Outdoor Signs Key Terms

Some basic terms for types of outdoor signs

The world of outdoor advertising is as vast as the outdoors, at least in places where masses of people live. As the human population expands, so does this common method of communication. Businesses choose from many designs and technologies when they consider how to get a message out in the open. Knowing about some of the key terms and technologies associated with outdoor signs and outdoor advertising will help businesses to choose what works for them, and to make informed decisions, knowing about what is currently out there for creating good advertising outreach beyond the company's walls.

 

Sandwich board

The sandwich board is a way to keep a two-sided advertisement anchored on the ground without a lot of extra hardware. These movable outdoor signs are popular with many different kinds of businesses.
Try: Get a visual display of common sandwich board formats at SignWave Designs. Read about the sandwich board at Britannica online.

Neon

Neon was a miracle of chemistry when it first began to appear on the streets of France. This kind of sign, lit by an electrical charge interacting with gases, is now a mainstay of the outdoor advertising world.
Try: Find out about the history of neon and more at the Essential Neon Sign Guide.

LED

LED, or light emitting diode, is a kind of lighting that uses electricity to produce light. This is another big option for today's outdoor lighting, with several benefits over the old incandescent systems.
Try: Get a lot more on LED and related terms at this Beginner's Guide to LED Lighting Technology.

Backlit sign

A backlit sign includes some kind of lighting that illuminates the area of the sign so that it can be seen at night. Backlit designs are an alternative to spelling out a sign with neon or including LED systems.
Try: Find out more about backlit signs from S2imaging.com.

Architectural sign

For businesses that are in it for the long haul, an "architectural sign" made out of stone, brick or other materials may be the way to go. An architectural sign is one that is built permanently into a site. These are popular with schools, hospitals and other sites where the business is not going to change on a continual basis.
Try: Get a description of architectural sign types and more about how they are changing outdoor business image promotion at this page from SignIndustry.com.

Channel letter signs

These individual lettered signs are another good alternative for businesses that need to reach customers through outdoor advertising.
Try: Get more on channel letter signs at this Scribd page.

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