Nova Help Center

GLOSSARY

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304 Stainless Steel: A type of stainless steel characterized by its corrosion resistance and durability.

316 Stainless Steel: A type of stainless steel with enhanced corrosion resistance, often used in more demanding environments than 304 stainless steel.

A

Acrylic: Generic name for manufactured synthetic polymer or plastic. This is also known as plexiglass used for signs.

Acrylic Cover: A protective cover made of acrylic material, often used in signage to enhance durability and appearance.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Legislation ensuring accessibility and non-discrimination in the design and placement of signage to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

AI File: Adobe Illustrator Digital file. 

Aluminum: Lightweight metal known for durability, strength, and rustproof quality. 

B

Backing: The material or surface onto which the sign is attached or mounted.

Back Lit: Illuminated from behind.

Base Color: The primary color of a sign or its background.

Bronze: An alloy of copper and tin utilized in crafting letters and plaques. It can also be used as a metal laminate or finish to make the signage have a moderate yellowish-brown or greenish metallic color.

Brushed: A finish characterized by fine parallel lines, created by brushing the surface of the material.

C

Channel: Plastic or metal extruded into a U shape.

Channel Letter: A three-dimensional letter made from the channel. This sign often has space for a light source.

cUL Listing: Provided by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). This certifies that a product has met specific safety standards and requirements suitable for use in the Canadian market.

Custom Sign: Tailored signage designed, manufactured, and installed for a specific location.

D

Depth: Measures how far an object extends into the third dimension, usually from the front to the back or from the outer surface to the inner part.

Design: Detailed specifications describing the appearance and structure of a sign.

Dimensional Letter: Raised letters, logos, or symbols on a sign.

Directional Sign: Signage indicating the way or route to specific locations.

E

Electroplated: A process in which a metal coating is deposited onto a surface through the use of electrical current.

Environment: The location or conditions where a sign will be installed.

Etching: The process of engraving or carving a design onto a surface using acid, laser, or sharp tools on materials like wood or metal. For NOVA, we use etching on our wayfinding signs made of metal through the process of chemical etching.

F

Fabricated: Created or constructed through manufacturing processes to form a finished sign.

Finishes/Finishing: The final treatment or surface coating applied to a sign to achieve a desired appearance.

Flat Cut Acrylic: Flat cut acrylic signage involves cutting acrylic sheets into desired shapes or letters using a flat cutting technique. This process results in a sleek signage with clean edges.

Flex Neon Sign: Neon sign with flexible components. The word ‘flex’ refers to the fact that they are mounted on a flexible strip as opposed to a rigid one.

Front Lit Sign: An illuminated letter with a translucent face. We currently use it for Channel Letters. 

Frosted: A surface with a fine-grained, slightly roughened texture. (ex. Clear frosted acrylic backing)

G

Gloss: A highly reflective surface, exemplified by a glossy paint finish often seen on signage.

H

Halo or Halo-lit: Illuminating an object from behind which creates a halo effect with the light source. This is often used by other brands for Channel Letters. NOVA term is Back Lit.

Hanging Sign: Suspended from a wall or pole with a bracket or chain on the nail/hook. 

I

Internally Illuminated Sign: A sign lit from within its structure, including Front Lit, Back Lit, or Front & Back Lit Sign. 

Instant Quote: The page where you can customize your sign using different options such as: thickness, height, width, color, finish, environment, and more. This can be saved as Draft or submitted to NOVA for Quotes. 

L

Laminated Materials: Fused layers created with heat, pressure, and adhesives for various purposes.

Laser Cut (Flat Cut): A cutting method that uses laser technology to precisely cut materials into desired shapes. 

• In NOVA, we use it to name some of our product lines like Laser Cut Stainless Steel.

Lifespan: The expected duration of a sign’s functionality and appearance before needing replacement or maintenance. (ex. LED Neon – 50,000 hours lifespan)

LED: Light Emitting Diode. It is a small electronic device that emits light when an electric current is applied to it. 

Lightbox: A sign with an internally illuminated box, often used for displaying graphics or advertising.

Logo: A distinct visual symbol or graphics used to represent a company, brand, product, or organization. 

Luminance: Perceived brightness of an illuminated sign. Measured in candelas per square foot.

M

Metal Finish: Surface treatment on metal materials.

Metal Laminate: Metal layer adhered to another material.

Minimum Cuttable Stroke: The smallest width that can be cut accurately in the design of a sign.

Minimum Neon Length: The shortest length of neon tubing that can be used in a sign.

Mounting: The method or process of attaching a sign to a surface or structure.

Minimum Stroke: The smallest width of a stroke or line in the design of a sign.

N

No Backing Sign: A sign without a backing. We use this for our Rigid Neon Sign which helps us highlight the design and make it more versatile for any background (like brick walls, moss walls, etc.). 

P

Painted Finish: Surface coated with color/paint.

Pantone Color Code: Refers to the standardized color codes provided by the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Widely used in the printing and design industry to ensure consistent and accurate color reproduction. 

• Our clients can send us the Pantone color code if the color they want is not included in our Standard Color list. 
• Pantone Color Code can also include metallic colors (ex. For Acrylic Channel Letters)

Polished: A finish characterized by a smooth, reflective surface achieved through polishing.

Portable Sign: A sign not permanently affixed, designed for easy relocation.

Power Rating: The amount of electrical power required or consumed by a sign.

PVC: Polyvinyl Chloride, a versatile plastic.

R

Return: Side of a channel letter.

Reveal: We use it on our Back Lit Channel Letters as a “Back Acrylic Cover”.

Rigid Neon Sign: LED Neon Sign made with laser-cutting technology. Has a stable backing and precise results. Suitable for personal or commercial use. 

Resin: Resin is a viscous substance that solidifies into a transparent or translucent material. In aluminum resin channel letters, liquid resin is shaped exactly as the aluminum return to form a seamless face.

S

Sign Face: Area of a sign displaying words and images.

Sign or Signage: Any visual device conveying information or attracting attention.

Stainless Steel: A corrosion-resistant alloy composed primarily of iron, chromium, and other elements. It is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to rust and staining.

Standard Colors: These are color options that we have on the Instant Quote page. 

Stud: A projecting pin or bolt used for attaching or supporting a sign.

Stud with spacer: A projecting pin or bolt with a spacer is used to create a gap between the sign and the mounting surface.

T

Tactile Sign: A sign with raised elements or textures for touch-based communication.

Three-dimensional: (3D) refers to objects or images that have depth, height, and width, providing a more realistic and tangible appearance.

U

UL Listing (Underwriters Laboratories): A certification from Underwriters Laboratories in the US, indicating that a sign has met safety and performance standards through rigorous testing.

Thickness: The measurement of how thick a sign is.

UV Printing: Printing method that uses ultraviolet light to dry or cure the ink quickly, often used for signage.

V

Vector Art: A type of graphic design with crisp images. It’s the preferred file format for manufacturers because it allows for easy resizing without losing quality. 

Viewing Angle: The angle from which a sign is intended to be viewed for optimal visibility.

Visibility: Physical attributes allowing a sign to be seen, even if not fully legible, at a specific distance.

Voltage: The electrical potential difference required to operate a sign.

W

Wall Sign: Affixed to a building’s wall.

Wayfinding: Providing directional guidance for navigation.

Wire Exit Location: The specific point or location where electrical wires exit a sign.

Wire Type: The type of electrical wiring used in the construction of a sign.