Drafting Glossary of Terms
We have been selling drafting supplies at Drafting Equipment Warehouse since 1994, and over the years our team has answered just about every question you can imagine about drafting tools, scales, paper, and equipment. This glossary is our way of putting that knowledge in one place. Whether you are a student picking up your first architect scale or a professional who just needs a quick refresher, we hope it helps. And if you ever can't find what you're looking for here, call us, chat below, or email us at sales@draftingsuppliesdew.com. We are a real company, with real people, who are happy to help.
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Adjustable Triangle
A drafting triangle with a rotating arm that locks at any angle, letting you draw lines beyond the fixed angles of a standard triangle. Great for roof pitches, custom angles, and non-standard geometry without needing a separate protractor. We carry a good selection of adjustable triangles if you need one.
AMES Lettering Guide
A small plastic disc tool used to draw evenly spaced horizontal guidelines for hand lettering on technical drawings. Rotate the disc to select a letter height, then drag the guide along a T-square or parallel bar. If you have never used one before, our Drafting University has a short video that walks you through it step by step.
Architect Scale
A triangular or flat ruler used to draw and measure architectural plans at a reduced size. Common scales include 1/4" = 1' 0" and 1/8" = 1' 0", where a fraction of an inch on paper represents one foot in real life. Architect scales are divided in feet and inches, which sets them apart from engineer scales that use decimal divisions. We have carried architect scales from trusted brands for over 30 years and are happy to help you find the right one.
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Blueprint
Originally a photographic reproduction method that produced white lines on a blue background, which was the standard way to copy technical drawings before digital printing came along. The distinctive color came from a light sensitive chemical process. Today the term is used broadly to refer to any set of architectural or engineering drawings regardless of how they are printed.
Blueprint Storage Cabinet
A cabinet designed to store large format drawings, plans, maps, and artwork flat without folding or rolling them. Flat file cabinets with wide shallow drawers are the most common type. Also called plan files or map cabinets. We carry a range of blueprint storage options for both home studios and professional offices.
Bond Paper
A sturdy opaque paper used for drafting, printing, and plotting technical drawings. Heavier and more durable than standard copy paper, bond paper is a reliable choice for both hand drafting and large format CAD output.
Borco
A brand of vinyl drafting board cover made by Safco that became an industry standard for decades. Borco provided a smooth slightly padded surface that protected the board and gave you better pencil control. If you are still searching for Borco, you are not alone. The product has been discontinued, but our team at DEW recommends Pacific Arc vinyl drafting board covers as the closest replacement available today.
Bubble Diagram
A rough freehand sketch used early in the design process to map out relationships between spaces, rooms, or functions. Bubbles represent areas and connecting lines show adjacencies or circulation paths. Bubble diagrams help designers organize a program before committing to a floor plan layout.
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Centerline
A line used to mark the center of a circle, hole, object, or symmetrical feature. On technical drawings centerlines are typically shown as a long short long dash pattern and used as reference points for dimensions and alignment.
Circle Template
A flat plastic drafting template with cut out circles in multiple sizes, used to draw accurate circles quickly without a compass. Especially useful for small circles and repetitive details where setting up a compass would slow you down. We carry circle templates in a variety of size ranges.
Compass
A two legged drafting instrument used to draw circles and arcs. One leg holds a needle point that anchors to the paper while the other holds a pencil or pen lead. The distance between the legs sets the radius. Our Drafting University has a short video on how to use a compass if you want to see it in action.
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Detail Drawing
A drawing that enlarges a specific portion of a design to show construction methods, materials, dimensions, or information that would be unclear at a smaller scale. Commonly used in architecture and engineering to clarify complex conditions like wall assemblies, connections, or material transitions.
Dimension Line
A line used on a technical drawing to indicate a measured distance between two points. Dimension lines typically end with arrows or tick marks and include a numerical measurement shown above or within the line.
Divider
A drafting instrument with two pointed metal legs used to transfer measurements, divide distances, or step off equal spaces along a line. Unlike a compass, both legs are pointed with no pencil lead involved. We carry dividers alongside our full line of drafting instruments.
