Gemini's Signage Glossary

Here is a comprehensive list of frequently used terms at Gemini. To quickly navigate to a specific section, simply click on the corresponding letter.

A	B	C	D	E	F
G	H	I	K	L	M
N	O	P	Q	R	S
T	U	V	W

A

Word	Definition
ABS	Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene: .030 ABS is laminated to the backs of our display FOAM letters.
Accents	Brand product of our Duets engraving stock sheet - sold through distribution partners. Single-ply acrylic sheet.
Acrylic	A petroleum-based plastic user for flat cut acrylic letters.
Acrylic Cement	A cement used to bond acrylic to acrylic.
Acrylic Polyurethane	A type of paint that is made from a combination of acrylic resins and polyurethane resins. This is the paint that Gemini uses.
ADA Plaques	"Americans with Disabilities Act" requires signage to be compliant for conveniently located and easy to read for disabled persons. Plaques need to be read as clear visual with contrasting colors and also with tactile touch with braille.
Adhesive	Substance used to bond pieces or surfaces.
Alloy	A mixture of more than one element.
Aluminum	A silver, lightweight metal used in cast metal and flat cut metal products.
Aluminum Foil	Thin aluminum used in GemTrim to allow for the material to bend and hold its shape.
Anodic	A hardened finish produced by anodizing aluminum letters.
Anodizing	An electro-chemical process to convert the surface of aluminum to hard aluminum oxide.
Art Files	Computer files of vector art to be used for custom letters and logos.
Artwork	Drawings, renderings, custom styles, and logos created by artists or designers.
Ascenders	Portions of letters rising above the average baseline of copy. Example: with a "b or h."
Average Width	A calculation of letter width that best represents the left-to-right size of any single character.

B

Word	Definition
Baked Enamel	Oven-cured, oil-based paint. All of Gemini's paint finishes are baked enamel.
Bar Stock	Stocked lengths of thin metal in a variety of thicknesses, used as underlines of copy.
Bas Relief	A traditional portrait that is sculpted, cast, and then applied to a plaque. An artist uses a photo of a person to create a subjective rendering in a mold material as a relief that would project from the background of a plaque. The result is a type of 3D effect on the plaque as a sculpting/carving.
Bead Blast	A high-pressure system that shoots small glass beads at a piece of metal to provide an even, slightly textured, matte finish.
Blind Stud	An industry standard term used for plaques for the use of studs (all-thread). Also called “Blind Mount”/”Hidden Mount”/”Pin Mount” as a method used instead of screws.
Block(s)	Threaded plastic pieces, round or rectangular, glued to the backs of letters to receive studs.
Borders	Lines on the face of plaques near the edge. Encompasses the entire body of copy.
Bottom Rail	Standard mounting option where letters are bottom mounted to a flat horizontal bar or C-channel.
Brass	An alloy of copper, zinc, and tin used to make flat cut metal letters or plaques.
Brick Mount	A term describing the alignment of mountings (or stud holes) so they are in line for brick mortar joints.
Bronze	An alloy of copper and zinc used to make flat cut metal letters, cast metal letters, and plaques.
Brushed	A standard finish for metal letters and plaques, produced by belt sanding the letter face in a uniform direction.
Buffing	A finishing process used as the final step in producing a near polish finish in cast aluminum letters or plaques.
Buffed	A metal finish for cast aluminum to create a semi-polished finish.
Bullet	A round disc used to separate words on a sign.
Butyrate	Short for CAB (Cellulose Acetate Butyrate). A wood and cotton fiber plastic resin, used to make a sheet of formed plastic, slotted, or injection molded letters.

