Common Signage Terms

Have you ever dealt with a vendor who made you feel dumb…someone who peppered his speech with terms that were foreign to you? That can be a problem in many industries, as those in them feel very comfortable using terminology that sounds like Chinese to the rest of us.

 The sign industry is not immune to this situation, so in the interest of combating it, we plan to regularly provide a glossary of some of our commonly used terms. We are well aware that having educated customers really helps us do our jobs better.

Here are a few definitions to get us started:

 ADA Signage—ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act, a measure passed in 1990 that created specific standards and regulations regarding accessibility, signage, and more. Proper ADA signage includes parking signs, exit signs, bathroom signs and braille signs.

  
Dimensional Letters--- 3D letters and numbers, made from a variety of materials from foam to solid metals.
 

Monument Signs—A monument sign usually features a company’s name and logo, and stands alone in a highly visible location near the entrance.

 

Vinyl Signs—A petroleum-based material, vinyl is affordable and often used in making signs. Vinyl banners are very popular, cut vinyl lettering is a common application, and other types of vinyl signs are all over the place.

 We work hard to ensure we don’t talk over customers’ heads, but if you ever feel lost, please stop us and ask for an “English” translation.

 

Common Signage Terms