Glossary
| 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 |
| Acetate |
A transparent sheet placed over originals or artwork, allowing
the designer to write instructions and/or indicate a second
colour for placement. |
| Acid-free Paper |
Paper made 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. |
| Acid Resist |
An acid-proof protective coating applied to metal plates prior
to etching. |
| Additive Colour |
Colour produced by light falling onto a surface, as compared
to subtractive Colour. The additive primary Colours are red,
green and blue. |
| A4 Paper |
ISO paper size 210 x 297mm used for Letterhead. |
| 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. See also Grain Direction. |
| Airbrush |
Pen-shaped tool that sprays a fine mist of ink or paint to
retouch photos and create continuous-tone illustrations. |
| 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. Also called
AA, author alteration and customer alteration. |
| 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. |
| 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 that the client requests to
be made concerning original art provided. AA's are considered
an additional cost to the client usually |
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| B |
| 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. |
| Basic Size |
The standard size of sheets of paper used to calculate basis
weight in the United States and Canada. |
| Basis Weight
|
In the United States and Canada, the weight, in pounds, of
a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to the basic size. Also called
ream weight and substance weight (sub weight). In countries
using ISO paper sizes, the weight, in grams, of one square
meter of paper. Also called grammage and ream weight. |
| Bindery
|
The process for collating, folding and trimming various printing
projects. |
| 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. |
| Bleed |
Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after
trimming. |
| Blind Image
|
Image debossed, embossed or stamped, but not printed with
ink or foil. |
| Blow-Up |
An enlargement, usually used with graphic images or photographs
|
| Blueline
|
Prepress photographic proof made from stripped negatives where
all Colours show as blue images on white paper. Because 'blueline'
is a generic term for proofs made from a variety of materials
having identical purposes and similar appearances, it may
also be called a blackprint, blue, blueprint, brownline, brownprint,
diazo, dyeline, ozalid, position proof, silverprint, Dylux
and VanDyke. |
| 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. |
| Body |
The main text of work not including the headlines. |
| Bond paper
|
Category of paper commonly used for writing, printing and
photocopying. Also called business paper, communication paper,
correspondence paper and writing paper. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Broadside
|
The term used to indicate work printed on one of a large sheet
of paper. |
| Broken
Carton |
Carton of paper from which some of the sheets have been sold.
Also called less carton. |
| Bronzing
|
The effect produced by dusting wet ink after printing and
using a metallic powder. |
| Bulk |
Thickness of paper relative to its basic weight. |
| Bullet
|
A dot or similar marking to emphasize text. |
| 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. |
| Butt Register
|
Register where ink Colours meet precisely without overlapping
or allowing space between, as compared to lap register. Also
called butt fit and kiss register. |
| Buy Out
|
To subcontract for a service that is closely related to the
business of the organization. Also called farm out. Work that
is bought out or farmed out is sometimes called outwork or
referred to as being out of house. |
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| C |
| C1S and
C2S |
Abbreviations for coated one side and coated two sides. |
| 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. |
| Camera-ready
Artwork |
Mechanicals, photographs and art fully prepared for reproduction
according to the technical requirements of the printing process
being used. Also called finished art or reproduction copy. |
| 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. |
| Carbonless
Paper |
Paper coated with chemicals that enable transfer of images
from one sheet to another with pressure from writing or typing. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Choke |
Technique of slightly reducing the size of an image to create
a hairline trap or to outline. Also called shrink and skinny. |
| Chrome |
Strength of a Colour as compared to how close it seems to
neutral gray. Also called depth, intensity, purity and saturation. |
| CMYK |
Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the
four process Colours. |
| 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. |
| Collate |
To organize printed matter in a specific order as requested. |
| Collating
Marks |
Mostly in the book arena, specific marks on the back of signatures
indicating exact position in the collating stage. |
| Colour
Balance |
Refers to amounts of process Colours that simulate the Colours
of the original scene or photograph. |
| Colour
Blanks |
Press sheets printed with photos or illustrations, but without
type. Also called shells. |
| Colour
Break |
In multiColour printing, the point, line or space at which
one ink Colour stops and another begins. Also called break
for Colour. |
| Colour
Control Bar |
Strip of small blocks of Colour on a proof or press sheet
to help evaluate features such as density and dot gain. Also
called Colour bar, Colour guide and standard offset Colour
bar. |
| Colour
Correct |
To adjust the relationship among the process Colours to achieve
desirable Colours. |
| Colour
Curves |
Instructions in computer software that allow users to change
or correct Colours. Also called HLS and HVS tables. |
| Colour
Electronic Prepress System |
Computer, scanner, printer and other hardware and software
designed for image assembly, Colour correction, retouching
and output onto proofing materials, film or printing plates.
