Sign terminology

Alphabetical. These are the definitions we use when we write your quote, so a “3″ return” means the same thing on both sides of the phone.

ACM

Aluminum composite material — two thin aluminum skins bonded to a plastic core. 3mm ACM is our standard cabinet backer: rigid, light and weatherproof.

Angle build

Cabinet construction using an angle frame with an angle retainer holding the face. Available 2″, 3″ or 6″ deep.

Angle retainer

The angled extrusion that clamps a sign face into the frame. Sized to the cabinet — 1″ on small pre-fab, up to 2″ on 5′ work.

Blade sign

A double-faced sign mounted perpendicular to a wall so it reads to traffic in both directions. Single-leg, two-leg or gravity-hung.

C-channel build

Cabinet construction using channel frame with an angle retainer. Depths of 2″, 3″ or 4″.

Cloud cabinet

A custom-shaped cabinet built from 3″ or 5″ bent aluminum returns — the shape follows the logo rather than a rectangle.

Face

The front surface of a lit sign. Usually .177″ acrylic or polycarbonate, plain or with cut/printed vinyl applied.

Flat cut letters

Letters cut from solid material — aluminum, PVC, HD foam, ACM or acrylic — with no internal cavity. Stud or standoff mounted.

Flex face

A tensioned fabric face for backlit cabinets and awnings. Absorbs impact and resists wind and rain better than rigid polycarbonate.

Front access

The sign is serviced from the front — the face comes off. Necessary when there is no way in from behind the wall.

Front-lit

Illumination behind the face so the face itself glows. The most common storefront letter.

Halo-lit

Also called reverse-lit. A solid metal face with light thrown backwards onto the wall, so the letter reads as a silhouette in a glow.

Match plate

Two fabricated steel plates that bolt together, welded to an existing pole base, so a new sign can be mounted to old structure.

Pan letter

A letter formed as a metal pan — face and returns as one piece — rather than a face attached to separate returns.

Pole cover

A fabricated sleeve that conceals the pole, hardware and welds under a freestanding sign.

Pole-in-pole

A smaller pole slid inside an existing larger one with a reinforcement ring and a welded cap. Used to retrofit or strengthen an existing installation.

Post and panel

A single-faced panel carried between two vertical posts. Directional signage, site identification, real estate.

Push-through

Acrylic shapes pushed through cut-outs in a metal face so they stand slightly proud and light from behind. A 3D lit edge without separate letters.

Pylon sign

A large freestanding cabinet elevated between two poles, usually carrying tenant panels for a multi-tenant site.

Raceway

An enclosure that carries wiring and power supplies behind a letter set so the wall only needs one penetration. Ours run 6″H × 5″D and 12″H × 5″D.

Return

The side wall of a channel letter or cabinet — the depth. Standard depths are 3.5″ and 5.3″, custom up to 8″.

Saddle mount

Saddle brackets welded to the top and bottom of a cabinet; the pole passes through a guide bracket at the bottom and secures to the bracket at the top.

Shoebox cabinet

An angle-frame cabinet with an aluminum face built to carry a channel letter set or push-through graphics. 2″, 3″ or 5″ deep.

Standoff

Hardware that holds a letter or panel off the wall — structurally, and to create the gap a halo needs.

Trim cap

The plastic edging that joins an acrylic face to the metal returns of a channel letter. Available 1″ or 2″, in standard or custom colors.

Trimless

A letter built without trim cap — the face is bonded or screwed directly to the returns for a seamless edge. Face edge reveals from 1/8″ to 3/4″.

UL Listed

Certified to Underwriters Laboratories standards for electric signs. Most jurisdictions require it and most inspectors look for the label.

6500K

The color temperature of our standard white LED modules — a clean daylight white. RGB and RGBW are available.

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