C

Word	Definition
C-Channel	Extruded 6063 aluminum channel in the shape of a "C", used to attach letters to for mounting to walls.
CAB	Cellulose Acetate Butyrate. A wood and cotton fiber plastic resin, used to make a sheet of formed plastic or injection molded letters.
Cabinets	Storage boxes used to hold sets of pronto changeable letters.
Caduceus	A symbol with a staff and two entwined snakes, symbolizing a physician.
Can	A deep, hollow letter with a wide stroke designed to hold lights (LED or neon).
Cast	A metal letter produced from molten metal.
Cast Plaque	Creating a metal plaque with the use of a mold pattern pressed into sand, and then filled with molten metal ingot.
Catalyst	A substance used to increases the rate of a chemical reaction process.
Cellulose	A complex carbohydrate of the cell walls of plants used as the core of our CAB plastic.
Center Mortar	Center of the mortar (CM) used on bricks and blocks.
Ceramic Insert	An insert that can be applied to a plaque, typically a photo image.
Changeable Copy	Letters that can be interchanged to spell different words on a sign.
Change Arms	Telescoping poles with heads that are used to move (install) changeable copy letters on a sign.
Chank Fonts	Font styles designed by Chank.
Channel Letters	Deep metal or plastic letter cans that allow the use of LEDs or neon to illuminate.
Chemcalc	A brand name of a silicone adhesive used in standard letter installations.
CHEMETAL	A company that produces metal laminate sheets.
Clear Coating	A protective coating of clear paint applied to the face and returns of letters and plaques.
Clips	Bent pieces of stainless steel used to hold metal Snap-lok Hbars to mounting surface (bar clips). Discontinued 3/2022.
Co-extrusion	A plastic extrusion process by which two layers of plastic sheet are permanently fused together.
Colorant	A powdery organic substance used to colorize plastic resin.
Combination	Mounting for plastic letters using a stud through pad on the letter top and pad on the bottom.
Combination All	Mounting for plastic letters using a stud through pad on all mountings.
Condensed	Refers to reducing the width of a letter style so each letter is not as wide.
Conduit	Metal electrical pipe that can be used as a tieback for bottom mounted letters.
Connected Script	Script style letters that are made joined or connected.
Contours	Product of Duets engraving stock sheet. Sold through distribution partners.
Copper	A metal alloy option used for plaques or flat cut metal letters.
Copy	Words or letters to be set in type. Desired words for a sign.
Corners	The point or angle formed by the meeting of lines. Letters have inside and outside corners.
Corrosion	To wear or be gradually worn away naturally or by some external element or contamination.
Corrugation	Sheet metal formed into repeating peaks and valleys used for siding on building.
Custom	Art representing letter styles, logos, or plaques that are not standard.
Custom Colors	Colors that are not standard. May be painted or printed.

D

Word	Definition
Decorative Stand-Off	Two-part round anodized aluminum hardware designed to hold panels or plaques.
Deposit	Partial down payment on an order before production begins.
Depth	Measurement on a letter from the surface (face) to the back.
Descenders	Portions of letters that drop down or below the baseline of a font. Example: "g" or "y".
Detachable Stud	Two-part anodized aluminum hardware designed to receive studs for installation. Typical in fab metal letters with LEDs to allow removal of cans for servicing LEDs.
Dimples	Indentations formed in the face of letters due to softening of the plastic where a block or pad has been chemically bonded.
Display Letters	Letters designed for interior display use. This includes Gemleaf, Metal on Acrylic, Metal on Foam, and Acrylic on Foam.
Double Cup	Pronto change arm head with two standard 3 3/4 inch cups. Sold through distribution partners.
Double Rail	Letters mounted to two horizontal bars or channels (rails).
Double-Faced Tape	Two-sided tape used to install smaller flat cut letters and plaques.
Download	Electronic copying of computerized information from one source to a second.
Drop Shadow	Refers to a pronto letter style with a shadow effect that gives the image dimension.
Drill and Tap	Mechanically drill a hole in the back of a flat letter and then thread (tap) to receive a stud.
Duets	Gemini engraving stock. Sold through distribution partners.
DXF File	Popular file format used to receive vectorized art electronically.

