A sign extends for as long as the passage it is affecting, but for passages longer than 3 measures, a term or abbreviation is generally used. The lines of the wedge shape should be the thickness of a staff line. The space between the two lines should not exceed 1.5 spaces. Signs should not overlap with stems and slurs unless crowded conditions make it necessary. Marks should be horizontally aligned with signs.
Signs can break off at the end of a staff and continue on the next, starting in an open position.
Terms are always in lowercase, boldface italic type that matches the staff size and the size the lyric type. Dotted lines usually follow a term or abbreviation to indicate how long the dynamic lasts.