Drafting Board
A flat smooth surface used as a base for technical drawing, typically used with a T-square, parallel bar, or straightedge to maintain accurate lines. Drafting boards range from small portable boards that fit in a bag to large professional surfaces mounted on a table.
Drafting Dots
Small adhesive dots used to secure paper to a drafting board. They hold firmly without leaving residue or tearing the sheet when removed, making them a cleaner alternative to tape for many drafters.
Drafting Machine
DISCONTINUED A precision drawing instrument mounted on a drafting board that combines two ruler scales and an adjustable angle head into a single device. Drafting machines let you draw lines at any angle quickly and accurately, replacing the need for separate triangles and T-squares. A serious tool for serious drafters. eBay is probably your best bet for getting one of these.
Drafting Paper
Paper designed for technical drawing, sketching, plotting, or tracing. Common types include bond paper, vellum, tracing paper, grid paper, and drafting film. The right choice depends on your drawing method, media, and whether you need the drawing reproduced or archived. Our team is happy to help you sort through the options. Our most popular sellers are Clearprint 1000H Vellum and Seth Cole 55W Tracing Paper.
Drafting Table
An adjustable work surface designed for drafting, architecture, engineering, and design work. Most drafting tables allow the top to tilt to a comfortable working angle and adjust in height. We have been selling drafting tables since 1994 and carry options for students, professionals, and everyone in between.
Drafting Tape
A low tack adhesive tape used to secure drawings to a drafting board without damaging the paper when removed. Unlike masking tape or regular adhesive tape, drafting tape is designed to release cleanly without tearing or leaving a sticky residue behind.
Drawing Board Cover
A vinyl surface placed over a drafting board or table top to create a smooth consistent drawing area. Board covers protect the surface underneath from cuts and dents, and the slightly padded feel improves pencil and pen control. Also called a drafting board cover or vinyl board cover. See also Borco and Vyco in this glossary.
Image helpful: vinyl board coverE
Elevation
A drawing showing the vertical face of a building, wall, object, or interior space as seen straight on without perspective distortion. Exterior elevations show the outside faces of a building while interior elevations show walls inside a room. Elevations are drawn to scale and used alongside floor plans and sections to fully describe a design.
Ellipse Template
A drafting template with cut out ellipses in various sizes and angles, used to draw accurate ellipses without freehand guesswork. Commonly used in isometric drawings and technical illustrations where circles appear as ellipses when viewed at an angle.
Image helpful: ellipse templateEngineer Scale
A triangular ruler used primarily for civil engineering, site planning, and mapping drawings. Engineer scales use decimal divisions, typically 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 parts per inch, rather than the feet and inches divisions found on architect scales. If you are not sure whether you need an architect scale or an engineer scale, our team can point you in the right direction.
Image helpful: engineer scaleErasing Shield
A thin metal plate with small cut out openings used to erase specific areas of a drawing while protecting the lines around them. Place the shield over the drawing, erase through the appropriate opening, and nearby work stays clean. A simple tool that every drafter should have on hand.
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Flat File
A storage cabinet with wide shallow drawers designed to keep large format drawings, blueprints, maps, and artwork flat and protected. Flat files prevent the creasing and damage that comes from rolling or folding oversized documents. Also called plan files or map cabinets. We carry flat files for home studios, schools, and professional offices.
Image helpful: flat file cabinetFloor Plan
A scaled drawing showing the layout of a building or space as seen from above, typically capturing walls, doors, windows, fixtures, and built in features. Floor plans are the most commonly referenced drawing type in architecture and interior design.
French Curve
A drafting template used to draw smooth irregular curves that cannot easily be produced with a compass or freehand. French curves come in a variety of shapes and are used in technical illustration, product design, and architectural drawing. Our Drafting University has a video showing how to use them if you want to see the technique.
Image helpful: French curveG
Grid Paper
Paper printed with a regular pattern of squares or lines used as a guide for sketching, planning, and drafting practice. Grid paper helps maintain consistent scale and proportion without measuring every line. Common varieties include square grids, isometric grids, and dot grids.
