We take great pride in making our clients feel confident about their jobs during the production process. To help you gain a better understanding of what’s happening to your project, we’ve compiled a glossary of terms that we commonly use in our industry.
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AC
Author's Correction
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Accordion Fold
A type of paper folding in which each fold runs in the opposite direction to the previous fold creating a pleated or accordion effect.
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Air
Large white areas in a design layout.
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Alignment
The condition of type and or art materials as they level up on a horizontal or vertical line.
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Antique Finish
Paper with a rough, sized surface used for book and cover stock.
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Arms
Those elements of letters that branch out from the stem of a letter, such as: "K" and "Y".
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Art Work
Any materials or images that are prepared for graphic reproduction.
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Ascender
Any part of a lower case letter which rises above the main body of the letter such as in "d", "b" and "h".
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Author's Alterations (AA's)
Changes made after composition stage where customer is responsible for additional charges.
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BF
An abbreviation for boldface, used to determine where boldface copy is to be used. Reference, boldface.
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Back To Back
Print applied to both sides of a sheet of paper.
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Backbone
That portion of the binding, which connects the front of the book with the back of the book; also called "back".
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Balance
A term used to describe the aesthetic or harmony of elements, whether they are photos, art or copy, within a layout or design.
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Banker's Flap Envelope
Also called wallet flap; the wallet flap has more rounded flap edges.
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Basic Size
This term refers to a standard size of paper stock; even though the required size may be smaller or larger.
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Basis Weight
Basis or basic weight refers to the weight, in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to a given standard size for that particular paper grade.
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Binding
Various methods of securing folded sections together and or fastening them to a cover, to form single copies of a book.
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Blanket
On offset presses a fabric-reinforced sheet of rubber to transfer the impression from the plate onto the paper.
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Bleed
Extra ink area that crosses trim line, used to allow for variations that occur when the reproduction is trimmed or die-cut.
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Blind Emboss
A design or bas relief impression that is made without using inks or metal foils.
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Blind Folio
Page number not printed on page.
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Blow-up
Any enlargement of photos, copies or line art.
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Body
The main shank or portion of the letter character other than the ascenders and descenders. Also: A term used to define the thickness or viscosity of printer's ink.
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Body Size
The point size of a particular type character.
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Boldface
Any type that has a heavier black stroke that makes it more conspicuous.
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Bond
A grade of durable writing, printing and typing paper that has a standard size of 17x22 inches.
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Book
A general classification to describe papers used to print books; its standard size is 25x38 inches. A printed work which contains more than 64 pages.
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Brochure
A pamphlet that is bound in booklet form.
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Bulk
A term given to paper to describe its thickness relative to its weight.
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Bullet
A boldface square or dot used before a sentence to emphasize its importance.
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Caliper
The measurement of thickness of paper expressed in thousandths of an inch or mils.
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Caps & Lower Case
Instructions in the typesetting process that indicate the use of a capital letter to start a sentence and the rest of the letters in lower case.
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Caps & Small Caps
Two sizes of capital letters made in one size of type.
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Cast Coated
A paper that is coated and then pressure dried using a polished roller which imparts an enamel like hard gloss finish.
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Coarse Screen
Halftone screens commonly used in newsprint; up to 85 lines per inch.
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Coated (Paper)
Paper coated with clay, white pigments and a binder. Better for printing because there is less picking.
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Coated Stock
Any paper that has a mineral coating applied after the paper is made, giving the paper a smoother finish.
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Collate
To gather sheets or signatures together in their correct order. (see Gather)
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Color Bars
This term refers to a color test strip, which is printed on the waste portion of a press sheet. It is a standardized (GATF-Graphic Arts Technical Foundation) process which allows a pressman to determine the quality of the printed material relative to ink density, registration, and dot gain. It also includes the Star Target, which is a similar system designed to detect inking problems.
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Color Separating
The processes of separating the primary color components for printing.
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Column Gutter
Space between two or more columns of type on one page.
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Composition
The assembly of characters into words, lines and paragraphs of text or body matter for reproduction by printing.
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Condensed Type
A narrow, elongated type face.
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Continuous Tone
Image made of non-discernable picture elements which give appearance of continuous spectrum of grey values or tones.
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Contrast
The degree of tonal separation or gradation in the range from black to white.
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Copy
Refers to any typewritten material, art, photos etc., to be used for the printing process.
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Corner Marks
Marks on a final printed sheet that indicate the trim lines or register indicators.
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Cover
A term describing a general type of papers used for the covers of books, pamphlets etc.
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Crop
To eliminate a portion of the art or copy as indicated by crop marks.
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Crop Mark
Markings at edges of original or on guide sheet to indicate the area desired in reproduction with negative or plate trimmed (cropped) at the markings.
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Cross-over
Elements that cross page boundaries and land on two consecutive pages (usually rules).
