GLOSSARY K - O

KERNING: The process of moving pairs of letters farther apart or closer together to make them appear more evenly spaced. Most layout software offers an automatic kerning feature which greatly reduces the need for manual kerning. See also letterspacing.

KIOSK: Traditionally a small structure used for posting temporary signs and notices. A freestanding structure onto (and into) which messages and pertinent information can be housed and displayed. Many kiosks have interactive elements such as touch screen monitors. May be portable or permanent.

KNIFE BEVEL: The angle of the vertical cutting edge of a blade. The angle is increased to aid knife travel through thicker material that produces more friction between the blade and medium.

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LACQUER: A clear finishing material similar to varnish and preferred by sign makers because of its abilities to dry quickly and to not be affected by the presence of dust. It may also be used as a binder with pigments such as silver dust.

LAMINATION: A process by which different materials are lacquered and then bonded together. The end result may be the creation of a substrate, such as medium-density overlay (MDO), or protection of the underlying surface, as when a clear plastic film is laminated to a decorated surface.

LAYOUT: The total arrangement of a sign's graphics. Shows the overall plan of how the art copy will be arranged on the face.

LEGIBILITY: The quality of a sign's typefaces that allows it to be easily read and deciphered. See also readability.

LETTER STYLES: Serif, sans serif, slab serif, italic, light, roman, medium, demi-bold, bold, extra bold. See also font.

LETTER VISIBILITY CHART: An established set of numbers representing approximate visibility of letters over a range of distances. Ranges from a 3" letter which has a maximum impact readable distance of 30' and a maximum readable distance of to a 60" letter which has a maximum impact readable distance of 600' and a maximum readable distance of 2500'. Readable distances vary with various color combinations and type faces as well as with surrounding visual busyness, and whether the observer is still or in motion.

LETTERSPACING: The addition of space between individual characters or numerals. See also tracking.

LEXAN: A trade name for polycarbonate plastic sheeting.

LINE SPACING: Typographic term used to describe distance from letter baseline to letter baseline in blocks of text. Also called leading.

LOGO: An often stylized group of letters, words, symbols, or shapes used to represent a business or product. The use of a company's logo can be regulated by the federal government once it is registered. See also trademark.

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MAGNETIC SHEETING: Magnetized sheet material laminated to a flexible plastic sheet and available in rolls. Cut to size and decorated, magnetic sheeting works well for temporary signs applied to magnetic metal surfaces.

MARQUEE:  1. The portion of a canopy, sign, or architectural element protruding from a building face that projects over the public street or sidewalk. Can be lighted, used for advertising of events, and is typically used by theaters. 2. A projecting structure permanently attached to, but not a part of the roof. Also known as a canopy. 3. In computer graphics, the process of using a mouse-driven cursor to draw a rectangle around an on-screen object, therefore selecting it for further work. Also called "highlighting" in some software.

MASKING: In painting or screen-printing, the process of covering areas, usually with tape or paper, to protect them from receiving subsequent layers of paint or ink.

MASONITE: A brand of hard substrate made from wood chips that have been pressed into boards.

MATTE FINISH: Having a dull surface; not shiny or reflective.

MAXIMUM YIELD: In production, the amount of material utilized versus what is wasted or dropped. To achieve maximum yield, objects, letters, etc. are nested manually or via computer to allow the smallest amount of waste in a sheet of material. Also used in reference to organizing cuts on lengths of stock (e.g., bar stock, tube, rod, etc.) to minimize wasted material. See also nesting, yield.

MDO (MEDIUM-DENSITY OVERLAY): A type of plywood considered an ideal base for paint ad recommended for signs. MDO is exterior-grade plywood with a smooth impregnated paper veneer on both sides.

MENU BOARD: A changeable point-of-purchase advertising display that allows the retailer to list products and prices.

MESSAGE CENTER: Any sign that displays changeable copy through electronic or mechanical means.

METAL FINISHES: Sign finishes vary greatly between silver metals and yellow metals. Typically both include polished, brushed, satin, matte, painted, anodized, antique, oxidized, galvanized, chrome-plated, nickel-plated, engine-turned, and many others. Metals typically come in a mill finish (as fabricated by the manufacturer). There are many levels of finishes that relate to gloss and reflectance including matte, satin, nondirectional, abraded, brushed, and mirror finish.

METALS: Metals used in signmaking include: aluminum, brass, bronze, cast iron, copper, gold, iridium, lead, magnesium, mild steel, muntz metal, nickel, pewter, platinum, silver, stainless steel, tin, titanium, weathering steel, and zinc.

MIRROR:  1. Function of reversing type or an image in design. Used mainly for cutting copy or images to be installed on the inside surface of a transparent substrate such as a window. 2. Highly polished, virtually specular finish on surface or material.

MOCK-UP: Typically a full-size model used to test scale, color, appearance, legibility and/or aesthetic aspects. Usually made of materials that simulate final construction materials and finishes. Also called maquette.

MOLDING: A trim, commonly of wood or metal, available in many shapes and profiles, used as detail on many different types of signs. The metal or wood that frames a billboard.

MONUMENT SIGN: A freestanding sign sitting directly on the ground or mounted on a low base. Usually identifies facility, building, or entrance.

MOSAIC: Tile with a series of small inlaid pieces of porcelain or natural clay materials that form decorative patterns, images, or words.

MULTICOLOR PRINTING: Any screen-printing job involving the application of more than one color of ink.

MURAL: Wall surface that has been treated with a paint, tile, or vinyl graphic pattern, image, or shape. Historically murals have been either hand-painted or mosaics. Now murals can be achieved using large-format digital prints that can emulate any material or finish desired.

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NAME PLATE: A sign that identifies only the name, occupation, and/or professional title of the occupant of a desk, office, or building. A building name plate might also have the name of the building and other directional information.

NEGATIVE SPACE: The background of a sign. The area around and within the art and copy. Also called white space. See also positive space.

NESTING: Placement of images or letters in an arrangement to minimize waste of material when cutting. Used mainly in cutting or routing individual letter image backs in metal for channel letters and other electric signs; also seen in vinyl-production software to assemble elements of same color. See also maximum yield.

NETWORK: A group of computers that are connected with cables and software for constant, ondemand communication. With a network, several computers can use or control software installed on a central computer, or server, dedicated to one or a few functions.

NODE: See control point.

NOTCHED: Channel letters that are cut out at the back to fit over a raceway are said to be notched.

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O.S.H.A.: Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Government division responsible for monitoring and enforcement of laws pertaining to workplace safety.

OPAQUE: Not clear or translucent; not allowing light to show through.

ORIGIN: The point marking the zero coordinate on the x-, y-, and z-axis. Used as a starting reference by plotters and routers for knife and tool paths.

OUTLINE/INLINE: In computer graphics, a closed-loop path that copies an original's shape, but is offset by the positive measurement outside the original (outline), or a negative measurement inside the original (inline).

OVERLAP: Amount of material either cut or printed in the one panel or tile that duplicates what is done in the previous panel or tile. The overlapping image allows for alignment when assembling and installing a large image.