reference of printing industry nomenclature for our customers.

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A4 Paper - ISO paper size 210 x 297mm used for Letterhead.
Acetate - A transparent sheet placed over originals or artwork, allowing the designer to write instructions and\or indicate a second color for placement.
Acid Resist - An acid-proof protective coating applied to metal plates prior to etching.
Acid-free Paper - Papermade from pulp containing little or no acid so it resists deterioration from age. Also called alkaline paper, archival paper, neutral pH paper, permanent paper and thesis paper.
Additive Color - color produced by light falling onto a surface, as compared to subtractive color. The additive primary colors are red, green and blue.
Adobe Acrobat - A popular software program for the conversion of documents into the portable document file (PDF) format. Through Acrobat or another PDF, users can read electronic versions of printed documents that maintain the attributes (bold and italic type and other formatting choices) assigned to a printed original.
Against the Grain - At right angles to the grain direction of the paper being used, as compared to with the grain. Also called across the grain and cross grain.
Ai - Adobe Illustrator file format, which is actually a type of Encapsulated Postscript
Airbrush - Pen-shaped tool that sprays a fine mist of ink or paint to retouch photos and create continuous-tone illustrations.
Aliasing - A jagged or "staircase" effect in a raster image, caused by an insufficient number of image samples.
Alpha channel - An eight-bit channel reserved by some image-processing applications for masking or retaining additional color information.
Alteration - Any change made by the customer after copy or artwork has been given to the service bureau, separator or printer. The change could be in copy, specifications or both.
Anodized Plate - An offset printing plate having a treated surface in order to reduce wear for extended use.
Anti-offset Powder - Fine powder lightly sprayed over the printed surface of coated paper as sheets leave a press. Also called dust, offset powder, powder and spray powder.
Antique Paper - Roughest finish offered on offset paper.
Aqueous Coating - Coating in a water base and applied like ink by a printing press to protect and enhance the printing underneath.
Artifact - A visible defect in an electronic image, caused by limitations in the reproduction process (hardware or software). Aliasing patterns are an example of artifacts.
Artwork - All original copy, including type, photos and illustrations, intended for printing. Also called art. Author's Alterations (AA's) - At the proofing stage, changes the client requests to be made concerning the original art provided. AA's are considered an additional cost to the client usually.
Back edge - The left-hand edge of a recto, or right hand edge of a verso. This is normally the binding edge.
Back lining - A paper or fabric adhering to the backbone or spine in a hard cover book.
Back Split - Process where the fabricator slits the release liner for easy removal from the PSA by hand.
Back Up - (1) To print on the second side of a sheet already printed on one side. (2) To adjust an image on one side of a sheet so that it aligns back-to-back with an image on the other side.
Backbone - The exposed part of a bound volume when shelved. Also called spine and shelf back.
Backing roll - Cylinder used to support the web as a process is being applied to the opposite side. Some processes are: brush polishing, coating, and calendering.
Backing up - Printing the reverse side of a sheet already printed on one side.
Backtrapping - See Piling.
Bad break - In composition, the setting of a hyphenated line as the first line of a page. Also, starting a page with a "widow".
Baloney Slitting - The common method of slitting pressure sensitive tapes, producing rolls per step or per cycle. Also referred to as lathe slitting, lever or single-knife cutting. This process features quick-setup and economical per-slit cost.
Baltic die boards - Die lumber, usually birch, from the area of the Baltic Sea.
Banding - Method of packaging printed pieces using paper, rubber, or fiberglass bands.
Bank - One successive row of staggered tabs from first to last position.
Barrier coating - A coating film that prevents or limits the passage of substances such as: oil, grease, water, or oxygen.
Base - Often used in referring to a full strength ink or toner. Generally refers to the major ingredient used in a clear lacquer, varnish or ink. May refer to either the solvent or binder system. A cylinder before it is engraved. Base film before addition of coating.
Base Art - Copy pasted up on the mounting oard of a mechanical, as compared to overlay art. Also called base mechanical.
Base negative - Negative made from copy pasted to mounting board, not overlays.
Basic Size - The standard size of sheets of paper used to calculate basis weight in the United States and Canada.
Basis Weight - Weight in pounds of 500 sheets (a ream) of paper cut to a given standard size (this is called the basis size, and varies depending on the grade of paper).
Baud rate - Number of bits of information transmitted per second from one digital device to another.
Bearers - In photoengraving, the dead metal left on a plate to protect the printing surface when molding in composition, type-high slugs locked up inside a chase to protect the printing surface when molding. In presses, the flat surfaces or rings at the ends of cylinders that come in contact with each other during printing (on American presses), and serve as a basis for smoothing out printing thickness. Also die-cutting presses.
Beater-Dyed - The process of using paper pulp, dyed to a match color, to create colored paper.
Beers Box - A pop-up style box that folds flat.
Beersplex Box - A combination of a Beers box and a simplex box construction.
Bend - Other than straight, to any degree or angle, fold, break, bend, etc.
Benday - Alternate term for Screen tint.
Bender - A bench tool used to form cutting or creasing rule.
Bending dies - Small dies that insert in a bender to produce desired shapes.
Bending rules - The process of curving the cutting rule in forming dies to the shape and dimensions desired.
Bending, Die steels - The process of curving the steel in freehand forming dies to shape dimensions desired.
Bevels - To form a sloping or slanting edge, container, part, or rules.
Bimetal plate - In lithography, a plate used for long runs in which the printing image base is usually copper and the non-printing area is aluminum, stainless steel, or chromium.
Bind - Usually in the book arena, but not exclusively, the joining of leafs or signatures together with either wire, glue or other means.
Binder - A book-like device used to hold a quantity of sheets, commonly loose-leaf paper. Binders can either be temporary or permanent, the former allowing the easy removal and insertation of sheets, the latter not.
Binder's board - Very stiff paper board used to make covers of case bound books.
Bindery - Usually a department within a printing company responsible for collating, folding and trimming various printing projects.
Binding - Binding and finishing are activities performed on printed material after printing.
Binding slip - A sheet of instructions sent to the bindery with each volume, specifying the binding requirements for that particular volume.
Bit - In computers, the basic unit of digital information; contraction of Binary digit.
Bit map - In computer imaging, the electronic representative of a page, indicating the positions of every possible spot (zero or one).
Bitmap - An image represented by an array of picture elements, each of which is encoded as one or more binary digits.
Black liquor - The spent chemicals obtained from the kraft chemical pulping process.
Black Printer - The plate during the prepress printing process that is used with the cyan, magenta and yellow printers to enhance the contrast and to emphasize the neutral tones and detail in the final reproduction shadow areas.
Black-and-white - Originals or reproductions in single color, as distinguished from multicolor.
Blank - Category of paperboard ranging in thickness from 15 to 48 points.
Blanket - Rubber-coated pad, mounted on a cylinder of an offset press, that receives the inked image from the plate and transfers it to the surface to be printed.
Blanket cylinder - Cylinder of a press on which the blanket is mounted.
Blanking die - This die type is covered here because it employs a form of steel rule, although it is used to convert metal. Normally, the die is made of two parts: the top (female) section, of steel rule set into dense material, sometimes maple plywood; the bottom section (male), a hardened plate which mates with the inside line of the top section to form a shearing effect on the materials being cut. This die is also known as a shearing die, stamping die or metal blanking die.
Bleach manilla lined news - Clean, white top liner containing some ground wood on chipboard, news bottom liner. Bleaching - The process of chemically treating pulp fibers to reduce or remove coloring matter so that the whiteness or brightness of the pulp is increased.
Bleed - A printed color or image that runs off the trimmed edge of the paper, achieved by printing a larger area and trimming off the excess. The bleed also refers to the area that will later be trimmed.
Blind emboss - To emboss without added ink or foil the embossed image.
Blind Folio - A page number not printed on the page. (In the book arena, a blank page traditionally does not print a page number.)
Blind image - Image debossed, embossed or stamped, but not printed with ink or foil.
Blistering - A defect caused by the development of air pockets in the paperboard, caused by drying too suddenly on the drying cylinders, or poor ply adhesion in multiply board.
Block die - Series of blocks of wood that are cut on a table saw to exact sizes to conform to a pattern. The rule is inserted between these blocks and are held firm within a metal frame with wedges or quoins.
Blocking - An undesired adhesion between touching layers of material such as might occur under moderate pressure and/or temperature in storage or use; to the extent that damage to at least one surface is visible upon their separation.
Blow-up - An enlargement, usually used with graphic images or photographs.
Blueline - Final proof from printer to verify graphic positioning, color breaks, pagination, and type positioning.
Blurb - A description or commentary of an author or book content positioned on the book jacket.
Blushing - A milky, foggy or flat appearance in an ink or coating due to precipitation or incompatibility of one of the ingredients. Most often caused by excessive moisture condensations.
Board - A heavy weight, thick sheet of paper or other fiber substances, usually of a thickness of .0006" or over. The distinction between board and paper is not definite.
Board Caliper - Refers to the weight of the board.
Board Paper - General term for paper over 110# index, 80# cover or 200 gsm that is commonly used for products such as file folders, displays and post cards. Also called paperboard.
Board, cylinder - Any type of fibreboard or boxboard made on a cylinder machine. Has a characteristic grain direction.
Body - (1) The printed text of a book not including endpapers or covers. (2) The size of type from the top of the ascenders to the bottom of the descenders.
Body - In inkmaking, a term referring to the viscosity, or consistency, of an ink (e.g., an ink with too much body is stiff).
Body Copy - Text or graphics printed other than on tab extensions (i.e. the "body" of the sheet).
Body type - A type used for the main part or text of a printed piece, as distinguished from the heading.
Boilerplate - Standard text that is stored electronically and can be rearranged and combined with fresh information to produce new documents.
Bold-face type - A name given to type that is heavier than the text type with which it is used.
Bond & carbon - Business form with paper and carbon paper.
Bond paper - Category of paper commonly used for writing, printing and photocopying. Also called business paper, communication paper, correspondence paper and writing paper.
Bonding - The natural chemical and physical mechanism by which individual fibers adhere to each other.
Book Block - Folded signatures gathered, sewn and trimmed, but not yet covered.
Book paper - Category of paper suitable for books, magazines, catalogs, advertising and general printing needs. Book paper is divided into uncoated paper (also called offset paper), coated paper (also called art paper, enamel paper, gloss paper and slick paper) and text paper.
Bookbinder - Alternate term for Trade bindery.
Border - The decorative design or rule surrounding matter on a page.
Bounce - (1) a repeating registration problem in the printing stage of production. (2) Customer unhappy with the results of a printing project and refuses to accept the project.
Box - A complete paper box, including base and lid, or one piece.
Boxboard - Paperboard of sufficient caliper and test to be used in the manufacturer of paperboard boxes.
Braceless die - Varying interpretations of this term.
Break for color - Also known as a color break. To separate mechanically or by software the parts to be printed in different colors.
Breakacross - A photo or other image that extends across the gutter onto both pages of the spread. Alternative terms: crossover; reader’s spread.
Breaking strength - The ability of a material to resist rupture by tension. (See also bursting strength)
Bridge - Small areas left uncut in a jig die for purpose of holding the die together.
Bridger - A bench tool used to remove metal from the steel rule, to pass over the bridge.
Brightness - In photography, light reflected by the copy. In paper, the reflectance or brilliance of the paper.
Brilliancy - The intensity, chroma, brightness or apparent strength of a color to the eye.
Bristol - Type of board paper used for post cards, business cards, and other heavy-use products.
Bristol Paper - General term referring to paper 6 points or thicker with basis weight between 90# and 200# (200-500 gsm). Used for products such as index cards, file folders and displays.
Brittle paper - A weakened condition of paper due to deterioration caused by acid, which may cause darkening of the paper.
Broadside - The term used to indicate work printed on one of a large sheet of paper.
Brochure - A pamphlet bound in booklet form.
Broke - Pulp recovered from paperboard trimmings, damaged paperboard, or off spec product anywhere in the manufacturing process.
Broken Carton - Carton of paper from which some of the sheets have been sold. Also called less carton.
Broker - Agent who supplies printing from many printing companies.
Bromide - A photographic print created on bromide paper.
Bronzing - Printing with a sizing ink, then applying bronze powder while still wet to produce a metallic luster.
Brown stock - Brown pulp from the chemical pulping process.
Buckle Folder - A device used in the folding phrase of binding and finishing, which uses a set of plates (collectively called a folder plate) to force a sheet to buckle slightly, allowing it to be pulled through a set of folding rollers.
Buckling - The phenomenon when PSA tape ripples and causes an opening or gaps between layers in the manufacturing process.
Buckram - A heavy-weave cotton base fabric which is pyroxylin-filled and used for constructing covers.
Build a Color - To overlap two or more screen tints to create a new color. Such an overlap is called a build, color build, stacked screen build or tint build.
Bulk - Thickness of paper relative to its basic weight.
Bulk pack - To pack printed pieces in boxes without prior wrapping in bundles.
Bullet - A dot or similar marking to emphasize text.
Bump exposure - In photography, an exposure in halftone photography, especially with contact screens, in which the screen is removed for a short time. It increases highlight contrast and drops out the dots in the whites.
Burn - In platemaking, a common term used for a plate exposure. In photography, to give extra exposure to a specific area of a print.
Burnish - To smooth and seal by rubbing elements. adhered to a mechanical. Burst Perfect Bind - To bind by forcing glue into notches along the spines of gathered signatures before affixing a paper cover. Also called burst bind, notch bind and slotted bind.
Bursting strength - Resistance of paper to rupture under pressure, as indicated in pounds per square inch on a Mullen or "pop" tester.
Butt - To join without overlapping or space between.
Butt fit - Ink colors overlapped only a hairline so they appear perfectly butted.
Butt register (also know as zero registration) - Register where ink colors meet precisely without overlapping or allowing space between, as compared to lap register. Also called butt fit and kiss register.
Butt Splice - A splice made by joining tape end-to-end without a space nor any overlapping. A thin single coated tape centered on both sides usually assembles the splice.
Butt to rule - Any subject matter that is to fit directly against a printing rule.
Butt-Cutting - Die cutting process where a kiss cut is performed, but no matrix is created. The parts are directly next to each other. Products are usually square or rectangular shaped on a roll or pad.
Buyout - Subcontracted service.
Byte - In computers, a unit of digital information, equivalent to one character or 8 to 32 bits.
C print - Color photographic print made from a negative on Kodak C Print paper.
C1S and C2S - Abbreviations for coated one side and coated two sides.
CAD/CAM - An acronym for Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Makeup or Manufacturing.
Cady tester - A machine used to test the bursting strength of paper, paperboard or fibreboard. (See mullen and bursting strength)
Calender - To make the surface of paper smooth by pressing it between rollers during manufacturing.
Calender rolls - A set or stack or horizontal cast-iron rolls at the end of a paper machine. The paper is passed between the rolls to increase the smoothness and gloss of its surface.
Calendered paper - Paper with a smooth finish produced by its being passed through the calender of a papermaking machine.
Calendering - The process of finishing a sheet of dry paper by pressing it between a set of chilled metal rollers, generally at the end of a papermaking machine. The paper passes through these rollers to increase the smoothness and gloss of its surface.
Calibrate - To adjust the scale on a measuring instrument such as a densitometer to a standard for specific conditions.
Calibration - A process by which a scanner, monitor, or output device is adjusted to provide a more accurate display and reproduction of images.
Caliper - (1) Thickness of paper or other substrate expressed in thousandths of an inch (mils or points), pages per inch (ppi), thousandths of a millimeter (microns) or pages per centimeter (ppc). (2) Device on a sheetfed press that detects double sheets or on a binding machine that detects missing signatures or inserts.
Callout - A portion of text, usually duplicated from accompanying text, enlarged, and set off in quotes and/or a box to draw attention to what surrounds it.
Camera Service - Business using a process camera to make photostats, halftones, plates and other elements for printing. Also called prep service and trade camera service.
Camera-ready - Copy which is ready for photography.
Camera-ready artwork - Artwork (an image or text) ready for photography.
Camera-ready Copy - Mechanicals, photographs and art fully prepared for reproduction according to the technical requirements of the printing process being used. Also called finished art and reproduction copy.
Caps and small caps - Two sizes of capital letters made in one size of type, commonly used in most roman type faces.
Carbonless - Pressure sensitive writing paper that does not use carbon.
Carbonless Paper - Paper coated with chemicals that enable transfer of images from one sheet to another with pressure from writing or typing.
Cardboard - General term for stiff, bulky paper such as index, tag, or bristol.
Carload - A truck load of paper weighing 40,000 pounds.
Carrier - Double-coated tapes have a thin "carrier" of film to which one or two types of PSA adhesive is coated to each side.
Carton - Selling unit of paper weighing approximately 150 pounds (60 kilos). A carton can contain anywhere from 500 to 5,000 sheets, depending on the size of sheets and their basis weight.
Case - Covers and spine that, as a unit, enclose the pages of a casebound book.
Case Bind - To bind using glue to hold signatures to a case made of binder board covered with fabric, plastic or leather. Also called cloth bind, edition bind, hard bind and hard cover.
Casing-in - The process of putting a volume that has received all of the binding or rebinding operations, into its cover or case.
Cast coated - Coated paper dried under pressure against a polished cylinder to produce a high-gloss enamel finish. Cast-coated Paper - High gloss, coated paper made by pressing the paper against a polished, hot, metal drum while the coating is still wet.
Catalog Paper - Coated paper rated #4 or #5 with basis weight from 35# to 50# (50 to 75 gsm) commonly used for catalogs and magazines.
Catalyst - A substance which alters (initiates or accelerates) the velocity of a reaction between two or more substances without changing itself in chemical composition.
Catching up - In lithography, a term which indicates that the non-image areas of a press plate are taking ink or scumming.
Caustic - Alkaline having a corrosive action.
CCD - Acronym for Charge Couple Device. An electronic scanning device used in imaging systems.
CD-ROM - Acronym for Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory. A CD-ROM drive uses the CD format as a computer storage medium.
Cell - In gravure printing, the small etched depression (representing one halftone dot) in the surface of the gravure cylinder that carries the ink.
Center marks - Lines on a mechanical, negative, plate, or press sheet indicating the center of a layout. Center spread - The two center pages of a signature.
CEPS - Abbreviation for color electronic prepress systems, a high-end, computer-based system that is used to color correct scanned images and assemble image elements into final pages.
Chain Dot - (1) Alternate term for elliptical dot, so called because midtone dots touch at two points, so look like links in a chain. (2) Generic term for any midtone dots whose corners touch.
Chain Lines - (1) Widely spaced lines in laid paper. (2) Blemishes on printed images caused by tracking.
Chalking - Deterioration of a printed image caused by ink that absorbs into paper too fast or has long exposure to sun, and wind making printed images look dusty. Also called crocking.
Color Shift - Change in image color resulting from changes in register, ink densities or dot gain during four-color process printing.
Character generation - The production of typographic images using font master data. Generated to screens or output devices.
Chase - A rectangular metal frame in which type and plates are locked up for letterpress. A metal frame holds a block type die together under pressure.
Check Copy - (1) Production copy of a publication verified by the customer as printed, finished and bound correctly. (2) One set of gathered book signatures approved by the customer as ready for binding.
Checking - A defect resulting from excessive decurling.
Chemical pulp - In papermaking, treatment of ground wood chips with chemicals to remove impurities such as lignin, resins and gums. There are two types, sulfite and sulfate.
Chemistry - In photography and platemaking, a term used to describe the composition of processing solutions.
Child Proof Stitches - A method of stitches in which they are turned in down the center spread.
Chipboard - Paperboard used in making rigid boxes. Made in varying densities according to desired smoothness from reclaimed paper fibre to give high stiffness and internal strength for scoring.
Choke - Technique of slightly reducing the size of an image to create a hairline trap or to outline. Also called shrink and skinny.
Chokes and spreads - Overlap of overprinting images to avoid color or white fringes or borders around image detail. Called trapping in digital imaging systems.
Chopper knives - Steel rule in a die to cut up scrap in smaller pieces.
Choppers - Cutting rule in dies for the purpose of cutting the waste into smaller pieces to facilitate self-stripping and to make smaller pieces of waste to accommodate the waste removal system.
Chroma - The optical measurement of color saturation and/or intensity.
Chromalin proof - A 4-color proofing system. It is made with four process color toners, plus layers of photo polymer. Laminated into 1 piece, Chromalin is a DuPont trade name.
Chrome - Alternate term for Transparency.
Circular screen - A circular-shaped halftone screen which enables the camera operator to obtain halftones without disturbing the copy.
Clarification - The removal of suspended solids by settling process solutions.
Clay coated box board - A one side coated board (white) with good fold and scoring quality used for rigid and folding boxes. Coating provides satisfactory printing surface, a smooth flexible sheet for good bend at score line.
Cleat bind - Alternate term for Side stitch.
Clicker block - Anvil surface of wood to cut against.
