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TERMINOLOGY

Glossary of Terms

ACCORDION FOLD 

Sometimes called a “Z” fold, this bindery term means two or more parallel folds which open like an accordion.

ADOBE ACROBAT 

Software package created by Adobe for converting any document to an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. Anyone can open your document across a broad range of hardware and software using the downloadable, free software Adobe Acrobat Reader, and it will look exactly as you intended—with layout, fonts, links, and images intact. (Taken from www.adobe.com.) Click here to download software which allow you to create PDF files for free.

ADOBE TYPE 1 FONT 

See postscript font.

AGAINST THE GRAIN 

Printing at right angles to the direction of paper grain. This will cause folding problems. One way to work around folding against the grain is to score the paper before folding.

AQUEOUS COATING 

An environmentally friendly alternative to UV coating, it’s a clear, fast-drying water-based coating that is used to help protect printed pieces. Aqueous coating is available in high-gloss or matte finishes and help to deter dirt, scuffing, and fingerprints depending on the colors and design of your project.

ATTACHMENT 

When referring to e-mail, an electronic file placed within an e-mail for the purpose of sending through the Internet.

BANDING 

When the changes from screen percentage to screen percentage in a gradient can be seen, instead of a solid blending from dark to light or from color to color.

BIND 

To fasten sheets or signatures with wire, thread, glue, or by other means.

BINDERY 

Where materials go for assembly. Cutting, folding, binding and boxing are some of the activities performed in bindery.

BLEED 

Ink which prints beyond the trim edge of the page, created for the purpose of allowing ink to extend to the edge of the page after trimming. Without bleed, cutting the product becomes extremely difficult and may sacrifice the quality of the product. For best results, create 1/8” (.125) bleed (past trim edge) on all edges where bleed is desired.

BLIND DEBOSSING 

An image pressed into a sheet without ink or foil, creating a lowered area. See blind embossing, debossing and embossing.

BLIND EMBOSSING 

An image pressed into a sheet without ink or foil, creating a raised area. See blind debossing, embossing and debossing.

BLUELINE 

A blue photographic proof used to check position of all image elements. Similar to a blueprint. Universal does not utilize this type of proof; instead, a color, full-size, low-resolution proof is output for our clients.

CAMERA-READY COPY 

An archaic term meaning print-ready, mechanical art.

CARBONLESS 

Pressure sensitive writing paper that does not use carbon paper.

CENTER JUSTIFIED 

Type that is justified to the center of the left and right margins;the line lengths vary on both sides.

COLLATE 

A finishing term for gathering paper in a precise order.

COLOR BAR 

A line of colored blocks in a row or a single color placed at the tail of a press sheet and used to measure the density of color across the width of a press sheet.

COLOR CORRECTION 

Improving color separations by altering either the electronic file or the amount of color burned onto a plate or the amount of ink applied to a press sheet.

COLOR MATCHING SYSTEM 

A system of formulated ink colors used for communicating color.

COLOR SEPARATIONS 

The process of preparing artwork, photographs, transparencies, or computer-generated art for printing by separating color into the four primary printing colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

COMB BIND 

To plastic comb bind by inserting the comb into punched holes.

COMPUTER-TO-PLATE 

Also known as CTP. The process by which plates are created using information sent to a direct-to-plate device from a computer, bypassing film. Click here to find out why this process is better.

CRASH NUMBER 

Numbering paper by pressing an image on the first sheet which is transferred to all parts of the printed set.

CROP 

To cut off parts of a picture or image.

CROP MARKS 

Printed lines showing where to trim a printed sheet.

CYAN 

One of four standard process colors. The icy blue color.

DEBOSSING 

Pressing an image into paper so that it will create a lowered area.

DENSITOMETER 

A quality control devise used to measure the density of printing ink.

DENSITY 

The degree of color or darkness of an image or photograph.

DIE 

Metal rule or imaged block used to cut or place an image on paper in the finishing process.

DIE CUTTING 

The process of using a die to cure images in or out of paper.

DIGITAL PRINTING 

Printing performed on a digital copier, such as a laser color copier or Docutech.

DIGITAL PROOF 

A proof delivered electronically, as opposed to physically. The most typical example is a .pdf proof.

DOT GAIN OR SPREAD 

A term used to explain the difference in size between the dot on film versus the dot on paper.

DOUBLE BURN 

Exposing a plate to multiple images.

DUOTONE 

A halftone picture made up of two printed colors.

E-COMMERCE 

The convenient process of ordering products and services online.

E-MAIL 

Abbreviation for electronic mail.

ePRINT 

An abbreviation for electronic printing, this is what Universal calls their online ordering system which some customers can use to order products online.

EMBOSSING 

Pressing an image into paper so that it creates a raised area.