Abbreviated CEPS. |
| Colour
Gamut |
The entire range of hues possible to reproduce using a specific
device, such as a computer screen, or system, such as four-Colour
process printing. |
| Colour
Key |
Brand name for an overlay Colour proof. Sometimes used as
a generic term for any overlay Colour proof. |
| Colour
Management |
A process involving hardware and software products that ensure
accurate colour reproduction across all devices in a print
workflow. |
| Colour
Model |
Way of categorizing and describing the infinite array of Colours
found in nature. |
| Colour
Separation |
(1) Technique of using a camera, scanner or computer to divide
continuous-tone Colour images into four halftone negatives.
(2) The product resulting from Colour separating and subsequent
four-Colour process printing. Also called separation. |
| Colour
Sequence |
Order in which inks are printed. Also called laydown sequence
and rotation. |
| Colour
Shift |
Change in image Colour resulting from changes in register,
ink densities or dot gain during four-Colour process printing. |
| Colour
Transparency |
Film (transparent) used as art to perform Colour separations. |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| 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 Colour 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 Colours. Also called Colour comprehensive and comp. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Continuous-tone |
All photographs and those illustrations having a range of
shades not made up of dots, as compared to line copy or halftones.
Abbreviated contone. |
| Contrast |
The degree of tones in an image ranging from highlight to
shadow. |
| Converter |
Business that makes products such as boxes, bags, envelopes
and displays. |
| Copyboard |
Surface or frame on a process camera that holds copy in position
to be photographed. |
| 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. |
| Coverage |
Extent to which ink covers the surface of a substrate. Ink
coverage is usually expressed as light, medium or heavy. |
| Cover Paper |
Category of thick paper used for products such as posters,
menus, folders and covers of paperback books. |
| Crash |
Coarse cloth embedded in the glue along the spine of a book
to increase strength of binding. Also called gauze, mull and
scrim. |
| Creep |
Phenomenon of middle pages of a folded signature extending
slightly beyond outside pages. Also called feathering, outpush,
push out and thrust. See also Shingling. |
| Crop Marks |
Lines near the edges of an image indicating portions to be
reproduced. Also called cut marks and tic 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. |
| Cure |
To dry inks, varnishes or other coatings after printing to
ensure good adhesion and prevent setoff. |
| Cutter |
A machine that cuts stacks of paper to desired sizes. The
machine can also be used in scoring or creasing. |
| Cutting
Die |
Usually a custom ordered item to trim specific and unusual
sized printing projects. |
| CWT |
Abbreviation for hundredweight using the Roman numeral C=100. |
| Cyan |
One of the four process Colours. Also known as process blue. |
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| D |
| 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. |
| Deboss |
To press an image into paper so it lies below the surface.
Also called tool. |
| Densitometer |
Instrument used to measure density. Reflection densitometers
measure light reflected from paper and other surfaces; transmission
densitometers measure light transmitted through film and other
materials. |
| Density |
(1) Regarding ink, the relative thickness of a layer of printed
ink. (2) Regarding Colour, the relative ability of a Colour
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. |
| 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. |
| Device
Independent Colours |
Hules identified by wavelength or by their place in systems
such as developed by CIE. 'Device independent' means a Colour
can be described and specified without regard to whether it
is reproduced using ink, projected light, photographic chemistry
or any other method. |
| Die |
Device for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing and debossing. |
| Die Cut |
To cut irregular shapes in paper or paperboard using a die. |
| Direct
Digital Colour Proof |
Colour proof made by a laser, ink jet printer or other computer-controlled
device without needing to make separation films first. Abbreviated
DDCP. |
| 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 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 |
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
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
Dot Halftone |
Halftone double burned onto one plate from two halftones,
one shot for shadows, the second shot for midtones and highlights. |
| 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. |
| 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 pulldown. |
| Drill |
To drill a hole in a printed matter. |
| 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 Trap |
To print over dry ink, as compared to wet trap. |
| 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. |
| Dummy |
Simulation of the final product. Also called mockup. |
| Duotone |
Black-and-white photograph reproduced using two halftone negatives,
each shot to emphasize different tonal values in the original. |
| Duplicator |
Offset press made for quick printing. |
| Dylux |
Brand name for photographic paper used to make blue line proofs.