Clicker pad - Disposable anvil surface of various materials.
Clicker press - Generic term now referring to all swing arm diecutting presses used in much of the soft goods converting areas.
Cling - Tendency of adjacent materials to adhere to each other, as in blocking, except that the surfaces can be separated without any visible damage. A slight noise, referred as kiss noise, may occur upon separation.
Clip art - High-contrast drawings printed on white, glossy paper and made to be cut out and pasted to a mechanical.
Cloning - A retouching function available on a color imaging system or in an image-editing program. It is normally used to remove image defects by replacing pixels in the defective areas with duplicate pixels from adjacent, non-defective areas. It can also be used to duplicate sections of an image. Alternative term: pixel swapping.
Close Up - A mark used to indicate closing space between characters or words. Usually used in proofing stages.
Closed loop system - In printing, a completely automatic control system.
Closed time - Time the glue joint is under compression while the adhesive is setting.
CMYK - Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the four process colors. Coarse Screen - Halftone screen with ruling of 65, 85 or 100 lines per inch (26, 34 or 40 lines centimeter).
Coated Paper - Paper with a coating of clay and other substances that improves reflectivity and ink holdout. Mills produce coated paper in the four major categories cast, gloss, dull and matte.
Coating - In platemaking, the light-sensitive polymer or mixture applied to a metal plate. In printing, an emulsion, varnish or lacquer over a printed surface to protect it.
Coating, heat seal - A coating applied to a substrate capable of sealing to another material by heat and dwell time.
Coating, thermoplastic - A material applied to a substrate which is heat sealable.
Cobb test - A method of measuring the water receptivity of sized paperboard by determining the weight of liquid absorbed into the surface over a specified period of time.
Cockling - A rippling effect given to the surface of a sheet of paper which has not been properly dried. Moisture pickup of the sheet can also cause the cockling or wavy edge.
Cohesion - The attractive force that internally binds a material.
Cold color - In printing, a color with a bluish cast.
Cold set adhesive - A liquid adhesive, used in carton forming, which when applied dewaters through the substrate, dries, and bonds to the substrate.
Collate - To organize printed matter in a specific order as requested.
Collateral - Ad agency term for printed pieces, such as brochures and annual reports, that are not directly involved in advertising.
Collating Marks - In printing, a set of numbered symbols that are printed on the folded edge of press signatures as a means of indicating the proper collating or gathering sequence.
Collating Marks - Mostly in the book arena, specific marks on the back of signatures indicating exact position in the collating stage.
Collation - Gathering of individual tabs into sequentially ordered sets.
Collotype - Method of printing continuous tones using a plate coated with gelatin. Color balance - The correct combination of cyan, magenta and yellow to (1) reproduce a photograph without a color cast, (2) produce a neutral gray, or (3) reproduce the colors in the original scene or object.
Color bar - A series of solid rectangles on a film which are shot on each plate. These are used to set and control ink densities on press.
Color Blanks - Press sheets printed with photos or illustrations, but without type. Also called shells.
Color break - In multicolor printing, the point, line or space at which one ink color stops and another begins. Also called break for color.
Color cast - Unwanted color affecting an entire image or portion of an image.
Color Control Bar - Strip of small blocks of color on a proof or press sheet to help evaluate features such as density and dot gain. Also called color bar, color guide and standard offset color bar.
Color Correct - To adjust the relationship among the process colors to achieve desirable colors.
Color correction - The process, in four-color separations, of adjusting the color values to achieve a more pleasing or accurate image.
Color curves - Instructions in computer software that allow users to change or correct colors.
Color density - Optical density (or hue saturation) of a particular color.
Color Electronic Prepress System - Computer, scanner, printer and other hardware and software designed for image assembly, color correction, retouching and output onto proofing materials, film or printing plates. Abbreviated CEPS.
Color filter - A sheet of dyed glass, gelatin or plastic, or dyed gelatin cemented between glass plates, used in photography to absorb certain colors and transmit others. The filters used for color separation are blue, green and red.
Color gamut - The entire range of hues possible to reproduce using a specific device, such as a computer screen, or system, such as four-color process printing.
Color key - Brand name for an overlay color proof. Sometimes used as a generic term for any overlay color proof.
Color Matching Systems - A method of specifying a specific, standard color by means of numbered color samples available in swatchbooks. Pantone and Toyo are two commonly used color matching systems.
Color Model - Way of categorizing and describing the infinite array of colors found in nature.
Color process - Alternate term for 4-color process printing.
Color proofs - See off-press proofs, progressive proofs.
Color Separation - (1) Technique of using a camera, scanner or computer to divide continuous-tone color images into four halftone negatives. (2) The product resulting from color separating and subsequent four-color process printing. Also called separation.
Color sequence - Order in which inks are printed. Also called laydown sequence and rotation.
Color shift - Change in image color resulting from changes in register, ink densities or dot gain during four-color process printing.
Color swatch - Sample of an ink color.
Color transparency - A full-color photographic positive on transparent film. Also called a chrome.
Color wheel - Diagrammatic arrangement of primary and secondary colors used as a visual aid in determining relationship and harmony among colors.
Coloured stitches - Coloured stitching is a stitch with coloured wire.
Comb Bind - To bind by inserting the teeth of a flexible plastic comb through holes punched along the edge of a stack of paper. Also called plastic bind and GBC bind (a brand name).
Combination jig/block die - Contains both jigsawed areas and block sawed.
Combination plate - In photoengraving, halftone and line work combined on one plate; etched for both halftones and line depth.
Commercial artist - Artist whose work is planned for reproduction by printing.
Commercial Printer - Printer producing a wide range of products such as announcements, brochures, posters, booklets, stationery, business forms, books and magazines. Also called job printer because each job is different.
Commercial register - Color printing on which the misregister allowable is within ± one row of dots.
Common impression cylinder press - In flexography, letter-press and lithography, a press with a number of printing units around a large impression cylinder.
Comp - Short for Comprehensive dummy.
Comp dummy - Simulation of a printed piece complete with type, graphics and colors.
Complementary Flat(s) - The second or additional flat(s) used when making composite film or for two or more burns on one printing plate.
Composite - A single negative made from a series of exposures on 1 piece of film.
Composite Art - Mechanical on which copy for reproduction in all colors appears on only one surface, not separated onto overlays. Composite art has a tissue overlay with instructions that indicate color breaks.
Composite Film - Film made by combining images from two or more pieces of working film onto one film for making one plate.
Composite Proof - Proof of color separations in position with graphics and type. Also called final proof, imposition proof and stripping proof.
Composition - (1) In typography, the assembly of typographic elements, such as words and paragraphs, into pages ready for printing. (2) In graphic design, the arrangement of type, graphics and other elements on the page.
Comprehensive Dummy - Simulation of a printed piece complete with type, graphics and colors. Also called color comprehensive and comp.
Computerized composition - Unjustified type is produced on a keyboard and subsequently run through a computer which makes line-end, hyphenation and other typographical decisions. Sometimes, a computer-produced second tape is then used as input for photosetting (or linecasting) equipment.
Condensed type - A narrow or slender type face.
Condition - To keep paper in the pressroom for a few hours or days before printing so that its moisture level and temperature equal that in the pressroom. Also called cure, mature and season.
Conditioning - Exposure of paperboard to accurately controlled and specified atmospheric conditions, so that its moisture content reaches equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere.
Conductivity - A property of fountain solutions that must be controlled along with pH.
Conglomerate die - A die utilizing more than one die type in it to allow for greater wear resistance, etc. at a given point. This die type is usually employed in the plastics trades for trimming contoured, vacuum-formed parts.
Consignment memo - Alternate term for photographer's Delivery memo.
Consistency - Property of a material which is evidenced by its resistance to flow. The general body characteristics of an ink, for example, viscosity; uniformity mostly used to describe the rheological property of an ink, such as "thick", "thin" and "buttery". In paper making, percentage, by weight, of fiber in pulp slurry.
Contact - A photographic conversion of a positive to a negative or vice versa.
Contact Platemaker - Device with lights, timing mechanism and vacuum frame used to make contact prints, duplicate film, proofs and plates. Also called platemaker and vacuum frame.
Contact print - A photographic print made from a negative or positive in contact with sensitized paper, film or printing plate.
Contact screen - A halftone screen on film having a dot structure of graded density, used in vacuum contact with the photographic film to produce halftone.
Contact sheet - Alternate term for Proof sheet.
Containerboard - The fabricated material from which containers are manufactured. A general term applied both to solid fibreboard and corrugated fibreboard.
Continuous-tone copy - All photographs and those illustrations having a range of shades not made up of dots, as compared to line copy or halftones. Abbreviated contone.
Contract Proof - A color proof that represents an agreement between the printer and the client regarding exactly how the printed product will appear.
Contrast - The degree of tones in an image ranging from highlight to shadow.
Conversion - The process of preparing documents, capturing, and indexing current files for use on an imaging system.
Converter - Business that makes products such as boxes, bags, envelopes and displays.
Copolymer - Polymer produced from a combination of two or more monomers. See Polymer.
Copy - Any furnished material (typewritten manuscript, pictures, artwork, etc..) to be used in the production of printing.
Copy preparation - In typesetting, marking up manuscript and specifying type. In pasteup and printing, making mechanicals and writing instructions to ensure proper placement and handling of copy.
Copyboard - Surface or frame on a process camera that holds copy in position to be photographed.
Copyfitting - In composition, the calculation of how much space a given amount of copy will take up in a given size and typeface. Also, the adjusting of the type size to make it fit in a given amount of space.
Copyright - Ownership of creative work by the writer, photographer, or artist who made it.
Copywriter - Person who writes copy for advertising.
Corner marks - Lines on a mechanical, negative, plate, or press sheet showing the corners of a page or finished piece.
Corrosion - Deterioration of a material by chemical action, usually as a result of galvanic, acid or alkali action of oxidation.
Corrugated - Characteristic of board for boxes made by sandwiching fluted kraft paper between sheets of paper or cardboard.
Corrugated board, double wall - A container board consisting of two fluted members and three liners combined in the following sequence: facing (liner), fluted member, center liner, fluted member, facing (liner).
Corrugated board, double-faced - A container board consisting of a fluted inner member glued between two facings or liners. Used in making corrugated fibreboard boxes and products.
Corrugated board, single-faced - A container board consisting of a fluted member glued to one facing permitting free bending in one direction. Used for wrapping and cushioning.
Corrugated medium - The container board, usually .009 inch thick, used as the fluted member of corrugated fibreboard.
Cotton content paper - Paper made from cotton fibers rather than wood pulp.
Counter - The press board or other kind of cardboard that is glued into the outside of the jacket into which scores are cut.
Cover - Thick paper that protects a publication and advertises its title. Parts of covers are often described as follows: Cover 1=outside front; Cover 2=inside front; Cover 3=inside back, Cover 4=outside back.
Cover paper - Category of thick paper used for products such as posters, menus, folders and covers of paperback books.
Coverage - Extent to which ink covers the surface of a substrate. Ink coverage is usually expressed as light, medium or heavy.
Crash - Coarse cloth embedded in the glue along the spine of a book to increase strength of binding. Also called gauze, mull and scrim.
Crash number - Numbering paper by pressing an image on the first sheet which is transferred to all parts of the printed set.
Crash printing - Letterpress printing on carbon or carbonless forms so image prints simultaneously on all sheets in the set.
Crawling - That property of a coating or ink in which the wetting of the surface is very poor, causing the film to contract into drops, leaving a discontinuous covering.
Creasibility - Physical property paperboard that allows a carton to be folded along the score or crease line.
Creasing rules - The rules that crease the sheet. They may be of varying widths to best suit the thickness of the stock being creased.
Creep - The slight but cumulative extension of the edges of each inserted spread or signature beyond the edges of the signature that encloses it. This results in progressively smaller trim size on the inside pages. Alternative terms: push out; shingling; binder’s creep.
Crimping - Puncture marks holding business forms together.
Crinkle - Wrinkly/wad film severely to determine ink flexibility.
Cromalin - DuPont trade name for integral color proof.
Crop - To opaque, mask, mark, cut, or trim an illustration or other reproduction to fit a designated area.
Crop Marks - Lines near the edges of an image indicating portions to be reproduced. Also called cut marks and tic marks.
Cropping - (1) Indicating what portion of the copy is to be included in the final reproduction. (2) Trimming unwanted areas of a photograph film or print.
Cross direction - In paper, the direction across the grain. Paper is weaker and more sensitive to changes in relative humidity in the cross direction than the grain direction.
Crossline screen (glass screen) - In halftone photography, a grid pattern with opaque lines crossing each other at right angles, thus forming transparent squares or "screen apertures".
Crosslinkers - Additive used to complete a chemical reaction; used in paperboard, also with coatings, ink, etc.
Crossmarks - See register marks.
Crossover - Type or art that continues from one page of a book or magazine across the gutter to the opposite page. Also called bridge, gutter bleed and gutter jump.
Crystallization - A condition in which a dried ink film repels a subsequent ink or coating which must be printed on to it. This word has an entirely different meaning in chemistry.
CTP - Acronym for computer-to-plate.
Cure - To dry inks, varnishes or other coatings after printing to ensure good adhesion and prevent setoff.
Curl - The tendency of a sheet of paper to roll into the form of a cylinder. It is caused by the inequality in water content or stress levels between the two sides of the paper. Wet Curl is the result of application of water to the paper surface, as in lithographic printing. Atmospheric (Dry) Curl is the result of the exchange of water vapor between paper and air of higher or lower relative humidity. Mechanical Curl is the result of mechanical stresses on the paper, other than that of swelling or shrinkage, due to moisture.
Curtain coater - A machine that creates a vertical "curtain" of liquid coating material. A constant stream that falls from a coating head. Board passing under the curtain will be covered by the coating. The amount of coating to be applied is regulated by the thickness of the curtain and speed at which the board passes through it.
Curved die boards - Used for rotary dies, usually hard-wood plywood.
Curved plate - In letterpress, an electrotype or stereotype which is precurved to fit the cylinder of a rotary press.
Curved rotary rule - Used vertically on a curved die board cutting corrugated. Furnished 45° or 90°, relative to shaft center lines.
Custom Embroidery - See Embroidery.
Customer service representative - Employee of a printer, service bureau, separator or other business who coordinates projects and keeps customers informed. Abbreviated CSR.
Cut - In letterpress, a photoengraving of any kind. Number of tab positions in a bank (example - 1/5 cut = 5 tabs of equal size completing a bank.
Cut creaser - A machine used in production of folding cartons. It uses steel rule dies with sharp knives to cut through the board: dull knives to crease board along fold lines.
Cut flush - The cover is trimmed after binding so that its edges are even with the edges of the leaves.
Cut sizes - Paper sizes used with office machines and small presses.
Cut stock - Paper distributor term for paper 11 x 17 or smaller.
Cut-AWL saw - A commercial machine that is commonly used in the production of rotary dies. A curved base is used in this application.
Cutoff - Circumference of the impression cylinder of a web press, therefore also the length of the printed sheet that the press cuts from the roll of paper.
Cutscore - In die-cutting, a sharp-edged knife, usually several thousandths of an inch lower than the cutting rules in a die, made to cut part way into the paper or board for folding purposes. Cutting knives or rule that cut only partially through the stock for purposes of bending. Used only where creases are not desired.
Cutter - A term used to describe a bench tool used to cut steel rule.
Cutting die - Term covering total family of numerous types of "cutting dies".
Cutting head - Generic form of numerous definitions.
Cutting knives - The sharp, steel rule that cuts the sheets of material. This rule is usually hardened, whereas a softer rule is needed for curves.
Cutting Machine - A machine that cuts stacks of paper to desired sizes. The machine can also be used in scoring or creasing.
Cutting scores - Cutting the scores in the counter into which the creasing rules must register to make the proper creases for folding.
CWT - Abbreviation for hundredweight using the Roman numeral C=100.
Cyan - Hue of a subtractive primary and a 4-color process ink. It reflects or transmits blue and green light and absorbs red light.
Cylinder - In flexography, for no particular reason, most rollers in the printing presses are called rolls with the exception of that upon which the rubber plates are mounted, and the one which receives the impression, and these are usually referred to as cylinders, e.g.: plate cylinders or impression cylinder.
Cylinder gap - In printing presses, the gap or space in the cylinders of a press where the mechanism for plate (or blanket), clamps and gripper (sheetfed) is housed.
Cylinder liner - Container board made on cylinder machines from blends of virgin pulp and paper fibers reworked from various grades of paper stock. The sheet is formed on a series of rotating cylinders.
Cylinder press - A rotary printing press utilizing curved plates.
Dampener fountain - Alternate term for Water fountain on a press.
Dampening solution - Alternate term for Fountain solution.
Dampening system - In lithography, the mechanism on a press for transferring dampening solution to the plate during printing.
Dandy roll - In papermaking, a wire cylinder on papermaking machines that makes woven or laid effects on the texture, as well as the watermark itself. Used in the manufacture of better grades of business and book papers.
Data Compression - Technique of reducing the amount of storage required to hold a digital file to reduce the disk space the file requires and allow it to be processed or transmitted more quickly.
Data conversion - To change digital information from its original code so that it can be recorded by an electronic memory using a different code.
DCS1, DCS2 Desktop Color Separation - Developed by Quark. A DCS1 file is composed of five files. The main file is a composite with a low-resolution preview and pointers to the separation files. There are four separations files, one for each process color. DCS2 adds spot color capabilities, and single file as well multi-file formats.
DDES - Acronym for Digital Date Exchange Specifications.
Deboss - To press an image into paper so it lies below the surface.
Deckle - In papermaking, the width of the wet sheet as it comes off the wire of a paper machine.
Deckle Edge - Edge of paper left ragged as it comes from the papermaking machine instead of being cleanly cut. Also called feather edge.
Decompress - To return compressed data to its original size and condition.
Decurling - The elimination of roll set (machine direction) curl by mechanical counteraction of stresses, often with the assistance of a decurling device.
Deep-etch - In offset-lithography, a positive-working plate used for long runs where the inked areas are slightly recessed below the surface.
Deflection - Deviation from a straight line under load. Fountain roll pressure against the anilox roll causes both to bend or bow slightly. Excessive bending of both or either one will result in uneven ink metering and subsequent nonuniform printing.
Defoamers - Chemicals added to a solution to prevent the formation of foam.
Delete - Removing unwanted images by way of honing, opaquing, taping out.
Delivery memo - Form sent by photographers and stock photo services to clients for signature to verify receipt of photos and agreement to contract terms.
Densitometer - An instrument used to measure the optical density of ink on paper. Used to insure consistent color and coverage within a press run and from press run to press run.
Density - (1) Regarding ink, the relative thickness of a layer of printed ink. (2) Regarding color, the relative ability of a color to absorb light reflected from it or block light passing through it. (3) Regarding paper, the relative tightness or looseness of fibers.
Density range - Difference between the darkest and lightest areas of copy. Also called contrast ratio, copy range and tonal range.
Depth (of a book) - The measurement of the book at its thickest point, including the covers.
Depth of field - Photographer term for relative sharpness of features in an image regardless of their distance from the camera when photographed.
Dermatitis - In lithography, a skin disease, characterized by an itching rash or swelling caused by photographic developers, chromium compounds and solvents.
Descender - That part of the letter which extends below the main body, as in "p".
Desensitizer - In lithographic platemaking, chemical treatment to make non-image areas of a plate repellant to ink. In photography, an agent for decreasing color sensitivity of photographic emulsion to facilitate development under comparatively bright light.
Design brief - Written description of how a printed piece is intended to look and the requirements for reproducing it. desktop color separation (DCS). A color file format that creates five PostScript files, one for each color (CMYK) and a data file about the image.
Desktop publishing - Technique of using a personal computer to design images and pages, and assemble type and graphics, then using a laser printer or imagesetter to output the assembled pages onto paper, film or printing plate. Abbreviated DTP.
Developer - In photography, the chemical agent and process used to render photographic images visible after exposure to light. In lithographic platemaking, the material used to remove the unexposed coating.
Device Independent Colors - Hules identified by wavelength or by their place in systems such as developed by CIE. 'Device independent' means a color can be described and specified without regard to whether it is reproduced using ink, projected light, photographic chemistry or any other method.
Diazo - Light-sensitive coating on paper or film for making contact prints of technical drawings.
Die - Device for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing and debossing.
Die classes - Cutting die types. These may be combined to form hybrid types of dies; these may be used successfully on more than one type of press. Most are made for one type of press. The best known types of dies, along with their variously known names are: forged die, steel rule die, flex die, machine die, mallet die, conglomerate die, and blanking die.
Die Cut - To cut irregular shapes in paper or paperboard using a die.
Die Cutting - Fabricating process to make any shape or geometric pattern, design, square, rectangle, circle, etc. through the use of steel rule dies, rotary or circular dies, thermal and clicker dies, as well as machined compound and progressive die tooling.