E

Word	Definition
Edge	Intersection of the face and return of a letter. Also refers to the return or side of a thin letter.
Edge trim	Plastic profile extruded lengths used to bond to the edge of plastic letters used in channel letters.
Elegance	Formally known as Gemini's Trimless Fabricated Illuminated letters.
Enamel	Generic term used for oil-based paint used to coat letters.
Engraving	To produce by carving, cutting, or burning into a surface.
EPS File	A common electronic file format for custom art.
Etched Insert	A thin piece of metal that is chemically etched for either fine line art or half-tone photo etching, that cannot be tooled or cast as part of the plaque.
Etched Plaque (Chemical Etch)	Our standard etched plaques are created with a metal plate and an acid chemical is applied to etch away exposed metal.
Etching	Producing an image on a hard surface by corroding with a chemical.
Extrusion	Piece of plastic or metal that is produced by pushing molten material through a die. Pronto track, GemTrim, and sheet are made by extruding plastic through a die.

F

Word	Definition
Fabricated	Produced by cutting and bonding pieces together.
Face	Front surface of a letter.
Face Lit	LED illuminated letters that allow light to escape through a translucent face of plastic.
Fading	Loss of pigmentation, paint, or plastic, through degradation of the colorant by UV light.
Feet	Tabs on the bottom of Pronto letters. The feet keep the blanks from freezing on the track.
Fillet	A rounded corner between two surfaces.
Finish	Final surface applied to the face of a letter.
First Surface	The face (or first surface) of a letter or logo.
Flat Cut Out	Letters or logos cut out of flat sheet stock, by either routing, laser cutting, or waterjet cutting.
Flash Bronze	A treated coating to make a silver metal appearance look more gold-like as if a bronze metal. While it is not an exact match to bronze metal coloring, it is a close representation.
Flat Relief Image	A 2D image, photo, or bitmap, that is redrawn as line art by Gemini.
Flange	Lip around a formed letter that is used for installation. A flange is produced by routing out the letter and leaving a lip.
Flush Mount	Mounting that allows a letter to be installed flat against a wall or surface (no stand-off).
Foam	Typically urethane, available in many formulations.
Font Matching	If art sizing flags the file as font matching, it means that the customer sent the lettering as live text instead of shapes, and the art sizer does not have the font installed on their computer, so the lettering will not display correctly. This is easily remedied by having the customer send the file again, with copy converted to curves or outlines.
Formed	Short for thermoformed plastic letters produced by heating and stretching plastic.

G

Word	Definition
Garden Stake	A freestanding mount option designed to hold up small plaques.
Gate	Part of a sand mold used to allow metal to flow from the runner to the letter cavity.
Gauge	A measure of material thickness.
Gemex	Registered trademark for Gemini's CAB sheet.
GemLeaf	Display letter made with an acrylic base and laminated thin foil face, then laser cut.
GemTrim	Registered trademark name for extruded trim used to make channel letters.
Gloss	Luster, sheen, brightness. Reflects light vs. a matte finish that is dull or non-reflective.

H

Word	Definition
H-Bar	Extruded lengths of aluminum track, used to hold Snap-Loks (discontinued 3/2022).
Hairline	A fine brushed, pre-finished metal used in fabricated metal.
Hardware	Components used for installing letters.
Head	Top of the pronto change arm used to hold a suction cup. Sold through distribution partners.
Heat Deflection	Measurement of the temperature at which plastic will begin to soften or droop.
Halo Lit	LED illuminated letters that allow light to escape through a translucent plastic back.
Hollow Wall Mount	Using machine screws and toggle wings together for installation where there is hollow wall, such as drywall or corrugated metal surfaces.
Horizontal	Direction grain on metal letter faces. Left to right or horizontally.

I

Word	Definition
Impact Strength	Measurement of the resistance of a material to an impact before breaking.
Injection Molded	Process of injecting or pushing molten plastic into a metal tool. Type of plastic letters produced by means of injection molding.
Inside Corner	Inside angle formed by the meeting of two lines.
Installation Hardware	Components used to install letters.
Installation Pattern	Paper pattern with layout copy and stud hole locations. Used as a drilling template for installation.
Italicized	Letter styles that slope to the right.

K

Word	Definition
Kerning	Artistic spacing of letters to balance space in a specific line of copy.
Kiln	A heating enclosure used to melt molten metal or cure porcelain.
Kynar	A trademarked process of applying PVDF to metal, to prevent corrosion. A substitute for a painted finish - not supplied by Gemini.

