Printing terms

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A
Acetate
A transparent sheet placed over originals or
artwork, allowing the designer to write
instructions
and\or indicate a second color for placement.
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.
Acid Resist
An acid-proof protective coating applied to
metal plates prior to etching.
Additive Color
Color produced by light falling onto a surface,
as compared to subtractive color. The additive
primary colors 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.
Base Art
Copy pasted up on the mounting board of a
mechanical, as compared to overlay art.
Also called base mechanical.
Base Negative
Negative made by photographing base art.
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.
Bind
Usually in the book arena, but not exclusively,
the joining of leafs or signatures together
with either wire, glue or other means.
Bindery
Usually a department within a printing company
responsible for collating, folding and
trimming various printing projects.
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.
Bleed
Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or
page after trimming.
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.
Blocking
Sticking together of printed sheets causing damage
when the surfaces are separated.
Blow-Up
An enlargement, usually used with raphic images
or photographs
Blueline
Prepress photographic proof made from stripped
negatives where all colors 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.
Blurb
A description or commentary of an author or book
content positioned on the book jacket.
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.
Boiler Plate
Blocks of repetitive type used and copied over and
over again.
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.
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.
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.
Bromide
A photographic print created on bromide 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.
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.
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 colors 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.
Calender
To make the surface of paper smooth by pressing
it between rollers during manufacturing.
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 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.
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.
Carload
Selling unit of paper that may weigh anywhere
from 20,000 to 100,000 pounds
(9,090 to 45, 454 kilos), depending on which mill or
merchant uses the term. Abbreviated CL.
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.
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.
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.
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 color as compared to how close it
seems to neutral gray.
Also called depth, intensity, purity and saturation.
Close Up
A mark used to indicate closing space between
characters or words.
Usually used in proofing stages.
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.
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 c
ollating stage.
Color Balance
Refers to amounts of process colors that simulate the
colors of the original scene or photograph.
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 Curves
Instructions in computer software that allow
users to change or correct colors. Also called
HLS and HVS tables.
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 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 Model
Way of categorizing and describing the infinite
array of colors found in nature.
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 Transparency
Film (transparent) used as art to perform
color 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 bookto 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.
Customer Service Representative
Employee of a printer, service bureau, separator
or other business who coordinates projects and
keeps customers informed. Abbreviated CSR.
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.
Cut Sizes
Paper sizes used with office machines and
small presses.
Cutting Machine
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 colors.
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.
Deckle Edge
Edge of paper left ragged as it comes from the
papermaking machine instead of being cleanly
cut. Also called feather edge.
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 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.
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 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.
Die
Device for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing
and debossing.
Die Cut
To cut irregular shapes in paper or paperboard
using a die.
Digital Proofing
Page proofs produced through electronic
memory transferred onto paper via laser or ink-jet.
Diffusion Transfer
Chemical process of reproducing line copy
and making halftone positives ready for paste-up.
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.
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.
Dog Ear
A letter fold at the side of one of the creases,
an indentation occurs.
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 Black Duotone
Duotone printed from two halftones, one shot for
highlights and the other shot for midtones and
shadows.
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.
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
In the printing arena, to drill a whole in a printed matter.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
English Finish
Smooth finish on uncoated book paper;
smoother than eggshell, rougher than smooth.
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.
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.
Fast Color Inks
Inks with colors 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.
Fifth Color
Ink color used in addition to the four needed
by four-color process.
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 Papers
Papers made specifically for writing or
commercial printing, as compared to coarse
papers and industrial papers. Also called c
ultural papers and graphic papers.
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.
Fixed Costs
Costs that remain the same regardless of how
many pieces are printed. Copyrighting,
photography and design are fixed costs.
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 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.
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
Flyleaf
Leaf, at the front and back of a casebound book
that is the one side of the end paper not glued
to the case.
Fogging Back
Used in making type more legible by lowering
density of an image, while allowing the image
to show through.
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.
Folio (page number)
The actual page number in a publication.
Form
Each side of a signature. Also spelled forme.
Format
Size, style, shape, layout or organization
of a layout or printed product.
Form bond
Lightweight bond, easy to perforate,
made for business forms.
Also called register bond.
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.
Forwarding
In the case book arena, the binding process which
involves folding, rounding, backing, headbanding
and reinforcing.
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-color Process Printing
Technique of printing that uses black, magenta,
cyan and yellow to simulate full-color images.
Also called color process printing, full color
printing and process printing.
Free Sheet
Paper made from cooked wood fibers mixed with
chemicals and washed free of impurities,
as compared to groundwood paper.
Also called woodfree paper.
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.
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.

