A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Accordion Fold:
A type of paper folding in which each fold runs in the opposite direction to the previous fold creating a pleated or accordion affect.

Art Work:
Any materials or images that are prepared for graphic reproduction.

Author's Alterations (AA's):
Changes made after composition state where customer is responsible for additional charges.

B

Back to Back:
Print applied to both sides of a sheet of paper.

Banker's Flap Envelope:
Also called wallet flap; the wallet flap has more rounded flap edges.

Binding:
Fastening papers together for easy reading, transport, and protection. Papers may be bound together with a variety of materials, like
wire, thread, glue and plastic combs.

Bleed:
An image or printed color that runs off the trimmed edge of a page. Bleeding one or more edges of a printed page generally increases
both the amount of paper needed and the overall production cost of a printed job. Bleeds are created by trimming the page after
printing.

BoldFace:
Any type that has a heavier black stroke that makes it more conspicuous.

Book:
A general classification to describe papers used to print books; its standard size is 25 x 38 inches.

Bond:
A grade of durable writing, printing and typing paper that has a standard size of 17 x 22 inches.

Blind Embossing:
Stamping raised letters or images into paper using pressure and a die, but without using foil or ink to add color to the raised areas.

Blueline:
A printer's proof used to check position of all image elements. All corrections should have been made prior to seeing a blueline.

Bristol Board:
A board paper of various thickness; having a smooth finish and used for printing and drawing.

Brochure:
A pamphlet that is bound in booklet form.

Bulk:
A term given to paper to describe its thickness relative to its weight.

Bullet:
A boldface square or dot used before a sentence to emphasize its importance.

Burn:
A term used in plate making to describe the amount of plate exposure time.

C

Caliper:
The measurement of thickness of paper expressed in thousandths of an inch or mils.

Camera-ready Art:
Any artwork or electronic file that is ready to be submitted for prepress and printing.

CMYK:
Abbreviation for the four process color inks: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.

Coated (Paper):
Paper coated with clay, white pigments and a binder. Better for printing because there is less paper lint.

Coated Stock:
Any paper that has a mineral coating applied after the paper is made, giving the paper a smoother finish.

Collate:
To gather sheets or signatures together in their correct order.

Color Bars:
This term refers to a color test strip, which is printed on the waste portion of a press sheet. It is a standardized process that allows a
pressman to determine the quality of the printed materials relative to ink density, registration, and dot gain.

Color Correction:
The process of adjusting an image to correct for scanner color imbalances or for the characteristics of the chosen imagesetter.

Color Key:
A printer's proof usually used for viewing the individual layers of C, M, Y & K, four sheets of colored acetate, for examining the
quality of process color separations.

Continuous Tone:
Image made of non-discernable picture elements that give appearance of continuous spectrum of grey values or tones.

Commercial Register:
Color registration measured within plus or minus one row of dots.

Comp (comprehensive):
A complete but prospective example of a design project, demonstrating size, layout of images and type, use of color, and sometimes
paper.

CompuServe:
Commonly used to post photographic images to computer bulletin boards and the Internet, GIF files are almost never used for
professional printing.

Copy:
Refers to any typewritten material, art, photos etc. to be used for the printing process.

Cover:
A term describing a general type of papers used for the covers of books, pamphlets, etc.

Cropping:
The process of cutting away the outer edges of an image.

Cutter:
Machine for accurately cutting stacks of paper to desired dimensions, can also be used to crease.

Cutting Die:
Sharp edged device, usually made of steel, to cut paper, cardboard, etc., on a printing press.

Cyan:
A shade of blue used in the four-color process that reflects blue and green and absorbs red.

D

Deckle Edge:
The rough or feathered edge of paper when left untrimmed.

Delete:
An instruction given to remove an element from a layout.

Densitometer:
An optical device used by printers and photographers to measure and control the density of color.

Density:
The degree of tone, weight of darkness or color within a photo or reproduction, measurable by the densitometer.

Die-cutting:
Using a formed, metal-edged die to precision cut, or to cut shapes into a piece of paper. If a printing project requires a custom-made
die, the total cost of the job will increase.

Digital Photography:
The process of recording images using a digital camera or a conventional camera with a digital adapter; it records on a disk or on a
microchip which can then be downloaded directly to a computer in .tiff, .pict or .eps format.