Die cylinder - In rotary die cutting, the rotating shaft that holds the die.
Die steel - (a) The strip steel used in making forged dies. (b) The strip used in making flex dies. (c) The flat ground stock used in making some machine dies.
Die stock - Same as die steel.
Die-cutting - The process of using sharp steel rules to cut special shapes for labels, boxes and containers from printed sheets. Die-cutting can be done on either flatbed or rotary presses. Rotary die-cutting is usually done in line with the printing.
Die-cutting press - Machine that holds the die, blanks or cuts the material into piece parts.
Die-cutting surface - Area to be die cut.
Die-making - The process of forming or manufacturing a cutting die. The action of manufacturing any of the die classes; to make a cutting die for converting purposes.
Die-stamping - An intaglio process for the production of letterheads, cards, etc., printing from lettering or other designs engraved into copper or steel.
Dieboard - Used as the carrier for steel rule in cutting dies, usually hardwood plywood.
Diecut - A finishing operation involving the use of sharp steel rules or knives to cut a specific pattern into a substrate or to cut the substrate itself into a specific pattern. Diecutting is used to create pop-up books and games, and to cut flat printed sheets.
Dies bending - Male and female bending dies used to accomplish desired angle or curves when bending rule.
Diffusion sheet - Frosted mylar used for dual purpose of flaring dots as an aid to registration and duping spreads and shrinks.
Diffusion Transfer - Chemical process of reproducing line copy and making halftone positives ready for paste-up.
Digital color proof - An off-press color proof produced from digital data without the need for separation films.
Digital Dot - Dot created by a computer and printed out by a laser printer or imagesetter. Digital dots are uniform in size, as compared to halftone dots that vary in size.
Digital plates - Printing plates that can be exposed by lasers or other high energy sources driven by digital data in a platesetter.
Digital printing - Printing by plateless imaging systems that are imaged by digital data from prepress systems.
Digital Proofing - Page proofs produced through electronic memory transferred onto paper via laser or ink-jet.
Digitized typesetting - In typographic imaging, the creation of typographic characters and symbols by the arrangements of black-and-white spots called pixels or pels.
Digitizer - A computer peripheral device that converts an analog signal (images or sound) into a digital signal.
Dilatent - Having the property of increasing in viscosity with increase in shear. Dilatent fluids are solid or highly viscous when stirred, and fluid when undisturbed. The condition can occur in flexo inks but is normally considered highly undesirable and one to be avoided through formulation.
Dimensional stability - Ability to maintain size; resistance of paper or film to dimensional change with change in moisture content or relative humidity.
Direct Digital Color Proof - Color proof made by a laser, ink jet printer or other computer-controlled device without needing to make separation films first. Abbreviated DDCP.
Direct mail - Mail designed to motivate readers to respond directly to senders with a purchase, donation, or other action.
Direct screen halftone - In color separation, a halftone negative made by direct exposure from the original on an enlarger or by contact through a halftone screen.
Direct-to-plate technology - Those imaging systems that receive fully paginated materials electronically from computers and expose this information to plates in platesetters or imagesetters without creating film intermediates.
Dispersion - A uniform distribution of solid particles in a vehicle by mixing or milling.
Display type - In composition, type set larger than the text.
Distributing rollers - Rubber covered rollers which convey ink from the fountain onto the ink drum of a printing press.
Doctor Blade - In gravure printing, a thin-edged, flexible metal blade fitted on a rotogravure press that scrapes the excess ink from the surface of the engraved printing cylinder prior to printing.
Dodge - To block light from selected areas while making a photographic print.
Dog Ear - A letter fold at the side of one of the creases, an indentation occurs.
Dot - An element of halftones. Using a loupe you will see that printed pictures are made many dots.
Dot etching - In photography, chemically reducing halftone dots to vary the amount of color to be printed. Dot etching on negatives increases color; dot etching on positives reduces color.
Dot Gain - Phenomenon of halftone dots printing larger on paper than they are on films or plates, reducing detail and lowering contrast. Also called dot growth, dot spread and press gain.
Dot Loss - Disappearance or reduction of a dot, either during exposure, development, or on the press.
Dot Size - Relative size of halftone dots as compared to dots of the screen ruling being used. There is no unit of measurement to express dot size. Dots are too large, too small or correct only in comparison to what the viewer finds attractive.
Dots Per Inch (DPI) - A resolution measurement for printers meaning the number of dots in a screened image that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch measure. Generally, the more dots per inch, the greater the detail in the image.
Dots-per-inch - Measure of resolution of input devices such as scanners, display devices such as monitors, and output devices such as laser printers, imagesetters and monitors. Abbreviated DPI. Also called dot pitch.
Dots-per-inch - Measure of resolution of input devices such as scanners, display devices such as monitors, and output devices such as laser printers, imagesetters and monitors. Abbreviated DPI. Also called dot pitch.
Double Black Duotone - Duotone printed from two halftones, one shot for highlights and the other shot for midtones and shadows.
Double bum - To expose a plate or proof to two negatives to create a composite image.
Double Bump - To print a single image twice so it has two layers of ink.
Double Burn - To expose film or a plate twice to different negatives and thus create a composite image.
Double Density - A method of recording electronically (disk, CD, floppy) using a modified frequency to allow more data storage.
Double Dot Halftone - Halftone double burned onto one plate from two halftones, one shot for shadows, the second shot for midtones and highlights.
Double-Coated - Tape consisting of a carrier with PSA adhesives coated to both surfaces and usually supplied wound on a silicone release liner.
Double-double facet - In steel rule, a centered cutting edge with a 2 star bevel on each side.
Doubling - Printing defect appearing as blurring or shadowing of the image. Doubling may be caused by problems with paper, cylinder alignment, blanket pressures or dirty cylinders.
Download - To transfer a file or files from a remote computer to a local computer’s hard drive.
DPI - Considered as "dots per square inch," a measure of output resolution in relationship to printers, imagesetters and monitors.
Drawdown - Sample of inks specified for a job applied to the substrate specified for a job. Also called pull down.
Drier - In inkmaking, chemicals used in inks to accelerate oxidation which makes the inks harder.
Drill - To bore holes in paper so sheets fit over posts of loose-leaf binders.
Dropout - Halftone dots or fine lines eliminated from highlights by overexposure during camera work.
Dropout halftone - Halftone in which contrast has been increased by eliminating dots from highlights.
Dry Back - Phenomenon of printed ink colors becoming less dense as the ink dries.
Dry gum paper - Label paper with glue that can be activated by water.
Dry Offset - Using metal plates in the printing process, which are etched to .15mm (.0006 in) creating a right reading plate, printed on the offset blanket transferring to paper without the use of water.
Dry strength - Strength of paperboard at standard conditions.
Dry Trap - To print over dry ink, as compared to wet trap.
Dry-up - See catching up.
Dryback - The change in print density, color, or finish of an ink film as it dries, generally attributed to a decrease in gloss.
Dryer - The auxiliary unit of printing press through which the printed substrate travels and is dried.
Dual-purpose Bond Paper - Bond paper suitable for printing by either lithography (offset) or xerography (photocopy). Abbreviated DP bond paper.
Dull Finish - Flat (not glossy) finish on coated paper; slightly smoother than matte. Also called suede finish, velour finish and velvet finish.
Dull ink or varnish - Alternate term for Matte ink or varnish.
Dummy - An unprinted mock-up of a to-be-printed piece, using the same materials as the final piece.
Duotone - Black-and-white photograph reproduced using two halftone negatives, each shot to emphasize different tonal values in the original.
Dupe - To create an identical duplicate of an original piece of film.
Duplex paper - Thick paper made by pasting highlights together two thinner sheets, usually of different colors. Also called double-faced paper and two-tone paper.
Duplicating film - A film for making positives from positives, and negatives from negatives. In color reproduction, a special film used for making duplicates to film or paper transparencies.
Duplicator - Offset press made for quick printing.
Duplicator paper - A smooth, hard-surface paper made for use on spirit duplicators.
Dusting - Offset press blanket whitening which may occur predominantly in early press units as an accumulation of fiber or coating dust on the press blanket.
DX - Double burn, can also mean any one of several additional exposures two times.
Dye Transfer - A full-color print made on specially coated paper from reflective art or transparency.
Dylux - Brand name for photographic paper used to make blue line proofs. Often used as alternate term for blueline.
Dynamic range - Density difference between highlights and shadows of scanned subjects.
Edition bind - Alternate term for Case bind.
Elasticity - The property of substance which enables it to return to its original size or shape after being stretched or deformed.
Electronic dot generation (EDG) - A method of producing halftones electronically on scanners and prepress systems.
Electronic Front End (Electronic Composition) - General term referring to a prepress system based on computers.
Electronic Image Assembly - Assembly of a composite image from portions of other images and/or other page elements using a computer.
Electronic Mechanical - Mechanical exclusively in electronic files.
Electronic memory - Disk, magnetic tape, or other memory device that holds digital information.
Electronic page assembly - Assembly and manipulation of type, graphics, and other visual elements on a computer screen.
Electronic publishing - (1) Publishing by printing with device, such as a photocopy machine or ink jet printer, driven by a computer that can change the image instantly from one copy to the next. (2) Publishing via output on fax, computer bulletin board or other electronic medium, as compared to output on paper.
Electronic retouching - Using a computer to enhance or correct a scanned photograph.
Electrophotography - Image transfer systems used in copiers to produce images using electrostatic forces. Electrofax uses a zinc oxide coating: Xerography uses a selenium surface.
Electrotype - Duplicate relief plate used for letterpress printing.
Elliptical dot - In halftone photography, elongated dots which give improved graduation of tones particularly in middle tones and vignettes–also called chain dots.
EM - In composition, the square of a type body. So named because the letter "m" in early fonts was usually cast on a square body.
Emboss - The process of creating raised letters or shapes on paper using a metal or plastic die. An embossed surface will have a textured feeling.
Embossed finish - Paper with a raised or depressed surface resembling wood, cloth, leather or other pattern.
Embossing - Impressing an image in relief to achieve a raised surface; either overprinting or on blank paper (called blind embossing).
Embossing Die - Engraved or cast.
Embroidery - Decorative needlework, used to customize ribbon or bags.
Emulsion - Casting of light-sensitive chemicals on papers, films, printing plates and stencils.
Emulsion Down/Emulsion Up - Film whose emulsion side faces down (away from the viewer) or up (toward the viewer) when ready to make a plate or stencil. Abbreviated ED, EU. Also called E up/down and face down/face up.
Emulsion to emulsion - To contact printing of photographic films or film to plates, emulsion is exposed to a light source.
EN - One-half the width of an em.
Enamel - A term applied to a coated paper or to a coating material on a paper.
Enamel paper - Alternate term for Coated paper with gloss finish.
Encapsulated PostScript file - Computer file containing both images and PostScript commands. Abbreviated EPS file.
End papers - The sheets which attach the textblock to the covers.
End Sheet - Sheet that attaches the inside pages of a case bound book to its cover. Also called pastedown or end papers.
English Finish - A grade of book paper with a smoother, more uniform surface than machine finish.
Engraver - Person who makes a plate for engraving. Also may refer to trade camera service.
Envelope die - All steel die to cut envelope.
EP - Abbreviation for envelope.
EPS - Encapsulated Post Script, a known file format usually used to transfer post script information from one program to another.
Equivalent Paper - Paper that is not the brand specified, but looks, prints and may cost the same. . Also called comparable stock.
Estimate - Price that states what a job will probably cost. Also called bid, quotation and tender.Estimator -
Estimator - The individual performing or creating the "estimate".
Etch - Using chemicals or tools, to carve away metal leaving an image or carve an image into metal. Also, alternate term for Fountain solution.
Eurobind - A patented method of binding perfect bound books so they will open and lay flatter. See Ota-bind.
Evaporation - The changing from the liquid to the gaseous or vapor state, as the solvent leaves the printed ink film.
Exposure - The step in photographic processes during which light produces the image on the light-sensitive coating.
Exposure time - Time required for light to record an image while striking light-sensitive emulsion.
Extended type - A type whose width is greater than normal.
Extenders - Any material added to an ink to reduce its color strength and/or velocity.
Extrusion - The production of a continuous sheet or film (or other shapes not connected with flexography) by forcing hot thermoplastic material through a dye or orifice.
Extrusion coating - A process whereby paper stock is coated by extrusion, normally plastic such as polyethylene; extrusion laminating.
F Stops - Fixed sizes for setting lens apertures.
Fabricator Converter - One who modifies products to enhance their value and final usage.
Face - Edge of a bound publication opposite the spine. Also called foredge. Also, an abbreviation for typeface referring to a family of a general style.
Facsimile - The exact reproduction of a letter, document or signature. Sometime abbreviated as "facsim" or "fax".
Fadeometer - An instrument used to measure the fading properties of inks and other pigmented coatings.
Fake duotone - Halftone in one ink color printed over screen tint of a second ink color. Also called dummy duotone, dougraph, duplex halftone, false duotone, flat tint halftone and halftone with screen.
Fanout - In printing, distortion of paper on the press due to waviness in the paper caused by absorption of moisture at the edges of the paper, particularly across the grain.
Fast color inks - Inks with colors that retain their density and resist fading as the product is used and washed.
Fast film - Film that requires relatively little light to record an image.
Feeder - In printing presses, the section that separates the sheets and feeds them in position for printing.
Feeding unit - Component of a printing press that moves paper into the register unit.
Felt finish - Soft woven pattern in text paper.
Felt side - Smooth side of paper. Ink prints more evenly on the felt side of paper.
Fibreboard - The general term applied to fabricated material used in container manufacture. May be of either corrugated or solid construction.
Fifth Color - Ink color used in addition to the four needed by four-color process.
File transfer protocol(FTP) - The tool used to retrieve information in the form of electronic files from any number of computer systems linked via the TCP/IP protocol. Users in effect transfer copies of information found on remote computers either directly to their own computers or to a service provider’s network and then to their own computers. firewall. The layer of security that protects internal computer networks from outside intrusions, particularly from the Internet.
Filler - A substance added to the pulp stock to occupy the spaces between fibers.
Film - A photographic emulsion coated on a flexible translucent or transparent plastic base.
Film coat - Paper with a very thin coating.
Film Gauge - Thickness of film. The most common gauge for graphic arts film is 0.004 inch (0.1 mm).
Film laminate - Thin sheet of plastic adhered to printed paper for protection.
Film processor - Photographic developer machine which also fixes, rinses, and dries line and halftone film.
Film rip - See Rip film.
Filter - Colored glass or gelatin used to reduce or eliminate specific colors from light before it strikes film or paper.
Final count - Number of printed pieces delivered and charged for.
Fine papers - Papers made specifically for writing or commercial printing, as compared to coarse papers and industrial papers. Also called cultural papers and graphic papers.
Fine Screen - Screen with ruling of 150 lines per inch (80 lines per centimeter) or more.
Finish - A general term for the surface characteristics of paper or board. The finish of a surface may affect its printability. Coated papers are generally available with either a matte, dull or gloss surface. Uncoated papers are available in a wider variety of finishes, for example: Felt is a finish that simulates the soft surface appearance of felt fabric; Groove is a textured finish with shallow or parallel grooves; Laid is a traditional paper finish with a translucent pattern of lines running both parallel to and across the grain; Linen is a finish that simulates the texture of linen fabric; and Vellum is the most popular finish for uncoated paper and is a smooth finish with a few irregularities.
Finish, dry - A finish on paper or paperboard that has not been dampened or steamed before going through the calender rolls.
Finish, matte - A dull finish; flat.
Finish, satin - A type of dull finish, somewhat finer and glossier than matte.
Finish, supercalender - A smooth high finish applied to paper by running it through a calender stack, providing a better printing surface, finer than a calender finish.
Finished Size - Size of product after production is completed, as compared to flat size. Also called trimmed size.
Finishing - Any of a variety of processes performed to document or publication after printing. Finishing can include cutting, trimming, folding and binding, as well as decorative operations as embossing, foil stamping, and laminating.
Finnish dieboards - Die lumber from Finland-usually die birch.
Fish Eyes - Small but visual deformations on the PSA surface caused by the air entrapment between the PSA and the material it is coated on. This is necessarily a quality defect and usually diminishes over time.
Fit - Refers to ability of film to be registered during stripping and assembly. Good fit means that all images register to other film for the same job.
Fitting rule - Process of fabricating the rule, length, shape, etc. into the die.
Fixed Costs - Costs that remain the same regardless of how many pieces are printed. Copyrighting, photography and design are fixed costs.
Fixer - A chemical solution which removes the unexposed silver salts in an emulsion without affecting the metallic silver which has been deposited by the developer. This renders the photographic image permanent.
Fixing - Chemical action following development to remove unexposed silver halide, to make the image stable and insensitive to further exposure.
Flash exposure - In halftone photography, the supplementary exposure given to strengthen the dots in the shadow areas of negatives.
Flash point - The lowest temperature at which a substance can be ignited under standard test conditions.
Flat - in photography, characteristic of an image that lacks contrast. In printing, an assembly of negatives taped to masking material and ready for platemaking.
Flat back - A book that is at right angles with the sides; opposed to the usual round back.
Flat color - (1) Any color created by printing only one ink, as compared to a color created by printing four-color process. Also called block color and spot color. (2) color that seems weak or lifeless.
Flat die - Fabricated flat for cutting of flat materials on reciprocating presses (flat).
Flat etching - The chemical reduction of the silver deposit in a continuous-tone of halftone plate, brought about by placing it in a tray containing an etching solution.
Flat plan (Flats) - Diagram of the flats for a publication showing imposition and indicating colors.
Flat Size - Size of product after printing and trimming, but before folding, as compared to finished size.
Flex die - This die type is an outgrowth of steel rule. However, it utilizes the making processes of forged dies and, in conjunction with modern hydraulic presses, is taking over much of the work done previously only by forged dies. Diemakers can attain a good degree of skill within a short time. The basic die material is totally prefinished and needs only bending and welding to finished form. This die type is known also as swedish die, light-weight die and cutting rule die. Many of the misnomers attached to forged dies are also attached to the type. F
lex die steel - Pre-sharpened edge hardened die steel that can be cold formed. Generally 6-8 point thickness.
Flexographic printing - Printing from a raised surface, generally rubber plates. Limited to line, solid, or Ben Day printing. Rotary type printing using a very fluid solvent or aqua ink. This was formerly called the aniline process.
Flexography - Method of printing on a web press using rubber or plastic plates with raised images. Also called aniline printing because flexographic inks originally used aniline dyes. Abbreviated flexo.
Flood - To cover a printed page with ink, varnish, or plastic coating.
Flop - To reproduce a photograph or illustration so that its image faces opposite from the original.
Flow - The property of a coating to level out as it is applied.
Fluidity - The ability of material to flow. The ease of flow of a material. In terms of viscosity; the greater the viscosity the less the fluidity.
Flush - The lining up of image or copy to the left or right with another image or copy.
Flush Cover - Cover trimmed to the same size as inside pages, as compared to overhang cover. Also called cut flush
Flush left (or right) - In composition, type set to line up at the left (or right).
Flush paragraph - A paragraph with no indentation.
Flute - The wave-shaped formation of the center component of corrugated fibreboard. Flutes most commonly used are the A-flute (approx. 36 flutes per lineal foot); B-flute (approx. 51 flutes per lineal foot); and C-flute (approx. 42 flutes per lineal foot). The less common E-flute has 90 flutes per lineal foot.
Flying paster - In web printing, an automatic pasting device that splices a new web of paper onto an expiring roll, without stopping the press.
Flyleaf - Leaf, at the front and back of a case bound book that is the one side of the end paper not glued to the case.
Fog - In photography, density in the non-image areas.
Fogging Back - Used in making type more legible by lowering density of an image, while allowing the image to show through.
Fogging/Ghosting - A fog or haze-like deposit from a PSA to another substrate visible after removal of PSA.
Foil - A metallic or pigmented coating on plastic sheets or rolls used in foil stamping and foil embossing.
Foil Emboss - To foil stamp and emboss an image. Also called heat stamp.
Foil Embossing - A finishing operation combining embossing (the stamping or pressing of images or pattern onto a substrate) with foil stamping (the application of a layer of foil in a particular design or pattern to a substrate).
Foil Stamp - Method of printing that releases foil from its backing when stamped with the heated die. Also called block print, hot foil stamp and stamp.
Foil Stamping - The use of a thin sheet of metal, plastic or other material (clear or opaque) which is “stamped” onto the paper surface. Foil stamping can be combined with embossing or debossing.
Fold Marks - With printed matter, markings indicating where a fold is to occur, usually located at the top edges.
Fold Sewn - When the signatures are sewn through their folds, each signature attached to the next.
Folded Handles - Flat paper handles that fold down onto the top of a bag.
Folder - A bindery machine dedicated to folding printed materials.
Folding - An operation performed - commonly after printing and cutting - to fold a press sheet into a signature, map, pamphlet, etc...