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Hidden Line
A dashed line used on technical drawings to represent edges or features that exist behind or below the visible surface of an object. Hidden lines help communicate the full shape of an object in a single view without requiring a separate cutaway drawing.
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Isometric Drawing
A method of representing a three dimensional object in two dimensions using equal 30 degree angles from horizontal. Unlike perspective drawing, isometric drawing keeps parallel lines parallel and maintains true scale along all three axes, making it useful for technical illustration and engineering sketches.
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Lead Holder
A drafting pencil designed to hold a single piece of 2mm diameter lead. Unlike mechanical pencils, lead holders require a separate lead pointer to sharpen the lead to a fine point. Many experienced drafters and artists prefer lead holders for the control and line variation a sharply pointed 2mm lead provides. We carry lead holders and lead pointers together so you have everything you need.
Image helpful: lead holderLine Weight
The thickness or darkness of a line on a technical drawing. Varying line weights help distinguish between object lines, hidden lines, centerlines, dimension lines, and notes, making drawings easier to read at a glance. Heavier lines typically represent visible object edges while lighter lines indicate reference geometry or dimensions.
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Mayline
A well known American manufacturer of drafting furniture, parallel straightedges, drafting machines, and blueprint storage products. Mayline was later acquired by Safco, and many Mayline drafting tables and flat files remain in active use in schools and professional offices today. Our team has sold and supported Mayline products for years and can help with questions about replacement parts or comparable current options.
Mechanical Pencil
A pencil that uses thin replaceable lead and does not need sharpening. Mechanical pencils produce a consistent line width determined by the lead diameter. Common drafting sizes are 0.3mm, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 0.9mm with 0.5mm being the most widely used for general drafting work. We carry mechanical pencils from several trusted brands.
Image helpful: mechanical pencilMylar
A brand name for a durable polyester film used as a drafting surface for technical drawings that require dimensional stability, durability, or long term archival storage. Mylar resists moisture, tearing, and stretching better than paper, making it a preferred medium for original drawings that will be reproduced or stored for years.
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Orthographic Drawing
A drawing method that represents a three dimensional object through multiple flat two dimensional views, typically front, top, and side. Each view shows the object straight on without perspective distortion. Orthographic drawings are the standard format for engineering and manufacturing drawings.
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Parallel Bar
A straightedge attached to a drafting board by cords or rollers that allow it to slide up and down while staying perfectly horizontal. Used to draw accurate horizontal lines and as a base for positioning triangles to draw vertical and angled lines. A common and reliable alternative to the T-square on professional drafting boards.
Image helpful: parallel bar on drafting boardParallel Straightedge
A drafting tool that slides across a drawing board while maintaining a constant parallel orientation. Similar in function to a T-square but attached to the board for smoother more consistent movement. Used for drawing horizontal lines and as a guide for triangles.
Image helpful: parallel straightedgeParaliner
A drafting board system developed by Alvin that incorporates a built in parallel straightedge. Paraliner boards became a popular choice among architecture and design students for their combination of portability and precision. Our team has helped many students get set up with a Paraliner over the years.
Portable Drafting Board
A drawing board designed to be lightweight and easy to transport. Most portable drafting boards include a built in parallel bar or straightedge and may have folding legs or a carrying handle. A practical option for students, field work, or anyone without a dedicated drafting table. We carry several portable boards and are happy to help you find the right fit.
Image helpful: portable drafting boardPortable Drafting Machine
A compact drafting system that combines a drawing board with an adjustable straightedge or parallel motion arm, allowing accurate drawings to be made away from a traditional drafting table. Often used on job sites or in settings where a full size drafting table is not practical.
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Rendering
The process of adding color, shading, shadow, texture, and material qualities to a drawing to communicate how a finished design will look. Renderings are presentation tools that help clients, reviewers, and collaborators visualize a design beyond what a line drawing alone can convey.
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Scale
The proportional relationship between the size of an object as drawn and its actual real world size. Scale allows large objects, buildings, or sites to be represented accurately on a sheet of paper. A drawing at 1/4" = 1' 0" means that every quarter inch on the drawing represents one foot in reality.