L

Word	Definition
L-Bracket	Custom stainless bracket designed to hold metal studs used in fab metal letters.
LED	Light Emitting Diode. Small high-intensity lights are used to back or face light letters.
Laminate Letters	Letters produced with a foil, Chemetal, or acrylic face over an acrylic or foam base.
Lap Joint	Overlapping joint used on larger or longer formed products to allow for the normal expansion and contraction of plastic, without distorting the material.
Laser Cut	Letters are cut by using an intense light beam.
Laser Engraved	Polished granite or anodized aluminum, engraved images or copy with a laser, then color filled.
Lead-Free	Red metal that contains no lead.
Leatherette	Leather grain background texture used in metal plaques.
Line Drawing	A plot of letters or logos showing an outline of a copy.
Line Length	Measurement of full-size letter copy, left to right with proper spacing.
Listed	Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved product for finished lighted electrical signs.
Lug	A metal clip used on the bottom of Snap-Lok letters for attachment to a rail.
LUXE	Formally known as Gemini's brand name for LED illuminated acrylic products.

M

Word	Definition
Magnets	Metal used to attract iron. Magnets are used to hold GemTrim when gluing to plastic faces.
Masking	A cover for the face of a plastic sheet. CAB is covered with poly masking.
Matte Finish	A dull, non-reflective finish.
Mechanical Hand	Device used to remove or change slotted letters on a marquee.
Memorial Plaque	Plaques traditionally are used for installations at cemeteries, columbariums, or monuments.
Metal Laminate	Letters made from a pre-finished, .030 aluminum sheet that is laminated to a base material such as acrylic or foam, then router cut.
Minnesota Letters	Formerly known as our Injection Molded letters, made with CAB plastic, with square edges and corners.
Mold(ed)	Pattern used for the purpose of shaping a material such as plastic or metal, and retaining the shape.
Monuments	A structure erected in remembrance of a person or event, or to display a name of a company.
Mountings(s)	Blocks or lugs used to hold hardware for mounting letters
Mounting Pattern	Paper template used to determine hole locations for installation of letters with studs.

N

Word	Definition
Natural Satin	Smooth, uniform brushed finish on a metal letter, then coated with polyurethane. Replaced by brushed finish.
Nave-G	Lead free bronze alloy used in cast letters & plaques.
Net Price	Product of the list price less discount.
Nicker	Tool used to notch our GemTrim when producing channel letter faces. Sold through distribution partners.

O

Word	Definition
Orbital	Metal finish produced with a sander to produce random, non-directional finish.
Oxidation	A chemical reaction between oxygen and red metal.
Oxidized	Treatment process used to age red metals, then slightly exposing red metal.