Folding Carton - A container of varying size and shape made from bending grades of paperboard or small flute corrugated board, which is typically printed, cut and creased, folded and glued, and delivered flat to the customer, where it is filled with the product for distribution to retail outlets.
Foldout - Gatefold sheet bound into a publication, often used for a map or chart. Also called gatefold and pullout.
Folio - The printing term for pagination: the system of numbering pages.
Font - In composition, a complete assortment of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, etc. of a given size and design.
Foot - The bottom of a page, book or column.
For Position Only - Refers to inexpensive copies of photos or art used on mechanical to indicate placement and scaling, but not intended for reproduction. Abbreviated FPO.
Fore edge - The front or outer edge of a book.
Forged die - A cutting die made from steel which is heat-treated, welded, ground and filed in proper dimensions of the parts it is to cut.
Form - Each side of a signature. Also spelled forme.
Form - In offset, the assembly of pages and other images for printing. In letterpress, type and other matter locked in a chase for printing.
Form bond - Lightweight bond, easy to perforate, made for business forms. Also called register bond.
Form rollers - The rollers, either inking or dampening, which directly contact the plate on a printing press.
Format - Size, style, shape, layout or organization of a layout or printed product.
Formula pricing - Printing prices based on standard papers, formats, ink colors, and quantities.
Forwarding - In the case book arena, the binding process which involves folding, rounding, backing, head banding and reinforcing.
Fountain - Trough or container, on a printing press, that holds fluids such as ink, varnish or water. Also called duct.
Fountain Roller - On a printing press, the roller that revolves in the ink fountain and meters out the proper amount of ink to the distributing rollers.
Fountain solution - In lithography, a solution of water, a natural or synthetic gum and other chemicals used to dampen the plate and keep non-printing area from accepting ink.
Four-Color process - Printing process in which all colors may be produced by using primary colors, magenta, yellow and cyan, with the addition of black.
Fourdrinier - A machine to make paper, particularly Kraft paper.
FPM - Abbreviation for feet per minute; a measure of surface speed.
Free sheet - Paper made from cooked wood fibers mixed with chemicals and washed free of impurities.
French Fold - A printed sheet, printed one side only, folded with two right angle folds to form a four page uncut section.
Fugitive Glue - Glue produced that lack permanence; temporary removable glue.
Full-range Halftone - Halftone ranging from 0 percent coverage in its highlights to 100 percent coverage in its shadows.
Full-scale Black - Black separation made to have dots throughout the entire tonal range of the image, as compared to half-scale black and skeleton black. Also called full-range black.
Fullbleed - Image printing beyond the trim marks _ " on all sides.
Fully saturated - Photographer term for rich color.
Furnish - The mixture of various materials that are blended in a stock solution from which paperboard is made.
Furniture - In lockup, wood or metal blocks used to fill the blank spaces in a form.
Fuzz - Fibers projecting from the surface of a sheet of paper.
Galley - A shallow metal tray used to hold type.
Galley Proof - Proof of type from any Source, whether metal type or photo type. Also called checker and slip proof.
Gamma - A measure of contrast in photographic images.
Gang - To reproduce two or more printed pieces or multiple copies of the same piece simultaneously on one sheet of paper. Also, to halftone or separate more than one image in only one exposure.
Gang Printing - The running of any number of different jobs on the same sheet. After printing, the sheet is cut and the cost is pro-rated.
Gapping - When two layers or more of material become separated from each other causing an opening or openings.
Gate Fold - A sheet that folds where both sides fold toward the gutter in overlapping layers.
Gather - To assemble signatures into the proper sequence for binding.
Gathered - Signatures assembled next to each other in the proper sequence for binding, as compared to nested. Also called stacked.
GBC binding - General Binding Corporation trade name for plastic comb binding.
Gear streaks - In printing, parallel streaks appearing across the printed sheet at same interval as gear teeth on the cylinder.
Generation - A first generation image is the original; second generation is made from the original; third generation is made from the second generation. Print on this page is fourth generation: type (first), negative (second), plate (third), print (fourth).
Ghost bars - A quality control method used to reduce ghosted image created by heat or chemical contamination.
Ghost Halftone - Normal halftone whose density has been reduced to produce a very faint image.
Ghosting - A faint printed image that appears on a printed sheet where it was not intended. More often than not this problem is a function of graphical design. It is hard to tell when or where ghosting will occur. Sometimes you can see the problem developing immediately after printing the sheet, other times the problem occurs while drying. However the problem occurs it is costly to fix, if it can be fixed. Occasionally it can be eliminated by changing the color sequence, the inks, the paper, changing to a press with a drier, printing the problem area in a separate pass through the press or changing the racking (reducing the number of sheets on the drying racks). Since it is a function of graphical design, the buyer pays for the increased cost.
Gigabyte (GB) - One thousand megabytes or one billion bytes.
Gilding - Mostly in the book arena, gold leafing the edges of a book.
Glassine Pad - A semi-clear plastic pad.
Gloss - 1. Consider the light reflecting on various objects in the printing industry (e.g., paper, ink, laminates, UV coating, varnish). 2. Amount of shine reflected by a paper’s surface. Shinier paper makes ink look brighter. Varying degrees of gloss for coated papers: wash coating (least glossy), matte coating, dull coating (suede or velvet), gloss coating, ultra gloss coating, cast coating (most glossy).
Gloss Ink - Ink used and printed on coated stock (mostly litho and letterpress) such as the ink will dry without penetration.
Gloss meter - An instrument used to measure the gloss intensity of a surface.
Color Shift - Photographic print made on glossy paper.
Glue joint - Area where an adhesive joins two parts of a carton.
Glueability - Carton integrity evaluated in terms of glue joint strength.
Goldenrod - Alternate term for Flat.
Goldenrod Paper - In offset lithography, a specially coated masking paper of yellow or orange color used by strippers to assemble and position negatives for exposure onto plates.
Grade - General classification of paper quality. Offset papers are graded from 1 (highest quality) to 5 (lowest quality). Grade may also refer to the brightness of a paper:#1 grade reflects 85% of blue light, whereas #5 grade reflects 70 – 74%.
Graduated Screen Tint - Screen tint that changes densities gradually and smoothly, not in distinct steps. Also called degrade, gradient, ramped screen and vignette.
Grain - The direction in which most fibers lie in a sheet of paper. The direction of the grain is important for strength and fold quality. A sheet folded with the grain folds easily. in photography, crystals that make up emulsion on film.
Grain Direction - Predominant direction in which fibers in paper become aligned during manufacturing. Also called machine direction.
Grain Long Paper - Paper whose fibers run parallel to the long dimension of the sheet. Also called long grain paper and narrow web paper.
Grain Short Paper - Paper whose fibers run parallel to the short dimension of the sheet. Also called short grain paper and wide web paper.
Graining - In lithography, subjecting the surface of metal plates to the action of abrasives. Greater water-retention and adhesion of coating is imparted to an otherwise non-porous surface.
Grammage - Basis weight of paper in grams per square meter (gsm).
Graphic Arts - The crafts, industries and professions related to designing and printing on paper and other substrates.
Graphic Arts Film - Film whose emulsion yields high contrast images suitable for reproduction by a printing press, as compared to continuous-tone film. Also called litho film and repro film.
Graphic arts magnifier - Lens, mounted in a small stand, used to inspect copy, negatives, and printing.
Graphic Design - Arrangement of type and visual elements along with specifications for paper, ink colors and printing processes that, when combined, convey a visual message.
Graphic designer - Professional who conceives of the design for, plans how to produce, and may coordinate production of a printed piece.
Graphics - Visual elements that supplement type to make printed messages more clear or interesting.
Gravure - Method of printing using metal cylinders etched with millions of tiny wells that hold ink.
Gray Balance - Printed cyan, magenta and yellow halftone dots that accurately, reproduce a neutral gray image.
Gray Component Replacement - Technique of replacing gray tones in the yellow, cyan and magenta films, made while color separating, with black ink. Abbreviated GCR. Also called achromatic color removal.
Gray Levels - Number of distinct gray tones that can be reproduced by a computer.
Gray Scale - Strip of gray values ranging from white to black. Used by process camera and scanner operators to calibrate exposure times for film and plates. Also called step wedge.
Grind - A relative measurement of particle size in inks to determine coarse or undispersed pigment. G
rind Edge - Alternate term for binding edge when referring to perfect bound products.
Grind off - Approximately 1/8 inch (3 mm) along the spine that is ground off gathered signatures before perfect binding.
Gripper - A row of clips that hold the paper as it travels through the press. Leaving “gripper space” requires that an area of the paper (approximately 3/8”) not be printed along the leading edge in a sheet-fed press.
Gripper edge - Edge of a sheet held by grippers on a sheet fed press, thus going first through the press. Also called feeding edge and leading edge.
Gripper Margin - Unprintable blank edge of paper on which grippers bear, usually 1/2 or less.
Grommet - A metal or plastic ring used to reinforce holes.
Groundwood Paper - Newsprint and other inexpensive paper made from pulp created when wood chips are ground mechanically rather than refined chemically.
Groundwood Pulp - A mechanically-prepared wood pulp used in the manufacture of newsprint and publication papers.
GSM - The unit of measurement for paper weight (grams per square meter).
Gum arabic - In offset lithography, used in platemaking and on press to desensitize the non-printing areas of plates.
Gumming - In platemaking, the process of applying a thin coating of gum to the non-printing areas of a lithographic plate.
Gusset - Expandable portion of a bag, file folder, or envelope.
Gutter - The blank space or inner margin, from printing area to binding.
Gutter margin - The margin space available along the binding edge.
Hairline - Very thin line or gap about the width of a hair: 1/100 inch.
Hairline (Rule) - Subjective term referring to very small space, thin line or close register. The meaning depends on who is using the term and in what circumstances.
Hairline register - Register within ± ¸ row of dots.
Halation - In photography, a blurred effect, resembling a halo, usually occurring in highlight areas or around objects.
Half web - Web press whose width and cutoff allow printing eight 8 1/2 x 11 pages on one press sheet.
Half-scale Black - Black separation made to have dots only in the shadows and midtones, as compared to full-scale black and skeleton black.
Halftone - (1) To photograph or scan a continuous tone image to convert the image into halftone dots. (2) A photograph or continuous-tone illustration that has been halftoned and appears on film, paper, printing plate or the final printed product.
Halftone dots - Dots that by their varying sizes create the illusion of shading or a continuous-tone image.
Halftone photography - The process of converting photographs into halftone dots for printing.
Halftone Screen - Piece of film or glass containing a grid of lines that breaks light into dots. Also called contact screen and screen.
Halo Effect - Faint shadow sometimes surrounding halftone dots printed. Also called halation. The halo itself is also called a fringe.
Hammer die - Same as mallet die.
Hand Fan - The material is fan glued by hand. Used for items less than 1/2" or greater than 2".
Hand feed - To feed material (sheets) by hand.
Hand made sample - Fabricated by hand as "pilot model".
Handwork - Any work done by hand; patching, tooling, outlining, etc.
Hard bind - Alternate term for Case bind.
Hard copy - The permanent visual records of the output of a computer or printer. Also, the material sent to a typesetter in typed form, for conversion into typeset material.
Hard cover - Bound with a case of binder's board.
Hard Dots - Halftone dots with no halos or soft edges, as compared to soft dots.
Hard Mechanical - Mechanical consisting of paper and/or acetate and made using paste-up techniques, as compared to electronic mechanical.
Hard proof - A proof on paper or other substrate as distinguished from a soft proof which is an image on a VDT screen.
Hardening - Heat treatment of bent and welded forged dies; heat treatment of soft, bent steel rule.
Hardness - Referring to the range of tempering available in finished forged dies, pre-finished flex die steel and in selected steel rules.
Hardware - Computer and peripherals as distinguished from software which is a program for operating hardware.
Head - The top of a page or book, film, photo, etc.
Head margin - The white space above first line of a page.
Head stops - Adjustable posts on register unit of a press that properly position leading edge of a sheet.
Head-to-tail - Imposition with heads (tops) of pages facing tails (bottoms) of other pages.
Header - At the top of a page, the margin.
Heat Activated - Thermo-plastic adhesive film is usually heated so bonding can be accomplished before it cools back to room temperature.
Heat plate - Surface for thermo-setting.
Heat-set Web - Web press equipped with an oven to dry ink, thus able to print coated paper.
Heatset - Process of drying ink on paper by use of heater and gas ovens.
Height (of a book) - The vertical dimension of a book as it sits upright on its tail.
Height of cutting knives - No standard height–varies generally from .918" to 2.000".
Hickey - A defect, or spot appearing in the printed piece. Hickies are caused by dust, lint or bits of ink skin and show up as specks surrounded by a halo effect.
High contrast - Few or no tonal gradations between dark and light areas.
High die - Die made higher than standard cutting rule heights. A forged heat treated die, also referred to as a dinker or walker die, normally over the height of 1-1/4" made of 1/8" through ¼" thick steel.
High folio - All pages falling behind the centerspread of a form.
High-bulk paper - Paper made relatively thick in proportion to its basis weight.
High-fidelity Color - Color reproduced using six, eight or twelve separations, as compared to four-color process.
High-key Photo - Photo whose most important details appear in the highlights.
Highlights - Lightest portions of a photograph or halftone, as compared to midtones and shadows.
Hinge - A paper or cloth stub or guard that permits the free turning of an insert, leaf, section, or map.
Hinged Cover - Perfect bound cover scored 1/8 inch (3mm) from the spine so it folds at the hinge instead of, along the edge of the spine.
HLS - Abbreviation for hue, lightness, saturation, one of the color-control options often found in software, for design and page assembly. Also called HVS.
Holding fee - Charge made to clients who keep photograph longer than agreed to.
Holdout - In printing, a property of coated paper with low ink absorption which allows ink to set on the surface with high gloss. Papers with too much holdout cause problems with set-off.
Honing - A mechanical method used to remove unwanted image areas from plate by rubbing image away with an abrasive material.
Hot melt adhesive - A solid adhesive used in carton forming, which when heated to its application temperature becomes liquid. After application, the adhesive quickly cools and bonds to the substrate.
Hot metal composition - Cast metal type set either by hand or in a linecasting machine.
Hot Spot - Printing defect caused when a piece of dirt or an air bubble caused incomplete draw-down during contact platemaking, leaving an area of weak ink coverage or visible dot gain.
Hot Stamping - Using pressure and heat to melt foil onto a surface in a desired shape (such as the shape of an image). This can be combined with embossing to create a sculptured effect. This effect does not always work with all papers because they may prevent foil from sticking to certain papers.
Hotmelt Glue - Hotmelt glue are used in traditional perfecting binding.
House sheet - General-use paper ordered in large quantities and kept in stock by a printer.
Hue - A specific color such as yellow or green.
Hydraulic press - Force or action derived from hydraulic cylinders.
Hydrophilic - Water receptive.
Hydrophobic - Water repellent.
Hypo - An abbreviation for sodium thiosulfate, or sodium hyposulfite, a chemical used to fix the image on a photographic film after it has been developed.
I.D. - Inside diameter.
Idiot tape - In computerized photosetting, raw, unhyphenated, unjustified paper or magnetic tape.
Illustration - A pictorial representation of a drawing, logo, symbol, figure, diagram, etc., to be reproduced as a printed image.
Image - The area of a plate which prints or reproduces. I
mage area - The actual area on the printed matter that is not restricted to ink coverage.
Image assembly - Alternate term for Stripping.
Image processing - The alteration or manipulation of images that have been scanned or captured by a digital recording device. Can be used to modify or improve the image by changing its size, color, contrast, and brightness, or to compare and analyze images for characteristics that the human eye could not perceive unaided. This ability to perceive minute variations in color, shape, and relationship has opened up many application s for image processing. Imagesetter - In computer imaging, a device that outputs type, line art and photos in position.
Imposition - The laying out of pages in a press form so that they will be in the correct order after the printed sheet is folded.
Imposition layout - A guide that indicates how images should be assembled on the sheet to meet press, folding, and bindery requirements.
Imposition systems - Step-and-repeat imaging cameras or computerized methods of assembling the units of pages into signatures for printing. The latter method is often referred to as digital imposition.
Imposition, head-to-head - Arranging pages on a form during stripping so that the top of one page is located adjacent to the top of the opposite page.
Impression - In printing, the pressure of type, plate or blanket as it comes in contact with the paper.
Impression Cylinder - Cylinder, on a press, that pushes paper against the plate or blanket, thus forming the image. Also called impression roller.
Imprint - Added printing to previously printed copy such as version changes, requiring an additional unit or pass on the press.
In-house - On the premises.
In-Plant Printer - Department of an agency, business or association that does printing for a parent organization. Also called captive printer and in-house printer.
Independent single facer - A machine that fastens fluted corrugated medium to a single sheet of linerboard. Index paper - Light weight board paper for writing and easy erasure.
Indexed color image - An image where each pixel value is used as an index to a palette for interpretation before it can be displayed. Such images must, therefore, contain a palette which has been initialized specifically for a given image. The pixel values are usually 8-bit and the palette 24-bit (8-red, 8-green, and 8-blue).
Indicia - Postal permit information printed on objects to be mailed and accepted by USPS in lieu of stamps. Infrared light - Refers to infrared rays, the longer wave length below the red in the spectrum; used as source of heat.
Ink Balance - Relationship of the densities and dot gains of process inks to each other and to a standard density of neutral gray
Ink Fountain - Reservoir, on a printing press, that holds ink.
Ink Holdout - A characteristic of paper that keeps the ink on the surface, preventing it from being absorbed into the paper’s fibers and minimizing dot spread (similar to dot gain), resulting in a sharp, clean printed image. Coated papers generally have good ink holdout.
Ink jet - Method of printing by spraying droplets of ink through computer-controlled nozzles.
Ink Jet Printing - Method of printing by spraying droplets of ink through computer-controlled nozzles. Also called jet printing. I
nk mist - Flying filaments or threads formed by long inks like newspaper ink.
Inkjetting - A type of nonimpact printing process, used most frequently in computer output devices, that utilizes tiny droplets of highly fluid ink that are given an electric charge. During printing, these droplets are sprayed in a continuous fashion towards the substrate.
Inkometer - An instrument for measuring the tack of printing inks.
Inner Form - Form (side of the press sheet) whose images all appear inside the folded signature, as compared to outer form.
Insert - In bindery and finishing, an insert is one printed signatures that has another signature wrapped around it. Insert also refers to any preprinted page or set of pages that are placed into seperately printed publication. Examples of inserts are advertising supplements, maps or foldouts.
Insert die - A cutting die with removable portions and sometimes other portions that can be substituted for this removed piece to change the cutting or scoring configuration.
Inserts - Within a publication, an additional item positioned into the publication loose (not bound in).
Intaglio - An engraved or etched design which is below the surface as cells in an anilox roll or gravure cylinder.
Intaglio Printing - Printing method whose image carriers are surfaces with two levels, having inked areas lower than noninked areas. Gravure and engraving are the most common forms of intaglio. Also called recess printing.
Integral proof - Color proof of separation negatives exposed in register on one piece of proofing paper.
Interface - To link two or more electronic devices so they can function as one unit.
Interleaves - Printed pages loosely inserted in a publication.
International Standards Organization (ISO) - The publisher of International Standards. ISO is a federation of national standards bodies which promotes the development of standardization in all fields except electrical and electrical engineering.
Internegative - Negative made from a transparency for the purpose of making photographic prints.
IR coating - Liquid laminate coating bonded and cured with infrared light.
ISBN - A number assigned to a published work and usually found either on the title page or the back of the title page. Considered an International Standard Book Number.
ISSN - International Standard Serial Number assigned by the Library of Congress in Washington DC to magazines, newsletters, and other serials requesting it.
Italic - The style of letters that slant, in distinction from upright, or roman, letters. Used for emphasis within the text.
Jaggies - Edges of artwork such as text having a choppy, saw tooth appearance. Resulting from using bitmap created artwork rather than vector created artwork. Highly undesirable.
Jig die or Jigged die - Solid piece of plywood where the pattern is cut with a jigsaw blade and the steel rule is inserted into this cut.
Jig saw - A reciprocating saw used to make "jigged" cutting dies.
Jigging - The art of jig-sawing.
Job Lot Paper - Paper that didn't meet specifications when produced, has been discontinued, or for other reasons is no longer considered first quality.
Job Number - A number assigned to a specific printing project in a printing company for use in tracking and historical record keeping.
Job shop - Commercial printing company.
Job Ticket - Form used by service bureaus, separators and printers to specify production schedule of a job and the materials it needs. Also called docket, production order and work order.
Jog - To straighten or align sheets of paper in a stack.
Jogger - A vibration machine with a slopping platform to even-up stacks of printed materials. Joint - The part of the cover which forms the hinge, between the board and the shoulder of the volume.
Joint manufacturer's construction - The "joint" is that part of box where box manufacture joins body of box together by taping, stitching, gluing, etc.
