The Productivity Center : Resources & Support : Glossary Of Terms

Glossary Of Terms

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.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X

Abrasion Resistance
The resistance to scratching of a surface of paper by other paper surfaces or other materials.
Absorbency
The ability of a material to take up moisture
AC
Author's Correction
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 affect.
Acetate
A transparent or translucent plastic sheet material of a variety of colors, used as a basis for artwork and overlays.
Achromatic
The non-colors... black, white and gray.
Actinic Rays
Light exposure that affects chemical changes in paper.
Additive Colors
In photographic reproduction, the primary colors of red, green and blue which are mixed to form all other colors.
Agate
A type size of 5 1/2 points. Reference, agate line.
Agate Line
In newspaper classifieds, a measurement denoting 1/4 inch depth by one column width. 14 agate lines = one column inch.
Air
Large white areas in a design layout.
Airbrush
A compressed air tool that dispenses a fine mist of paint or ink; used in illustration and photo retouching.
Album Paper
A wood pulp paper with an antique finish used for pages of photo albums.
Albumin Paper
A coated paper used in photography; the coating is made of albumen (egg whites) and ammonium chloride.
Alignment
The condition of type and or art materials as they level up on a horizontal or vertical line.
Alkali Blue
Also called reflex blue. A pigment used in carbon black inks and varnishes to improve luster.
Alley
A term for a random, coincidental path or a row of white space within a segment of copy.
Alphabet Length
The measured length (in points) of the lowercase alphabet of a certain size and series of type.
American Paper Institute
An organization that correlates all paper related information.
Animal Sized
A technique of paper making which hardens the surface by passing the paper through a bath of animal glue or gelatin.
Antigua
An eleventh century Italian script typeface.
Antiquarian
A handmade paper (53 x 31 inches), largest known handmade paper.
Antique Finish
Paper with a rough, sized surface used for book and cover stock.
Apron
The white area of text (or illustrations) at the margins which form a foldout.
Aquarelle
The hand application of color, through stencils onto a printed picture.
Arms
Those elements of letters that branch out from the stem of a letter, such as: "K" and "Y".
Arrowhead
A symbol shaped like an arrowhead that is used in illustration to direct a leader line. Reference, leader line
Art Paper
A paper evenly coated with a fine clay compound, which creates a hard smooth surface on one or both sides.
Art Work
Any materials or images that are prepared for graphic reproduction.
Art-Lined Envelope
An envelope that is lined with an extra fine paper; can be colored or patterned.
Artwork
All illustrated material, ornamentation, photos and charts etc., that is prepared for reproduction.
ASA
A number set by the American Standards Assoc., which is placed on film stock to allow calculation of the length and "F" number of an exposure. Reference, "F" numbers.
Ascender
Any part of a lower case letter which rises above the main body of the letter such as in "d", "b" and "h".
Assembled view
In illustration, a term used to describe a view of a drawing in its assembled or whole format.
Author's Alterations (AA's)
Changes made after composition stage where customer is responsible for additional charges.
Autochrome paper
Coated papers that are regarded as exceptional for multi-colored printing jobs.
Autopositive
Any photo materials which provide positive images without a negative.
Azure
The light blue color used in the nomenclature of "laid" and "wove" papers.
Back Lining
The fixing of a material, either paper or cloth, to the back of a book before it is bound. Reference: case binding.
Back Margin
A term referring to the margin which lies closest to the back of the book.
Back Step Collation
The collation of book signatures according to reference marks which are printed on the back fold of each section.
Back To Back
Print applied to both sides of a sheet of paper.
Backbone
That portion of the binding, which connects the front of the book with the back of the book; also called "back".
Background
That portion of a photograph or line art drawing that appears furthest from the eye; the surface upon which the main image is superimposed.
Backslant
Any type that tilts to the left or backward direction; opposite of italic type.
Backstep Marks
Marks printed on signatures that indicate where the final fold will occur. When gathering and initial folding is completed, these marks appear as a stepped sequence.
Balance
A term used to describe the aesthetic or harmony of elements, whether they are photos, art or copy, within a layout or design.
Balloon
In an illustration, any line which encircles copy, or dialogue.
Bank Paper
A thin uncoated stock used for making carbon copies.
Banker's Flap Envelope
Also called wallet flap; the wallet flap has more rounded flap edges.
Banner
The primary headline usually spanning the entire width of a page.
Bas Relief
A three dimensional impression is which the image stands just slightly out from the flat background. References, blind emboss.
Base Line
This is a term used to describe the imaginary horizontal line upon which stand capitals, lower case letters, punctuation points etc.
Basic Size
This term refers to a standard size of paper stock; even though the required size may be smaller or larger.
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.
Bauhaus
A design school in Germany where the Sans Serif font was originated.
Bearoff
The adjusting of spacing of type in order to correct the justification.
Bending Chip
A recycled paperboard product used for making folding cartons.
BF
An abbreviation for boldface, used to determine where boldface copy is to be used. Reference, boldface.
Bible Paper
A thin but strong paper (opaque), used for Bibles and books.
Binder's Board
A heavy paperboard with a cloth covering that is used for hardback binding of books.
Binding
Various methods of securing folded sections together and or fastening them to a cover, to form single copies of a book.
Black Letter
An old style of typeface used in Germany in the 15th century, also referred to as Old English (US) and Gothic (UK).
Black Out
Also referred to as black patch; a piece of masking material which is used in layout to mask an area leaving a window into which another element can be stripped.
Bleed
Extra ink area that crosses trim line, used to allow for variations that occur when the reproduction is trimmed or die-cut.
Blind Emboss
A design or bas relief impression that is made without using inks or metal foils.
Blind Embossing
Embossed forms that are not inked, or gold leafed.
Blind Folio
Page number not printed on page.
Block In
To sketch the primary areas and points of reference of an illustration in preparation for going to final design or production.
Block Resistance
The resistance of coated papers to blocking. Reference, blocking.
Blocking
The adhesion of one coated sheet to another, causing paper tears or particles of the coating to shed away from the paper surface.
Blocking Out
To mask a section of an art layout before reproduction.
Blow-up
Any enlargement of photos, copies or line art.
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.
Body Size
The point size of a particular type character.
Boiler Plate
Repetitive blocks of type that are picked up and included routinely without recreating them.
Boldface
Any type that has a heavier black stroke that makes it more conspicuous.
Bolts
The edges of folded sheets of paper, which are trimmed off in the final stages of production.
Bond
A grade of durable writing, printing and typing paper that has a standard size of 17x22 inches.
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.
Book Block
A term given the unfinished stage of bookmaking when the pages are folded, gathered and stitched-in but not yet cover bound.
Bounce 1
A registration problem, usually on copiers, where the image appears to bounce back and forth. A bounce usually occurs in one direction depending on how the paper is passing through the machine. This is usually accented by card stock (especially if it's over the machine's spec). When a customer refuses a job for whatever reason.
Box Cover Paper
A lightweight paper used expressly for covering paper boxes.
Box Enamel Paper
A glossy coated paper used to cover paper boxes.
Box Liners
A coated paper used on the inside of boxes, which are used for food.
Brace
A character " }" used to group lines, or phrases.
Break For Color
In layout design, the term for dividing or separating the art and copy elements into single color paste-up sheets.
