local laws in effect at the time of erection.
COPY: Pictorial design, background, word content, message etc., to be displayed on either poster panels, painted bulletins or other form of signage displays.
CORPORATE LOGO SYSTEMS: The entire identification system of a company-integrated into logos or graphics from the signage, building design, lights, landscaping, product packaging inside the facility, and logo items on stationery. Lighting, environmental, atmospheric conditions make such a system difficult. In addition, colors on paints and plastics must be available in colors that can be easily mixed. Similar to a brand equity system but reflects a system that considers the good, product, or service in its final stage while still in the initial planning steps. There are numerous examples of companies with extensive corporate logo systems.
DECORATIVE: Those parts of a sign structure to enhance design and not structural integrity.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNS: 1. Signs designed to assist tourists to locate restaurants, lodging, local attractions, etc. Section 131(c) of the Highway Beautification Act, creates a special exemption for the placement of directional signs for public places on historic, cultural, scientific, educational and religious sites. These signs cannot exceed 150 square feet and must comply with stringent content, spacing and lighting requirements. 2. Any sign which is designed and erected solely for the purpose to which or on which the public is directed.
DIRECTORY SIGN: Any sign listing the names, and/or use, and/or location of the various businesses or activities conducted within a building or group of buildings.
ELECTRIC SIGN: Any sign which has electrical wiring in, on, or attached to it.
FLUSH FACE: Characters, borders, etc. which are either painted or enameled on background and exist only in the finish on the sign face, with no additional fabrication.
FORMED: An acrylic background or individual letter (usually plastic) that has been given dimension by heating and shaping with vacuum, pressure, or draping over a mold.
FRONTAGE: The length of the property line of any one premise along each public right-of-way on which it borders.
FULL-SIZE PATTERN: A detail drawing on paper, actual size, showing sign shape, lettering, tubing, framing, cross sections and other information necessary for sign construction.
MOUNTING PADS: Plastic or metal devices used as an installation medium for letters and plaques.
OFFICAL SIGN: Directional and other signs or notices erected and maintained by public officers or governmental agencies pursuant to and in accordance with directions or authorizations contained in state or federal laws, for the purpose of carrying our official duty.
OFF-PREMISE SIGN: A sign which directs attention to or advertises a business, commodity, service, entertainment or attraction sold or offered at the location other than the premises on which the sign is erected. Billboards are off premise signs.
OPEN CHANNEL (LETTER): A sign component or letter that has a back and sides, but no face.
OUTLINE: Refers to “stroke only” plus a stripe in another color completely around the stroke of a letter, character or other indicia.
PAN (PAN CHANNEL): One type of “channel.” Pan denotes that a letter etc., is constructed with side walls and a face making the letter etc., a solid integral unit having a pan shaped cross section.
PERMIT: A license granted by the state and/or locality to authorize a sign.
P.K. BUSHINGS: A special housing that permits termination of electrodes in a wall with the wiring in or behind the wall. Use particularly in illuminated skeleton pan channel letter installations, tubing only installations, etc.
POLE SIGN: Any sign supported wholly by uprights, braces, or poles in or on the ground, including poster panels and painted bulletins. Strictly speaking no guywires, braces, or secondary supports are used; any angle iron or main support is enclosed in wood, plastic, or metal form, such that the angle iron or main support is not visible.
POLYURETHANE: Polymers that contain.
NHCOO: Inkages and are used in elastomers, resins, and flexible and rigid foams.
PORTABLE SIGN: Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or building, but usually anchored or secured to a trailer, vehicle (where primary purpose is to advertise) or frame capable of being moved from place to place.
REGULATORY SIGNS: Public signs on the expressway, highway, and interstate system that inform users of traffic laws, rules, and regulations. The direct displays of the regulations must be displayed before enforcement is possible. Truck route signs are one example of these signs.
RETAINER: Normally a metal or sometimes plastic part that covers the edges of a translucent face and secures it to the metal sign body or letter. Normally loose enough to permit expansion and contraction of the face.
ROOF SIGN: A sign erected upon the roof or parapet of a building which is wholly or partially supported by said building.
SANDBLASTING: The process of using pressurized sand to polish or cut relief in flat surfaces such as walls or sign surfaces.
SATIN/MATTE: A sign surface that is dull or unshiny finish having no mirror-like reflections. Gives a softer appearance. Known variously in other mediums as “Eggshell,” “Flat,” etc. Matte is 0-5% gloss and satin is approximately 20%. There is an instrument called a 60 degree gloss meter that measures the degree of gloss.
SCREEN-PRINTING: A method of printing for small to moderate quantity runs which employs screens rather than metal plates.
SCRIPT: A style of vertical or slanted letters that generally conforms to copy produced by normal handwriting. Covers lettering normally falling under categories of Bank Script, Thompson Quillscript, Royal Script, Kaufman, etc.