Journal - In binding, a title which is usually made up of several issues or numbers. Also known as periodicals, magazines or serials.
JPEG (joint pictures expert group) - The committee which set standards for a file format for graphics. The JPEG file format is a compressed format, with some loss of quality during compression. A popular web format due to the generally small size of pictures. File formats of .jpg, .jpeg, and .jpe.
Justify - In composition, to space out lines uniformly to the correct length.
K - Abbreviation for black in four-color process printing. Hence the 'K' in CMYK.
Kerning - The spacing of a certain combination of letters in typography where each character overlaps into some of the space of the other character for an improved appearance. It is provided with typesetting and desktop publishing systems.
Key - (1) The screw that controls ink flow from the ink fountain of a printing press. (2) To relate loose pieces of copy to their positions on a layout or mechanical using a system of numbers or letters. (3) Alternate term for the color black, as in 'key plate.'
Key Negative or Plate - Negative or plate that prints the most detail, thus whose image guides the register of images from other plates. Also called key printer.
Key plate - In color printing, the plate used as a guide for the register of other colors. It normally contains the most detail.
Keyboard - The input device to input information directly into a typesetter, computer, workstation or, as a stand-alone unit, to record it on paper or magnetic tape.
Keylines - Lines on a mechanical or negative showing the exact size, shape and location of photographs or other graphic elements. Also called holding lines.
Kicker - Additional colors used as an overprint on a black background to enhance the richness. Frequently utilizing a stayback on additional colors. Usually 30% or 40% blue.
Kill fee - Charge made by writers and photographers for work done on assignment, then not used.
Kilobyte. kb - A measurement unit used to describe the size of computer files. A kilobyte is equivalent to 1024 bytes or characters of information.
Kiss contact (Kiss impression) - The lightest possible impression which will transfer the film of ink from the transfer roll to the plate and from the plate to the material being printed.
Kiss Cutting - Die cutting process where the die strike depth is controlled down to the release liner, but not through it. For example, pressure sensitive labels in roll form. The usable product is left on the roll and the matrix is removed.
Kiss Die Cut - Cut the top layer, but not the backing layer, of self-adhesive paper. Also called face cut.
Kiss Impression - Lightest possible impression that will transfer ink to a Substrate.
Knife-edged die - Ground sharp.
Knifing - The function of cutting, notching, bending, and inserting the rule into the die board.
Knock out - To mask out an image.
Knockout - A reverse image on printing background leaving that area white on paper.
Knockout film - Alternate term for Masking material such as Rubylith.
Kraft Paper - Strong paper used for wrapping and to make grocery bags and large envelopes.
Kromekote - Champion Paper Company trade name for a high-gloss, cast-coated paper.
Lacquer - A clear coating, usually glossy, applied to a printed sheet for protection or appearance.
Laid Finish - Finish on bond or text paper on which grids of parallel lines simulate the surface of handmade paper. Laid lines are close together and run against the grain; chain lines are farther apart and run with the grain.
Laid paper - Paper with a pattern of a parallel lines at equal distances giving a ribbed effect.
Laminate - A thin transparent plastic sheet (coating) applied to usually a thick stock (covers, post cards, etc.) providing protection against liquid and heavy use, and usually accents existing color, providing a glossy (or lens) effect.
Laminated wood - A plywood used in making steel rule dies. It is made of different ply thoroughly seasoned and glued together, usually with the grain of the different ply at right angles to prevent warping and shrinking.
Lamination - Technically, the bonding of two sheets, either of the same or of differing materials. Generally meaning the application of a thin plastic film to a printed sheet for protection or appearance, creating a hard, glossy surface that is impervious to stains.
Landscape - Artist style in which width is greater than height. (Portrait is opposite.)
Lap - Excess paper located on the high or low follo used for binding and saddle stitching. Usually carries sig ID.
Lap Glue - Lap glue is a generic term to describe hotmelt or cold glue which is applied in the perfect binding process inside the front and back cover, near the spine, to produce a hinge effect on the covers.
Lap Register - Register where ink colors overlap slightly, as compared to butt register.
Large-format camera - Camera that makes negatives 4 x 5 or larger.
Laser Bond - Bond paper made especially smooth and dry to run well through laser printers.
Laser diemaking - To fabricate die boards automatically with laser machine.
Laser printing - Method of photocopying using a laser beam to charge the drum.
Laser-imprintable Ink - Ink that will not fade or blister as the paper on which it is printed is used in a laser printer.
Lay Edge - The edge of a sheet of paper feeding into a press.
Lay Flat Bind - Method of perfect binding that allows a publication to lie fully open. (Also known as Lay Flat Perfect Binding.)
Layer Board - A paper board used to separate layers of candy in a box.
Layflat - See Eurobind.
Layflat Binding - the term is widely used-and often confusingly. Lay-flat binding goes back to 1980 when a publisher in Finland decided to attack the problem of "mouse-trapping" in perfect-bound paper back books. This is the familiar tendency of paperbacks to snap shut unless you "break the spine"-which of course, weakens it. The original lay-flat process-OTABIND, available at Bindagraphics-remains the best, and as a patented process, enjoys legal protection: a publisher, printer or binder not licensed by OTABIND can face legal action if they use the term in marketing their imitation process.
Layout - A sample of the original providing (showing) position of printed work (direction, instructions) needed and desired.
LCB - Limited circulation bind.
Lead - In composition, a thin strip of metal used for spacing between line of type.
Lead edge - The long horizontal piece of straight rule which is the first to cut into the material as it goes through the letterpress.
Leaders - In composition, rows of dashes or dots used to guide the eye across the page. Used in tabular work, programs, table of contents, etc.
Leading - Amount of space between lines of type.
Leading edge - Edge of a sheet of paper that enters the press first, also known as the Gripper edge.
Leaf - One sheet of paper in a publication. Each side of a leaf is one page.
Leaves - Pages of a book.
Ledger Paper - Strong, smooth bond paper used for keeping business records. Also called record paper.
Legend - Directions about a specific matter (illustrations) and how to use. In regard to maps and tables, an explanation of signs (symbols) used.
Legible - Characteristic of copy having sufficient contrast with the paper on which it appears and determined by such features as typeface, size, leading, and quality of printing.
Letter fold - Two folds creating three panels that allow a sheet of letterhead to fit a business envelope. Also called barrel fold and wrap around fold.
Letter Paper - In North America, 8 1/2' x 11' sheets. In Europe, A4 sheets.
Letterpress - Method of printing from raised surfaces, either metal type or plates whose surfaces have been etched away from image areas. Also called block printing.
Letterset (dry offset) - The printing process which uses a blanket (like conventional offset) for transferring the image from plate to paper. Unlike lithography, it uses a relief plate and requires no dampening system.
Lettershop - Alternate term for Mailing service.
Letterspacing - The placing of additional space between each letter of a word.
Library - Film file storage room where worked up film and sample books are recorded and organized for future use.
Library binding - A standard of binding which is normally higher than publisher's binding, edition binding, library edition, and others not in accordance with this standard.
Light table - Translucent glass surface lit from below, used by production artists and strippers.
Lightness - The attribute of an object by which the object appears to reflect more or less of the incident light.
Lightweight Paper - Book paper with basis weight less than 40# (60 gsm).
Lignin - Substance in trees that holds cellulose fibers together. Free sheet has most lignin removed; groundwood paper contains lignin.
Lignon - A natural glue which holds wood fibers together. Limited prep - Preparing journal volumes before being sent to the bookbindery (by collating, removing unwanted covers or ads, checking for foldouts and placing pages in desired order).
Line art - Copy to be reproduced consisting of solid colored images.
Line conversion screen - Piece of film containing line patterns that break light into those patterns as it passes through.
Line Copy - Any high-contrast image, including type, as compared to continuous-tone copy. Also called line art and line work.
Line negative - High contrast negative usually made from line copy.
Linen Finish - Embossed finish on text paper that simulates the pattern of linen cloth.
Linen tester - Alternate term for Graphic arts magnifier.
Lines Per Inch (LPI) - Literally, the number of lines in an inch used as a method of measurement for the resolution of an image. The greater the number of lines per inch, the higher the resolution and the sharper and greater the detail in the image. The term “Dots per Inch” or “dpi” is becoming more common. The numerical values of “Lines per Inch” and “Dots per Inch” are not interchangeable.
Lineshot - Line art to be shot (converted into a negative piece of film) on camera and stripped in, includes basic artboards, separate mechanically, line illustrations and overlays.
Linotype - Mergenthaler trade name for machine that sets lines of metal type.
Linting - An accumulation of fiber particles from the paperboard surface and/or edges.
Liquid laminate - Plastic applied to paper as a liquid, then bonded and cured into a hard, glossy finish.
Lithography - Method of printing using plates whose image areas attract ink and whose nonimage areas repel ink. Nonimage areas may be coated with water to repel the oily ink or may have a surface, such as silicon, that repels ink.
Live Area - Area on a mechanical within which images will print. Also called safe area.
Live matter - Any printing image.
Lock up - In letterpress, to position a form in a chase for printing. Procedure of securing the wooden blocks in a die under pressure within the metal chase.
Logo - Assembly of type and art into a distinctive symbol unique to an organization, business, or product.
Long grain - Alternate term for Grain long (paper).
Long ink - An ink that has good flow on ink rollers of a press. If the ink is too long, it breaks up into filaments on the press, and causes flying as on a newspaper press.
Loop stitch - To saddle stitch with staples that are also loops which slip over rings of binders.
Loose Proof - Proof of a halftone or color separation that is not assembled with other elements from a page, as compared to composite proof. Also called first proof, random proof, scatter proof and show-color proof.
Loose-leaf - Binding method allowing insertion and removal of pages in a publication (e.g., trim-4-drill-3).
Loose-leaf Binding - A means of mechanical binding in which pages are bound together by means of inserting the metal rings or poles of a three-hole binder into drilled or punched holes along the binding edge of the pages.
Loupe - Lens built into a small stand. Used to inspect copy, film, proofs, plates and printing. Also called glass and linen tester.
Low folio - All pages falling in front of the center spread of a form.
Low Key Photo - Photo whose most important details appear in the shadows.
Lower case - The small letters in type, as distinguished from the capital letters.
M - Abbreviation for a quantity of 1000.
M Weight - Weight of 1,000 sheets of paper in any specific size.
Machine coated - Paper which is coated one-or-two sides on a paper machine.
Machine die - Is commonly used in conjunction with a specifically designed press manufactured by concerns like Freeman, Western Supplies, etc. The die performs several functions, often in two stroke positions, in the machine. Usually, it re-trims, creases, perforates and sometime folds leather cloth parts and pockets and cuffs for clothing. Usually, the die is a patented form and requires a high degree of skill to make, utilizing a complete machine shop with metal-working equipment. A patent type of die used with specific machines, which may perform cutting, creasing, embossing and perforating in one stage.
Machine direction - Same as grain direction in paper.
Machine Finish - An uncoated paper with a smooth but not glossy finish.
Machine Glazed (MG) - Paper holding a high-gloss finish only on one side.
Machine, cylinder - A type of paper and board making machine in which the web is formed by revolving wire-covered cylinders partially immersed in a vat of furnish (pulp and water). The web is built up to desired thickness by carrying the web on a felt over successive cylinders. The furnish in each cylinder vat may be varied to provide desired characteristics in the finished sheet.
Machine, fourdrinier - A type of paper and paperboard making machine on which the web is formed by depositing pulp furnish on a moving endless wire screen. The screen shakes as it travels, thus causing the pulp fibres to criss-cross and mat. Water is removed by gravity and suction. Caliper or basis weight of the paper or board is determined by the consistency and rate of feed of the furnish, and the length and travel of the screen.
Magenta - Hue of a subtractive primary and a 4-color process ink. It reflects or transmits blue and red light and absorbs green light.
Magenta screen - A dyed contact screen, used for making halftones.
Magnetic storage - Any disc, film, tape, drum or core that is used to store digital information.
Mailing service - Business specializing in addressing and mailing large quantities of printed pieces.
Make-ready - (1) All activities required to prepare a press or other machine to function for a specific printing or bindery job, as compared to production run. Also called setup. (2) Paper used in the make-ready process at any stage in production. Make-ready paper is part of waste or spoilage.
Makeover - In platemaking, a plate which is remade.
Makeup - In composition, the arrangement of lines of type and illustrations into pages or sections of proper length.
Making Order - Order for paper that a mill makes to the customer's specifications, as compared to a mill order or stock order.
Male Die - Die that applies pressure during embossing or debossing. Also called force card.
Mallet - A special hammer made of lead, leather, plastic, etc., to drive steel rule into a cutting die.
Mallet Die - Dies are still made to be hit with a mallet or maul. Even the ASTM (American Society of Technical Management) decrees that certain rubber testing samples be cut with a highly precise forged die as a uniform procedure. Since most of the companies involved in testing the rubber may have little or no need for die-cutting presses, such dies are attached to a solid steel stock which is both a handle and a striking stock. The end of the stock is stuck with a maul and the die cuts the rubber, giving the user a sample of material which can be used in a tensile tester, for instance. Other uses for mallet dies are for smaller shops making leather goods and for other labor-intensive trades which will not die-cut in any other form. These dies are also known as hand dies and chopping dies, since they are often used against a wooden cutting block, the same as a butcher would use. A simple form of cutting die is held in one hand while the other uses a maul to strike the top post of the die to cut the part.
Manila paper - Strong, buff-colored paper used to make envelopes and file folders.
Manual Press - Hand operated.
Manuscript (MS) - An author's original form of work (hand written, typed or on disk) submitted for publication.
Maple - Often used in die boards. Usually white maple hardwood from Northern areas.
Maple block - Similar to "butcher block"; normally end grain.
Margin - The space on a page outside the printed text area.. The four margins are commonly designated as: 1) head or top; 2) fore edge, outer or outside; 3) tail or bottom; 4) back, inner, inside or gutter.
Mark-Up - Instructions written usually on a "dummy."
Mask -  To prevent light from reaching part of an image, therefore isolating the remaining part. Also called knock out.
Mask out - To cover selected copy or art so it will not appear on a negative or plate.
Masking material - Opaque material, often film, used in pasteup to outline photographs or in platemaking to withhold light from non-image areas.
Master - Paper or plastic offset printing plate. Also, paper plate for spirit duplicating.
Match Print - A form of a four-color-process proofing system.
Matrix - The pattern or arrangement of removed material to allow for a pre-spaced concept of die cut parts. Also referred to as the skeleton, weed or waste.
Matte Film - Film used to produce a flat, non-glossy look.
Matte finish - Dull paper finish without gloss or luster.
Matte ink or varnish - Ink or varnish that appears dull when dry.
Matte print - Photoprint having a dull finish.
Mean - The arithmetic average of a group of numbers.
Measure - In composition, the width of type, usually expressed in picas.
Mechanical - Camera-ready assembly of type, graphic and other copy complete with instructions to the printer. A hard mechanical consists of paper and/or acetate, is made using paste-up techniques, and may also be called an art board, board or paste-up. A soft mechanical, also called an electronic mechanical, exists as a file of type and other images assembled using a computer.
Mechanical artist - Alternate term for Production artist.
Mechanical Bind - To bind using a comb, coil, ring binder, post or any other technique not requiring gluing, sewing or stitching.
Mechanical Binding - Mechanical binding is a means of fastening sheets of paper together using metal or plastic attachments inserted through punched or drilled holes in the paper. Mechanical binding is the process of binding a book using methods such as cerlox, spiral wire, wire-o or plasticoil binding.
Mechanical press - Delivering a force by mechanical means.
Mechanical pulp - In papermaking, groundwork pulp produced by mechanically grinding logs or wood chips. It is used mainly for newsprint and as an ingredient of base stock for lower grade publication papers.
Mechanical Separation - Color breaks made on the mechanical using a separate overlay for each color to be printed.
Mechanical swing arm press - Like clicker press.
Mechanical Tint - Lines or patterns formed with dots creating artwork for reproduction.
Media conversion - Alternate term for Data conversion from one digital coding to another.
Medium format camera - Camera that makes 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 negatives.
Medium screen - Screen with ruling of 133 or 150 lines per inch.
Megabyte (MB) - One million bytes.
Memory - The willingness of material to return to its original size or shape after being stretched or distorted.
Menu - In electronic publishing, a method for selecting alternative functions displayed as a list on a workstation screen. Selection via mouse, key or sequence of keys.
Metal blanking die - Having a male and female section, with shearing action.
Metallic Ink - Ink containing powdered metal or pigments that simulate metal.
Metallic Paper - Paper coated with a thin film of plastic or pigment whose color and gloss simulate metal.
Metric system - A decimal system adopted by most countries for solid, liquid and distance measurements.
Mezzotint - The line conversion of a continuous tone photograph to imitate an etched pattern.
Micrometer - Instrument used to measure the thickness of different papers.
Middle tones - Tones in a photograph or illustration about half as dark as its shadow areas and represented by dots between 30% and 70% of full size.
Midtones - In a photograph or illustration, tones created by dots between 30 percent and 70 percent of coverage, as compared to highlights and shadows.
Migration - The process when materials from one substrate slowly move to another substrate. When die cutting soft adhesive the matrix usually needs to be removed before the PSA migrates back and rejoins itself in the areas it was previously cut.
Mike - To measure the thickness of a sheet of paper using a micrometer.
Mil - A unit of measure used to define paperboard thickness. One thousandth of an inch.
Mill swatch - Paper sample book provided by a mill.
Mimeograph - Method of printing using a plastic stencil mounted on a rotating drum containing ink.
Mimeograph bond - Highly absorbent paper made for the mimeograph method of printing.
Mimeograph paper - A paper with the toothy, absorbent surface required for mimeographing.
Miniature Folding - Miniature folding is commonly defined as any folding job with a panel size smaller than 2".
Misting - Phenomenon of droplets of ink being thrown off the roller train. Also called flying ink.
Mitre - To trim the ends of rule so that the cutting edge or bevels come together flush at a corner joint.
Mock Up - A reproduction of the original printed matter and possibly containing instructions or direction.
Model release - Contract authorizing commercial use of a photograph that includes image of a recognizable person or private property.
Modem - (Modulator/DeModulator) A device that converts computer data into high-frequency signals or vice versa, for transmission over phone lines.
Moiré - Undesirable pattern in halftones and screen tints made with improperly aligned screens.
Moisture content - The water content of paper, usually defined in weight percent.
Molleton - In offset-lithography, a thick cotton fabric similar to flannel used on the dampening rollers of a press.
Monarch - Paper size (7' x 10') and envelope shape often used for personal stationery.
Monitor - A video screen on a workstation.
Monograph - A separate treatise or thesis on a single subject.
Montage - In artwork, several photographs combined to form a composite illustration.
Mortise - Trapping (overlapping) of two subjects along three or more sides.
Mottle - Spotty, uneven ink absorption. Also called sinkage. A mottled image may be called mealy.
Mounting board - Any thick, smooth piece of board paper used to paste up copy or mount photographs.
Mounting material - The carrier sheet for printing. Most pronounced in solid areas.
Mouse - A hand-held device that moves the cursor on a workstation by moving the device on a flat surface.
Mull - A specific type of glue used for books binding and personal pads needing strength.
Mullen - Also stated as "pop" is the bursting film made by DuPont specially suited for stripping positives because of its mechanical strength and dimensional stability. Commonly used for die "strike sheets" or "overlays".
Mullen tester - A machine for testing the bursting strength of paper.
Multicolor Printing - Printing in more than one ink color (but not four-color process). Also called polychrome printing.
Music bind - A binding style used for music which allows the material to open fully and lie flat.
Mylar - In offset preparation, a polyester film specially suited for stripping positives because of its mechanical strengths and dimensional stability. DuPont trade name for polyester film.
Natural Color - Very light brown color of paper. May also be called antique, cream, ivory, off-white or mellow white.
Negative - Characteristic of an image on film or paper in which blacks in the original subject are white or clear and whites in the original are black or opaque. Also, piece of film on which negative image appears.
Negative space - Alternate term for White space.
Nested - Signatures assembled inside one another in the proper sequence for binding, as compared to gathered. Also called inset.
Neutral Gray - Gray with no hue or cast.
New case - When the existing binding is retained, sewing on new endsheets and casing into a new cover. Also new case-end sheets only.
News Print - Paper used in printing newspapers. Considered low quality and "a short life use."
Newton Ring - Flaw in a photograph or halftone that looks like a drop of oil or water.
Nicking die - Nicks that are put into cutting knives to produce occasional breaks in a continuous line of cutting so that there will be enough stock left uncut to hold the sheet together for delivery purposes.
Nipping - In the book binding process, a stage where air is expelled from it's contents at the sewing stage. Non-heatset Web - Web press without a drying oven, thus not able to print on coated paper. Also called cold-set web and open web.
Non-image area - Portion of mechanical, negative, or plate that will not print.