P

Word	Definition
PMS	"Pantone Matching System". System of matching custom colors, using PMS numbers.
Pads	Plastic injection molded disks or blocks, used for installing letters.
Paint Match	Duplicating custom colors by matching samples, pantone matching system numbers, or paint company numbers.
Panel	Injection molded plastic piece that we screen pronto letters on.
Pantone	A company that matches custom colors for painting and printing. Develops Pantone matching system numbers.
Patina	A metal finish created by chemically treating red metals, such as bronze, to create a colored oxidized look. Red metals will naturally patina when exposed to heat and moisture.
Pattern(s)	Installation template used for locating holes to drill when installing letters with a stud.
Pebble Texture	Background texture available on metal plaques. Resembles bumps, or a rough, uneven finish.
Perfect Pattern	Gemini brand name for drill pattern designed with computer located exact hole locations.
Photo Relief	Gemini trademarked casting method where we create a low-relief casting either as a full relief (embedded text) or partial relief (non-embedded text) within the mold pattern. We can layer images, whether photos or other graphics and incorporate text.
Pigmented	Colorized material throughout an entire substrate.
Pitch	Degree of slope of a roof. Angle needed when specifying brackets for free standing letters, mounting to a sloped roof.
Plain Mount	No mounts, just a letter by itself.
Plex	Short for Plexiglas - a name brand of acrylic not carried by Gemini.
Plotted Copy	Computer generated, full size line drawing, showing outline of letters or logos.
Pole	Changearm component used to take flat changeable letters off a marquee, from the front. Sold through distribution partners.
Polished	To make smooth or glossy by buffing - nearly mirror reflective.
Polycarbonate	High-impact plastic resin used in Pronto track or LED lit backs. Tradename of LEXAN.
Polyester	Synthetic resin used in our powder coating of metal products.
Polymer	Plastic chemical compound formed by the union of small molecules.
Polyurethane	A polymer used mainly in coatings. Our main liquid sprayed paint is acrylic polyurethane.
Post Cap Mount	Casting a plaque with an integral blade and round cap to allow installation on top of a round pipe/post for freestanding mounting.
Post Type F Mount	A square post with holes drilled near the top will allow for a bracket that is attached to the back of a plaque to sit on the post at either a 45-degree or 90-degree angle.
Pouring	Molten aluminum and bronze is poured into sand casting to make letters or plaques.
Powder Coating	Paint coating process using powdered paint, then baking to a hardened finish.
Power Supply	Power convertor used in signs lit with LEDs.
Precision	Exact, precise. Our flat cut metal letters are defined as precision cut.
Precision Tooled Plaque	Utilizing a machine (CNC) and tools to route into metal plate.
Premium Finish	Superior metal finish, produced to tighter standards than standard finishes. Designed for interior installs or displays.
Primer	Base coating used to help bond paint to substrates.
Prismatic	Face surface that comes to a point and forms a prism. Available in cast metal, formed plastic, and injection molded letters.
Projection	To extend forward or outward. Mountings that stand out from the back are projected.
Projected Date	Estimated date for order shipment, based on current lead times and product.
Profile Extrusion	Process of forcing or pushing molten plastic continuously through a custom metal die.
Pronto	Registered trade name for injection molded flat changeable letters. Sold through distribution partners.
Pronto Track	Profile extruded acrylic track used to hold pronto letters. Sold through distribution partners.
Punctuation	Characters used to break up lines of text. Example: periods, commas, etc.
Push Through	Letters designed to push-through cut out panels.
Purging	To remove other colors from the injection molded plastic. It is purged, or removed from the machine when changing resin or color.
Pylon	Large tower used to hold sign or billboard sign

Q

Word	Definition
Quoting	Estimating or calculating a price for a customer.

R

Word	Definition
RMA	Return Material Authorization number.
Raceway	Horizontal rail used to hold letters and electrical components for lighted signs. Used mainly with Channel letters. Not supplied by Gemini.
Radius	Circular area connecting two points. Half of the diameter of a circle.
Rail	Plastic or metal bar used to mount letters to for installation.
Random Arc	Metal sanded finish, with DA sander, to produce random arcs or swirls in metal.
Random Orbital Finish	A finish that is created with the use of a hand-held orbital sander.
Ratchet	A bar with slanted teeth to allow for adjusting and re-tightening of a pronto change arm head. Gemini's ratchets are cast aluminum. Sold through distribution partners.
Raw	Metal letters without any finish. Letters are cut, cleaned, and ready for a finish to be applied.
Recycle	Reuse material verses disposing of it.
Red Metals	Metal alloys that contain copper such as copper, bronze, and brass.
Refinish	To finish again. Metal letters are refinished if the letters are stripped down re-sanded, and re-coated.
Registration	Placement or alignment of printed Pronto letter on a plastic panel.
Regular Lug	Stnd.lug (or letter clip) used on snap-lok letters. Discontinued 3/2022.
Reships	To ship out again. We will enter reships on letters if the customer received the wrong or damaged product.
Resin	Raw plastic pellets used to make letters or sheet when melted down and reformed.
Resin Bond	Brand name of adhesive used to glue plastic to plastic.
Returns	Side of letter, measured as depth.
Reverse Cut	Letters or logos cut out of panels and the finished product is the panel.
Rigid Urethane	Hardened dense foam laminated to acrylic of metal laminate.
Rivets	A two-part nylon bolt with a push pin used to attach pronto track to panels.
Rosettes	Decorative covers for screw heads for plaques.
Rouge	Rubbing compound used as the final step in polishing metal letters.
Round Face	Refers to letters with a radius face that make the letter look rounded.
Router	Machine that cuts out flat sheet using a high-speed metal router bit, controlled by vectorized computer artwork.