Bristol Board
A board paper of various thickness; having a smooth finish and used for printing and drawing.
Broad Fold
A term given to the fold whereby paper is folded with the short side running with the grain.
Brocade
A heavily embossed paper.
Brochure
A pamphlet that is bound in booklet form.
Buckle Folder
A portion of the binding machinery with rollers that fold the paper.
Buckram
A coarse sized cloth used in the bookbinding process.
Bulk
A term given to paper to describe its thickness relative to its weight.
Bulk
A term used to define the number of pages per inch of a book relative to its given basis weight.
Bullet
A boldface square or dot used before a sentence to emphasize its importance.
Burst Binding
A binding technique that entails nicking the backfold in short lengths during the folding process, which allows glue to reach each individual leaf and create a strong bond.
Cable Paper
A strong paper used to wrap electrical cables.
Calendar Board
A strong paperboard used for calendars and displays.
Calendar Rolls
A series of metal rolls at the end of a paper machine; when the paper is passed between these rolls it increases its smoothness and glossy surface.
Caliper
The measurement of thickness of paper expressed in thousandths of an inch or mils.
Cameo
A dull coated paper, which is particularly useful in reproducing halftones and engravings.
Camera Ready
A term given to any copy, artwork etc., that is prepared for photographic reproduction.
Canvas Board
A paperboard with a surface of simulated canvas, used for painting.
Cap Line
An imaginary horizontal line running across the tops of capital letters.
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.
Caps & Small Caps
Two sizes of capital letters made in one size of type.
Carbonate Paper
A chemical pulp paper (calcium carbonate), used mostly for the printing of magazines.
Cartridge
A rough finished paper used for wrapping.
Case
The stiff covers of a hardbound book.
Case Binding
Books bound using hard board (case) covers.
Casein
A milk byproduct used as an adhesive in making coated papers.
Casing In
The process of placing in and adhering a book to its case covers.
Cast Coated
A paper that is coated and then pressure dried using a polished roller which imparts an enamel like hard gloss finish.
Catching Up
A term to describe that period of the printing process where the non-image areas can take on ink or debris.
Chain Lines
Lines that appear on laid paper as a result of the wires of the papermaking machine.
Chancery Italic
A 13th century handwriting style which is the roots of italic design.
Chase
(old) Frame of steel, or cast or wrought iron, in which images are locked up for printing.
Circular Screen
A screen that utilizes a concentric circle pattern as opposed to dots used for halftones and to allow the platemaker to set exact screen angles.
Clay-Coated Boxboard
A strong, easily folded boxboard with clay coating used for making folding boxes.
Coarse Screen
Halftone screens commonly used in newsprint; up to 85 lines per inch.
Cold Color
Any color that moves toward the blue side in the color spectrum.
Collate
To gather sheets or signatures together in their correct order. (see Gather)
Collating Marks
Black step-marks printed on the back of folded sheets, to facilitate collating and checking of the sequence of book signatures.
Collating Marks
Black step-marks printed on the back of folded sheets, to facilitate collating and checking of the sequence of book signatures.
Colophon
A printers or publishers identifying symbol or emblem.
Color Separating
The processes of separating the primary color components for printing.
Color Transparency
Transparent film containing a positive photographic color image.
Column Gutter
Space between two or more columns of type on one page.
Commercial Register
Color registration measured within plus or minus one row of dots.
Composition
The assembly of characters into words, lines and paragraphs of text or body matter for reproduction by printing.
Condensed Type
A narrow, elongated type face.
Continuous Tone
Image made of non-discernable picture elements which give appearance of continuous spectrum of grey values or tones.
Contrast
The degree of tonal separation or gradation in the range from black to white.
Contre Jour
Taking a picture with the camera lens facing the light source.
Copy
Refers to any typewritten material, art, photos etc., to be used for the printing process.
Copyboard
A board upon which the copy is pasted for the purpose of photographing.
Corner Marks
Marks on a final printed sheet that indicate the trim lines or register indicators.
Cover
A term describing a general type of papers used for the covers of books, pamphlets etc.
Cracking
Delamination.
Crop
To eliminate a portion of the art or copy as indicated by crop marks.
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.
Cross-over
Elements that cross page boundaries and land on two consecutive pages (usually rules).
Crossmarks
Marks of fine lines, which intersect to indicate accurate alignment of art elements.
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.
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).
Cutting Die
Sharp edged device, usually made of steel, to cut paper, cardboard, etc., on a printing press.
Cyan
A shade of blue used in the four-color process; it reflects blue and green and absorbs red.
Dandy Roll
During the paper making process while the paper is still 90% water, it passes over a wire mesh cylinder (dandy roll), which imparts surface textures on the paper such as wove or laid. This is also the stage where the watermark is put onto the paper.
Deckle Edge
The rough or feathered edge of paper when left untrimmed.
Delete
An instruction given to remove an element from a layout.
Demy
A term that describes a standard sized printing paper measuring 17.5 x 22.5 in.
Density
The lay of paper fibers relative to tightness or looseness which affects the bulk, the absorbency and the finish of the paper.
Density
The degree of tone, weight of darkness or color within a photo or reproduction; measurable by the densitometer. Reference, densitometer.
Descender
A term that describes that portion of lower case letters which extends below the main body of the letter, as in "p".
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.
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.
Die Stamping
An intaglio process for printing from images engraved into copper or steel plates.
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.
Dimensional stability
The qualities of paper to stabilize its original size when undergoing pressure or exposed to moisture.
Diploma
A fine paper made specifically for the printing of diplomas, certificates and documents.
Direct Screen Halftone
A color separation process using a halftone negative made by direct contact with the halftone screen.
Display Type
Any type that stands out from the rest of the type on a page which attracts attention of the reader.
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.
Dot
The smallest individual element of a halftone.
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.
Drill
The actual drilling of holes into paper for ring or comb binding.
Drop Folio
Page number printed at foot of page.
Drop Shadow
A shadow image placed strategically behind an image to create the affect of the image lifting off the page.
Dry Mount
Pasting with heat sensitive adhesives.
Dull Finish
Any matte finished paper.
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.
Dummy Model
Resembling finished piece in every respect except that the pages and cover are blank, used by the designer as a final check on the appearance and +feel+ of the book as a guide for the size and position of elements on the jacket.
Duplex Paper
Paper which has a different color or finish on each side.
Dutch
Any deckle edged paper, originally produced in the Netherlands. Reference, deckle edge
Eggshell Finish
The finish of paper surface that resembles an eggshell achieved by omitting the calendar process. Reference, calendar rolls.
Electronic Composition
The assembly of characters into words, lines and paragraphs of text or body matter with graphic elements in page layout form in digital format for reproduction by printing.
Electronic Proof
A process of generating a prepress proof in which paper is electronically exposed to the color separation negatives; the paper is passed through the electrically charged pigmented toners, which adhere electrostatically, resulting in the finished proof.
Elliptical Dot
Halftone screens in which the dots are actually elongated to produce improved middle tones.
Em
A unit of measurement equaling 12 points or 4.5mm.
Embossed
A method of paper finishing whereby a pattern is pressed into the paper when it is dry.
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.
Enamel
A term that describes a glossy coating on paper.
