Button copy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Button copy is a term describing the method of manufacture of older road signs in the United States. Button copy signs contain rows of embedded reflectors outlining the legend of the sign, for better visibility at night. The embedded reflectors would stand out against the non-reflective background of the sign, giving the legend better contrast and making it easier to read.
Near the end of the 20th century, newer retroreflective designs were invented, and were both lower in cost (due to the ability to be laid out with a computer) and provided better reflectivity. Because of this, more and more states stopped installing new button copy signs, switching instead to the retroreflective-sheeting signs. Arizona was the final state to stop specifying button copy for new sign installations, discontinuing new button copy installations in late 2000.
Button copy is no longer manufactured within the United States. However, many button copy signs are still in service, especially on older stretches of highways and in urban areas.
[edit] References
- Moeur, Richard. Sign Typefaces. Manual of Traffic Signs. 22 April 2005. URL accessed 28 May 2006.
- Moeur, Richard. "Farewell to Button Copy". Post to Usenet misc.transport.road 17 Dec 2000.
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