SIGN: Signs can be broadly defined as a physical display by which an enterprise, public or private, communicates visual information. Signs are commonly grouped into three categories: incidental, accessory and primary use. On-premise signs are an accessory land use that are related to a particular zone of activity or they are related to a particular land use. Outdoor advertising is primary land use. The third classification of signage is miscellaneous signs. A sign is any structure, device, advertisement, advertising device, or visual representation intended to advertise, identify, or communicate information to attract the attention of the public for and purpose and without prejudice to the generality of the forgoing. Signage includes any symbols, letters, figures, illustration, or forms painted or otherwise affixed to a building or structure and any beacon or searchlight intended to attract attention of the public for any purpose and also any structure or device the prime purpose of which is to border, illuminate, animate, or project a representation. This definition shall not be held to include official notices issued by any Court or public office in the performance of a public or official duty, and traffic control signs as defined in the “Motor Vehicle Act.”
SIGN(B): Any identification, description, illustration, or device, illuminated or non-illuminated which is visible from any public place and which directs attention to a product, place, activity, person, institution(s), business and solicitation, including and permanently installed or situated merchandise with the exception of window display and any emblem, painting, banner,pennant, placard or temporary sign designed to advertise, identify or convey information. National flags and flags or political subdivisions shall not be construed as signs.
SIGN FACE: The area of a sign on which copy could be placed.
SKELETON TUBE: A neon window sign that has a glass tube bracing or frame from which the sign is hung.
SNIPE SIGN: A sign for which a permit has not been obtained which is attached to a public utility pole, light pole, service pole supports for another sign.
FRONTAGE: The linear frontage of a parcel of property abutting a public street.
STRIP CHANNEL: A type of channel in which only the sidewalls are constructed and the sign face serves as the letter face. Applicable to installation on backgrounds in the shop only and only to the very large letters and special circumstances.
STROKE: The width of the letter’s bar.
SUPPORTS (STAND-OFFS): Tube mounting insulators about 2 inches long that extend the neon tube away from the backing as well as support it. Stand-offs are made of glass, acrylic, or metal and are spring loaded to absorb shock.
TARGET: A small sign that partially obstructs the view of the panel. An object, such as a piece of plywood, cardboard, etc. raised by a crane, or hung over a building, used to determine proper sign size, letter height, or distance a sign should be installed from grade. Raising a target is called “flagging.” A target is not to be confused with flagging posters.
TEASERS: Posters that initially carry only part of their entire message. After several days’ display has aroused the curiosity of the viewer, the remaining copy is added to the design.
TIME SWITCH: A clock-or timer-actuated switch for connecting and disconnecting an electrical circuit at a prescribed time each day.
TRADEMARK: Includes any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof used by a person or which a person has a bona fide intention to use in commerce to identify and distinguish his or her goods, including a unique product, from those manufactured or sold by others and to indicate the source of the goods. The trademark is protected is protected legally and is economically valuable business property. Infringement of a trademark consists of its use or imitation by another in a manner which is or may be deceptive. A business proprietor that customers will be misled as to the identify of the proprietor, the goods available, or services rendered. Federal marks are protected under Lanham where there exists a likelihood of confusion between the mark and allegedly infringing use. Specific steps must be taken to develop legal protections for a trademark. The circled “R” or “Reg. T.M.” printed with the mark indicates that it is a registered trademark.
TRANSFORMER: An electrical component that is used to change voltage and current to values other than those supplied. Normally Neon signs raise voltage from 11/120 primary to 5000 to 15,000 secondary to operate the tubing. “Step-up” required to light a particular unit or sign. Transformer styles include indoor and outdoor models, window and window compact versions, light weight, solid state, and high frequency types and the bombarding transformers.
TRANSFORMER BOX: A weatherproof enclosure to contain transformers where they are not installed inside a sign cabinet or letter.
TUNE DIAMETER: The outside diameter of glass used to make Neon tubing. Normally expressed in the metric system (millimeters).
VARIANCE: Method by which a party may obtain an exception to rules of zoning, such as height, setback, and type of use. Requires specific application, reasoning and approval by governing body. Without variance procedures, a sign code may be considered a taking.
VEHICULAR SIGN: Signs on parked vehicles or boats communicating to the public where the primary purpose of the vehicle or boat is to advertise a product or to direct people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property.
VINYL: Type of plastic with a number of uses including adhesive backing. Used as a painted surface in outdoor advertising.
VINYL DIE CUT: The use of pressure sensitive material that sign components are mechanically cut from.
VOLTAGE: An electrical potential difference- push of electricity.
V-TYPE SIGN: Two or three signs in the shape of the letter “V” or triangle when viewed from above with their faces oriented in different directions located not more than 15 feet apart at the closest points. A V-Type sign constitutes one outdoor advertising sign.
WARNING SIGN: A part if the public street and highway system to promote public safety by promulgating through signage messages about potential traffic hazards on the street or adjacent traffic arteries. Examples include “no passing zone,” “dead end,” and “no outlet’ signs.