Endsheet
Attaching the final sheet of a signature of a book to the binding.
English Finish
A grade of uncoated book paper with a smooth uniform surface.
Engraving
A printing process whereby images such as copy or art are etched onto a plate. When ink is applied, these etched areas act as small wells to hold the ink; paper is forced against this die and the ink is lifted out of the etched areas creating raised images on the paper.
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.
Estimator
One who computes or approximates the cost of work to be done on which quotation may be based.
Even Smalls
The use of smaller sized capitals at the beginning of a sentence without the use of larger sized caps.
Expanded Type
Type with width greater than normal producing a rectangular effect.
F&G
A term in the binding process referring to folding and gathering.
Fan Fold
Paper folding that emulates an accordion or fan, the folds being alternating and parallel.
Fat Face
Type that is quite varied in its use of very thin and very wide strokes.
Felt Finish
The smoother side of paper, usually a soft weave pattern used for book papers.
Felt Side
It is the top side of the sheet in the paper making process that does not lie on the Fourdrinier wire.
Film Coat
Also called wash coat; any thinly coated paper stock.
Finish
The surface quality of paper.
Finish (Paper)
Dull - (low gloss) also matte or matte gloss.
Fist
A symbol used in printing to indicate the index; seen as a pointing finger on a hand "+".
Fit
The registration of items within a given page.
Flash Point
A term given to the lowest temperature of ignitibility of vapors given off by a substance.
Flock Paper
Paper that is patterned by sizing, and than coated with powders of wool or cotton, (flock).
Flush Cover
A bound book or booklet etc. having the cover trimmed to the same size as the text.
Fogging Back
Lowering density of an image in a specific area usually to make type more legible while still letting image show through.
Foils
Papers that have a surface resembling metal.
Fold Marks
Markings at top edges that show where folds should occur.
Folder
Machine used to fold signatures down into sections.
Folio or Page Number
Number of page at top or bottom either centered, flushed left or flushed right often with running headline.
Font
The characters which make up a complete typeface and size.
Forme
(old) type matter or type and block with its accompanying spacing material secured in the forme called a chase.
Forwarding
In Binding, the process between folding sheets and casing in, such as rounding and backing, putting on headbands, reinforcing backs, etc.
Fourdrinier
A machine with a copper wire screen that receives the pulp slurry in the paper making process which will become the final paper sheet.
Free sheet
Any paper that is free from wood pulp impurities.
French Fold(er)
Folder with printing on one side so that when folded once in each direction, the printing on outside of the folds.
Fringe
A halo that appears around halftone dots.
Furnish
The slurry mixture of fibers, water, chemicals and pigments, that is delivered to the Fourdrinier machine in the paper making process.
Fuzz
A term for the fibers that project from the paper surface.
Galley
(old) flat oblong tray into which composed type matter is put and kept until made up into pages in the forme. Also a similar tray on a slug composing machine which receives the slugs as they are ejected. Also a long column of composed text matter
Galley Proof
A proof of text copy before it is pasted into position for printing.
Galley Slave
Old term for compositor.
Gang
Group of frames or impositions in the same forme of different jobs arranged and positioned to be printed together.
Ganging
The bundling of two or more different printing projects on the same sheet of paper.
Gather
To assemble or collect sections into single copies of complete books for binding.
Gathering
Assembling sheets of paper and signatures into their proper sequence; collating.
Gigo
Garbage in, garbage out.
Gilding
Sticking on gold leaf to edges of books with a liquid agent and made permanent with burnishing tools.
Glassine
A strong transparent paper.
Glyphic
A carved as opposed to scripted typeface.
Graduated Screen
An area of image where halftone dots range continuously from one density to another.
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.
Grained Paper
A paper embossed to resemble various textures, such as leather, alligator, wood, etc.
Gravure
An intaglio or recessed printing process. The recessed areas are like wells that form the image as paper passes through.
Groundwood
Low cost papers such as newsprint made by the mechanical pulping process as opposed to chemical pulping and refining.
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.
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.
Halftone
Tone graduated image composed of varying sized dots or lines, with equidistant centers.
Halftone Paper
A high finish paper that is ideal for halftone printing.
Halftone Screen
A sheet of film or glass containing ruled right-angled lines, used to translate the full tone of a photo to the halftone dot image required for printing.
Hard Dot
The effect in a photograph where a dot has such a small degree of halation that the dot shows quite sharp.
Head Margin
That space which lies between the top of the printed copy and the trimmed edge.
High Bulk Paper
Paper stock that is comparatively thick in relation to its basis weight.
High Key Halftone
A halftone that is made utilizing only the highlight tones down through the middle tones.
Highlight Dot
The highest density of a halftone image.
Highlights
The lightest tones of a photo, printed halftone or illustration. In the finished halftone, these highlights are represented by the finest dots.
Hollow
That space on the spine of a case bound book between the block of the book and the case binding.
Hot melt
An adhesive used in the binding process, which requires heat for application.
House Sheet
This is a term that refers to a paper that a printer keeps on hand in his shop.
IBC
Inside back cover.
IFC
Inside front cover.
Image Setter
High resolution, large format device for producing film from electronically generated page layouts.
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.
Index Bristol
A relatively thick paper stock; basis size---25 1/2 x 30 1/2.
Indicia
Markings pre-printed on mailing envelopes to replace the stamp.
Industrial Papers
A term used to denote papers such as janitorial, sanitary or heavy packing papers.
Ink Holdout
A quality of paper to be resistant to ink absorption, allowing the ink to dry on the paper surface.
Ink Mist
Any threads or filaments which protrude from the main printed letter body of long inks, as seen in newsprint.
Inserts
Extra printed pages inserted loosely into printed pieces.
Interleaves
Extra blank pages inserted loosely into book after printing.
Iridescent Paper
A coated stock finished in mother-of-pearl.
Italic
Text that is used to denote emphasis by slanting the type body forward.
Jacket
The paper cover sometimes called the "dust cover" of a hardbound book.
Job Number
A number assigned to a printing project used for record keeping and job tracking. Also used to retrieve old jobs for reprints or reworking by customer.
Jog
To vibrate a stack of finished pages so that they are tightly aligned for final trimming.
Jogger
Vibrating, sloping platform that evens up the edges of stacks of paper.
Kerning
The narrowing of space between two letters so that they become closer and take up less space on the page.
Keying
The use of symbols, usually letters, to code copy that will appear on a dummy.
Keyline
Lines that are drawn on artwork that indicate the exact placement, shape and size of elements including halftones, illustrations etc.
Kraft
A coarse unbleached paper used for printing and industrial products.
Laid Finish
A parallel lined paper that has a handmade look.
Laser Engraving
A paper cutting technique whereby laser technology is utilized to cut away certain unmasked areas of the paper. The cutting is a result of the exposure of the paper to the laser ray, which actually evaporates the paper.
Layout
A rendition that shows the placement of all the elements, roughs, thumbnails etc., of the final printed piece before it goes to print.
Leaders
The dots or dashes used in type to guide the eye from one set of type to the next.
Leading
Space between lines of type; the distance in points between one baseline and the next.
Leaf
One of a number of folds (each containing two pages) which comprises a book or manuscript.
Ledger Paper
A stiff heavy business paper generally used for keeping records.