EMULSION 

Light-sensitive coating found on printing plates and film.

FLOOD 

To cover a printed page with ink, varnish or plastic coating completely.

FOIL 

A metallic or pigmented coating on plastic sheets or rolls used in foil stamping and foil embossing/de-bossing.

FOIL EMBOSS/DEBOSS 

Foil stamping and embossing/debossing an image on paper with a die.

FOIL STAMPING 

Using a die to place a metallic or pigmented image on paper.

4-COLOR PROCESS 

See process color.

FRENCH FOLD 

Two folds at right angles to each other.

FTP 

An acronym meaning File Transfer Protocol. The process of sending or receiving files electronically through the Internet. Not to be confused with attaching an attachment to an e-mail, FTP is performed using an FTP client (software) or a Web page with FTP capabilities.

FULL JUSTIFICATION 

Type that is justified to the right and left margins, creating no variation between line lengths on either end; except the last line, which is left justified.

GHOSTING 

A faint printed image that appears on a printed sheet where it was not intended. More often than not, this problem is a function of graphical design. It is hard to tell when or where ghosting will occur. Some-times, you can see the problem developing immediately after printing the sheet, other times the problem occurs while drying. However the problem occurs, it is costly to fix, if it can be fixed. Occasionally, it can be eliminated by changing the color sequence, the inks, the paper, changing to a press with a drier, printing the problem area in a separate pass through the press, or changing the racking (reducing the number of sheets on the drying racks).

GLOSS 

A shiny look, reflecting light.

GRADIENT 

A transition of color, creating a blended change between screen percentages of a single color or between two different colors.

GRAIN 

The direction in which the paper fiber lie.

GRIPPER 

A clamp-like device which grabs the front of the press sheet and pulls it through the press. Also refers to the edge of the press sheet which leaves the press first.

HALFTONE 

Converting a continuous tone to dots for printing.

HARD COPY 

The output of a computer printer, or typed text sent for typesetting.

HICKEY 

Reoccurring, unplanned spots that appear in the printed image from dust, lint or dried ink.

IMAGE AREA 

Portion of paper on which ink can appear.

IMPOSITION 

Positioning printed pages so they will fold in the proper order.

IMPRESSION 

Putting an image on paper.

IMPRINT 

Adding copy to a previously printed page.

INDICIA 

Postal information placed on a printed product.

JUSTIFICATION 

The act of specifying how a block of type will look on a page. See left justified, right justified, center justified, and full justification.

KISS DIE CUT 

To cut the top layer of a pressure-sensitive sheet and not the backing. Sticker sheets use this technique.

KNOCK OUT 

To mask out any area of ink.

LEFT JUSTIFIED 

Type that is justified to the left margin and the line lengths vary on the right.

MAGENTA 

One of the basic colors in process color. The pink color.

MAKEREADY 

All the activities required to prepare a press for printing.

MASK 

Blocking light from reaching parts of a printing plate.

MATCHPRINT 

The process of using gels or naps to create a color proof which accurately represents how a job will look when printed on press when printed in 4-color process. There are some spot color gels, but the selection is extremely limited and may not be a true representation. Universal does not utilize this type of proof; instead, a color, full-size, high-resolution proof is output for our clients. See ORIS.

MATTE 

A dull look, reflecting light poorly.

OCR 

(Optical Character Recognition) The machine recognition of printed characters. OCR systems can recognize many different OCR fonts, as well as typewriter and computer-printed characters. Some advanced OCR systems can also recognize hand writing.

OFFSET PRINTING 

Printing performed on a traditional printer, where plates mounted onto rollers are used to transfer ink onto paper.

OFFSETTING 

Using an intermediate surface used to transfer ink. Also, an unpleasant happening when the images of freshly printed sheets transfer images to each other.

OPACITY 

The amount of show-through on a printed sheet. The more opacity—or the thicker the paper—the less show-through.

OPENTYPE FONT 

OpenType is a new cross-platform font file format developed jointly by Adobe and Microsoft. The two main benefits of the OpenType format are its cross-platform compatibility (the same font file works on Macintosh and Windows computers), and its ability to support widely expanded character sets and layout features, which provide richer linguistic support and advanced typographic control. (Taken from www.adobe.com.) On a Windows machine, OpenType fonts have the extension .otf.

ORIS 

The proofing system Universal uses to output its contract proofs.2) What Universal calls the press proofs output through the ORIS system.

OVERRUN 

Copies printed in excess of the specified quantity.

OVERS 

See overrun.

PAGE COUNT 

Total number of pages in a book, including blanks.

PDF 

See Adobe Acrobat.

PERFECT BIND 

A type of binding that glues the edge of sheets to a cover, i.e. a telephone book, an Adobe software manual, or Country Living Magazine.

