Imprint Plus USA
Glossary of Terms
Your quick guide to badges, signage, and industry lingo
New to name badges? Confused by acronyms or materials? This glossary is here to help.
Whether you're a seasoned distributor, a first-time buyer, or part of a large organization rolling out ID solutions, this page gives you clear, simple definitions of common terms used across the promotional products, signage, and identification industries.
Each entry includes synonyms so you can feel confident no matter how the term appears in conversation or product specs.
Bookmark this page and share it with your team—it's designed to make ordering smoother and decisions easier.
A
Acrylic: A durable plastic material often used for clear or colored badges and displays.
Synonyms: Plexiglass, Perspex.
Anodized Aluminum: Aluminum with a corrosion-resistant finish.
Synonyms: Oxidized aluminum, treated aluminum.
AI (Adobe Illustrator File): A vector file format used for high-quality graphics and designs.
Synonyms: Illustrator file, vector art file.
ASI: Ad Specialty Institute. Promotional product distributors use ASI to source and purchase bulk promotional items.
B
Badge Backing: The attachment system used to secure a badge.
Synonyms: Badge attachment, fastener (UK: fixings)
Badge Decals: Decorative or branded stickers applied to badges.
Synonyms: Badge overlays, vinyl stickers.
Brand: A group of clients unified under one identity, typically representing a chain or collection of properties that follow shared brand standards and designs.
Brushed Aluminum: Aluminum with a fine, textured surface for visual appeal.
Synonyms: Satin aluminum, matte aluminum.
Brushed Steel: Steel with a brushed finish for a sleek, modern look.
Synonyms: Satin steel, matte steel.
C
Color Match: The process of matching PMS or CMYK colors during printing to ensure brand consistency.
Synonyms: Color matching, print color accuracy.
D
Doming: A clear resin coating applied to badges to create a glossy, 3D effect.
Synonyms: Resin coating, epoxy finish, 3D badge finish.
E
Epoxy Dome: A clear resin coating applied to badges to create a glossy, 3D effect.
Synonyms: Resin dome, domed coating.
Engraving: The process of carving or etching into a surface for text or design.
Synonyms: Etching, incising.
F
Fastener: The attachment system used for badges, lapel pins, or signs.
Synonyms: Badge attachment, fastening mechanism.
G
Generics: Badges that display a single title instead of individual names (e.g., Store Associate).
Synonyms: Title badges, non-personalized badges.
GTIN: A unique identifier used for products in global trade.
Synonyms: Global Trade Item Number, barcode identifier.
H
HDPE: High-density polyethylene, a durable plastic with a high strength-to-density ratio.
Commonly used in plastic bottles, corrosion-resistant piping, geomembranes, and plastic lumber. HDPE is widely recycled and identified by the resin code “2.”
Synonyms: High-density poly, Type 2 plastic.
I
ID Card: A card used for identification or access control.
Synonyms: Identification card, access badge.
Insignia: A badge or distinguishing mark that indicates military rank, office, or membership in an organization; often used as an official emblem.
Synonyms: Emblem, symbol, crest.
Insert Sheet: Non-adhesive labels used in DIY or reusable badges.
Synonyms: Printable inserts, badge inserts.
J
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): A commonly used file format for images, especially photographs, that uses compression to reduce file size.
Synonyms: JPG, compressed image file.
L
Lapel Pin: A small decorative pin worn on clothing often on a jacket lapel or attached to bags or fabric. Also known as an enamel pin.
Synonyms: Enamel pin, decorative pin.
Lens cover: A clear protective layer placed over badges or labels.
Synonyms: Badge lens, cover dome.
M
Magento: Our website’s e-commerce platform, used to manage online product listings, orders, and customer accounts.
Synonyms: Magento Commerce, e-commerce CMS.
Management Company: A group of clients managed under one umbrella, which may represent a single brand or multiple brands.
Synonyms: Parent company, portfolio manager.
N
Nameplate: A small sign placed on a desk or door to identify a person, title, or room.
Synonyms: Desk plate, wall plate.
P
Permanent Markers: Markers designed for long-lasting, non-erasable writing.
Synonyms: Indelible markers, non-erasable markers.
Personalized: The process of adding an individual’s name or title to a badge or nameplate.
Synonyms: Customized, name-printed.
Polycarbonate: A tough, clear molded material used for durable badges and signs.
Synonyms: PC plastic, Lexan.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): A common plastic material used in cards and signage.
Synonyms: Vinyl plastic, rigid PVC.
P-Touch Labels: Customizable labels produced by Brother for use in P-Touch labeling machines.
Synonyms: Label tape, customizable labels.
PPAI: Promotional Products Association International. Used by promo product suppliers and distributors to source and purchase bulk promotional items.
Synonyms: Promo industry network, U.S. promo trade group.
PPPC: Promotional Products Professionals Canada. Used by Canadian promo product suppliers and distributors to source and purchase bulk promotional items.
Synonyms: Canadian promo trade group, promo industry network.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics): A file format for high-quality images that supports transparency.
Synonyms: Transparent image file, raster graphic.
Q
QR Code: A scannable, two-dimensional barcode used to store and quickly access data such as URLs, contact information, or product details.
Synonyms: Quick Response code, 2D barcode.
R
RFID: Radio-frequency identification technology used for contactless access and data transfer.
Synonyms: Proximity chip, contactless card.
S
Sintra Board: A lightweight, rigid material made from expanded PVC, commonly used for signs and displays.
Synonyms: PVC foam board, rigid signboard.
Styrene: A lightweight plastic material used for indoor signage and displays.
Synonyms: Polystyrene, sign plastic.
Sublimation Printing: A printing method that uses heat to transfer dye onto materials like fabric, metal, or plastic.
Synonyms: Dye-sub printing, heat transfer printing.
SAGE: A sourcing platform used by promotional product distributors to purchase bulk promotional items. SAGE is the official partner platform of both PPAI and PPPC.
Synonyms: Promo sourcing tool, distributor platform.
T
Thermal Printing: A printing method that uses heat-sensitive materials to create text or images without ink.
Synonyms: Heat printing, direct thermal printing.
U
UPC: A barcode used to identify retail products and track inventory.
Synonyms: Universal Product Code, retail barcode.
UV Printing: A printing method that uses ultraviolet light to cure ink for a durable, high-quality finish.
Synonyms: UV-cured printing, direct-to-surface printing.
Unisub: A branded sublimation material with a durable fiberglass core, commonly used for high-quality custom printing.
Synonyms: Sublimation board, fiberglass print substrate.
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