Letterpress
Printing that utilizes inked raised surfaces to create the image.
Letterspacing
The addition of space between typeset letters.
Line Copy
Any copy that can be reproduced without the use of halftone screens.
Linen
A paper that emulates the look and texture of linen cloth.
Lithography
The process of printing that utilizes flat inked surfaces to create the printed images.
Logotype
A personalized type or design symbol for a company or product.
M weight
The actual weight of 1000 sheets of any given size of paper.
Machine Coated
Paper that has had a coating applied to either one or two of its sides during the papermaking process.
Machine Direction
An alternate term for grain direction.
Machine Finish
A paper finish that results from the interaction of the paper with the Fourdrinier process as opposed to post machine embossing. Reference, Fourdrinier
Magnetic Black
Black pigments containing black iron oxides, used for magnetic ink character recognition.
Margin
Imprinted space around edge of page.
Mark-up
To write up instructions, as on a dummy.
Matte Finish
A coated paper finish that goes through minimal calendaring. Reference, calendaring.
Measure
The width of type as measured in picas. Reference, picas.
Mechanical
A term used to describe finished artwork that is camera ready for reproduction, including all type, photos, illustrations etc.
Metropolitan Service Area
A group of ZIP codes usually in close proximity defining a large metropolitan area (e.g. New York City or Los Angeles).
Midtone Dot
Commonly taken as the area between highlight and shadow area of a subject's face in halftone image.
Moire
An undesirable halftone pattern produced by the incorrect angles of overprinting halftone screens.
Mull
Coarse muslin glue placed on the back of book or pads for strengthening.
Natural
A term to describe papers that have a color similar to that of wood; also called cream, off-white or ivory.
Negative
Film that contains the same images as the original print, except that all colors and shades are reversed. Reference, positive.
Newsprint
A light, low cost groundwood paper made especially for newspapers. Reference, groundwood.
Nominal Weight
When the basis weight of paper differs from the actual weight, the term nominal weight is used.
OBC
Outside back cover.
Oblong
A term used to describe printed books, catalogs etc., that are bound on their shorter side; also referred to as album bound.
OFC
Outside front cover.
Off-shore Paper
Any papers made outside the US and Canada.
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.
Offset Gravure
A complex offset process involving multiple transfers between the gravure plate, the plate cylinder and a solid rubber plate.
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.
Offset Paper
A term for uncoated book paper.
Onionskin
A light bond paper used for typing and used with carbon paper because of its thinness.
Opacity
Quality of papers that defines its opaqueness or ability to prevent two-sided printing from showing through.
Opaque
A quality of paper that allows relatively little light to pass through.
Orthochromatic
Any light sensitive surfaces that are not sensitive to red.
Over Run
Surplus of copies printed.
Overhang Cover
A cover of a book that extends over the trimmed signatures it contains.
Overlay
A transparent sheet placed over artwork, in register with the work it covers; this is used to call out other color components of the work, instructions or corrections.
Overlay Proof
A process of proof making whereby the color separations are individually exposed to light sensitive film. This film is then set in registration with a piece of white paper in the background.
Overprinting
Any printing that is done on an area that has already been printed.
Overset
Type that is set in excess of the allotted space.
Page
One side of a leaf.
Page Makeup
The assemblage of all the necessary elements required to complete a page.
Page Proofs
Proofs made up from pages.
Paperboard
Any paper with a thickness (caliper) of 12 points (.3mm) or more.
Papeterie
A high-grade soft paper used for personal stationery because it accepts handwriting well.
Parchment
A hard finished paper that emulates animal skin; used for documents, such as awards, that require writing by hand.
Parent Sheet
A sheet that is larger than the cut stock of the same paper.
Paste-up
Preparation of positive materials into a layout for photographing to film negatives.
Peeling
Delamination.
Perf Marks
Markings usually dotted lines at edges showing where perforations should occur.
Perfect
A term used to describe the binding process where the signatures of a book are held together by a flexible adhesive.
Perfect Binding
Binding process where backs of sections are cut off, roughened and glued together, and rung in a cover.
Perforating
Punching small holes or slits in a sheet of paper or cardboard to facilitate tearing along a desired line.
Photoengraving
Making printing plates by exposure of line and halftone negatives on sensitized metal, converting the image into an acid resist, and etching the print to the relief required for letterpress printing.
Photomechanical
The platemaking process where plates are coated with photosensitive coatings and exposed to photo negatives or positives.
Photostat
A photographic print creating an image using photography and electrostatic processes; also called a stat.
Phthalocyanine
The main pigment in the manufacture of cyan ink.
Pica
Standard of measurement, 1/6 inch. 1 pica = 12 points 72 points = 1 inch
Pin Register
Using metal pins fitted into preset holes of copy sheets, films, plates and presses that will assure the proper registration.
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.
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.
Plate Finish
Any bond, cover or bristol stock with an extremely smooth finish achieved by calendaring.
Platemaking
Making a printing plate from a film or flat including preparation of the plate surface, sensitizing, exposing through the flat, developing or processing, and finishing.
PMT
Photomechanical transfer.
Point
A measurement unit equal to 1/72 of an inch. 12 points to a pica, 72 points to an inch.
Positive
Film that contains an image with the same tonal values as the original; opposite of a negative.
Ppi
Pixels per inch.
Premium
Any paper that is considered better than #1 by its manufacturer.
Primary Colors
In printing the four primary colors are cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black.
Printability
The quality of papers to show reproduced printed images.
Printers Pairs
Two consecutive pages as they appear on a flat or signature.
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.
Process Lens
A high quality specialty lens made for line art, halftone and color photography.
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.
Pull For Position
Guide sheet for the positioning of type, blocks, etc.
Rag paper
Papers with a complete or partial content of cotton fibers.
Ragged Left
The term given to right-justified type that is uneven on the left.
Ragged Right
The term given to left-justified type that is uneven on the right.
Railroad Board
A thick, coated paper used for signs; usually waterproof.
Readers Pairs
Two consecutive pages as they appear in printed piece.
Ream
500 sheets of paper.
Recto
The odd numbered pages (right hand side) of books.
Reel
The master roll of paper as it comes off the papermaking machine. It is in its original width and is then cut into smaller rolls.
Register
The arrangement of two or more images in exact alignment with each other.
Register Marks
Any crossmarks or other symbols used on layout to assure proper registration.
Right Angle Fold
A term that denotes folds that are 90 degrees to each other.
Rubine
A pigment somewhat redder than true magenta.
Run-Around
A term given to copy that accommodates the lines of a picture or other image or copy.
Runability
A term used to describe how well a paper runs on a printing press.
Running Head
A title at the top of a page that appears on all pages of a book or chapter of a book.
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.
Safety Paper
A paper that shows sign of erasure so that it cannot be altered or tampered with easily.
Satin Finish
A smooth delicately embossed finished paper with sheen.
Scaling
The enlargement or reduction of an image or copy to fit a specific area.
Score
Impressions or cuts in flat material to facilitate bending or tearing.
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.
Screen Ruling
A measurement equaling the number of lines or dots per inch on a halftone screen.
Screened Print
A photo print made by using a halftone negative; also called a velox.
Self Cover
A cover made out of the same paper stock as the internal sheets.
Shadow Dot
The lowest density of a halftone image.