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G
Galley Proof
Proof of type from any Source, whether metal
type or photo type. Also called checker
and slip proof.
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
Mostly in the book arena, 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.
Graduated Screen Tint
Screen tint that changes densities gradually
and smoothly, not in distinct steps.
Also called degrade, gradient,
ramped screen and vignette.
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 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 Design
Arrangement of type and visual elements along
with specifications for paper, ink colors 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 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 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.
Groundwood Paper
Newsprint and other inexpensive paper made from
pulp created when wood chips are ground
mechanically rather than refined chemically.
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.
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 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 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.
Head(er)
At the top of a page, the margin.
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 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.
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.
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.
House Sheet
Paper kept in stock by a printer and suitable for a
variety of printing jobs. Also called floor sheet.
Hue
A specific color 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 color, 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.
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.
Inserts
Within a publication, an additional item positioned into
the publication loose (not bound in).
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 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-color 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 color 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.
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.
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 color, providing
a glossy (or lens) effect.
Landscape
Artist style in which width is greater than height.
(Portrait is opposite.)
Lap Register
Register where ink colors overlap slightly,
as compared to butt register.
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 Flat Bind
Method of perfect binding that allows a publication
to lie fully open. (Also known as Lay Flat Perfect Binding.)
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).
Lignin
Substance in trees that holds cellulose fibers together.
Free sheet has most lignin removed;
groundwood paper contains lignin.
Line Copy
Any high-contrast image, including type,
as compared to continuous-tone copy.
Also called line art and line work.
Line Negative
Negative made from line copy.
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).
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.
Loupe
Lens built into a small stand. Used to inspect copy,
film, proofs, plates and printing.
Also called glass and linen tester.
Low Key Photo
Photo whose most important details
appear in the shadows.

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M
Machine Glazed (MG)
Paper holding a high-gloss finish only on one side.
Magenta
One of the four process colors.
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-color-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.
Mechanical Separation
Color breaks made on the mechanical using a
separate overlay for each color to be printed.
Mechanical Tint
Lines or patterns formed with dots creating
artwork for reproduction.
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.
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.
Modem
Mostly used over phone lines, a device that
converts electronic stored information from
point a. to point b.
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.
Mottle
Spotty, uneven ink absorption. Also called sinkage.
A mottled image may be called mealy.
Mull
A specific type of glue used for books binding and
personal pads needing strength.
Multicolor Printing
Printing in more than one ink color
(but not four-color process).
Also called polychrome printing.
M Weight
Weight of 1,000 sheets of paper in any specific size.

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N
Natural Color
Very light brown color 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."
Newton Ring
Flaw in a photograph or halftone that looks
like a drop of oil or water.
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.
Nonreproducing 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 nonrepro blue.
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.
Open Prepress Interface
Hardware and software that link desktop publishing
systems with color electronic prepress systems.
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.
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.
Over Run
Additional printed matter beyond order. Overage policy
varies in the printing industry. Advance questions
avoid blind knowledge.

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P
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.
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.
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.
Paper Plate
A printing plate made of strong and durable paper in
the short run offset arena (cost effective with short runs).
Parallel Fold
Method of folding. Two parallel folds to a sheet will
produce 6 panels.
Parent Sheet
Any sheet larger than 11' x 17' or A3.
Pasteboard
Chipboard with another paper pasted to it.
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.
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.
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.
Perfecting Press
Press capable of printing both sides of the paper
during a single pass.
Also called duplex press and perfector.
Perf Marks
On a "dummy" marking where the
perforation is to occur.
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).
Pica
A unit of measure in the printing industry.
A pica is approximately 0.166 in.
There are 12 points to a pica.
Photoengraving
Engraving done using photochemistry.
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
photostat. Abbreviated PMT.
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.
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.
Pinholing
Small holes (unwanted) in printed areas because
of a variety of reasons.
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.
Pixel
Short for picture element, a dot made by a computer,
scanner or other digital device. Also called pel.
Planographic Printing
Printing method whose image carriers are
evel surfaces with inked areas separated from
noninked areas by chemical means.
Planographic printing includes lithography,
offset lithography and spirit duplicating.
Plate
Piece of paper, metal, plastic or rubber carrying
an image to be reproduced using a printing press.
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.
Plate-ready Film
Stripped negatives or positives fully prepared
for platemaking.
Pleasing Color
Color that the customer considers satisfactory
even though it may not precisely match
original samples, scenes or objects.
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.
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).
Portrait
An art design in which the height is greater than
the width. (Opposite of Landscape.)
Position Stat
Photocopy or PMT of a photo or illustration
made to size and affixed to a mechanical.
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.
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.
Press Check
Event at which makeready sheets from the press
are examined before authorizing full production
to begin.
Press Proof
Proof made on press using the plates,
ink and paper specified for the job.
Also called strike off and trial proof.
Press Time
(1) Amount of time that one printing job
spends on press, including time required
for makeready. (2) Time of day at which a
printing job goes on press.
Price Break
Quantity at which unit cost of paper or
printing drops.
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.
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 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 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.
Production Run
Press run intended to manufacture products as
specified, as compared to makeready.
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.
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.
Publishing Paper
Paper made in weights, colors and surfaces
suited to books, magazines, catalogs
and free-standing inserts.

