Resources / Sign glossary
THE TRADE’S VOCABULARY
Glossary of Sign Terms & Definitions
Signage has a vocabulary of its own, and knowing a few key terms makes it much easier to describe what you want and understand a quote.
THE SHORT VERSION
Signage has a vocabulary of its own, and knowing a few key terms makes it much easier to describe what you want and understand a quote. Here are the sign terms we use most often with Houston clients, grouped by topic. If you run across a term you don’t see here, ask us. We’re happy to explain.
IN THIS GLOSSARY
- Sign types & structures · 8 terms
- Illumination & electrical · 8 terms
- Materials & fabrication · 8 terms
- Process, mounting & permitting · 9 terms
01 · 8 TERMS
Sign types & structures
Channel letters
individually fabricated, three-dimensional letters mounted to a building, usually illuminated. See channel letter signs.
Monument sign
a low, freestanding, ground-mounted sign at an entrance. See monument signs.
Pylon sign
a tall freestanding sign on one or more poles or a structural base, built to be seen from a distance. See pylon signs.
Pole sign
a cabinet mounted on one or two visible poles; a simpler, often shorter cousin of the pylon.
Cabinet (or box) sign
an enclosed, internally illuminated sign box with a translucent face.
Blade (or projecting) sign
a sign mounted perpendicular to a building to catch pedestrian and drive-by traffic.
Wall / dimensional letters
fabricated metal or acrylic letters and logos mounted flat to a wall or fascia. See wall signs.
Multi-tenant sign
a pylon or monument with changeable panels listing several tenants of a property.
02 · 8 TERMS
Illumination & electrical
Front-lit
a channel letter with a translucent face that lights up from within, glowing forward.
Halo-lit (reverse-lit)
a channel letter with a solid face, lit from behind so it casts a halo on the wall.
LED
light-emitting diode; the efficient, long-lasting light source used in most modern illuminated signs.
EMC (electronic message center)
a programmable LED display that shows changeable text and graphics. See LED signs.
Pixel pitch
the distance between LEDs on a digital display; smaller pitch = sharper image, readable closer up.
Neon
illuminated glass tubing filled with gas; a classic look now often imitated with LED “faux-neon.”
Power supply / transformer
the component that converts building power to the voltage the sign’s lighting needs.
UL listing
certification that an electric sign meets Underwriters Laboratories safety standards.
03 · 8 TERMS
Materials & fabrication
Acrylic
a durable translucent plastic commonly used for illuminated sign faces and letters.
Aluminum
the primary metal used for sign cabinets, channel-letter returns, and structures.
Returns
the sides of a channel letter that give it depth.
Trim cap
the finished edge that frames the face of a channel letter.
Face
the front surface of a sign or letter that carries the graphics.
Substrate
the base material a sign’s graphics are applied to or built from.
Routing
cutting shapes or letters out of a face or panel with a CNC router.
Push-through letters
acrylic letters that push through a routed metal face for a clean, dimensional lit look.
04 · 9 TERMS
Process, mounting & permitting
Site survey
the on-site measurement and assessment we do before designing a sign.
Rendering
a to-scale visual of the proposed sign, often shown on a photo of your building.
Shop drawing
the detailed fabrication drawing specifying materials, dimensions, and construction.
Raceway
a mounting bar that houses the wiring and power supply behind channel letters.
Wireway
a channel that conceals and routes electrical wiring on a sign.
Flush-mount
letters or elements mounted directly against the wall surface.
Deed restriction
a private, recorded property rule that can limit sign size, type, or lighting; especially important in Houston. See the permit guide.
Variance
special permission to exceed a standard sign limit (such as height), granted by a jurisdiction.
ADA signage
signage meeting Americans with Disabilities Act rules for tactile characters and braille. See ADA & wayfinding.
STRAIGHT ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pylon and a monument sign?
A pylon is tall and built to be seen from a distance or the freeway; a monument is low and ground-mounted at an entrance. Many properties use both.
What does UL-listed mean on a sign?
It means the electric sign is certified to meet Underwriters Laboratories safety standards for wiring and components, which matters for passing inspection.
What is an EMC?
An electronic message center: a programmable LED display that shows changeable text and graphics, often built into a pylon or monument.
More straight answers.
The guides Houston sign buyers use most, written by the shop that builds the signs.
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