Sharpen
To decrease the dot size of the halftone which in turn decreases the color strength.
Show Through
A problem that occurs when the printing on one side of a sheet is seen from the other side.
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.
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.
Silhouette halftone
A halftone with the background screen removed.
Silverprint
Reference, brownline proof.
Smoothness
That quality of paper defined by its levelness which allows for pressure consistency in printing, assuring uniformity of print.
Soft Dot
An excessively large halo around a dot in a photograph that causes a fringe that diminishes the dot intensity.
Spine
Back edge of a book.
Spiral Bind
A binding whereby a wire or plastic is spiraled through holes punched along the binding side.
Spot Color
Small area printed in a second color.
Stabbing
To bind a series of pages with wire staples such that staples enter from the front and back simultaneously, neither side being long enough to exit the opposite side.
Stability
The quality of paper to maintain its original size when it undergoes pressure and moisture changes.
Stagger Cutting
A process of cutting many sheets from the same parent sheet in which the smaller sheets have different grain directions; also called dutch or bastard cutting.
Star Target
The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, GATF has established various quality control images; the star target appears along with the color bar and helps the pressman detect any irregularity in the ink spread. Reference, Color Bars
Static Neutralizer
A device on a printing press that minimizes the amount of static build up on paper as it passes through the press.
Step And Repeat
A process of generating multiple exposures by taking an image and stepping it according to a predetermined layout.
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.
Stock
A term for unprinted paper or other material to be printed.
Stumping Or Blocking
Impressing book covers, etc., by means of hot die, brass types or blocks.
Super Calendaring
A machine procedure that produces a high finished paper surface that is extremely smooth and exceptional for printing.
Synthetic Papers
Any petroleum based waterproof papers with a high tensile strength.
Tag
A dense, strong paper stock.
Tensile Strength
A paper's ability to withstand pressure.
Text
A high quality printing paper.
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.
Ticket Envelope
Envelopes used mostly for theater tickets, with no other particular usage.
Tint
A halftone screen that contains all the same sized dots.
Tooth
The rough surfaced finish of papers such as vellum or antique.
Trim Marks
Marks placed on the sheet to indicate where to cut the page.
Twin Wire Machine
Fourdrinier papermaking machines with two wires, instead of a wire and felt side. This assures higher quality when two sides are used for printing.
Two-sidedness
The difference in feel and appearance of either side of a sheet of paper due to the papermaking process having a felt and wire side.
Uncalendared
Papers that are not smoothed by going through the calendaring process.
Up
A term used to describe how many similar sheets can be produced on a larger sheet; two up, four up, etc.
Upright
A term given to books bound on the longer dimension.
Vandyke
Brown print
Vellum
A finish of paper that is rough, bulky and has a degree of tooth.
Velour Paper
A term given to papers that are coated with an adhesive and then flock dusted.
Velox
A photographic print which is made from a negative.
Verso
A term given to the left-hand or even-numbered pages of a book.
Vignette
Fade to white or small decorative design or illustration. A photo or illustration etc., in which the tones fade gradually away until they blend with the surface they are printed on.
W&T
An abbreviation for work and turn.
Watermark
A translucent logo that is embossed during the papermaking process while the paper slurry is on the dandy roll. Reference, dandy roll
Wedding Paper
A soft paper that is thick and holds up well under embossing.
Widow
A single word or two left at the end of a paragraph, or a part of a sentence ending a paragraph, which loops over to the next page and stands alone. Also, the last sentence of a paragraph which contains only one or two short words.
Wire Side
That side of the paper which lies on the wire screen side of the papermaking machine.
Wire Stitching Or Stapling
To fasten together sheets, signatures, or sections with wire staples. 3 methods... saddle stitching, side stitching, and stabbing.
Wove
A smooth paper made on finely textured wire that gives the paper a gentle patterned finish.
Writing Paper
Another name for bond paper.
Xerographic Paper
Papers made to reproduce well in copy machines and laser printers.




				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. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Abrasion Resistance The resistance to scratching of a surface of paper by other paper surfaces or other materials. Absorbency The ability of a material to take up moisture AC Author's Correction 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 affect. Acetate A transparent or translucent plastic sheet material of a variety of colors, used as a basis for artwork and overlays. Achromatic The non-colors... black, white and gray. Actinic Rays Light exposure that affects chemical changes in paper. Additive Colors In photographic reproduction, the primary colors of red, green and blue which are mixed to form all other colors. Agate A type size of 5 1/2 points. Reference, agate line. Agate Line In newspaper classifieds, a measurement denoting 1/4 inch depth by one column width. 14 agate lines = one column inch. Air Large white areas in a design layout. Airbrush A compressed air tool that dispenses a fine mist of paint or ink; used in illustration and photo retouching. Album Paper A wood pulp paper with an antique finish used for pages of photo albums. Albumin Paper A coated paper used in photography; the coating is made of albumen (egg whites) and ammonium chloride. Alignment The condition of type and or art materials as they level up on a horizontal or vertical line. Alkali Blue Also called reflex blue. A pigment used in carbon black inks and varnishes to improve luster. Alley A term for a random, coincidental path or a row of white space within a segment of copy. Alphabet Length The measured length (in points) of the lowercase alphabet of a certain size and series of type. American Paper Institute An organization that correlates all paper related information. Animal Sized A technique of paper making which hardens the surface by passing the paper through a bath of animal glue or gelatin. Antigua An eleventh century Italian script typeface. Antiquarian A handmade paper (53 x 31 inches), largest known handmade paper. Antique Finish Paper with a rough, sized surface used for book and cover stock. Apron The white area of text (or illustrations) at the margins which form a foldout. Aquarelle The hand application of color, through stencils onto a printed picture. Arms Those elements of letters that branch out from the stem of a letter, such as: "K" and "Y". Arrowhead A symbol shaped like an arrowhead that is used in illustration to direct a leader line. Reference, leader line Art Paper A paper evenly coated with a fine clay compound, which creates a hard smooth surface on one or both sides. Art Work Any materials or images that are prepared for graphic reproduction. Art-Lined Envelope An envelope that is lined with an extra fine paper; can be colored or patterned. Artwork All illustrated material, ornamentation, photos and charts etc., that is prepared for reproduction. ASA A number set by the American Standards Assoc., which is placed on film stock to allow calculation of the length and "F" number of an exposure. Reference, "F" numbers. Ascender Any part of a lower case letter which rises above the main body of the letter such as in "d", "b" and "h". Assembled view In illustration, a term used to describe a view of a drawing in its assembled or whole format. Author's Alterations (AA's) Changes made after composition stage where customer is responsible for additional charges. Autochrome paper Coated papers that are regarded as exceptional for multi-colored printing jobs. Autopositive Any photo materials which provide positive images without a negative. Azure The light blue color used in the nomenclature of "laid" and "wove" papers. Back Lining The fixing of a material, either paper or cloth, to the back of a book before it is bound. Reference: case binding. Back Margin A term referring to the margin which lies closest to the back of the book. Back Step Collation The collation of book signatures according to reference marks which are printed on the back fold of each section. Back To Back Print applied to both sides of a sheet of paper. Backbone That portion of the binding, which connects the front of the book with the back of the book; also called "back". Background That portion of a photograph or line art drawing that appears furthest from the eye; the surface upon which the main image is superimposed. Backslant Any type that tilts to the left or backward direction; opposite of italic type. Backstep Marks Marks printed on signatures that indicate where the final fold will occur. When gathering and initial folding is completed, these marks appear as a stepped sequence. Balance A term used to describe the aesthetic or harmony of elements, whether they are photos, art or copy, within a layout or design. Balloon In an illustration, any line which encircles copy, or dialogue. Bank Paper A thin uncoated stock used for making carbon copies. Banker's Flap Envelope Also called wallet flap; the wallet flap has more rounded flap edges. Banner The primary headline usually spanning the entire width of a page. Bas Relief A three dimensional impression is which the image stands just slightly out from the flat background. References, blind emboss. Base Line This is a term used to describe the imaginary horizontal line upon which stand capitals, lower case letters, punctuation points etc. Basic Size This term refers to a standard size of paper stock; even though the required size may be smaller or larger. 