Often used as alternate term for blueline. |
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| E |
| Electronic
Image Assembly |
Assembly of a composite image from portions of other images
and/or other page elements using a computer. |
| 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. |
| Emboss |
To press an image into paper so it lies above the surface.
Also called cameo and tool. |
| 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. |
| Encapsulated
PostScript File |
Computer file containing both images and PostScript commands.
Abbreviated EPS file. |
| End Sheet |
Sheet that attaches the inside pages of a case bound book
to its cover. Also called pastedown or end papers. |
| Engraving |
Printing method using a plate, also called a die, with an
image cut into its surface. |
| 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 |
The individual performing or creating the "estimate." |
| Etch |
To use chemicals to carve an image into metal, glass or
film. |
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| F |
| 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. |
| Fast Colour
Inks |
Inks with Colours that retain their density and resist fading
as the product is used and washed. |
| Feeding
Unit |
Component of a printing press that moves paper into the register
unit. |
| Felt Finish |
Soft woven pattern in text paper. |
| Felt Side |
Side of the paper that was not in contact with the Fourdrinier
wire during papermaking, as compared to wire side. |
| 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 bonded to a printed product for protection
or increased gloss. |
| Fine Screen |
Screen with ruling of 150 lines per inch (80 lines per centimeter)
or more. |
| Finish |
(1) Surface characteristics of paper. (2) General term for
trimming, folding, binding and all other post press operations. |
| Finished
Size |
Size of product after production is completed, as compared
to flat size. Also called trimmed size. |
| 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. |
| Flat Plan
(Flats) |
Diagram of the flats for a publication showing imposition
and indicating Colours. |
| Flat Size |
Size of product after printing and trimming, but before folding,
as compared to finished size. |
| 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 print a sheet completely with an ink or varnish. flooding
with ink is also called painting the sheet. |
| Flush Cover |
Cover trimmed to the same size as inside pages, as compared
to overhang cover. Also called cut flush |
| Foil Emboss |
To foil stamp and emboss an image. Also called heat stamp. |
| 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. |
| Folder |
A bindery machine dedicated to folding printed materials. |
| Fold Marks |
With printed matter, markings indicating where a fold is to
occur, usually located at the top edges. |
| Foldout |
Gatefold sheet bound into a publication, often used for a
map or chart. Also called gatefold and pullout. |
| Form |
Each side of a signature. Also spelled forme. |
| Format |
Size, style, shape, layout or organization of a layout or
printed product. |
| Form Roller(s) |
Roller(s) that come in contact with the printing plate, bringing
it ink or water. |
| 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. |
| Fountain |
Trough or container, on a printing press, that holds fluids
such as ink, varnish or water. Also called duct. |
| Fountain
Solution |
Mixture of water and chemicals that dampens a printing plate
to prevent ink from adhering to the nonimage area. Also called
dampener solution. |
| Four-Colour
Process Printing |
Technique of printing that uses black, magenta, cyan and yellow
to simulate full-Colour images. Also called Colour process
printing, full Colour printing and process printing. |
| French
Fold |
A printed sheet, printed one side only, folded with two right
angle folds to form a four page uncut section. |
| Full-range
Halftone |
Halftone ranging from 0 percent coverage in its highlights
to 100 percent coverage in its shadows. |
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| G |
| Gang |
(1) To halftone or separate more than one image in only one
exposure. (2) To reproduce two or more different printed products
simultaneously on one sheet of paper during one press run.
Also called combination run. |
| Gate Fold |
A sheet that folds where both sides fold toward the gutter
in overlapping layers. |
| Gathered |
Signatures assembled next to each other in the proper sequence
for binding, as compared to nested. Also called stacked. |
| Ghost Halftone |
Normal halftone whose density has been reduced to produce
a very faint image. |
| Ghosting |
(1) Phenomenon of a faint image appearing on a printed sheet
where it was not intended to appear. Chemical ghosting refers
to the transfer of the faint image from the front of one sheet
to the back of another sheet. Mechanical ghosting refers to
the faint image appearing as a repeat of an image on the same
side of the sheet. (2) Phenomenon of printed image appearing
too light because of ink starvation. |
| Gilding |
Gold leafing the edges of a book. |
| Gloss |
Consider the light reflecting on various objects in the printing
industry (e.g., paper, ink, laminates, UV coating, varnish). |
| Gloss Ink |
Ink used and printed on coated stock (mostly litho and letterpress)
such as the ink will dry without penetration. |
| Grade |
General term used to distinguish between or among printing
papers, but whose specific meaning depends on context. Grade
can refer to the category, class, rating, finish or brand
of paper. |
| 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. |
| 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
Design |
Arrangement of type and visual elements along with specifications
for paper, ink Colours and printing processes that, when combined,
convey a visual message. |
| 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 Colour separating, with black ink.