S

Word	Definition
Sample Kits	Boxes with an assortment of letter products that Gemini sells.
Sand Blasted	High-pressure press of metal letters that leave a slight pebble texture on the returns. Evens out the sanding and routing marks.
Sand Mold	Metal molding process using wooden patterns and hardened sand to make cast aluminum and bronze letters.
San Serif	Block style letter with square outside radius on the letter(s) Helvetica is a block style letter - NO serifs.
Satin	A sheen level between full gloss and matte typically achieved by applying paint to the product.
Scaling Art	Using a ruler to determine the size of components in an art file.
Screen Printed	A thin gauge plate product processing onto pre-finished/coated metal blanks.
Script	Type of letter stylized to resemble handwriting.
Sculpted	Mold that has been hand carved with multiple levels and detail.
SDS	"Safety Data Sheet" - formerly MSDS. Document that identifies potentially hazardous materials.
Serif	Type of letter style that has tails on the legs of letters. Example: Times Bold style has serifs
Sets	A predetermined mix of letters, as with Pronto where a customer can order a set of 100 letters. Sold through distribution partners.
Shadow Free	Threaded metal block designed to receive threaded studs. Blocks are glued to fab metal letters with epoxy.
Shop Drawing	Technical drawing showing the requirements for a sign. Includes the letter style, copy, mounting, finish, type, sizes, and manufacture.
Silicone	Adhesive or sealant is used to install our letters onto walls.
Sintra	Closed cell PVC board (sheet) used in Sign Industry - not sold by Gemini.
Slotted A & B	Dimensional formed letters (Slotted A) with predetermined slots on the back used to hold the letters on a track - or Slotted B (Injection Molded). Discontinued 3/2022.
Snap-Lok	Dimensional-formed letters with clips and hooks on the back are used to hold them on a track. Typical old theater letters. Discontinued 3/2022.
Spacing Tape-Guide	Paper guide with marks showing the spacing of a specific line of copy. Used to help install pad mounted or plain dimensional letters.
Spacers	Metal sleeves used on metal studs to space letters off the wall.
Split Stencil	Partial cut-out of a Flat Cut letter guide for use with the installation of plain or double-faced tape letters.
Spray Masking	Sprayed on thin plastic used to cover letters or logos when custom painting.
Sprue	Final pathway for molten plastic to flow into a metal mold with injection molded letters.
Square	Describing a letter face that is flat with sharp edges and corners.
Stainless Steel	Silver metal made from iron ore that will resist rusting.
Stand-off	Length of a stud or pad beyond the back of a letter. Example: Stud with 1" standoff will have a stud extending 1" past the back of the letter.
Stencil Guide	Cutout of letter(s) in paper, to be used as an installation guide. Plain and double-faced tape mounts.
Storage Cabinet	Plastic or wooden box used to organize and hold pronto letters. Sold through distribution partners.
Strips	Plastic pieces 1 1/2 inch wide used as rails for installation.
Stock	A product that is in inventory ready for use or shipment.
Stroke	Measurement of the shortest distance on the face of a letter from one edge to another
Stroke Sand	Belt sanding of metal pieces in a uniform direction with a set grit.
Stud	Threaded rod used to install metal and plastic letters by screwing into drilled and taped material or threaded stud bosses or blocks.
Stud Boss	Threaded sleeve used to receive a stud on the back of a letter.
Stud/Brick	Studs aligned for standard brick spacing of 2 5/8 inch on center. Allows installers to drill into the mortar joint of bricks instead of the brick itself.
Stud/Block	Studs in line for Block, 8 inch center mortar on standard blocks. Allows installers to drill into the mortar join of blocks instead of the block itself.
Stud/Rail	Studs in line for Rail. Standard two rails for letters up to 18 inch, larger get three rails.
Stud Weld	Mechanical welding of studs or bosses to the backs of letters. Mainly used on 1/8 inch thick letters or plaques that cannot be drilled and tapped.
Styles	Character set with distinct designs and typeface.
Sublimated	A thin gauge plate product utilizing special coated metal blanks. The process of using heat and pressure will result in transferred art to the blanks.
Swing Frame	Buffing machine designed to buff or polish large pieces of metal. Hangs or swings from a cable and is moved by an operator with handles.
Symbols	A character or representation of a group or organization with plastic or metal.