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. Bauhaus A design school in Germany where the Sans Serif font was originated. Bearoff The adjusting of spacing of type in order to correct the justification. Bending Chip A recycled paperboard product used for making folding cartons. BF An abbreviation for boldface, used to determine where boldface copy is to be used. Reference, boldface. Bible Paper A thin but strong paper (opaque), used for Bibles and books. Binder's Board A heavy paperboard with a cloth covering that is used for hardback binding of books. Binding Various methods of securing folded sections together and or fastening them to a cover, to form single copies of a book. Black Letter An old style of typeface used in Germany in the 15th century, also referred to as Old English (US) and Gothic (UK). Black Out Also referred to as black patch; a piece of masking material which is used in layout to mask an area leaving a window into which another element can be stripped. Bleed Extra ink area that crosses trim line, used to allow for variations that occur when the reproduction is trimmed or die-cut. Blind Emboss A design or bas relief impression that is made without using inks or metal foils. Blind Embossing Embossed forms that are not inked, or gold leafed. Blind Folio Page number not printed on page. Block In To sketch the primary areas and points of reference of an illustration in preparation for going to final design or production. Block Resistance The resistance of coated papers to blocking. Reference, blocking. Blocking The adhesion of one coated sheet to another, causing paper tears or particles of the coating to shed away from the paper surface. Blocking Out To mask a section of an art layout before reproduction. Blow-up Any enlargement of photos, copies or line art. 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. Body Size The point size of a particular type character. Boiler Plate Repetitive blocks of type that are picked up and included routinely without recreating them. Boldface Any type that has a heavier black stroke that makes it more conspicuous. Bolts The edges of folded sheets of paper, which are trimmed off in the final stages of production. Bond A grade of durable writing, printing and typing paper that has a standard size of 17x22 inches. 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. Book Block A term given the unfinished stage of bookmaking when the pages are folded, gathered and stitched-in but not yet cover bound. Bounce 1 A registration problem, usually on copiers, where the image appears to bounce back and forth. A bounce usually occurs in one direction depending on how the paper is passing through the machine. This is usually accented by card stock (especially if it's over the machine's spec). When a customer refuses a job for whatever reason. Box Cover Paper A lightweight paper used expressly for covering paper boxes. Box Enamel Paper A glossy coated paper used to cover paper boxes. Box Liners A coated paper used on the inside of boxes, which are used for food. Brace A character " }" used to group lines, or phrases. Break For Color In layout design, the term for dividing or separating the art and copy elements into single color paste-up sheets. Bristol Board A board paper of various thickness; having a smooth finish and used for printing and drawing. Broad Fold A term given to the fold whereby paper is folded with the short side running with the grain. Brocade A heavily embossed paper. Brochure A pamphlet that is bound in booklet form. Buckle Folder A portion of the binding machinery with rollers that fold the paper. Buckram A coarse sized cloth used in the bookbinding process. Bulk A term given to paper to describe its thickness relative to its weight. Bulk A term used to define the number of pages per inch of a book relative to its given basis weight. Bullet A boldface square or dot used before a sentence to emphasize its importance. Burst Binding A binding technique that entails nicking the backfold in short lengths during the folding process, which allows glue to reach each individual leaf and create a strong bond. Cable Paper A strong paper used to wrap electrical cables. Calendar Board A strong paperboard used for calendars and displays. Calendar Rolls A series of metal rolls at the end of a paper machine; when the paper is passed between these rolls it increases its smoothness and glossy surface. Caliper The measurement of thickness of paper expressed in thousandths of an inch or mils. Cameo A dull coated paper, which is particularly useful in reproducing halftones and engravings. Camera Ready A term given to any copy, artwork etc., that is prepared for photographic reproduction. Canvas Board A paperboard with a surface of simulated canvas, used for painting. Cap Line An imaginary horizontal line running across the tops of capital letters. 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. Caps & Small Caps Two sizes of capital letters made in one size of type. Carbonate Paper A chemical pulp paper (calcium carbonate), used mostly for the printing of magazines. Cartridge A rough finished paper used for wrapping. Case The stiff covers of a hardbound book. Case Binding Books bound using hard board (case) covers. Casein A milk byproduct used as an adhesive in making coated papers. Casing In The process of placing in and adhering a book to its case covers. Cast Coated A paper that is coated and then pressure dried using a polished roller which imparts an enamel like hard gloss finish. Catching Up A term to describe that period of the printing process where the non-image areas can take on ink or debris. Chain Lines Lines that appear on laid paper as a result of the wires of the papermaking machine. Chancery Italic A 13th century handwriting style which is the roots of italic design. Chase (old) Frame of steel, or cast or wrought iron, in which images are locked up for printing. Circular Screen A screen that utilizes a concentric circle pattern as opposed to dots used for halftones and to allow the platemaker to set exact screen angles. Clay-Coated Boxboard A strong, easily folded boxboard with clay coating used for making folding boxes. Coarse Screen Halftone screens commonly used in newsprint; up to 85 lines per inch. Cold Color Any color that moves toward the blue side in the color spectrum. Collate To gather sheets or signatures together in their correct order. (see Gather) Collating Marks Black step-marks printed on the back of folded sheets, to facilitate collating and checking of the sequence of book signatures. Collating Marks Black step-marks printed on the back of folded sheets, to facilitate collating and checking of the sequence of book signatures. Colophon A printers or publishers identifying symbol or emblem. Color Separating The processes of separating the primary color components for printing. Color Transparency Transparent film containing a positive photographic color image. Column Gutter Space between two or more columns of type on one page. Commercial Register Color registration measured within plus or minus one row of dots. Composition The assembly of characters into words, lines and paragraphs of text or body matter for reproduction by printing. Condensed Type A narrow, elongated type face. Continuous Tone Image made of non-discernable picture elements which give appearance of continuous spectrum of grey values or tones. Contrast The degree of tonal separation or gradation in the range from black to white. Contre Jour Taking a picture with the camera lens facing the light source. Copy Refers to any typewritten material, art, photos etc., to be used for the printing process. Copyboard A board upon which the copy is pasted for the purpose of photographing. Corner Marks Marks on a final printed sheet that indicate the trim lines or register indicators. Cover A term describing a general type of papers used for the covers of books, pamphlets etc. Cracking Delamination. Crop To eliminate a portion of the art or copy as indicated by crop marks. 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. Cross-over Elements that cross page boundaries and land on two consecutive pages (usually rules). Crossmarks Marks of fine lines, which intersect to indicate accurate alignment of art elements. 