Digital Printing:
A type of printing which uses digital imaging process that transfers the image directly onto plain paper immediately, without
traditional offset rollers and plates.

Digital Proof:
Color separation data is digitally stored and then exposed to color photographic paper creating a picture of the final product before it
is actually printed. Is less expensive than a color key or match print.

Dot:
The smallest individual element of a halftone.

Dot Gain:
The tendency for the dots of halftones and four-color images to print larger than they are on the film or plate.

Drier:
A term describing any additives to ink that encourages the drying process.

Drill:
The actual drilling of holes into paper for ring or comb binding.

DPI (Dots Per Inch):
The number of dots that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch measure. Generally, the more dots per inch, the more detail is
captured, and the sharper the resulting image.

Dull Finish:
Any matte finished paper.

Dummy:
A term used to describe the preliminary assemblage of copy and art elements to be reproduced in the desired finished product.

Duotone:
A two-color halftone created with two screens, two plates, and two colors. Duotones are made by printing an image with two colors,
generally black and a second color. The result is a striking image with more richness and depth than a one-color halftone.

E

Emboss:
A process by which a die is used for raising an area of paper to create letterforms, shapes and textures. The die can be made of magnesium, which is created from exposing light to the magnesium and leaving only the form of the artwork to be pressed into paper, or brass which is hand done, and more expensive but looks very good with beveled edges and fine detail.

Emulsion:
The chemically treated side of photographic film (the dull side, not the shiny side). Depending on the printing process involved, film will be requested usually as "right reading emulsion down."

Enamel:
A term that describes a glossy coating on paper.

Estimate:
The form used by the printer to calculate the project for the print buyer. This form contains the basic parameters of the project including size, quantity, colors, bleeds, photos etc.

EPS (Encapsulated Postscript File):
A vector - based computer graphics file format developed by Adobe Systems. EPS is the preferred format for many computer illustrations, because of its efficient use of memory and fine color control. The artwork description is "plotted" by the computer.

F

Fan Fold:
Paper folding that emulates an accordion or fan, the folds being alternating and parallel.

Felt Finish:
The smoother side of paper, usually a soft weave pattern used for book papers.

Foil:
A metallic or pigmented coating on plastic sheets or rolls used in foil stamping and foil embossing.

Foil Stamping:
To cover paper with a thin, flexible sheet of foil material. The foil, which may be clear or opaque, comes in a range of colors, and is
carried on a plastic sheet. Stamping separates the foil from the plastic and makes it adhere to the paper. Foil stamping can be
combined with embossing or debossing as an added design element.

Folder:
Machine used to fold signatures or single sheets down into sections.

Font:
The characters that make up a complete typeface and size.

Four Color Process:
Method of printing that uses process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) to simulate full-color images.

Ganging:
Getting the most out of a printing press by using the maximum sheet size to print multiple images or jobs on the same sheet. A way to save money.

Gather:
To assemble or collect sections into single copies of complete books for binding.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format):
These files use lossless compression and can have up to 256 colors. JPEG is considered best for photos or pixelized images / graphics and GIF for other graphic images. (JPEG and GIF are commonly used for images on the Internet.)

Grain:
Direction of fibers in a sheet of paper governing paper properties such as increased size changes with relative humidity, across the
grain, and better folding properties along the grain.

Gripper:
A series of metal fingers that hold each sheet of paper as it passes through the various stages of the printing process.

Gripper Edge:
The leading edge of paper that moves through a printing press or folding machine. No printing can take place on the outside 3/8" of
the paper on the gripper edge.

Grayscale:
The depiction of all values between black and white.

Gutter:
Space between pages on the printing frame of a book, or inside margin towards the back or binding edge. The blank space or margin
between the type page and the binding of a book.

H

Hairline Register:
Printing registration that lies within the range of plus or minus one half row of dots.

Halftone:
A printed picture that uses dots to simulate the tones between light and dark.

I

Image Area:
Portion of paper on which ink can appear.

Imagesetter:
High-resolution output device utilizing photographic laser processes to create precise imaging of text and graphics. Output media
may be paper, film or printing plate material.

Index Bristol:
A relatively thick paper stock; basis size 25 ½ x 30 ½.

Indicia:
Markings pre-printed on mailing envelopes to replace the stamp.

J

Job Number:
A number assigned to a printing project used for record keeping and job tracking. Also used to retrieve old jobs for reprints or
reworking by customer.