Scale Rule
Another name for a drafting scale, a specialized ruler used to measure and draw objects at a reduced or enlarged size. The two most common types are the architect scale and the engineer scale. We have carried scale rules from trusted brands like Alvin and Alumicolor for decades.
Image helpful: scale ruleSection Drawing
A drawing that shows an object, building, or space as if it has been cut through along a specific plane to reveal interior construction, materials, and spatial relationships. Section drawings are used alongside floor plans and elevations to fully describe a design.
Site Plan
A scaled drawing showing the layout of an entire property including the building footprint, landscaping, parking areas, walkways, utilities, and surrounding context. Site plans are typically drawn at a smaller scale than floor plans and are used across architectural, engineering, and landscape design projects.
Straightedge
Any tool used to draw a straight line, including rulers, drafting bars, T-squares, and parallel straightedges. In drafting a straightedge is often used in combination with a triangle to draw lines at precise angles. We carry straightedges in a range of sizes and materials.
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Technical Pen
A precision drawing pen with a tubular tip that produces a consistent uniform line width. Technical pens are used for ink drafting, technical illustration, and any work where controlled repeatable line weights matter. Common tip sizes range from 0.1mm to 2.0mm. We carry technical pens and replacement parts for several brands.
Image helpful: technical penTitle Block
A formatted area on a technical drawing, usually in the lower right corner, that contains key project information including the project name, drawing title, scale, date, drafter's name, and revision history. Title blocks provide context and traceability for every drawing in a set.
Top-Mounted Parallel Bar
A parallel bar supported and guided from above the drawing surface using rollers or overhead guide cables. Many professionals prefer top mounted bars because the underside of the board stays clear, allowing easier paper handling and cleaner movement across the surface.
Image helpful: top-mounted parallel barTracing Paper
A lightweight translucent paper used to trace existing drawings, create design overlays, and develop ideas on top of a base drawing without altering it. Tracing paper is a staple in design studios for iterative sketching and presenting design alternatives.
Triangle
A triangular drafting tool used with a straightedge or parallel bar to draw vertical lines and precise angles. The two most common types are the 45 degree triangle and the 30/60 degree triangle. Used together they can produce a wide range of standard drafting angles. We carry both fixed and adjustable triangles in several sizes.
Image helpful: drafting triangleT-Square
A drafting tool with a long blade and a perpendicular head that rests against the left edge of a drafting board. Sliding it up and down produces accurate horizontal lines, and it serves as a base for triangles to draw vertical and angled lines. One of the most traditional and recognizable drafting tools, and one we have stocked since day one.
Image helpful: T-squareU
Under-Mounted Parallel Bar
A parallel bar guided by cables or rollers located beneath the drawing surface. This design is common on student drafting boards and portable boards. Functional and affordable, though the under mounted mechanism can sometimes catch the bottom edge of a drawing sheet compared to top mounted systems.
Image helpful: under-mounted parallel barV
Vellum
A translucent high quality drafting paper used for technical drawings, overlays, and reproductions. Drafting vellum accepts pencil and ink well and holds up to repeated erasing better than standard tracing paper. Commonly used for original drawings intended for reproduction or long term storage.
Vinyl Board Cover
A protective vinyl surface placed over a drafting board to create a smooth consistent drawing area. Vinyl board covers protect the board from cuts and dents, provide a slightly cushioned feel, and improve pencil and pen control. See also Borco and Vyco in this glossary for the history behind these covers.
Image helpful: vinyl drafting board coverVyco
A brand of vinyl drafting board cover made by Alvin that became so widely used the name Vyco became nearly synonymous with drafting board covers for a generation of architects and engineers. Our team at DEW sold Vyco for years and we still get calls about it regularly. Alvin has discontinued the line, but if you are searching for Vyco, the Pacific Arc Vinyl Drawing and Drafting Board Cover is the closest equivalent we have found and the one we recommend today.
Image helpful: vinyl drafting board cover