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. 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). Cutting Die Sharp edged device, usually made of steel, to cut paper, cardboard, etc., on a printing press. Cyan A shade of blue used in the four-color process; it reflects blue and green and absorbs red. Dandy Roll During the paper making process while the paper is still 90% water, it passes over a wire mesh cylinder (dandy roll), which imparts surface textures on the paper such as wove or laid. This is also the stage where the watermark is put onto the paper. Deckle Edge The rough or feathered edge of paper when left untrimmed. Delete An instruction given to remove an element from a layout. Demy A term that describes a standard sized printing paper measuring 17.5 x 22.5 in. Density The lay of paper fibers relative to tightness or looseness which affects the bulk, the absorbency and the finish of the paper. Density The degree of tone, weight of darkness or color within a photo or reproduction; measurable by the densitometer. Reference, densitometer. Descender A term that describes that portion of lower case letters which extends below the main body of the letter, as in "p". 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. 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. Die Stamping An intaglio process for printing from images engraved into copper or steel plates. 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. Dimensional stability The qualities of paper to stabilize its original size when undergoing pressure or exposed to moisture. Diploma A fine paper made specifically for the printing of diplomas, certificates and documents. Direct Screen Halftone A color separation process using a halftone negative made by direct contact with the halftone screen. Display Type Any type that stands out from the rest of the type on a page which attracts attention of the reader. 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. Dot The smallest individual element of a halftone. 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. Drill The actual drilling of holes into paper for ring or comb binding. Drop Folio Page number printed at foot of page. Drop Shadow A shadow image placed strategically behind an image to create the affect of the image lifting off the page. Dry Mount Pasting with heat sensitive adhesives. Dull Finish Any matte finished paper. 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. Dummy Model Resembling finished piece in every respect except that the pages and cover are blank, used by the designer as a final check on the appearance and +feel+ of the book as a guide for the size and position of elements on the jacket. Duplex Paper Paper which has a different color or finish on each side. Dutch Any deckle edged paper, originally produced in the Netherlands. Reference, deckle edge Eggshell Finish The finish of paper surface that resembles an eggshell achieved by omitting the calendar process. Reference, calendar rolls. Electronic Composition The assembly of characters into words, lines and paragraphs of text or body matter with graphic elements in page layout form in digital format for reproduction by printing. Electronic Proof A process of generating a prepress proof in which paper is electronically exposed to the color separation negatives; the paper is passed through the electrically charged pigmented toners, which adhere electrostatically, resulting in the finished proof. Elliptical Dot Halftone screens in which the dots are actually elongated to produce improved middle tones. Em A unit of measurement equaling 12 points or 4.5mm. Embossed A method of paper finishing whereby a pattern is pressed into the paper when it is dry. 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. Enamel A term that describes a glossy coating on paper. Endsheet Attaching the final sheet of a signature of a book to the binding. English Finish A grade of uncoated book paper with a smooth uniform surface. Engraving A printing process whereby images such as copy or art are etched onto a plate. When ink is applied, these etched areas act as small wells to hold the ink; paper is forced against this die and the ink is lifted out of the etched areas creating raised images on the paper. 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. Estimator One who computes or approximates the cost of work to be done on which quotation may be based. Even Smalls The use of smaller sized capitals at the beginning of a sentence without the use of larger sized caps. Expanded Type Type with width greater than normal producing a rectangular effect. F&G A term in the binding process referring to folding and gathering. Fan Fold Paper folding that emulates an accordion or fan, the folds being alternating and parallel. Fat Face Type that is quite varied in its use of very thin and very wide strokes. Felt Finish The smoother side of paper, usually a soft weave pattern used for book papers. Felt Side It is the top side of the sheet in the paper making process that does not lie on the Fourdrinier wire. Film Coat Also called wash coat; any thinly coated paper stock. Finish The surface quality of paper. Finish (Paper) Dull - (low gloss) also matte or matte gloss. Fist A symbol used in printing to indicate the index; seen as a pointing finger on a hand "+". Fit The registration of items within a given page. Flash Point A term given to the lowest temperature of ignitibility of vapors given off by a substance. Flock Paper Paper that is patterned by sizing, and than coated with powders of wool or cotton, (flock). Flush Cover A bound book or booklet etc. having the cover trimmed to the same size as the text. Fogging Back Lowering density of an image in a specific area usually to make type more legible while still letting image show through. Foils Papers that have a surface resembling metal. Fold Marks Markings at top edges that show where folds should occur. Folder Machine used to fold signatures down into sections. Folio or Page Number Number of page at top or bottom either centered, flushed left or flushed right often with running headline. Font The characters which make up a complete typeface and size. Forme (old) type matter or type and block with its accompanying spacing material secured in the forme called a chase. Forwarding In Binding, the process between folding sheets and casing in, such as rounding and backing, putting on headbands, reinforcing backs, etc. Fourdrinier A machine with a copper wire screen that receives the pulp slurry in the paper making process which will become the final paper sheet. Free sheet Any paper that is free from wood pulp impurities. French Fold(er) Folder with printing on one side so that when folded once in each direction, the printing on outside of the folds. Fringe A halo that appears around halftone dots. Furnish The slurry mixture of fibers, water, chemicals and pigments, that is delivered to the Fourdrinier machine in the paper making process. Fuzz A term for the fibers that project from the paper surface. Galley (old) flat oblong tray into which composed type matter is put and kept until made up into pages in the forme. Also a similar tray on a slug composing machine which receives the slugs as they are ejected. Also a long column of composed text matter Galley Proof A proof of text copy before it is pasted into position for printing. Galley Slave Old term for compositor. Gang Group of frames or impositions in the same forme of different jobs arranged and positioned to be printed together. Ganging The bundling of two or more different printing projects on the same sheet of paper. Gather To assemble or collect sections into single copies of complete books for binding. Gathering Assembling sheets of paper and signatures into their proper sequence; collating. Gigo Garbage in, garbage out. Gilding Sticking on gold leaf to edges of books with a liquid agent and made permanent with burnishing tools. Glassine A strong transparent paper. Glyphic A carved as opposed to scripted typeface. Graduated Screen An area of image where halftone dots range continuously from one density to another. 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. Grained Paper A paper embossed to resemble various textures, such as leather, alligator, wood, etc. Gravure An intaglio or recessed printing process. The recessed areas are like wells that form the image as paper passes through. Groundwood Low cost papers such as newsprint made by the mechanical pulping process as opposed to chemical pulping and refining. 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. 