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Curl
Not lying flat and tending to form into cylindrical or wavy shapes. A term to describe the differences of either side of a sheet relative to coatings, absorbency etc.; the concave side is the curl side.
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Cutter
Machine for accurately cutting stacks of paper to desired dimensions...can also be used to crease. Also trims out final bound books' top size (soft cover).
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Cutting Die
Sharp edged device, usually made of steel, to cut paper, cardboard, etc., on a printing press.
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Cyan
A shade of blue used in the four-color process; it reflects blue and green and absorbs red.
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Dampening
An essential part of the printing process whereby cloth covered rubber rollers distributes the dampening solution to the plate.
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Delete
An instruction given to remove an element from a layout.
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Densitometer
An optical device used by printers and photographers to measure and control the density of color.
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Density
The degree of tone, weight of darkness or color within a photo or reproduction; measurable by the densitometer. Reference, densitometer.
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Descender
A term that describes that portion of lower case letters which extends below the main body of the letter, as in "p".
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Die
Design, letters or shapes, cut into metal (mostly brass) for stamping book covers or embossing. An engraved stamp used for impressing an image or design.
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Die Cutting
A method of using sharp steel ruled stamps or rollers to cut various shapes i.e. labels, boxes, image shapes, either post press or in line. The process of cutting paper in a shape or design by the use of a wooden die or block in which are positioned steel rules in the shape of the desired pattern.
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Digital Proof
Color separation data is digitally stored and then exposed to color photographic paper creating a picture of the final product before it is actually printed.
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Display Type
Any type that stands out from the rest of the type on a page which attracts attention of the reader.
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Distribution Rollers
In the printing process, the rubber coated rollers responsible for the distribution of ink from the fountain to the ink drum.
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Dog Ear
Occurs when you fold into a fold (such as a letter fold). At the side of one of the creases you get an indentation. It may look like a small inverted triangle.
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Dot
The smallest individual element of a halftone.
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Dot Gain
Darkening of halftone image due to ink absorption in paper causing halftone dots to enlarge. Terms to describe the occurrence whereby dots are printing larger than they should.
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Draw-down
A method used by ink makers to determine the color, quality and tone of ink. It entails the drawing of a spatula over a drop of ink, spreading it flat over the paper.
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Drill
The actual drilling of holes into paper for ring or comb binding.
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Drop Folio
Page number printed at foot of page.
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Drop Shadow
A shadow image placed strategically behind an image to create the affect of the image lifting off the page.
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Ductor Roller
The roller between the inking and the dampening rollers.
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Dull Finish
Any matte finished paper.
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Dummy
A term used to describe the preliminary assemblage of copy and art elements to be reproduced in the desired finished product; also called a comp.
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Duplex Paper
Paper which has a different color or finish on each side.
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Elliptical Dot
Halftone screens in which the dots are actually elongated to produce improved middle tones.
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Embossed
A method of paper finishing whereby a pattern is pressed into the paper when it is dry.
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Embossing
To raise in relief a design or letters already printed on card stock or heavy paper by an uninked block or die. In rubber and plastic plate making the process is usually done by heat.
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Enamel
A term that describes a glossy coating on paper.
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Estimate
The form used by the printer to calculate the project for the print buyer. This form contains the basic parameters of the project including size, quantity, colors, bleeds, photos etc.
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Expanded Type
Type with width greater than normal producing a rectangular effect.
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Fan Fold
Paper folding that emulates an accordion or fan, the folds being alternating and parallel.
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Finish
The surface quality of paper.
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Fit
The registration of items within a given page.
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Foils
Papers that have a surface resembling metal.
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Fold Marks
Markings at top edges that show where folds should occur.
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Folder
Machine used to fold signatures down into sections.
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Folio or Page Number
Number of page at top or bottom either centered, flushed left or flushed right often with running headline.
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Font
The characters which make up a complete typeface and size.
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Form Rollers
The rollers that come into direct contact with the plate of a printing press.
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Ganging
The bundling of two or more different printing projects on the same sheet of paper.
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Gather
To assemble or collect sections into single copies of complete books for binding.
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Ghosting
Image which appears as a lighter area on a subsequent print due to local blanket depressions from previous image areas on a letterpress rotary machine as well as on an offset press.
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Gloss Ink
Quick drying oil based inks with low penetration qualities, used on coated stock.
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Graduated Screen
An area of image where halftone dots range continuously from one density to another.
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Grain
Direction of fibers in a sheet of paper governing paper properties such as increased size changes with relative humidity, across the grain, and better folding properties along the grain.
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Gripper
A series of metal fingers that hold each sheet of paper as it passes through the various stages of the printing process.
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Gripper Edge
The grippers of the printing press move the paper through the press by holding onto the leading edge of the sheet; this edge is the gripper edge.
