Print Glossary

Index

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

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 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 Letterheads.

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

1. Pen-shaped tool that sprays a fine mist of ink or paint to retouch photos and create continuous-tone illustrations. 2. To use software to achieve the same effect.

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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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.

Bind

Usually in the book arena, but not exclusively, the joining of leaves or sections/signatures together with either wire, glue or other means to create a book

Bindery

Either an external company or a department within a printing company responsible 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 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.

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.

Blurb

A description or commentary of an author or book content positioned on the book jacket.

Board Paper

General term for paper over 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.

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 or sections 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. (3) Printer unhappy with supplied artwork returns it to customer.

Broadside

The term used to indicate work printed on one of a large sheet of paper.

Bromide

A photographic print created on bromide paper.

Bronzing

The effect produced by dusting wet ink after printing and using a metallic powder.

Build a colour

To overlap two or more screen tints to create a new colour. Such an overlap is called a build, colour 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.

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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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.

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.

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.

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 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 Cast

Unwanted colour affecting an entire image or portion of an image.

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 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. Usually from light to dark. i.e. Y-->C-->M-->K

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.

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 colours appears on only one surface, not separated onto overlays. Composite art has a tissue overlay with instructions that indicate colour 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 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 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 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.

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 colours. Also known as process blue.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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 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 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 colour Proof

colour proof made by a laser, ink jet printer or other computer-controlled device without needing to make separations 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 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 colours 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 colours. 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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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 colour printed over screen tint of a second ink colour. Also called dummy duotone, dougraph, duplex halftone, false duotone, flat tint halftone and halftone with screen.

Fast colour Inks

Inks with colours that retain their density and resist fading.

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 colour

Ink colour used in addition to the four needed by four-colour 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 cultural 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 colour

(1) Any colour created by printing only one ink, as compared to a colour created by printing four-colour process. Also called block colour and spot colour. (2) colour that seems weak or lifeless.

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

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

(1) A frame to hold type, or for die-cutting, (2) 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-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.

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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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 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. Also called achromatic colour 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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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 colour

colour reproduced using six, eight or twelve separations, as compared to four-colour 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 colour-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 colour such as yellow or green.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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.

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

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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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.

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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE

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.)

Lap Register

Register where ink colours 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.

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 colour 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-colour 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.

GO TO TOP OF PAGE