Non-impact Printing - Printing using lasers, ions, ink jets or heat to transfer images to paper.
Non-reproducing Blue - Light blue that does not record on graphic arts film, therefore may be used to preprint layout grids and write instructions on mechanicals. Also called blue pencil, drop-out blue, fade-out blue and non-repro blue.
Nonvolatile - That portion of a material which does not evaporate at ordinary temperatures.
Notch Binding - The gouging of grooves (commonly 1/4" wide) in the spine of a book block to facilitate the penetration of adhesive during subsequent perfect binding.
Notcher - A bench tool used to make a bridge or notch in steel rule. Synonymous with bridger.
Notches - Indentations in the bottom of rotary cutting rule to facilitate curving of the rule to conform with the die cylinder.
Notching - Cutting out a section on the back edge of rule to fit over a bridge left in the dieboard. Bridging sometime used interchangeably.
Novelty Printing - Printing on products such as coasters, pencils, balloons, golf balls and ashtrays, known as advertising specialties or premiums.
O.D. - outside diameter.
Oblong - In binding, a booklet or catalog bound on the shorter dimension.
OCR - Acronym for Optical Character Reader; a device that allows a computer to read printed or written information.
Off loading - Relieving the intensive amount of data processing associated with a specific application (i.e. graphics) from the CPU, by performing those calculations in a dedicated or specialized processor.
Off-press proofs - Proofs made by photomechanical or digital means in less time and at lower cost than press proofs.
Offset - 1. An indirect printing method in which ink is applied to the raised areas of a printing plate, then transferred to a blank rubber plate (a “blanket”) which then transfers the final image to the paper of similar surface. 2. The ink smudges created when wet ink transfers from one printed sheet onto the next sheet in a stack.
Offset lithography - Printing process which utilizes a planographic plate and oil base ink. Water rolled on the plate moistens the non-printing area repelling the ink so that it adheres only to the image area. Ink is then transferred (offset) to a rubber blanket which, in turn, transfers the ink to the material being printed.
Offset paper - Alternate term often used for Uncoated book paper
Offset powder - Fine powder sprayed on freshly printed sheets to prevent transfer of wet ink as they accumulate in the delivery stack.
Offset Printing - Printing technique that transfers ink from a plate to a blanket to paper instead of directly from plate to paper.
Offsetting - Using an intermediate surface used to transfer ink. Also, an unpleasant happening when the images of freshly printed sheets transfer images to each other.
Ok sheet - Final approved color inking sheet before production begins.
Oleophillic - Oil receptive.
Oleophobic - Oil repellant.
Onion Skin - A specific lightweight type (kind) of paper usually used in the past for air mail. Seldom used today (in the typewriter era).
Online - The state of a computer being connected to and communicating with another electronic device for the purpose of distributing or retrieving information.
Opacity - (1) Characteristic of paper or other substrate that prevents printing on one side from showing through the other side. (2) Characteristic of ink that prevents the substrate from showing through.
Opalescent Finish - A pearlized finish.
Opaque - (1) Not transparent. (2) To cover flaws in negative with tape or opaquing paint. Also called block out and spot.
Opaque ink - An ink that conceals all color beneath it.
Open die - Having open cavity.
Open Prepress Interface, OPI - Hardware and software that link desktop publishing systems with color electronic prepress systems. High-resolution color images are stored on a central network server, and low-resolution files are used for positioning, scaling, etc. in the page layout program. At output time, the high-resolution images are swapped for the low-resolution images.
Open web - Web press without a drying oven. thus unable to print on coated paper.
Optical brightener - A chemical added to paper or coating during their manufacture to improve the brightness or whiteness.
Orthochromatic - Photographic surfaces insensitive to red but sensitive to ultraviolet, blue, green, and yellow rays.
Ota-Bind - The original lay-flat process-OTABIND, available at Bindagraphics-remains the best, and as a patented process, enjoys legal protection: a publisher, printer or binder not licensed by OTABIND can face legal action if they use the term in marketing their imitation process.
Outer form - Form (side of a press sheet) containing images for the first and last pages of the folded signature (its outside pages) as compared to inner form.
Outline Halftone - Halftone in which background has been removed or replaced to isolate or silhouette the main image. Also called knockout halftone and silhouette halftone.
Over Run - Additional printed matter beyond order. Overage policy varies in the printing industry. Advance questions avoid blind knowledge.
Overall Print - Covering an entire surface with ink.
Overhand cover - A cover larger in size than the pages it encloses.
Overlay - Layer of material taped to a mechanical, photo or proof. Acetate overlays are used to separate colors by having some type or art on them instead of on the mounting board. Tissue overlays are used to carry instructions about the underlying copy and to protect the base art.
Overlay Proof - Color proof consisting of polyester sheets laid on top of each other with their image in register, as compared to integral proof. Each sheet represents the image to be printed in one color. Also called celluloid proof and layered proof.
Overprint - To print one image over a previously printed image, such as printing type over a screen tint. Also called surprint.
Overrun or overs - Copies printed in excess of the specified quantity. (Printing trade terms allow for + - 10 % to represent a completed order.)
Overset - In composition, type in excess of space needs in publications.
Oversewn - Groups of pages are sewn together with the needles set at an angle, so that each new group is sewn onto the previous one..
Oversized Stitching - The maximum loop for saddle stitching is 19" (with 20" backbone length). Specialties has 8 stations with oversized saddle stitcher.
Ozalid - A name of a company that markets diazo process products and equipment that makes diazo blueline prints used primarily in the US by engineering and architectual firms. However diazo or "Ozalid" proofs are most often used in England, other European, Hong Kong, Korean, and Singapore by printers as the proofing means comparable to our Dylux, or Blueline proof.
Packaging, flexible - Packaging using such films as foils, transparent films, paper, flexible sheeting, etc. to form a container such as a bag. The sheets that are carried on the cylinder under the jacket. They are approximately .012 thick.
Packing - In printing presses, paper used to underlay the image or impression cylinder in letterpress, or the plate or blanket in lithography, to get proper squeeze or pressure for printing.
Pad - To bind by applying glue along one edge of a stack of sheets.
Padding - A finishing operation in which a flexible adhesive - called padding glue - is applied to one edge of a stack of sheets. When the adhesive is dry, sheets can be torn off individually. (also used to create notepads)
Padding Glue - A flexible adhesive used in padding.
Page - One side of a leaf in a publication.
Page Count - Total number of pages that a publication has. Also called extent.
Page Proof - Proof of type and graphics as they will look on the finished page complete with elements such as headings, rules and folios.
Pages per inch (PPI) - Number of pages per inch of thickness of a bound publication. Each sheet has two pages.
Pagination - In the book arena, the numbering of pages.
Painted Sheet - Sheet printed with ink edge to edge, as compared to spot color. The painted sheet refers to the final product, not the press sheet, and means that 100 percent coverage results from bleeds off all four sides.
Palette - The collection of colors or shades available to a graphic system or program.
Pallet - Wooden platform used as a base for loading and moving paper and printed products.
Pam-bind - A prefabricated board cover with a clear plastic front and cloth hinge, inside which materials (up to 1/4" thick) are stapled or sewn.
Pancake Wound - The typical form of a roll of tape where each layer is directly on top of the next one. Also referred to as planetary wound.
Panchromatic - Photographic film sensitive to all visible colors.
Panel - One page of a brochure, such as one panel of a rack brochure. One panel is on one side of the paper. A letter-folded sheet has six panels, not three.
Pantone Matching System (PMS) - A color matching system used to print colors according to a specific system of color identification known as the Pantone colors.
Paper distributor - Merchant selling paper wholesale to printers and other buyers of large quantities.
Paper dummy - Unprinted sample of a proposed printed piece trimmed, folded, and, if necessary, bound using paper specified for the job. Pap
er Grades - Categories of paper based on such characteristics as size, weight and grain.
Paper master - A paper printing plate used on an offset-duplicator. The image is made by hand drawing, typewriter or electro photography.
Paper Plate - A printing plate made of strong and durable paper in the short run offset arena (cost effective with short runs).
Paperback - A book with a flexible paper cover, usually adhesive bound.
Paperboard - Paper with a thickness greater than .012 inches or 12 points.
Parallel Fold - Method of folding. Two parallel folds to a sheet will produce 6 panels.
Parchment - Paper that simulates writing surfaces made from animal skins.
Parent Sheet - Any sheet larger than 11' x 17' or A3.
Paste bind - To bind by adhering sheets with glue along the fold of the spine.
Paste drier - In inkmaking, a type of drier, usually a combination of drying compounds.
Paste-down - That half of the lining paper which is pasted to the inner face of the cover.
Paste-up - To paste copy to mounting boards and, if necessary, to overlays so it is assembled into a camera-ready mechanical. The mechanical produced is often called a paste-up.
Pasteboard - Chipboard with another paper pasted to it.
Patch proof - Add-on patch of corrected material onto completed blueline or color key.
Patent Base - In letterpress, a slotted metal base on which unmounted electrotypes are secured for printing.
Pattern - Sample or other reference to follow.
Pattern carbon - Special carbon paper used in business forms that only transfers in certain areas.
Pattern or Zone Coating - During the manufacturing process many PSA adhesives can be produced or "voided out" in specific "lanes" or zones in the direction of the unwind. Usually done to achieve an extended liner. Converters offer many creative options regarding such with any tape.
PDF, Portable Document Format - A computer file format that preserves a printed or electronic document’s original layout, type fonts, and graphics as one unit for electronic transfer and viewing. The recipient uses compatible "reader" software to access and even print the PDF file.
PE - Proofreader mark meaning printer error and showing a mistake by a typesetter, prepress service or printer as compared to an error by the customer.
Pebbling - A process of embossing paper after printing to give a uniform ripple or pebbled effect.
Percentage wheel - Alternate term often used for Proportional scale.
Perf Marks - On a "dummy" marking where the perforation is to occur.
Perfect Bind - To bind sheets that have been ground at the spine and are held to the cover by glue. Also called adhesive bind, cut-back bind, glue bind, paper bind, patent bind, perfecting bind, soft bind and soft cover. See also Burst Perfect Bind.
Perfect bound - A style of binding in which all pages are cut and roughed up at the back or binding edge and held together by adhesive.
Perfecting Press - Press capable of printing both sides of the paper during a single pass. Also called duplex press and perfector.
Perforating - Taking place on a press or a binder machine, creating a line of small dotted wholes for the purpose of tearing-off a part of a printed matter (usually straight lines, vertical or horizontal).
Perforating rule - A cutting rule that produces perforations.
Perforations - Intermittent cuts in paper to facilitate folding or tearing.
pH Value - A number used for expressing the acidity or alkalinity of solutions. A value of 7 is neutral in a scale ranging from 0 to 14. Solutions with values below 7 are acid, above 7 are alkaline.
Photo typesetting - The method of setting type photographically.
Photocopy - Method of printing that transfers images electrostatically and creates them on paper with powder bonded by heat.
Photoengraving - Engraving done using photochemistry.
Photomechanical - Pertaining to any platemaking process using photographic negative or positives exposed onto plates or cylinders covered with photosensitive coatings.
Photomechanical Transfer - Brand name for a diffusion transfer process used to make positive paper prints of line copy and halftones. Often used as alternate term for
Photopolymers - Generic name for a mixture of materials that can change physical properties on exposure to ultraviolet or visible light. With image-wise exposure they are used intensively as offpress proofing materials and printing plates.
Photosensitive - Characteristic of paper, film, and printing plates coated with light-sensitive chemicals.
PhotoShop (PSD) - Brand name of popular professional level graphics program, typically used for photo editing.
Photostat - Brand name for a diffusion transfer process used to make positive paper prints of line copy and halftones. Often used as alternate term for PMT.
PI - Type mixed, and in an unstable condition.
Pica - A unit of measure in the printing industry. A pica is approximately 0.166 in. There are 12 points to a pica.
Pick up - Stripped up film stored in library to be picked up and used again with or without changes.
Picking - Phenomenon of ink pulling bits of coating or fiber away from the surface of paper as it travels through the press, thus leaving unprinted spots in the image area.
Pickup Art - Artwork, used in a previous job, to be incorporated in a current job.
Pigment - In printing inks, the fine solid particles used to give color, transparency or opacity.
Piling - In printing, the building up or caking of ink on rollers, plate or blanket; will not transfer readily. Also, the accumulation of paper dust or coating on the blanket of offset press.
Pin Register - Technique of registering separations, flats and printing plates by using small holes, all of equal diameter, at the edges of both flats and plates.
Pinholes - Tiny holes in the emulsion of negatives or printing plates.
Pinholing - Failure of a printed ink or coating to form a completely continuous film.
Pixel - Short for picture element, a dot made by a computer, scanner or other digital device. Also called pel.
Pixelization - A technique used to represent areas of complex detail as relatively large square or rectangular blocks of discrete, uniform colors or tones.
Planographic Printing - Printing method whose image carriers are level surfaces with inked areas separated from non-inked areas by chemical means. Planographic printing includes lithography, offset lithography and spirit duplicating.
Plastic Comb Binding - A means of mechanical binding in which the pages are bound together by means of a plastic comb. This comb consists of a plastic strip off which extend a series of curved plastic prongs, which are inserted into drilled or punched holes along the binding edge of the pages.
Plasticizer - A chemical substance added to plastic, foam, and other substrates to enhance flexibility.
Plasticizer Migration - When Plasticizers are omitted from a substrate and attack the PSA bonded to it. The PSA usually "softens" to the point of bond failure.
Plate - Piece of paper, metal, plastic or rubber carrying an image to be reproduced using a printing press.
Plate cylinder - The cylinder of a press on which the plate is mounted. P
late finish - A smooth, hard finish of paper achieved calendering.
Plate gap - Gripper space. The area where the grippers hold the sheet as it passes through the press.
Plate-ready film - Alternate term for Flat.
Plated die - Having a plated finish.
Platemaker - (1) In quick printing, a process camera that makes plates automatically from mechanicals. (2) In commercial lithography, a machine with a vacuum frame used to expose plates through film.
Platen press - Jaw type, with two reciprocating platens, for printing or die cutting.
Platform - A box with a base inside.
Pleasing color - Color that is satisfactory even though it doesn't match original samples, scenes, or objects.
Plugged up - Undesirable characteristic of printing when ink fills in around halftone dots, causing loss of shadow detail.
Plugging - Filling or bridging of halftone, type or fine reverses by too much ink or undercutting.
PMS - Obsolete reference to Pantone Matching System. The correct trade name of the colors in the Pantone Matching System is Pantone colors, not PMS Colors.
PMT - Abbreviation for photomechanical transfer, a Kodak trade name for a process used to make positive paper prints of line copy and halftones.
Pocket-volume- - A book whose cover is made with an inside pocket to house loose or unbound items.
Point - (1) Regarding paper, a unit of thickness equating 1/1000 inch. (2) Regarding type, a unit of measure equaling 1/12 pica and .013875 inch (.351mm).
Polymer - A compound formed by the linking of simple molecules having functional groups that permit their combination to proceed to higher molecular weights under suitable conditions.
Poor trapping - In printing, the condition in wet printing in letterpress and lithography when less ink transfers to previously printed ink than to unprinted paper. Also called undertrapping.
Porosity - The property of paper that allows the permeation of air, an important factor in ink penetration.
Portfolio - Collection of best work by an artist, photographer, or designer for showing during meetings with prospective clients.
Portrait - An art design in which the height is greater than the width. (Opposite of Landscape.)
Position (tab) - Sequential location of a special tab in a bank.
Position proof - Color proof for checking position, layout and/or color breakout of image elements.
Position Stat - Photocopy or PMT of a photo or illustration made to size and affixed to a mechanical.
Positive - In photography, film containing an image on which the dark and light values are the same as the original. The reverse of negative.
Positive Film - Film that prevents light from passing through images, as compared to negative film that allows light to pass through. Also called knockout film.
Post Bind - To bind using a screw and post inserted through a hole in a pile of loose sheets.
PostScript™ - Adobe Systems, Inc. trade name for a page description language that enables imagesetters and other output devices developed by different companies to interpret electronic files from any number of personal computers ("front ends") and off-the-shelf software programs.
PPI - Short for pages per inch.
Pre-flighting - An orderly procedure using a checklist to verify that all components of an electronic file are present and correct prior to submitting the document for high-resolution output.
Preparation - Camera work, stripping, platemaking, and other activities by a trade camera service or printer before press work begins. Also called prep.
Prepress - Camera work, color separations, stripping, platemaking and other prepress functions performed by the printer, separator or a service bureau prior to printing. Also called preparation.
Prepress Proof - Any color proof made using ink jet, toner, dyes or overlays, as compared to a press proof printed using ink. Also called dry proof and off-press proof.
Preprint - To print portions of sheets that will be used for later imprinting.
Presensitized plate - In photomechanics, a metal or paper plate that has been precoated with a light-sensitive coating.
Press - A machine which performs the mechanical action of diecutting or printing.
Press arm - Feeds sheet or delivers sheet.
Press base - Base casting.
Press bed - Holds dies or plates.
Press Check - Event at which make-ready sheets from the press are examined before authorizing full production to begin.
Press cylinder - Cylinder against which you diecut or print.
Press head - Platen (upper) which you print or diecut against.
Press number - A method of numbering manufacturing business forms or tickets.
Press plate - Jacket under which makeready is positioned.
Press Proof - Proof made on press using the plates, ink and paper specified for the job. Also called strike off and trial proof.
Press run - A complete production of form signatures through the press for binding to meet all customer requirements of quality and count.
Press set-up - Often called makeready.
Press sheet - One sheet as it comes off the press.
Press Time - (1) Amount of time that one printing job spends on press, including time required for make-ready. (2) Time of day at which a printing job goes on press.
Pressure Sensitive - Adhesive tapes that stick to a variety of surfaces with little(hand) pressure applied. These tapes are usually tacky or "sticky" at room temperature and do not need activation by heat, water, or added solvents.
Pressure-sensitive paper - Material with an adhesive coating, protected by a backing sheet until used, which will stick without moistening.
Price Break - Quantity at which unit cost of paper or printing drops.
Primary colors - In printing inks, yellow, magenta (process red) and cyan (process blue). In light, red, green and blue.
Prime coat - A coating applied to the surface of a substrate to effect or increase the adhesion of subsequent coatings.
Print quality - A term describing the visual impression of a printed piece. In paper, the properties of the paper that affect its appearance and the quality of reproduction.
Printability - How well a paper runs through a press.
Printer - In printing trade, person who owns or manages print shop or runs printing press. In 4-color process printing, one of the separation negatives.
Printer Pairs - Usually in the book arena, consecutive pages as they appear on a flat or signature.
Printer Spreads - Mechanicals made so they are imposed for printing, as compared to reader spreads.
Printer-slotter - A machine used for printing and slotting corrugated or solid fibre boxes. It usually consists of one or two color units plus slotting and creasing knives. Printing is usually done with rubber plates.
Printing - Any process that transfers to paper or another substrate an image from an original such as a film negative or positive, electronic memory, stencil, die or plate.
Printing Plate - Surface carrying an image to be printed. Quick printing uses paper or plastic plates; letterpress, engraving and commercial lithography use metal plates; flexography uses rubber or soft plastic plates. Gravure printing uses a cylinder. The screen printing is also called a plate.
Printing trade customs - See Trade customs.
Printing Unit - Assembly of fountain, rollers and cylinders that will print one ink color. Also called color station, deck, ink station, printer, station and tower.
Process blue - Alternate term for Cyan.
Process Camera - Camera used to photograph mechanicals and other camera-ready copy. Also called copy, camera and graphic arts camera. A small, simple process camera may be called a stat camera.
Process Color (Inks) - The colors used for four-color process printing: yellow, magenta, cyan and black.
Process lens - A highly corrected photographic lens for line, halftone and color photography.
Process printing - The printing from a series of two or more halftone plates to produce intermediate colors and shades.
Process red - Alternate term for Magenta.
Production artist - Person who does pasteup.
Production Run - Press run intended to manufacture products as specified, as compared to make-ready.
Prog - Short for Progressive proof.
Prog boards - An assembly of progressive proofs, cromalins and other color guides into a single board used at press for color match and reference.
Program - In computers, sequence of instructions for a computer. Same as software.
Progressive proofs (progs) - Proofs made from the separate plates in color process work, showing the sequence of printing and the result after each additional color has been applied.
Proof - Test sheet made to reveal errors or flaws, predict results on press and record how a printing job is intended to appear when finished.
Proof OK - Customer signature approving a proof and authorizing the job to advance to the next stage.
Proof sheet - Photographer term for sheet of images made by contact printing negatives.
Proofread - To examine copy or a proof for errors in writing or composition.
Proofreader Marks - Standard symbols and abbreviations used to mark up manuscripts and proofs. Also called correction marks.
Proportion Scale - Round device used to calculate percent that an original image must by reduced or enlarged to yield a specific reproduction size. Also called percentage wheel, proportion dial, proportion wheel and scaling wheel.