Abbreviated GCR. |
| 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 Edge |
Alternate term for binding edge when referring to perfect
bound products. |
| Grindoff |
Approximately 1/8 inch (3 mm) along the spine that is ground
off gathered signatures before perfect binding. |
| Gripper
Edge |
Edge of a sheet held by grippers on a sheetfed press, thus
going first through the press. Also called feeding edge and
leading edge. |
| GSM |
The unit of measurement for paper weight (grams per square
meter). |
| Gutter |
In the book arena, the inside margins toward the back or the
binding edges. |
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| H |
| 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. |
| 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
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. |
| Hard Mechanical |
Mechanical consisting of paper and/or acetate and made using
paste-up techniques, as compared to electronic mechanical. |
| Head-to-tail |
Imposition with heads (tops) of pages facing tails (bottoms)
of other pages. |
| Heat-set
Web |
Web press equipped with an oven to dry ink, thus able to print
coated paper. |
| Hickey |
Spot or imperfection in printing, most visible in areas of
heavy ink coverage, caused by dirt on the plate or blanket.
Also called bulls eye and fish eye. |
| High-fidelity
Colour |
Colour reproduced using six, eight or twelve separations,
as compared to four-Colour process. |
| Highlights |
Lightest portions of a photograph or halftone, as compared
to midtones and shadows. |
| 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. |
| House Sheet |
Paper kept in stock by a printer and suitable for a variety
of printing jobs. Also called floor sheet. |
| Hue |
A specific Colour such as yellow or green. |
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| I |
| Image
Area |
The actual area on the printed matter that is not restricted
to ink coverage. |
| Imagesetter |
Laser output device using photosensitive paper or film. |
| Imposition |
Arrangement of pages on mechanicals or flats so they will
appear in proper sequence after press sheets are folded and
bound. |
| Impression |
(1) Referring to an ink Colour, one impression equals one
press sheet passing once through a printing unit. (2) Referring
to speed of a press, one impression equals one press sheet
passing once through the press. |
| Impression
Cylinder |
Cylinder, on a press, that pushes paper against the plate
or blanket, thus forming the image. Also called impression
roller. |
| Imprint |
To print new copy on a previously printed sheet, such as
imprinting an employee's name on business cards. Also called
surprint. |
| 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 |
Characteristic of paper that prevents it from absorbing
ink, thus allowing ink to dry on the surface of the paper.
Also called holdout. |
| Ink Jet
Printing |
Method of printing by spraying droplets of ink through computer-controlled
nozzles. Also called jet printing. |
| Inner
Form |
Form (side of the press sheet) whose images all appear inside
the folded signature, as compared to outer form. |
| Inserts |
Within a publication, an additional item positioned into
the publication loose (not bound in). |
| Integral
Proof |
Colour proof of separations shown on one piece of proofing
paper, as compared to an overlay proof. Also called composition
proof, laminate proof, plastic proof and single-sheet proof. |
| Interleaves |
Printed pages loosely inserted in a publication. |
| 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. |
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| J |
| 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 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. |
| Jogger |
A vibration machine with a slopping platform to even-up
stacks of printed materials. |
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| K |
| K |
Abbreviation for black in four-Colour process printing.
Hence the 'K' in CMYK. |
| 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 Colour black,
as in 'key plate.' |
| Keylines |
Lines on a mechanical or negative showing the exact size,
shape and location of photographs or other graphic elements.
Also called holding lines. |
| Kiss
Die Cut |
To die 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. |
| Kraft
Paper |
Strong paper used for wrapping and to make grocery bags
and large envelopes. |
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| L |
| 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. |
| 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
Colour, providing a glossy (or lens) effect. |
| Landscape |
Artist style in which width is greater than height. (Portrait
is opposite.) |
| Laser Bond |
Bond paper made especially smooth and dry to run well through
laser printers. |
| 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. |
| Layout |
A sample of the original providing (showing) position of printed
work (direction, instructions) needed and desired. |
| Leading |
Amount of space between lines of type. |
| Leaf |
One sheet of paper in a publication. Each side of a leaf is
one page. |
| Ledger
Paper |
Strong, smooth bond paper used for keeping business records.