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Gutter
Space between pages in the printing frame of a book, or inside margin towards the back or binding edge. The blank space or margin between the type page and the binding of a book.
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Hairline register
Printing registration that lies within the range of plus or minus one half row of dots. It is the thinnest of the standard printers' rules.
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Halftone
Tone graduated image composed of varying sized dots or lines, with equidistant centers.
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Head Margin
That space which lies between the top of the printed copy and the trimmed edge.
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Hickies
Imperfections in presswork due to dirt on press, trapping errors, etc.
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High Bulk Paper
Paper stock that is comparatively thick in relation to its basis weight.
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Highlight Dot
The highest density of a halftone image.
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Highlights
The lightest tones of a photo, printed halftone or illustration. In the finished halftone, these highlights are represented by the finest dots.
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House Sheet
This is a term that refers to a paper that a printer keeps on hand in his shop.
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IBC
Inside back cover.
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IFC
Inside front cover.
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Image Area
That portion of the printing plate that carries the ink and prints on paper.
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Imposition
Arrangement of pages so that they print correctly on a press sheet, and the pages are in proper order when the sheets are folded.
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Impression
Product resulting from one cycle of printing machine. The pressure of the image carrier, whether it be the type, plate or blanket, when it contacts the paper.
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Index Bristol
A relatively thick paper stock; basis size---25 1/2 x 30 1/2.
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Indicia
Markings pre-printed on mailing envelopes to replace the stamp.
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Ink Fountain
The device which stores and meters ink to the inking rollers.
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Inserts
Extra printed pages inserted loosely into printed pieces.
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Italic
Text that is used to denote emphasis by slanting the type body forward.
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Jog
To vibrate a stack of finished pages so that they are tightly aligned for final trimming.
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Kerning
The narrowing of space between two letters so that they become closer and take up less space on the page.
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Kiss Impression
A delicate printed impression, just heavy enough to be seen.
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Laid Finish
A parallel lined paper that has a handmade look.
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Layout
A rendition that shows the placement of all the elements, roughs, thumbnails etc., of the final printed piece before it goes to print.
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Leading
Space between lines of type; the distance in points between one baseline and the next.
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Ledger Paper
A stiff heavy business paper generally used for keeping records.
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Letterpress
Printing that utilizes inked raised surfaces to create the image.
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Letterspacing
The addition of space between typeset letters.
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Linen
A paper that emulates the look and texture of linen cloth.
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Lithography
The process of printing that utilizes flat inked surfaces to create the printed images.
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Logotype
A personalized type or design symbol for a company or product.
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M weight
The actual weight of 1000 sheets of any given size of paper.
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Make Rready
Process of adjusting final plate on the press to fine tune or modify plate surface.
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Margin
Imprinted space around edge of page.
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Mark-up
To write up instructions, as on a dummy.
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Matte Finish
A coated paper finish that goes through minimal calendaring. Reference, calendaring.
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Measure
The width of type as measured in picas. Reference, picas.
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Midtone Dot
Commonly taken as the area between highlight and shadow area of a subject's face in halftone image.
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Moire
An undesirable halftone pattern produced by the incorrect angles of overprinting halftone screens.
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OBC
Outside back cover.
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OFC
Outside front cover.
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Offset
The most commonly used printing method, whereby the printed material does not receive the ink directly from the printing plate but from an intermediary cylinder called a blanket which receives the ink from the plate and transfers it to the paper.
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Offset Lithography
Indirect printing method in which the inked image on the press-plate is first printed onto a rubber blanket, then in turn offsets the inked impression on to the sheet of paper.
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Offset Paper
A term for uncoated book paper.
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Opacity
Quality of papers that defines its opaqueness or ability to prevent two-sided printing from showing through.
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Opaque Ink
Ink that completely covers any ink under itself.
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Over Run
Surplus of copies printed.
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Overprinting
Any printing that is done on an area that has already been printed.
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Page
One side of a leaf.
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Parchment
A hard finished paper that emulates animal skin; used for documents, such as awards, that require writing by hand.
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Parent Sheet
A sheet that is larger than the cut stock of the same paper.
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Perf Marks
Markings usually dotted lines at edges showing where perforations should occur.
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Perfect Binding
Binding process where backs of sections are cut off, roughened and glued together, and rung in a cover.
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Perfecting
Printing both sides of the paper (or other material) on the same pass through the printing machine.
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Perforating
Punching small holes or slits in a sheet of paper or cardboard to facilitate tearing along a desired line.
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Pica
Standard of measurement, 1/6 inch. 1 pica = 12 points 72 points = 1 inch
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Plastic Comb
A method of binding books whereby holes are drilled on the side closest the spine, and a plastic grasping device is inserted to hold the pages together.
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Plate
Reproduction of type or cuts in metal, plastic, rubber, or other material, to form a plate bearing a relief, planographic or intaglio printing surface.