Prototype - First in series of development.
Psychrometer - A wet-and-dry bulb type of hygrometer. Considered the most accurate of the instruments practical for industrial plant use for determining relative humidity.
Publish - To produce and sell or otherwise make available printed communication to the public. Publishing Paper - Paper made in weights, colors and surfaces suited to books, magazines, catalogs and free-standing inserts.
Pull Slip - The instruction sheet to pull a complete bindable serial unit produced on Innopac.
Pulp - Mixture of wood and/or cotton fibers, chemicals, and water from which mills make paper.
Punching - To punch or shear.
Punching die - To punch holes.
Punching press - Press for punching or holes.
PUR Glue - Polyurethane-reactive hot-melt glue which is more flexible than older types of glues and is used as layflat adhesive binding. PUR glue is considered to be the most flexible and durable bookbinding glues on the market. They yield products that lie flatter and require less backbone preparation than other glues.
PVA Glue - PVA glue is applied cold; once dried, the resins pentrate deep into the structure of the paper stock, forming a solid bond.
Quad - In composition, blank-spacing material less than type high used to fill outlines.
Quality - Subjective term relating to expectations by the customer, printer and other professionals associated with a printing job and whether the job meets those expectations.
Quality control - In printing, the process of taking random samples during the run to check the consistency of quality.
Quarter-bind - Covers constructed of binders board with buckram covering only the spine and 1/8th of each cover, cut flush.
Quarto - (1) Sheet folded twice, making pages one-fourth the size of the original sheet. A quarto makes an 8-page signature. (2) Book made from quarto sheets, traditionally measuring about 9' x 12'.
Quick Printing - Printing using small sheet fed presses, called duplicators, using cut sizes of bond and offset paper.
Quoin - In letterpress, a steel wedge-sharpened or expanding device used in lockup.
Quotation - Price offered by a printer to produce a specific job.
R print - Color photographic print made from transparency without using internegative.
R.S.C. - A corrugated box with outer flaps that meet. Inner flaps do not meet unless length and width happen to be the same. Abbreviation for regular slotted container.
Rag Paper - Stationery or other forms of stock having a strong percentage content of "cotton rags."
Ragged left - Type that is justified to the right margin and the line lengths vary on the left.
Ragged right - Type that is justified to the left margin and the line lengths vary on the right.
Railroad board - Heavy board paper used for posters and signs.
Rainbow Fountain - Technique of putting ink colors next to each other in the same ink fountain and oscillating the ink rollers to make the colors merge where they touch, producing a rainbow effect.
Raised printing - Alternate term for Thermography.
Raster Image Processor(RIP) - Device that translates page description commands into bitmapped information for an output device such as a laser printer or imagesetter. PostScript or another page description language serves as an interface between the page layout workstation and the RIP.
Rasterization - The process of converting mathematical and digital information into a series of variable density pixels.
RAW - This may be a Photoshop RAW file, which is a PSD file with no identifying header. Or it may be a minimally formatted image data dump.
RC paper - Resin-coated paper for typesetting and PMTs that, when properly processed, will not yellow.
Readable - Characteristic of messages that are written and edited and set in type selected and composed to make them easy to understand.
Reader Spread - Mechanicals made in two page spreads as readers would see the pages, as compared to printer spread.
Ream - 500 sheets of paper.
Rebind - The existing binding is removed, fan glued and cased into a new cover.
Recase - The existing text block is cased back into its original cover.
Recto - The right-hand page of an open book, usually bearing the odd page number.
Recycled Paper - New paper made entirely or in part from old paper.
Reducers - In printing inks, varnishes, solvents, oily or greasy compounds used to reduce the consistency for printing. In photography, chemicals used to reduce the density of negative or positive images or the size of halftone dots (dot etching).
Reflective Copy - Products, such as fabrics, illustrations and photographic prints, viewed by light reflected from them, as compared to transparent copy. Also called reflex copy.
Register - To place printing properly with regard to the edges of paper and other printing on the same sheet. Such printing is said to be in register.
Register Marks - Cross-hair lines on mechanicals and film that help keep flats, plates, and printing in register. Also called cross marks and position marks.
Registration - The alignment of two or more printed images so the resulting image is sharp.
Relative humidity (RH) - The amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere expressed as a percentage of the maximum that could be present at the same temperature.
Release coating - Thin coating of material (usually silicone) applied to a release paper or film. Enables PSA to be unwound from itself and/or the PSA to be removed from the release liner for lamination to a substrate.
Relief Printing - Printing method whose image carriers are surfaces with two levels having inked areas higher than non-inked areas. Relief printing includes block printing, flexography and letter press.
Repeatability - Ability of a device, such as an imagesetter, to produce film or plates that yield images in register.
Reproduction proof - In composition, the proof of type form for purpose of photographic reproduction.
Reprographics - General term for xerography, diazo and other methods of copying used by designers, engineers, architects or for general office use.
Reprography - Copying and duplicating
Resin - Organic solids or liquids of high molecular weight, primarily used as binders, in inks and coatings.
Resolution - (1) The density of dots or pixels on a page or display usually measured in dots per inch. The higher the resolution, the smoother the appearance of text or graphics. (2) The precision (“sharpness”) with which an optical, photographic, or photomechanical system can render visual image detail. Resolution is a measure of image sharpness or the performance of an optical system. It is expressed in lines per inch or millimeter.
Resolution Target - An image, such as the GATF Star Target, that permits evaluation of resolution on film, proofs or plates.
Retouch - To enhance a photo or correct its flaws.
Reverse - A subject in which the background prints in the color of the ink used and the type matter or image is unprinted.
Reverse angle doctor blade - In flexography, similar to doctor blade in gravure except used with much lighter pressure and a reverse angle on the anilox roll.
Reverse Plate - A printing plate in which the tonal values are exactly opposite from the original art. A reverse plate is made from a film positive instead of a film negative.
Reverse printing - Printing of solid background behind tab or body copy with actual copy appearing in colour of unprinted paper.
Reverse Type - Type that drops out of the background color and appears the color of the paper.
Rewind Slitting - The method is for producing multiple cuts per cycle. This has a longer set-up time than baloney slitting. The process actually rewinds the material layer by layer across a set of pre-spaced knives and spacers, onto a rewind shaft that is set with pre-slit cores and spacers, with each individual slit roll wound on individual tension-controlled cores.
RGB - Abbreviation for red, green, and blue, the three colors used in cameras.
Right Reading - Copy that reads correctly in the language in which it is written. Also describes a photo whose orientation looks like the original scene, as compared to a flopped image.
Right-angle fold - In binding, a term used for two or more folds that are at 90° angles to each other.
Rights - Conditions and terms of licensing agreement between copyright owner and client.
Rigid Box - A hard, non-collapsible box, also known as a set-up box.
Rip film - A method of making printing negatives from PostScript files created by desktop publishing.
Roll coating - The process of applying a material to the surface of paper or board with a roller and subsequent smoothing of that coating by reverse rollers.
Roll set curl - Deformation caused by the tendency of paperboard to conform to the curvature of the roll or cored on which it is wound.
Roll-Out - Ink put down by hand roller on poly or paper for testing or sampling purposes to determine color or other characteristics.
Roller stripping - In lithography, a term denoting that the ink does not adhere to the metal ink rollers on a press.
Rosette - A cluster resembling the petals on a rose, created by the overlapping of the dots that make up the four-color process images.
Rotagravure printing - An intaglio process of rotary printing from tiny etched cells in a copper covered roller surfaces. Often overchromed for longer wear. Does fine printing along with half-tones and gradations of tones. Uses solvent type, fast drying inks.
Rotary die - A curved cutting die, used in a rotary die cutter.
Rotary die cutter - A machine that cuts and scores with rotating (rotary) dies. Principal benefits are speed and long die life.
Rotary layout machine - A rotary cutter without feed, printing or other sections, used to test rotary dies.
Rotary Press - Printing press which passes the substrate between two rotating cylinders when making an impression. Rotary proofing machine - A rotary cuter without feed, printing or other sections, used to test rotary dies and provide samples.
Rotary rule description - This rule is described as : (1) Serrated, non-serrated, scattered, or scalloped. (2) Side bevel or center. (3) Curved or straight. In case of curved rule, the pitch circle and circumference is specified. (4) Notched or not-notched. (5) Thickness in points. (6) Height of the rule.
Rotary wood description - Description as a (1) Number of plys. (2) Thickness. (3) Length. (4) Inside diameter.
Rotogravure - Gravure printing using a web press.
Rough layout - Simple sketch giving general idea of size and placement of type and art.
Roughness - A relative lack of smoothness to the paperboard surface.
Round Back Bind - To casebind with a rounded (convex) spine, as compared to flat back bind.
Rounding - Shaping the book back to be convex.
Routing - In letterpress, the cutting away of the not-printing areas of a plate.
RTF - Microsoft's Rich Text Format, which is normally used as a well-understood cross-platform word processing document format, but which can store pictures as well as text.
Rub - Abrasion caused from friction between two moving surfaces.
Rub score - In rotary dies, the rubber places along scoring rule.
Rub-proof - In printing, an ink that has reached maximum dryness and does not mar with normal abrasion.
Rubber ejection - Rubber used to eject the finished product from the die.
Rubber slot - A special rubber used for ejection in the parts of steel rule die that cut the slots in a box.
Rubber stripping - In rotary dies, the rubber used to eject scraps.
Rubbering or corking a die - Glue process or strips of cork or rubber along both sides of the cutting knives for the purpose of ejecting the material being cut off the die after cutting.
Ruby Window - Mask on a mechanical, made with rubylith, that creates a window on film shot from the mechanical.
Rubylith - A stable base, clear material, coated with a thin coating which peels away. Used for cutting masks in artwork operations.
Rule - A line, used for a variety of typographic effects.
Rule 41 - A rule in the Uniform & Consolidated Freight Classification of the rail carriers containing the construction requirement for corrugated and solid fibreboard boxes.
Rule puller - A hand tool used to remove steel rule from a cutting die.
Rule, creasing - For scoring or creasing with round edge.
Rule, cutting - For scoring with sharp edge.
Rule, other - Leads or steel spacers.
Rule, perforating - To make perforated cuts.
Rules up - Quality check performed after press run by preliminary on a line up table to determine bleeds, trim, and bindery folds by way of drawing lines on a signature indicated by job specifications.
Ruleup - Map or drawing given by a printer to a stripper showing how a printing job must be imposed using a specific press and sheet size. Also called press layout, printer's layout and ruleout.
Ruling - See Screen ruling.
Run - Total number of copies ordered or printed.
Run around - In composition, the term describing a type area set in measures that are adjusted to fit around a picture or another element of the design.
Runnability - Paper properties that affect the ability of the paper to run on the press.
Running head or foot - Title or other information at the top or bottom of every page of a publication.
Saddle Stitch - To bind by stapling sheets together where they fold at the spine, as compared to side stitch. Also called pamphlet stitch, saddle wire and stitch bind.
Saddle wire - In binding, to fasten a booklet by wiring it through the middle fold of the sheets.
Safelight - In photography, the special darkroom lamp used for illumination without fogging sensitize materials.
Satin Finish - Alternate term for dull finish on coated paper.
Saturation - The impregnation of paperboard with a liquid to the point of non-absorption.
Sawing block - Blocks cut with circular saw in diemaking.
SBS - Solid Bleached Sulfate.
Scale - To identify the percent by which photographs or art should be enlarged or reduced to achieve, the correct size for printing.
Scaling - Determining the proper size of an image to be reduced or enlarged.
Scaling wheel - Alternate term for Proportional scale.
Scanner - Device used to make color separations, halftones, duo tones and tri tones. Also a device used to scan art, pictures or drawings in desktop publishing.
Scoring - Creasing or bending line that assists subsequent usage. Scoring is also a term used to describe when one or more materials are slit or cut through to assist in the tape application.
Screen - Piece of film with dots of uniform density, used to make plates that will print screen tints. See also Halftone screen.
Screen Angles - Angles at which screens intersect with the horizontal line of the press sheet. The common screen angles for separations are black 45 degree, magenta 75 degree, yellow 90 degree and cyan 105 degree.
Screen Density - Refers to the percentage of ink coverage that a screen tint allows to print. Also called screen percentage.
Screen line number - The number of ruled lines per inch on the halftone screen (133 and 150 are common examples).
Screen Printing - Method of printing by using a squeegee to force ink through an assembly of mesh fabric and a stencil.
Screen Ruling - Number of rows or lines of dots per inch or centimeter in a screen for making a screen tint or halftone. Also called line count, ruling, screen frequency, screen size and screen value.
Screen Tint - Color created by dots instead of solid ink coverage. Also called Benday, fill pattern, screen tone, shading, tint and tone.
Screen value - The percentage of printing area is referred to as a certain percent tint (ex. 30% tint).
Screened print - In photography, a print with a halftone screen made from a halftone negative or by diffusion transfer.
Scribe - To mark rule at the area where it will be notched or bent. To mark.
Scum - In offset lithography, a film of ink printing in the non-image areas of a plate where it should not print.
Section - A group of leaves of a volume, suitable for sewing, usually about 1/2" thick. S
elective Binding - Placing signatures or inserts in magazines or catalogs according to demographic or geographic guidelines.
Self Cover - A cover of the same paper as inside text pages.
Self Mailer - A printed item independent of an envelope. A printed item capable of travel in the mailing arena independently.
Self Wound or Single Wound - Often used in reference to pressure-sensitive tapes when comparing them to linered tapes. Each subsequent layer has the exposed adhesive in direct contact with the backing of the previous layer.
Semi-chemical pulp - A combination of chemical and mechanical pulping with properties similar to chemical pulp.
Separated Art - Art with elements that print in the base color on one surface and elements that print in other colors on other surfaces. Also called preseparated art.
Separation - Alternate term for Color separation.
Separations - Usually in the four-color process arena, separate film holding images of one specific color per piece of film. Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow. Can also separate specific PMS colors through film.
Serif - The short cross-lines at the ends of the main strokes of many letters in some bold faces.
Serigraphic Printing - Printing method whose image carriers are woven fabric, plastic or metal that allow ink to pass through some portions and block ink from passing through other portions. Serigraphic printing includes screen and mimeograph.
Serrated rule - A type of cutting rule with pointed teeth on the top that is used in rotary cutting dies for corrugated. Service Bureau - Business using imagesetters to make high resolution printouts of files prepared on microcomputers. Also called output house and prep service.
Set - One each of every individual tab in a job or group.
Set-up - Make ready.
Setoff - Undesirable transfer of wet ink from the top of one sheet to the underside of another as they lie in the delivery stack of a press. Also called offset.
Sew - To use thread to fasten signatures together at the spine of a book.
Shade - Hue made darker by the addition of black, as compared to tint.
Shadows - Darkest areas of a photograph or illustration, as compared to midtones and high-lights.
Sharp - Characteristic of an image in clear focus.
Sharpen - To decrease in strength, as when halftone dots become smaller; opposite of "thicken" or "dot spread".
Shear - The work that results when two contiguous parts slide past each other, in a direction parallel to their plane of contact.
Shear Adhesion - The level of bond strength a PSA has to a substrate when shear force or stress is applied. For example, a PSA used to hang a picture on a wall should have good shear adhesion.
Sheen - Shininess at grazing angles.
Sheet fed Press - Press that prints sheets of paper, as compared to a web press.
Sheeter - Device to cut roll of paper into sheets.
Sheetfed Press - Press that prints sheets of paper, as compared to a web press.
Sheetwise - Technique of printing one side of a sheet with one set of plates, then the other side of the sheet with a set of different plates. Also called work and back.
Shelf life - The resistance to deterioration by oxygen and ozone in the air, by heat and light or by internal chemical action. More specifically, the length of time that a container or a material therein, will remain in an acceptable condition under specified conditions or storage.
Shell cup - A device for measuring viscosity.
Shim - A thin strip used as filler.
Shim-stock - Thin material used for shimming.
Shimming - To fill a void with shims.
Shingling - Allowance, made during paste-up or stripping, to compensate for creep. Creep is the problem; shingling is the solution. Also called stair stepping and progressive margins.
Short grain - Alternate term for Grain abort (paper).
Short ink - An ink that is buttery and does not flow freely.
Show-through - In printing, the undesirable condition which the printing on the reverse side of a sheet can be seen through the sheet under normal lighting conditions.
Shrink - To decrease image in strength during contacting, as when halftone dots become smaller; opposite of dot spread. A diffusion sheet is placed between light source and film to sharpen or squeeze the image during exposure. This technique is commonly used in the creation of a trap.
Shrink wrap - Method of tightly wrapping packages or products in plastic film.
Shuttle feed - A type of feeding system.
Side guides - Adjustable mechanism on register unit of a press that properly positions a sheet side to side
Side stitch - To bind by stapling through sheets along one edge.
Side-guide - On sheetfed presses, a guide on the feed board to position the sheet sideways as it feeds onto the front guides before entering the impression cylinder.
Signature - Printed sheet folded at least once, possibly many times, to become part of a book, magazine or other publication.
Silhouette halftone - A halftone with all of the background removed.
Silicone - A synthetic lubricant sometimes applied to steel rule to reduce friction in cutting.
Silk Screen - See Screen Printing.
Simplex Box - A box that folds down from the ends of the box but offers a rigid box look.
Sizing - The treatment of paper which gives it resistance to the penetration of liquids (particularly water) or vapors.
Sizing, internal - A process by which materials are added to a pulp slurry in order to enhance its resistance to liquid penetration.
Sizing, surface - A process by which materials are added to the surface of formed paper or paperboard to enhance the surface properties.
Skid - A pallet used for a pile of cut sheets.
Sliding head press - One of many type of presses. Slip - The tendency of two adjacent surfaces to slide.
Slip Sheets - Separate sheets (stock) independent from the original run positioned between the "printed run" for a variety of reasons.
Slit - To cut paper using a disk or wheel.
Slit score - Used in corrugated to describe a cut-score.
Slitting - Cutting printed sheets or webs into two or more sections by means of cutting wheels on a press or folder.
Slot - The paper removed at the corner of a box to permit the boxes to fold. In a die, the rule that produces the slot.
Slow film - Film that requires a relatively large amount of light to record an image.
Sludge - Solids removed in the clarifying process of a pulp or paper mill.
Slug - In composition, a one-piece line of type. Also, a strip of metal, usually 6 points, used for spacing between lines.
Slur - Elongation or dot gain caused by mechanical distortion in the printing process.
Small caps - An alphabet of SMALL CAPITAL LETTERS available in most roman type faces approximately the size of the lower case letters. Used in combination with larger capital letters.
Small-format camera - Camera making negatives 35mm or smaller.
Smoothness - The amount a paper is polished and coated to create an even surface. Smooth papers reproduce color and detail better than rough papers because they reflect light back more uniformly. Smoothness of uncoated papers is classified as follows: mimeo (roughest), vellum, antique, eggshell, wove, satin, and luster (smoothest). Coated papers: see gloss.
Smyth sewn - One pattern of sewn binding.
Snap - The combined effect of color intensity, holdout, and gloss resulting in brilliance or vividness.
Soft bind - Alternate term for Perfect bind.
Soft cover - Bound without a case; usually perfect bound, but also sewn and bound with a paper cover.
Soft dot - In photography, a dot is called "soft" when the halation or fringe around the dot is excessive and almost equals the area of the dot itself. Conversely, when the fringe is so slight as to be barely noticeable and the dot is very sharp, it is called "hard".
Soft ink - Descriptive of the consistency of paste inks.
Soft proof - See hard proof.
Software - See program.
Solid - Any area of the sheet receiving 100 percent ink coverage, as compared to a screen tint.
Solvent - The medium used to dissolve a substance.
Solvent coating - A type of coating, applied in liquid form, which dries by evaporation.
Soy-based Inks - Inks using vegetable oils instead of petroleum products as pigment vehicles, thus are easier on the environment.
SPC - Acronym for Statistical Process Control.
Spec sheet - Short for sheet on which specifications are written.
Special effects - General term for reproduction of photographs using techniques such as line conversion and posterization.
Specially Printer - Printer whose equipment, supplies, work flow and marketing is targeted to a particular category of products.
Specialty advertising - Printed advertising on products such as mugs, matchbooks, jewelry, and pencils.
Specialty papers - Paper distributor term for carbonless, pressure-sensitive, synthetic, and other papers made for special applications.
Specifications - Complete and precise descriptions of paper, ink, binding, quantity, and other features of a printing job.
Spectrophotometer - Instrument used to measure the index of refraction of color. Spectrum - The complete range of colors in the rainbow, from short wavelengths (blue) to long wavelengths (red).
Specular Highlight - Highlight area with no printable dots, thus no detail, as compared to a diffuse highlight. Also called catchlight and dropout highlight.
Spine - Back or binding edge of a publication
Spiral Bind - To bind using a spiral of continuous wire or plastic looped through holes. Also called coil bind. Spirit duplicating - Method of printing that uses a chemical fluid to dissolve a trace of carbon from the plate to make each impression.