Also called record paper. |
| 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. |
| Legend |
Directions about a specific matter (illustrations) and how
to use. In regard to maps and tables, an explanation of signs
(symbols) used. |
| 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. |
| Lightweight
Paper |
Book paper with basis weight less than 40# (60 gsm). |
| Linen Finish |
Embossed finish on text paper that simulates the pattern of
linen cloth. |
| 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. |
| Logo (Logotype) |
A company, partnership or corporate creation (design) that
denotes a unique entity. A possible combination of letters
and art work to create a "sole" entity symbol of
that specific unit. |
| Looseleaf |
Binding method allowing insertion and removal of pages in
a publication (e.g., trim-4-drill-3). |
| Loupe |
Lens built into a small stand. Used to inspect copy, film,
proofs, plates and printing. Also called glass and linen tester. |
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| M |
| Machine
Glazed (MG) |
Paper holding a high-gloss finish only on one side. |
| Magenta |
One of the four process Colours. |
| Makeready |
(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
makeready process at any stage in production. Makeready paper
is part of waste or spoilage. |
| 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. |
| Manuscript
(MS) |
An author's original form of work (hand written, typed or
on disk) submitted for publication. |
| Margin |
Imprinted space around the edge of the printed material. |
| 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. |
| Master |
Paper or plastic plate used on a duplicating press. |
| Match Print |
A form of a four-Colour-process proofing system. |
| Matte Finish |
Flat (not glossy) finish on photographic paper or coated printing
paper. |
| 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 artboard, 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
Bind |
To bind using a comb, coil, ring binder, post or any other
technique not requiring gluing, sewing or stitching. |
| Metallic
Ink |
Ink containing powdered metal or pigments that simulate metal. |
| Metallic
Paper |
Paper coated with a thin film of plastic or pigment whose
Colour and gloss simulate metal. |
| Midtones |
In a photograph or illustration, tones created by dots between
30 percent and 70 percent of coverage, as compared to highlights
and shadows. |
| Mil 1/1000
Inch |
The thickness of plastic films as printing substrates are
expressed in mils. |
| Misting |
Phenomenon of droplets of ink being thrown off the roller
train. Also called flying ink. |
| Mock Up |
A reproduction of the original printed matter and possibly
containing instructions or direction. |
| Moire |
Undesirable pattern resulting when halftones and screen tints
are made with improperly aligned screens, or when a pattern
in a photo, such as a plaid, interfaces with a halftone dot
pattern. |
| Monarch |
Paper size (7' x 10') and envelope shape often used for personal
stationery. |
| Mull |
A specific type of glue used for books binding and personal
pads needing strength. |
| MultiColour
Printing |
Printing in more than one ink Colour (but not four-Colour
process). Also called polychrome printing. |
| M Weight |
Weight of 1,000 sheets of paper in any specific size. |
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| N |
| Natural
Colour |
Very light brown Colour of paper. May also be called antique,
cream, ivory, off-white or mellow white. |
| 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. |
| News
Print |
Paper used in printing newspapers. Considered low quality
and "a short life use." |
| Nipping |
In the book binding process, a stage where air is expelled
from it's contents at the sewing stage. |
| Nonheatset
Web |
Web press without a drying oven, thus not able to print
on coated paper. Also called cold-set web and open web. |
| Nonimpact
Printing |
Printing using lasers, ions, ink jets or heat to transfer
images to paper. |
| Novelty
Printing |
Printing on products such as coasters, pencils, balloons,
golf balls and ashtrays, known as advertising specialties
or premiums. |
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| O |
| Offset
Printing |
Printing technique that transfers ink from a plate to a blanket
to paper instead of directly from plate to paper. |
| 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. |
| Onion Skin |
A specific lightweight type (kind) of paper usually used in
the past for air mail. Seldom used today (in the typewriter
era). |
| Opaque |
(1) Not transparent. (2) To cover flaws in negative with tape
or opaquing paint. Also called block out and spot. |
| 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. |
| Overlay |
Layer of material taped to a mechanical, photo or proof. Acetate
overlays are used to separate Colours 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 |
Colour 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
Colour. 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. |
| Over Run |
Additional printed matter beyond order. Overage policy varies
in the printing industry. Advance questions avoid blind knowledge. |
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