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Q
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.
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 sheetfed presses,
called duplicators, using cut sizes of bond
and offset paper.
Quotation
Price offered by a printer to produce a specific job.

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R
Rag Paper
Stationery or other forms of stock having
a strong percentage content of "cotton rags."
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.
Raster Image Processor
Device that translates page description commands
into bitmapped information for an output device
such as a laser printer or imagesetter.
Reader Spread
Mechanicals made in two page spreads as readers
would see the pages, as compared to printer spread.
Ream
500 sheets of paper.
Recycled Paper
New paper made entirely or in part from old paper.
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 crossmarks and position marks.
Relief Printing
Printing method whose image carriers are
surfaces with two levels having inked areas higher
than noninked 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.
Reprographics
General term for xerography, diazo and other
methods of copying used by designers,
engineers, architects or for general office use.
Resolution
Sharpness of an image on film, paper,
computer screen, disc, tape or other medium.
Resolution Target
An image, such as the GATF Star Target,
that permits evaluation of resolution on film,
proofs or plates.
Reverse
Type, graphic or illustration reproduced
by printing ink around its outline, thus allowing
the underlying color or paper to show through
and form the image. The image 'reverses out'
of the ink color. Also called knockout and liftout.
RGB
Abbreviation for red, green, blue, the additive
color primaries.
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.
Rotary Press
Printing press which passes the substrate
between two rotating cylinders when making
an impression.
Round Back Bind
To casebind with a rounded (convex) spine,
as compared to flat back bind.
Ruby Window
Mask on a mechanical, made with rubylith,
that creates a window on film shot from
the mechanical.
Rule
Line used as a graphic element to
separate or organize copy.
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.

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S
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.
Satin Finish
Alternate term for dull finish on coated paper.
Scale
To identify the percent by which photographs
or art should be enlarged or reduced to achieve,
the correct size for printing.
Scanner
Electronic device used to scan an image.
Score
To compress paper along a straight line so
it folds more easily and accurately.
Also called crease.
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 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.
Selective Binding
Placing signatures or inserts in magazines or
catalogs according to demographic
or geographic guidelines.
Self Cover
Usually in the book arena, a publication
not having a cover stock. A publication
only using text stock throughout.
Self Mailer
A printed item independent of an envelope.
A printed item capable of travel in the
mailing arena independently.
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.
Separations
Usually in the four-color process arena,
separate film holding qimages of one specific
color per piece of film. Black, Cyan, Magenta
and Yellow. Can also separate specific PMS
colors through film.
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.
Service Bureau
Business using imagesetters to make high resolution
printouts of files prepared on microcomputers.
Also called output house and prep service.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Side stitch
To bind by stapling through sheets along, one edge,
as compared to saddle stitch.
Also called cleat stitch and side wire.
Signature
Printed sheet folded at least once, possibly
many times, to become part of a book,
magazine or other publication.
Size
Compound mixed with paper or fabric to
make it stiffer and less able to absorb moisture.
Slip Sheets
Separate sheets (stock) independent from
the original run positioned between
the "printed run" for a variety of reasons.
Soft Dots
Halftones dots with halos.
Solid
Any area of the sheet receiving
100 percent ink coverage,
as compared to a screen tint.
Soy-based Inks
Inks using vegetable oils instead of petroleum
products as pigment vehicles,
thus are easier on the environment.
Specially Printer
Printer whose equipment, supplies,
work flow and marketing is targeted
to a particular category of products.
Specifications
Complete and precise written description of
features of a printing job such as type size
and leading, paper grade and quantity,
printing or binding method. Abbreviated specs.
Spectrophotometer
Instrument used to measure the
index of refraction of color.
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.
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
to the customer, as compared to waste.
Spot Color or Varnish
One ink or varnish applied to portions of a sheet,
as compared to flood or painted sheet.
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.
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.
Statistical Process Control
Method used by printers to ensure quality and
delivery times specified by customers.
Abbreviated SPC.
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.
Stocking Paper
Popular sizes, weights and colors of papers available
for prompt delivery from a merchant's warehouse.
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.
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.
Substance Weight
Alternate term for basis weight, usually referring
to bond papers. Also called sub weight.
Stumping (Blocking)
In the book arena, hot die, foil or other means in
creating an image on a case bound book.
Substrate
Any surface or material on which printing is done.
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.
Supercalendered Paper
Paper calendered using alternating chrome and
fiber rollers to produce a smooth, thin sheet.
Abbreviated SC paper.
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.
SWOP
Abbreviation for specifications for web offset
publications, specifications recommended for
web printing of publications.