Split - To cut single signature issues greater than 6/8" through the fold, before oversewing or fan gluing.
Split Fountain - Technique of putting ink colors next to each other in the same ink fountain and printing them off the same plate. Split fountains keep edges of colors distinct, as compared to rainbow fountains that blend edges.
Split Run - (1) Different images, such as advertisements, printed in different editions of a publication. (2) Printing of a book that has some copies bound one way and other copies bound another way.
Spoilage - Paper that, due to mistakes or accidents, must be thrown away instead of delivered printed to the customer, as compared to waste.
Spot Color - A single color that does not need to be combined with any other color to be printed.
Spot UV - The application of UV coating to a portion of the paper surface, generally to achieve a contrast between a gloss, matte or uncoated surface. (Also see UV Coating)
Spot Varnish - The application of varnish to a portion of the paper surface, generally to achieve a contrast between a gloss, matte or uncoated surface. (Also see Varnish.)
Spread - (1) Two pages that face each other and are designed as one visual or production unit. (2) Technique of slightly enlarging the size of an image to accomplish a hairline trap with another image. Also called fatty.
Stabilization paper - Paper for typesetting and PMTs that begins deteriorating a few weeks after use.
Staging - See stopping out.
Stamping - Can be cutting, embossing, forging, etc.
Standard Viewing Conditions - Background of 60 percent neutral gray and light that measures 5000 degrees Kelvin the color of daylight on a bright day. Also called lighting standards.
Stat - Short for photostat, therefore a general term for an inexpensive photographic print of line copy or halftone.
Stat camera - Small process camera.
Static neutralizer - In printing presses, an attachment designed to remove the static electricity from the paper to avoid ink set-off and trouble with feeding the paper.
Stationery - Letterhead, envelopes, cards, and other printed materials for business correspondence.
Statistical Process Control (SPC) - Regulation of a process through the use of statistical analysis to improve the consistency of a product or service.
Steel rule die - A cutting die made from steel cutting rule which is inserted into wooden board forms.
Stencil - Piece of fabric or film carrying image for screen printing or mimeograph.
Step and Repeat - Prepress technique of exposing an image in a precise, multiple pattern to create a flat or plate. Images are said to be stepped across the film or plate.
Stet - A proofreader's mark, written in the margin, signifying that copy marked for corrections should remain as it was.
Stiffness - Elongation corresponding to the point of a rupture. Also called strain.
Stipple - A repairing technique where dot pattern is created by hand method using a needle point on film or plates.
Stitch bind - To bind with wire staples
Stochastic screening - A digital screening process that converts images into very small dots (14-40 microns) of equal size and variable spacing. Second order screened images have variable size dots and variable spacing. Also called Frequency Modulated (FM) screening.
Stock - Paper or other material to be printed.
Stock Order - Order for paper that a mill or merchant sends to a printer from inventory at a warehouse, as compared to a mill order.
Stock photo - Photograph in a collection maintained for commercial purposes. Stocking Paper - Popular sizes, weights and colors of papers available for prompt delivery from a merchant's warehouse.
Stopping out - In photomechanics, application of opaque to photographic negatives; applications of special lacquer to protect areas in positives in dot etching; staging of halftone plates during relief etching: protecting certain areas of deep-etched plates so that no ink will be deposited on the protected areas.
Stream feeder - In printing process, a type of feeder that feeds several sheets overlapping each other toward the grippers. Also die cutting presses.
Strike sheet - See overlay.
Strike-on composition - Type set by a direct-impression method, or on typewriter composing machines. Also known as cold-type.
Strike-through - See show-through.
String Score - Score created by pressing a string against paper, as compared to scoring using a metal edge.
Strip - To assemble images on film for platemaking. Stripping involves correcting flaws in film, assembling pieces of film into flats and ensuring that film and flats register correctly. Also called film assembly and image assembly.
Stripper - Person who strips negatives.
Stripping - In offset lithography, the positioning of negatives (or positives) on a flat to compose a page or layout for platemaking.
Stripping die - A two piece to mechanically remove scrap from a die cut sheet.
Stumping (Blocking) - In the book arena, hot die, foil or other means in creating an image on a case bound book.
Sub weight - Short for substance weight.
Substance - The weight in pounds of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to the standard size (17x 22) for business papers (bond, ledger, mimeograph, duplicator and manifold). e.g. 20 pounds. Similar to basis weight of other grades of paper.
Substance Weight - Alternate term for basis weight, usually referring to bond papers. Also called sub weight.
Substrate - The base material which is coated or printed. Paper, films, and foils are common substrates.
Subtractive Color - Color produced by light reflected from a surface, as compared to additive color. Subtractive color includes hues in color photos and colors created by inks on paper.
Subtractive Primary Color - Yellow, magenta and cyan. In the graphic arts, these are known as process colors because, along with black, they are the inks colors used in color-process printing.
Sulphate pulp - Paper pulp made from wood chips cooked under pressure in a solution of caustic soda and sodium sulphide. Known as kraft.
Supercalendar - In papermaking, a calendar stack, separate from the papermaking machine, with alternate metal and resilient rolls, used to produce a high finish on paper.
Supercalendered Paper - Paper calendered using alternating chrome and fiber rollers to produce a smooth, thin sheet. Abbreviated SC paper.
Surfaces, die-cutting - Those plates against which the die edge comes in contact after passing through the material. Can be steel, urethane, wood, etc.
Surprint - Taking an already printed matter and re-printing again on the same.
Swash Book - A book in a variety of forms, indicating specific stock in specific colors in a specific thickness.
Swatch - A sample of color to be matched such as a piece of merchandise, ink sample, wash color sample, etc.
Swatch book - Book with small samples of paper or ink colors.
Swing arm press - Such as clicker. Arm extends from rear.
Swing arm side press - Swinging arms extend from the side.
SWOP - Abbreviation for specifications for web offset publications, specifications recommended for web printing of publications.
Synergistic Display Program - A comprehensive, color-coordinated, program that incorporates boxes, bags, tissue paper, ribbon, bows and finishing touches to creatively display your company’s name, logo and promotional colors.
Synthetic paper - Plastic or other petroleum-based paper.
Tab copy - Text or graphics printed on tab extensions.
Tab mylar - Clear or coloured plastic coating around tab extension.
Tabloid - Using a broadsheet as a measure, one half of a broadsheet.
Tack - In printing inks, the property of cohesion between particles, the separation force of ink needed for proper transfer and trapping on multicolor presses. A tacky ink has high separation forces and can cause surface picking or splitting of weak papers.
Tag - Grade of dense, strong paper used for products such as badge and file folders.
Tagged Image File Format(TIFF, TIF) - Computer file format used to store images from scanners and video devices. Abbreviated TIFF. A TIFF file permits the image to be edited in other applications (ie, QuarkXpress, and Macromedia Freehand)
Tail - The bottom portion of the backbone of a bound volume.
Take-down - In die-cutting, removing the die from the press, prior to a new set-up. Tapes - Pieces of tape or strips of cloth attached to the covers, and to which sections are sewn to strengthen the binding.
TAPPI - Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.
Target Ink Densities - Densities of the four process inks as recommended for various printing processes and grades of paper. See also Total Area Coverage.
Temper - The result of a heating process intended to alter the hardness of a die which has already been subjected to heat treatment.
Template - Concerning a printing project's basic details in regard to its dimensions. A standard layout.
Tensile strength - A measurement of the resistance of a sheet to pull to the point of rupture.
Terabyte (TB) - One trillion bytes.
Test number - The body matter of a page or book, as distinguished from the headings.
Text Paper - Designation for printing papers with textured surfaces such as laid or linen. Some mills also use 'text' to refer to any paper they consider top-of-the-line, whether or not its surface has a texture.
Textblock - The pages of a book, sewn or adhered into one unit.
Thermo-mechanical pulp - In papermaking, made by steaming wood chips prior to and during refining, producing a higher yield and stronger pulp than regular ground wood.
Thermography - Method of printing using colorless resin powder that takes on the color of underlying ink. Also called raised printing.
Thickness - The height of a single sheet of paperboard, measured in microns.
Thickness of scoring rule - Generally 2,3,4, and 6 point.
Thirty - Used in newspapers, the symbol "-30-" means the end of story.
Thumbnail sketch - Rough sketch of a design.
Thumbnails - Initial ideas jotted on virtually anything in regard to initial concept of a future project.
Tick marks - Alternate term for Crop marks.
Tinning - Method of binding by crimping a metal strip along edges of sheets.
Tint - Screening or adding white to a solid color for results of lightening that specific color.
Tip In - Usually in the book arena, adding an additional page(s) beyond the normal process (separate insertion).
Tip-in - Pasting a leaf (or leaves) into a bound book without using guards. Also called "tipping-in."
Tip-On - To bind a foldout or other insert into a book by means of an adhesive.
Tissue - Thin, translucent paper used for overlays.
Tissue overlay - Usually a thin transparent paper placed over artwork for protection uses for marking color breaks and other printer instructions.
Tissue Paper - A very thin, lightweight paper. Also referred to as tissue.
Tolerances - The specification of acceptable variations in register, density, dot size, plate or paper thickness, concentration of chemicals and other printing parameters.
Tonal range - Photographer term for density range.
Tone Compression - Reduction in the tonal range from original scene to printed reproduction.
Toner - Imaging material used in electrophotography and some off-press proofing systems. In inks, dye used to tone printing inks, especially black.
Toning - Alternate term for Scumming.
Tooth - A characteristic of paper, a slightly rough finish, which permits it to take ink readily.
Total Area Coverage - Total of the dot percentages of the process colors in the final film. Abbreviated for TAC. Also called density of tone, maximum density, shadow saturation, total dot density and total ink coverage.
Touch Plate - Plate that accents or prints a color that four-color process printing cannot reproduce well enough or at all. Also called kiss plate.
Trade bindery - Business specializing in trimming, folding, binding, and other finishing operations. Trade camera service - Alternate term for Camera service.
Trade custom - Business terms and policies followed by businesses in the same field and often codified by a trade association.
Trade Shop - Service bureau, printer or bindery working primarily for other graphic arts professionals, not for the general public.
Trail edge - Long, horizontal straight piece of rule which comes out of the cut last as the material goes through the press.
Transfer key - 3M trade name for integral color proof.
Transfer tape - A peel and stick tape used in business forms.
Translite - Piece of glass or plastic lit from behind and on which a photographic image has been reproduced for display.
Transparency - Positive photographic image on film allowing light to pass through. Also called chrome, color transparency and tranny. Often abbreviated TX.
Transparent copy - In photography, illustrative copy such as color transparency or color negative through which light must pass in order for it to be seen.
Transparent ink - A printing ink which does not conceal the color beneath. Process inks are transparent so that they will blend to form other colors.
Transpose - To exchange the position of a letter, word or line with another letter, word or line.
Trap - To print one ink over another or to print a coating, such as varnish, over an ink. The first liquid traps the second liquid. See also Dry Traps and Wet Traps.
Traverse Wound - Also referred to as level winding, spool wound and reel wound. For example, sewing machine thread or fishing line. This process enables the fabricator to put extremely long lengths of custom slit material on one roll which means less roll changes and cost savings on a manufacturing line.
Tri-tone - A three-color halftone reproduction from a monochrome original and requiring three halftone negatives at proper screen angles. Usually used to create sepia tone.
Trim breakers - Cutting rule in steel rule dies to cut the trim into smaller pieces.
Trim marks - Similar to crop or register marks. These marks show where to trim the printed sheet.
Trim size - The final size of one printed image after the last trim is made.
Tube - Any cylindrical shell open at both ends.
Turnaround time - Amount of time needed to complete a job or one stage of it.
Two-page spread - Two pages side by side either in bindery, printer or reader spreads.
Two-sheet detector - In printing presses, a device for stopping the press when more than one sheet attempts to feed into the grippers.
Type 1 - A format for storing digital typefaces developed by Adobe Systems. The most popular typeface format for PostScript printers.
Type gauge - In composition, a printer's tool calibrated in picas and points used for type measurement.
Type high - 0.918 inch; the standard in letterpress.
Typography - The art of printing with type. The design, style, appearance or arrangement of matter printed from type.
Ultrabind - Bound with an automated machine which sands, notches and fan glues. Requires a 3/8" gutter, covers must not be high gloss, foldouts must not return into the gutter, and volume must be between 1/2 - 2" thick.
Ultraviolet Light (UV) - Invisible, high energy light made up of wavelengths that are shorter than those of visible light.
Uncoated Paper - Paper that has not been coated with clay. Also called offset paper.
Under-run - Production of fewer copies than ordered. See over run.
Undercolor Addition - Technique of making color separations that increases the amount of cyan, magenta or yellow ink in shadow areas. Abbreviated UCA.
Undercolor Removal - Technique of making color separations such that the amount of cyan, magenta and yellow ink is reduced in midtone and shadow areas while the amount of black is increased. Abbreviated UCR.
Undercut - In printing presses, the difference between the radius of the cylinder bearers and the cylinder body, to allow for plate (blanket) and packing thickness.
Underrun - Production run of fewer copies than the amount specified.
Undersized Stitching - Automated saddle stitching can be as small as 3" x 3-7/8" one-up and 3" x 3" two-up. At Specialties we've stitched products as small as 1-1/2" x 2" with offline trimming.
Uniform resource locator(URL) - The World Wide Web address of a company, service, or other information resource.
Unit - In multicolor presses, refers to the combination of inking, plate and impression operations to print each color. A 4-color press has 4 printing units each with its own inking, plate and impression functions.
Universal Copyright Convention (UCC) - A system to protect unique work from reproducing without knowledge from the originator. To qualify, one must register their work and publish a (c) indicating registration.
Unsharp Masking - Technique of adjusting dot size to make a halftone or separation appear sharper (in better focus) than the original photo or the first proof. Also called edge enhancement and peaking.
Up - Term to indicate multiple copies of one image printed in one impression on a single sheet. "Two up" or "three up" means printing the identical piece twice or three times on each sheet.
UV Coating - A thin, plastic-like coating applied to either all, or a portion (“spot UV”) of a paper surface after printing (for esthetic reasons or to protect the printed surface). The UV coating finish can be either matte or very glossy.
UV ink - Solventless ink that is cured by UV radiation.
Vacuum frame - In platemaking, a vacuum device for holding copy and reproduction material in contact during exposure.
Value - The shade (darkness) or tint (lightness) of a color. Also called brightness, lightness, shade and tone.
Varnish - A thin coating applied after printing, used for esthetic reasons or to protect the printed surface. Varnish can be either matte or gloss and can be applied to either all of the surface or to a portion (“spot varnish”).
Vehicle - In printing inks, the fluid component which acts as a carrier for the pigment.
Vellum finish - In papermaking, a toothy finish which is relatively absorbent for fast ink penetration.
Velox - Kodak trade name for high-contrast photographic paper. Also refers to a positive made by contact printing a negative to such paper.
Verso - The left-hand page in an open book, usually bearing the even page number.
Viewing Booth - Small area or room that is set up for proper viewing of transparencies, color separations or press sheets. Also called color booth. See also Standard Viewing Conditions.
Vignette - An illustration in which the background fades gradually away until it blends into the unprinted paper.
Vignette Halftone - Halftone whose background gradually and smoothly fades away. Also called degrade.
Vinylbind - Treatment for paperback books. The cover is removed, reinforce and laminated. The contents are fan glued and cased into the cover.
Virgin Paper - Paper made exclusively of pulp from trees or cotton, as compared to recycled paper.
Viscosity - The resistance of a fluid to flowing freely caused by friction of its molecules.
VOC - Abbreviation for volatile organic compounds, petroleum substances used as the vehicles for many printing inks
Volatile - Easily passing from a liquid into a gaseous state. Subject to rapid pressure at room temperature.
Walk-off - In lithography, the failure of part of an image to adhere to the metal plate during printing.
Warm color - In printing, a color which is on the reddish side.
Wash Up - To clean ink and fountain solutions from rollers, fountains, screens, and other press components.
Waste - Unusable paper or paper damage during normal make-ready, printing or binding operations, as compared to spoilage.
Water fountain - Reservoir on a press to hold fountain solution.
Waterless printing - In offset, printing on a press using special waterless plates and no dampening system.
Watermark - Translucent logo in paper created during manufacturing by slight embossing from a dandy roll while paper is still approximately 90 percent water.
Wax engraving - In letterpress platemaking, a method of engraving or impressing lines or type in wax, thereby creating a mold which can be electrotyped. Used for ruled forms.
Web - A roll of paper used in web or rotary printing.
Web Break - Split of the paper as it travels through a web press, causing operators to rethread the press.
Web offset - An offset press in which the paper is fed from a roll and printed on both sides in one continuous web as opposed to sheet-fed presses.
Web Press - A printing press that prints onto a continuous sheet of paper, fed from a large roll (called a web). Web presses print much faster than sheet-fed presses.
Web tension - The amount of pull or tension applied in the direction of travel of a web of paper by the action of a web-fed press.
Weight - See Basis weight (of paper).
Wet strength - A measure of the physical strength properties of paper when saturated with water expressed in terms of wet tensile strength, wet bursting strength etc.
Wet Trap - To print ink or varnish over wet ink, as compared to dry trap.
Wetting agent - Chemical agent used to overcome the reluctance of a liquid to spread over the surface of a dissimilar material by reduction of the surface tension of the liquid.
White space - Designer term referring to non-image area that frames or sets off copy.
Widow - In composition, a single word in a line by itself, ending a paragraph; frowned upon in good typography.
Window - (1) In a printed product, a die-cut hole revealing an image on the sheet behind it. (2) On a mechanical, an area that has been marked for placement of a piece of artwork.
Window adhesive - An adhesive used to bond various types of window films to a carton, enabling the interior of the carton to be seen.
Windows Metafile(WMF) - an intermediate vector file format for Windows programs to use when interchanging data and, generally speaking, should never be seen anywhere else.
Wipe-on plate - In offset-lithography, a plate on which a light-sensitive coating is wiped on or applied with a coating machine.
Wire Side - Side of the paper that rests against The Fourdrinier wire during papermaking, as compared to felt side.
Wire-O Binding - A type of spiral binding comprising a double set of wire loops inserted into punched or drilled holes along the binding edge of a set of pages.
With the grain - Folding or feeding paper into the press or folder parallel to the grain of the paper. Woodcut - An illustration in lines of varying thickness, cut in relief on plank-grain wood, for the purpose of making prints.
Woodfree Paper - Made with chemical pulp only. Paper usually classified as calendered or supercalendered.
Word processor - A typewriter connected to a computerized recording medium to input, edit and output data. Work and tumble -To print one side of a sheet of paper, then turn the sheet over from gripper to back using the same side guide to print the second side.
Work and turn - To print one side of a sheet of paper, then turn the sheet over from left to right and print the second side. The same gripper and plate is used for printing both sides.
Work order - Form used by printing companies to specify and schedule production of jobs and record the time, materials, and supplies that each job requires to complete.
Working Film - Intermediate film that will be copied to make final film after all corrections are made. Also called buildups.
Wove - Paper manufactured without visible wire marks, usually a fine textured paper.
Wove finish - Relatively smooth finish on paper achieved by moderate calendering.
Wove paper - Paper having uniform unlined surface and a soft, smooth finish.
Wraparound plate - In rotary letterpress, a thin, one-piece relief plate which is wrapped around the press cylinder like an offset plate. Can be used for direct or indirect (offset) printing.
Wrinkles - Creases in paper occurring during printing. In inks, the uneven surface formed during drying.
Wrong font - In proofreading, the mark "WF" indicates a letter or figure of the wrong size or face.
Wrong Reading - An image that is backwards when compared to the original. Also called flopped and reverse reading.
WYSIWYG(what-you-see-is-what-you-get) - Computer screen displays that approximate the true size and true shape of typographic characters, rules, tints, and graphics.
X-Height - The height of the lowercase letters relative to the capitals; an important typographic concept. In the same point size, type with a greater x-height will present the illusion of being larger. For this reason, large x-heights are favored in display advertising.
Xerography - A copy process that utilizes a selenium surface and electrostatic forces to form an image. Hue of a subtractive primary and a 4-color process ink. It reflects red and green light and absorbs blue light.
Yada Yada Yada - Term used in place of etc, etc, etc...
Yankee dryer - A device that dries as it comes off the wet end of the paper making machine by pressing one side of the paper against a cylinder that seam-heats it and imparts a glazed finish at the same time.
Zahn Cup - A device for measuring viscosity.
Zinc - The metal intermediate image used to make the rubber flexographic plate.
Zinc Engravings - Line or halftone etchings made on zinc for letterpress printing. Also called zincs.
Zip Code Sorting - Presorting mail, other than first class, into zip code sequence prior to delivery to the post office. The extent of the sortint is dependent upon the class of the mail and other postal regulations.