Jog:
To vibrate a stack of finished pages so that they are tightly aligned for final trimming.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group):
A file stored in JPEG format. JPEG,an ISO/ITU standard for storing images with high compression capability. JPEG is considered best
for photos or pixelized images / graphics and GIF for other graphic images. (JPEG and GIF are commonly used for images on the
Internet.) Also known as a JPG.

K

Kraft:
A coarse unbleached paper used for printing and industrial products.

L

Lacquer:
A clear gloss coating applied to printed material for strength, appearance and protection.

Linotronic Output:
A paper type imaging material used for camera-ready logos, halftones, and black and white ads, for example. Similar to a velox but
thinner material, a "lino" is created by printing an electronic file directly to the processor, which forgoes the film step needed to make
a velox.

LPI (Lines Per Inch):
The number of lines in an inch, as found on the screens that create halftones and four-color process images (for example, "printed 175- line screen"). The more lines per inch, the more detailed the printed image will be. With the demand for computer-generated imagery, the term "dots per inch" (which refers to the resolution of the output) is replacing the term "lines per inch."

M

Magnetic Black:
Black pigments containing black iron oxides, used for magnetic ink character recognition.

Margin:
Imprinted space around edge of paper.

Margin:
Imprinted space around edge of paper.

Match Print:
A color proofing system developed by 3M. High quality proofing system similar to a color key, but the four layers (CMYK) has been
laminated together.

Matte Finish:
A coated paper finish that goes through minimal calendaring.

N

No Terms for N.

O

Offset Printing:
Indirect printing method in which the inked image on the press-plate is first printed onto a rubber blanket, then in turn offsets the
inked impression on to the sheet of paper.

Offset Paper:
A term for uncoated book paper.

Opacity:
Quality of papers that defines its opaqueness or ability to prevent two-sided printing from showing through.

Overprinting:
Printing over already-printed pieces.

Over Run:
Surplus of copies printed. By printing trade customs can be + (-) 10% of the quantity ordered.

P

Paste-up:
Preparation of positive materials into a layout for photographing to film negatives.

PDF (Portable Document File):
A proprietary format developed by Adobe Systems for the transfer of designs across multiple computer platforms.

Perf Marks:
Markings usually dotted lines at edges showing where perforations should occur.

Perfecting:
Printing both sides of the paper on the same pass through the printing press.

Perforating:
Punching small holes or slits in a sheet of paper to facilitate tearing along a desired line.

Pixel (Picture element):
The smallest distinct unit of a bitmapped image. Pixels are the dots that make up a bitmapped picture. When the image is magnified
so that you can see the individual dots, it is said to be "pixelated."

Plastic Comb:
A method of binding books whereby holes are drilled on the side closest the spine, and a plastic grasping device is inserted to hold Z
the pages together.

PMS (Pantone Matching System):
The most widely used system for specifying and blending match colors. It provides designers with swatches for specific colors, and
gives printers the recipes for making those colors.

PMT:
Photomechanical transfer can be a type of proof.

PostScript:
A page description language supported by both hardware and software vendors; it represents the current "standard" in the market.

Press-Proof:
Actual press sheet to show image, tone values and colors. The most costly type of proof.

Press Sheet:
One sheet of paper, regardless of size, delivered from a printing press but not yet folded or trimmed.

Primary Colors:
In printing the four primary colors are cyan (blue), magenta (red) yellow and black.

Process Inks:
Printing inks, usually in sets of four colors. The most frequent combination is yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, which are printed;
one over another in that order, to obtain a colored print with the desired hues, whites, blacks, and grays.

Proof:
A reasonably accurate representation of how a printed job is intended to look.

Q

No Terms for Q.

R

Rag paper:
Papers with a complete or partial content of cotton fibers.

Raster:
Images made up of individual dots, each has a defined value precisely identified by its specific color, size, and place within the
image. Also known as bitmapped images.

Ream:
500 Sheets of paper.

Registration:
The process of alignment of the different elements in a printing job, such as the different colored inks on a print job, so they are
correctly printed next to each other or over each other (i.e., if the inks can be seen to overlap improperly or to leave white gaps on the page, the printing is said to be "out of registration" or "poorly registered").