T

Word	Definition
Tactile	Brand type of our Duets engraving stock sheet. Sold through distribution partners.
Tarnish	To make or become dull or discolored.
Technical Guides	Guides that provide technical information on products.
Textured Background	A texture is applied to the recessed areas of precision tooled and cast plaques.
Thermoform	Process of heating (softening) thermoplastic sheet and reshaping.
Thermoplastic	Plastics that can repeatedly softened by elevated heating and hardening by cooling.
Thin Gauge Plates	A multiple production process that can be applied to pre-finished thin plates of metal.
Thinner	Solvent used to chemically bond plastics together, or thin oil based paint.
Tie Back	A support usually made of metal affixed to the back of letters that are standing vertically on a building or roof line or with a bottom stud mount.
Tilde	Accent symbol.
Tin	A soft white chemical element used in bronze and brass.
Tool	Precision made mold used to run plastic injection molded parts as well as metal letters.
Track	Long pieces of plastic or metal used to hold letters onto a building or sign face. Pronto track holds pronto letters.
Tracking Number	Identification reference used to find or track an order.
Translucent	Plastic that allows some light to pass through.
Transparent	Plastic that allows you to see through, as with glass.
Trim	Leftover scrap after fabricating a part. Short for "edge trim", or GemTrim, used to provide a trim on channel faces to allow attachment to cans.
Trimcap	Another word for GemTrim. Trim for channel letter faces.

U

Word	Definition
UL	Underwriters Laboratory. UL tests compliance of electrical signs and products.
UL Certified	Electrical products or components that have been tested and approved for lighting by UL.
UL Listing	Electrical products or components that have been tested and approved for lighting by UL.
Ultimates	Duets engraving stock sheet. Sold through distribution partners. www.duetsbygemini.com
Uppercase Letter Equivalent	An uppercase equivalent is the approximate size of what the corresponding uppercase letter would be for a set of letters that contains only lowercase letters.
UR	Electrical components that have been tested and approved for use in making UL Listed or Certified products.
Urethane Foam	Dense foam used in Gemini Foam Letters.
UV	Ultraviolet. Relates to UV protected plastic that prevents fading of colors and degradation of plastic or metal finishes, when exposed to UV sun rays.
UV Colorlast	Finishing process for multi-color logos and letters. UV Colorlast is a combination of mask and painting and UV print. Previous processes known as Giclee, High Resolution Print, and UV Print.
UV Cured	Ultraviolet cured, water base ink used to screen Pronto letters.
UV Printed Insert	Taking a thin piece of metal and applying a UV Colorlast printed image (similar to the direct print) and adhered the insert onto a cast plaque.

V

Word	Definition
Vectorized	Related to vectorized art that has control points with connecting lines.
Vertical Stroke	Sanding metal letter or logo faces in a vertical direction (from top to bottom) with a uniform grain.
Visibility Chart	Reference chart used to determine the size of letters needed on a sign that can be viewed from a given distance.
Visible Opening	Opening between Pronto track pieces, as a guide for proper spacing.

W

Word	Definition
Waterjet Cutting	Process of cutting flat metal sheet with a high pressured stream of water carrying garnet.
Watts	Unit of power, corresponding to the power in an electric circuit.
Webbing	Thermoforming problem whereas the plastic "webs" over a tight crotch of a letter.
Weep Holes	UL required 1/4 inch holes in the drops of lit letters, to allow any collected water to drain out.
Weld-on	Brand name of an adhesive manufacturer.

6000.12