PLATE 

An object, onto which an image is burned using light, which is placed onto a press for the use of printing ink onto paper.

PMS 

The abbreviated name of the Pantone Color Matching System.

POINT 

For paper, a unit of thickness equaling 1/1000 inch; for typesetting, a unit of height equaling 1/72 inch.

POSTSCRIPT 

The computer language most recognized by printing devices.

POSTSCRIPT FONT 

As opposed to TrueType and OpenTypeTM fonts, postscript fonts contain two files: a screen font and a printer font. When sending to your printer, please make sure to attach both files. On a Windows machine, postscript files have these extensions: .pfm and .pfb.

PRINTER FONT 

The file a computer uses to help the printer print a font correctly. This file is necessary for printer output. Without the printer font, a font may look correct on screen, but will print incorrectly. On a PC, printer fonts have the extension of .pfb.

PROCESS COLOR 

The process of using cyan, magenta, yellow and black to build/create any and all colors. The price of printing in process is generally equal to that of printing three spot colors.

PROOF 

A print out or mock-up of a job.

PROOFING 

When a job has been sent to the proofreader, to the sales representative or customer service representative, or to the client to be looked over.

pURL 

an acronym for “Personal URL”. Where a standard URL is the web address for the general site, a pURL is a uniquely personalized web page or mini-site specific to one individual or group. (example: JohnSmith.uppforyou.com)

RAGGED LEFT 

Type that is justified to the right margin and the line lengths vary on the left. See right justified.

RAGGED RIGHT 

Type that is justified to the left margin and the line lengths vary on the right. See left justified.

REAM 

Prepackage cut-size sheets of paper stock; typically 500 sheets for text/writing stock, and 250 sheets for cover stock.

REGISTER 

To position print in the proper position in relation to the edge of the sheet and to other printing on the same sheet; Also referred to as registration.

REGISTER MARKS 

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

RIGHT JUSTIFIED 

Type that is justified to the right margin and the line lengths vary on the left.

SADDLE STITCH 

Binding a booklet or magazine with staples in the seam where it folds.

SCANNER 

Device used to make color separations, halftones, duotones and tritones. Also a device used to scan art, pictures or drawings in desktop publishing.

SCORE 

A crease put on paper to help it fold better.

SCREEN 

See screen percentage or tints.

SCREEN ANGLES 

Frequently, a desktop publisher’s nightmare. The angles at which halftones, duotones, tritones and color separation printing films are placed to make them look right.

SCREEN FONT 

The file a computer uses to display the font correctly on screen. Without this file, the font may print correctly, but will look incorrect on screen. On a PC, screen fonts have the extension of .pfm.

SCREEN PERCENTAGE 

The amount of ink coverage applied. See also tints.

SELF COVER 

Using the same paper as the text for the cover.

SIDE STITCH 

Binding by stapling along one side of a sheet.

SIGNATURE

A sheet of printed pages which, when folded, become a part of a book or publication.

SPOT COLOR 

Ink which has been mixed before printing, creating a solid flood of color more easily matchable from printing to printing.

SPOT VARNISH 

Varnish used to highlight a specific part of the printed sheet.

STAMPING 

Term for foil stamping.

STOCK 

The material to be printed.

STRIPPER 

The individual responsible for the positioning of film on a flat prior to platemaking.

STRIPPING 

The positioning of film on a flat prior to platemaking.

TAIL 

The edge of the press sheet which leaves the press last.

TINTS 

A shade of a single color or combined colors.

TRAP 

An area where two colors overlap minutely. Trap is used to make sure any shift in printing does not result in areas where paper is seen where there should be ink.

TRIM MARKS 

Similar to crop or register marks. These marks show where to trim the printed sheet.

TRIM SIZE 

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

TRITONE 

A halftone picture made up of three printed colors.

TRUETYPE FONT 

As opposed to a postscript font, TrueType fonts are used by both the screen and the printer to display and print the font correctly. On a Windows machine, TrueType fonts have the extension of .ttf.

UV COATING 

Liquid laminate bonded and cured with ultraviolet light. Environmentally friendly.

VARNISH 

A clear liquid applied to printed surfaces for looks and protection.

WASHUP 

Removing printing ink from a press by washing the rollers and blanket. Certain ink colors require multiple washups to avoid ink and chemical contamination.

WIRE O 

A bindery trade name for mechanical binding using double loops of wire through a hole.

WIRE-O BINDING 

A method of wire binding books along the binding edge that will allow the book to lay flat using double loops. See wire O.

WITH THE GRAIN 

Folding or feeding paper into the press or folder parallel to the grain of the paper.

WORK AND TUMBLE 

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

WORK AND TURN 

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

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