Register Marks:
Cross-hair lines or marks on film, plates, and paper that guide strippers, plate-makers, pressmen, and bindery personnel in processing
a print order from start to finish.

Resolution:
The measurement used in typesetting to express quality of output. Measured in dots per inch, the greater the number of dots, the
smoother and cleaner appearance the character/image will have. Currently page (laser) printers print at 300, 406 and 600dpi;
typesetting machines print at 1200 dpi or more.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue):
The additive primary colors used to create images on a computer monitor.

Right Angle Fold:
A term that denotes folds that are 90 degrees to each other.

RIP (Raster Image Processor):
Part of an output device that rasterizes information so that it may be imaged onto film or paper.

S

Saddle Stitch:
A book binding process where pages are stapled together through the spine of the book. Traditionally performed on a V-shaped
saddle.

Safety Paper:
A paper that shows sign of erasure so that it cannot be altered or tampered with easily.

Satin Finish:
A smooth delicately embossed finished paper with sheen.

Scanner:
A device used to digitize images to be manipulated, output, or stored on a computer.

Screened Print:
A photo print made by using a halftone negative; also called a velox.

Screen Angles:
The placement of halftone screens to avoid unwanted moiré patterns.

Screen Frequency:
The number of lines or dots per inch in a halftone screen.

Score:
A crease put on paper to help it fold better.

Self-Cover:
A cover made out of the same paper stock as the internal sheets.

Self-Mailer:
A publication designed to be mailed without an envelope.

Sheet-fed Press:
A press that prints single sheets of paper, rather than a continuous roll or web of paper.

Signature:
Printed sheet that consists of a number of pages of a book, placed so that they will fold and bind together as a section of a book.

Spine:
Back edge of a book.

Spiral Bind:
A binding whereby a wire or plastic is spiraled through holes punched along the binding side.

Spot Color:
Single colors applied to printing when process color is not necessary (i.e. one-, two- and three-color printing), or when process colors
need to be augmented (i.e. a fluorescent green headline or a metallic tint).

Stock:
Paper or other material that will be printed.

Stet:
A proof mark meaning "let the original copy stand."

Stripping:
The preparation and assembling of film prior to plate-making.

T

Tag:
A dense, strong paper stock.

Text:
A high quality printing paper.

Thermography:
A printing process whereby slow drying ink is applied to paper and while the ink is still wet, it is lightly dusted with a resinous
powder. The paper then passes through a heat chamber where the powder melts and fuses with the ink to produce a raised surface.

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format):
A bitmapped file format used for the reproduction of digitally scanned images such as photographs, illustrations and logos.

Transparency:
A positive photographic slide on film allowing light to pass through.

Trapping:
A technique in which adjacent colors slightly overprint each other to avoid white gaps between the colors, should one or more of the
inks print out of register.

Trim Marks:
Marks placed on the sheet to indicate where to cut the page.

Trim Size:
The final size of one printed image after the last trim is made.

Trimming:
Cutting paper after printing to make all sheets the same or a specified size.

U

# - Up:
A term used to describe how many similar sheets can be produced on a larger sheet; two up, four up, etc.

V

Varnish:
A coating printed on top of a printed sheet to protect it, add a finish, and/or add a tinge of color. An entire sheet may be varnished, or
certain areas, like halftones, may be spot varnished to highlight a specific part of the printed sheet.

Vector:
Images formed by formulae that define the shape and color of their elements. Also known as object-oriented images.

Vellum:
A finish of paper that is rough, bulky and has a degree of tooth.

Velox:
A paper type imaging material used for camera-ready logos, halftones, and black and white ads, for example. A velox image is
created by exposing the paper to light through a previously processed film negative of the same image, creating a positive image
from the film.

W

Wash-up:
The procedure of cleaning a particular ink from all of the printing elements (rollers, plate, ink fountain etc.) of a press.

Watermark:
A translucent logo that is embossed during the papermaking process.

Work and Tumble:
Printing one side of a sheet and turning it over from the gripper to the tail to print the second side using the same side guide and plate for the second side.

Work and Turn:
Printing one side of a sheet and turning it over from left to right using the same side guides and plate for the second side.

Wove:
A smooth paper made on finely textured wire that gives the paper a gentle patterned finish.

X

Xerographic Paper:
Papers made to reproduce well in copy machines and laser printers.

Y

No Terms for Y.

Z

No Terms for Z.