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T
Tabloid
Using a broadsheet as a measure,
one half of a broadsheet.
Tag
Grade of dense, strong paper used for products
such as badges and file folders.
Tagged Image File Format
Computer file format used to store images from
scanners and video devices. Abbreviated TIFF.
Target Ink Densities
Densities of the four process inks as recommended
for various printing processes and grades of paper.
See also Total Area Coverage.
Template
Concerning a printing project's basic details in
regard to its dimensions. A standard layout.
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.
Thermography
Method of printing using colorless resin powder
that takes on the color of underlying ink.
Also called raised printing.
Thumbnails
Initial ideas jotted on virtually anything in regard to
initial concept of a future project.
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).
Tone Compression
Reduction in the tonal range from original scene
to printed reproduction.
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 Shop
Service bureau, printer or bindery working
primarily for other graphic arts professionals,
not for the general public.
Transparency
Positive photographic image on film allowing
light to pass through. Also called chrome,
color transparency and tranny. Often abbreviated TX.
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.
Trim Size
The size of the printed material in its finished
stage (e.g., the finished trim size is 5 1\2 x 8 1\2).

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U
Uncoated Paper
Paper that has not been coated with clay.
Also called offset paper.
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.
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
Liquid applied to a printed sheet, then bonded
and cured with ultraviolet light.

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V
Value
The shade (darkness) or tint (lightness)
of a color. Also called brightness, lightness,
shade and tone.
Varnish
Liquid applied as a coating for protection
and appearance.
Vellum Finish
Somewhat rough, toothy finish.
Velox
Brand name for high-contrast photographic paper.
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
Decorative design or illustration fade to white.
Vignette Halftone
Halftone whose background gradually and
smoothly fades away. Also called degrade.
Virgin Paper
Paper made exclusively of pulp from trees or
cotton, as compared to recycled paper.
VOC
Abbreviation for volatile organic compounds,
petroleum substances used as the vehicles
for many printing inks.

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W
Wash Up
To clean ink and fountain solutions from rollers,
fountains, screens, and other press components.
Waste
Unusable paper or paper damage during normal
makeready, printing or binding operations,
as compared to spoilage.
Watermark
Translucent logo in paper created during
manufacturing by slight embossing from a
dandy roll while paper is still approximately
90 percent water.
Web Break
Split of the paper as it travels through a web press,
causing operators to rethread the press.
Web Gain
Unacceptable stretching of paper as it
passes through the press.
Web Press
Press that prints from rolls of paper, usually cutting
it into sheets after printing. Also called reel-fed press.
Web presses come in many sizes, the most
common being mini, half, three quarter
(also called 8-pages) and full (also called 16-pages).
Wet Trap
To print ink or varnish over wet ink,
as compared to dry trap.
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.
Wire Side
Side of the paper that rests against The
Fourdrinier wire during papermaking,
as compared to felt side.
With the Grain
Parallel to the grain direction of the paper being used,
as compared to against the grain. See also
Grain Direction.
Woodfree Paper
Made with chemical pulp only. Paper usually
classified as calendered or supercalendered.
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.
Wrong Reading
An image that is backwards when compared
to the original. Also called flopped and reverse reading.

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