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Plate Cylinder
The cylinder on a printing press on which the plate is mounted.
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Point
A measurement unit equal to 1/72 of an inch. 12 points to a pica, 72 points to an inch.
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Ppi
Pixels per inch.
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Press-Proof
Actual press sheet to show image, tone values and colors as well as imposition of frame or press-plate.
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Process Inks
Printing inks, usually in sets of four colors. The most frequent combination is yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, which are printed, one over another in that order, to obtain a colored print with the desired hues, whites, blacks, and grays.
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Proof
Impression from composed type or blocks, taken for checking and correction, from a lithographic plate to check accuracy of layout, type matter, tone and color reproduction.
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Rag paper
Papers with a complete or partial content of cotton fibers.
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Ragged Left
The term given to right-justified type that is uneven on the left.
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Ragged Right
The term given to left-justified type that is uneven on the right.
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Ream
500 sheets of paper.
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Register
The arrangement of two or more images in exact alignment with each other.
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Register Marks
Any crossmarks or other symbols used on layout to assure proper registration.
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Right Angle Fold
A term that denotes folds that are 90 degrees to each other.
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Run-Around
A term given to copy that accommodates the lines of a picture or other image or copy.
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Saddle Stitching
Stitching where the wire staples pass through the spine from the outside and are clinched in the center. Only used with folded sections, either single sections or two or more sections inset to form a single section.
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Scaling
The enlargement or reduction of an image or copy to fit a specific area.
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Score
Impressions or cuts in flat material to facilitate bending or tearing.
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Screen Angles
The placement of halftone screens to avoid unwanted moire patterns. Frequently used angles are black 45deg, magenta 75deg, yellow 90deg, and cyan 105deg.
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Screen Ruling
A measurement equaling the number of lines or dots per inch on a halftone screen.
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Self Cover
A cover made out of the same paper stock as the internal sheets.
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Shadow Dot
The lowest density of a halftone image.
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Sheetwise
The printing of two different images on two different sides of a sheet of paper by turning the page over after the first side is printed and using the same gripper and side guides.
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Show Through
A problem that occurs when the printing on one side of a sheet is seen from the other side.
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Side Guide
The guides on the sides of the sheet fed press that position the sheet sideways as the paper is led towards the front guides.
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Side Stitching
Stitching where the wire staples pass through the pile of sections or leaves gathered upon each other and are clinched on the underside.
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Signature (Section)
Printed sheet (or its flat) that consists of a number of pages of a book, placed so that they will fold and bind together as a section of a book. The printed sheet after folding.
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Slitting
A term to describe the process of cutting of printed sheets by the cutting wheels of a printing press.
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Spine
Back edge of a book.
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Spiral Bind
A binding whereby a wire or plastic is spiraled through holes punched along the binding side.
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Spot Color
Small area printed in a second color.
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Spread
A film image that is larger than the original image to accommodate ink trapping. Reference, trapping
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Stet
A proofreader's symbol that is usually written in the copy margin, that indicates that the copy, which was marked for correction, should be left as it was.
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Stock
A term for unprinted paper or other material to be printed.
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Tack
The adhesive quality of inks.
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Tag
A dense, strong paper stock.
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Text
A high quality printing paper.
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Thermography
A printing process whereby slow drying ink is applied to paper and while the ink is still wet, it is lightly dusted with a resinous powder. The paper then passes through a heat chamber where the powder melts and fuses with the ink to produce a raised surface.
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Tint
A halftone screen that contains all the same sized dots.
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Tooth
The rough surfaced finish of papers such as vellum or antique.
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Transparent
Inks that do not block out the colored inks that they print over, but instead blend with them to create intermediate colors.
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Trapping
The process of printing wet ink over printed ink which may be wet or dry.
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Trim Marks
Marks placed on the sheet to indicate where to cut the page.
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Varnish
A clear shiny ink used to add gloss to printed pieces. The primary component of the ink vehicle. Reference, vehicle.
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Vellum
A finish of paper that is rough, bulky and has a degree of tooth.
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W&B
An abbreviation for work and back. Reference, sheetwise.
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W&T
An abbreviation for work and turn.
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Washup
The procedure of cleaning a particular ink from all of the printing elements (rollers, plate, ink fountain etc.) of a press.
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Watermark
A translucent logo that is embossed during the papermaking process while the paper slurry is on the dandy roll. Reference, dandy roll
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Web Press
Cylinder printing machine in which the paper is fed from a continuous reel, as opposed to sheet fed.
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Wire Stitching Or Stapling
To fasten together sheets, signatures, or sections with wire staples. 3 methods... saddle stitching, side stitching, and stabbing.
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Wove
A smooth paper made on finely textured wire that gives the paper a gentle patterned finish.
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Writing Paper
Another name for bond paper.