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. Halftone Tone graduated image composed of varying sized dots or lines, with equidistant centers. Halftone Paper A high finish paper that is ideal for halftone printing. Halftone Screen A sheet of film or glass containing ruled right-angled lines, used to translate the full tone of a photo to the halftone dot image required for printing. Hard Dot The effect in a photograph where a dot has such a small degree of halation that the dot shows quite sharp. Head Margin That space which lies between the top of the printed copy and the trimmed edge. High Bulk Paper Paper stock that is comparatively thick in relation to its basis weight. High Key Halftone A halftone that is made utilizing only the highlight tones down through the middle tones. Highlight Dot The highest density of a halftone image. Highlights The lightest tones of a photo, printed halftone or illustration. In the finished halftone, these highlights are represented by the finest dots. Hollow That space on the spine of a case bound book between the block of the book and the case binding. Hot melt An adhesive used in the binding process, which requires heat for application. House Sheet This is a term that refers to a paper that a printer keeps on hand in his shop. IBC Inside back cover. IFC Inside front cover. Image Setter High resolution, large format device for producing film from electronically generated page layouts. 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. Index Bristol A relatively thick paper stock; basis size---25 1/2 x 30 1/2. Indicia Markings pre-printed on mailing envelopes to replace the stamp. Industrial Papers A term used to denote papers such as janitorial, sanitary or heavy packing papers. Ink Holdout A quality of paper to be resistant to ink absorption, allowing the ink to dry on the paper surface. Ink Mist Any threads or filaments which protrude from the main printed letter body of long inks, as seen in newsprint. Inserts Extra printed pages inserted loosely into printed pieces. Interleaves Extra blank pages inserted loosely into book after printing. Iridescent Paper A coated stock finished in mother-of-pearl. Italic Text that is used to denote emphasis by slanting the type body forward. Jacket The paper cover sometimes called the "dust cover" of a hardbound book. Job Number A number assigned to a printing project used for record keeping and job tracking. Also used to retrieve old jobs for reprints or reworking by customer. Jog To vibrate a stack of finished pages so that they are tightly aligned for final trimming. Jogger Vibrating, sloping platform that evens up the edges of stacks of paper. Kerning The narrowing of space between two letters so that they become closer and take up less space on the page. Keying The use of symbols, usually letters, to code copy that will appear on a dummy. Keyline Lines that are drawn on artwork that indicate the exact placement, shape and size of elements including halftones, illustrations etc. Kraft A coarse unbleached paper used for printing and industrial products. Laid Finish A parallel lined paper that has a handmade look. Laser Engraving A paper cutting technique whereby laser technology is utilized to cut away certain unmasked areas of the paper. The cutting is a result of the exposure of the paper to the laser ray, which actually evaporates the paper. Layout A rendition that shows the placement of all the elements, roughs, thumbnails etc., of the final printed piece before it goes to print. Leaders The dots or dashes used in type to guide the eye from one set of type to the next. Leading Space between lines of type; the distance in points between one baseline and the next. Leaf One of a number of folds (each containing two pages) which comprises a book or manuscript. Ledger Paper A stiff heavy business paper generally used for keeping records. Letterpress Printing that utilizes inked raised surfaces to create the image. Letterspacing The addition of space between typeset letters. Line Copy Any copy that can be reproduced without the use of halftone screens. Linen A paper that emulates the look and texture of linen cloth. Lithography The process of printing that utilizes flat inked surfaces to create the printed images. Logotype A personalized type or design symbol for a company or product. M weight The actual weight of 1000 sheets of any given size of paper. Machine Coated Paper that has had a coating applied to either one or two of its sides during the papermaking process. Machine Direction An alternate term for grain direction. Machine Finish A paper finish that results from the interaction of the paper with the Fourdrinier process as opposed to post machine embossing. Reference, Fourdrinier Magnetic Black Black pigments containing black iron oxides, used for magnetic ink character recognition. Margin Imprinted space around edge of page. Mark-up To write up instructions, as on a dummy. Matte Finish A coated paper finish that goes through minimal calendaring. Reference, calendaring. Measure The width of type as measured in picas. Reference, picas. Mechanical A term used to describe finished artwork that is camera ready for reproduction, including all type, photos, illustrations etc. Metropolitan Service Area A group of ZIP codes usually in close proximity defining a large metropolitan area (e.g. New York City or Los Angeles). Midtone Dot Commonly taken as the area between highlight and shadow area of a subject's face in halftone image. Moire An undesirable halftone pattern produced by the incorrect angles of overprinting halftone screens. Mull Coarse muslin glue placed on the back of book or pads for strengthening. Natural A term to describe papers that have a color similar to that of wood; also called cream, off-white or ivory. Negative Film that contains the same images as the original print, except that all colors and shades are reversed. Reference, positive. Newsprint A light, low cost groundwood paper made especially for newspapers. Reference, groundwood. Nominal Weight When the basis weight of paper differs from the actual weight, the term nominal weight is used. OBC Outside back cover. Oblong A term used to describe printed books, catalogs etc., that are bound on their shorter side; also referred to as album bound. OFC Outside front cover. Off-shore Paper Any papers made outside the US and Canada. 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. Offset Gravure A complex offset process involving multiple transfers between the gravure plate, the plate cylinder and a solid rubber plate. 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. Offset Paper A term for uncoated book paper. Onionskin A light bond paper used for typing and used with carbon paper because of its thinness. Opacity Quality of papers that defines its opaqueness or ability to prevent two-sided printing from showing through. Opaque A quality of paper that allows relatively little light to pass through. Orthochromatic Any light sensitive surfaces that are not sensitive to red. Over Run Surplus of copies printed. Overhang Cover A cover of a book that extends over the trimmed signatures it contains. Overlay A transparent sheet placed over artwork, in register with the work it covers; this is used to call out other color components of the work, instructions or corrections. Overlay Proof A process of proof making whereby the color separations are individually exposed to light sensitive film. This film is then set in registration with a piece of white paper in the background. Overprinting Any printing that is done on an area that has already been printed. Overset Type that is set in excess of the allotted space. Page One side of a leaf. Page Makeup The assemblage of all the necessary elements required to complete a page. Page Proofs Proofs made up from pages. Paperboard Any paper with a thickness (caliper) of 12 points (.3mm) or more. Papeterie A high-grade soft paper used for personal stationery because it accepts handwriting well. Parchment A hard finished paper that emulates animal skin; used for documents, such as awards, that require writing by hand. Parent Sheet A sheet that is larger than the cut stock of the same paper. Paste-up Preparation of positive materials into a layout for photographing to film negatives. Peeling Delamination. Perf Marks Markings usually dotted lines at edges showing where perforations should occur. Perfect A term used to describe the binding process where the signatures of a book are held together by a flexible adhesive. Perfect Binding Binding process where backs of sections are cut off, roughened and glued together, and rung in a cover. Perforating Punching small holes or slits in a sheet of paper or cardboard to facilitate tearing along a desired line. Photoengraving Making printing plates by exposure of line and halftone negatives on sensitized metal, converting the image into an acid resist, and etching the print to the relief required for letterpress printing. Photomechanical The platemaking process where plates are coated with photosensitive coatings and exposed to photo negatives or positives. Photostat A photographic print creating an image using photography and electrostatic processes; also called a stat. Phthalocyanine The main pigment in the manufacture of cyan ink. Pica Standard of measurement, 1/6 inch. 1 pica = 12 points 72 points = 1 inch Pin Register Using metal pins fitted into preset holes of copy sheets, films, plates and presses that will assure the proper registration. 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. 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. Plate Finish Any bond, cover or bristol stock with an extremely smooth finish achieved by calendaring. Platemaking Making a printing plate from a film or flat including preparation of the plate surface, sensitizing, exposing through the flat, developing or processing, and finishing. PMT Photomechanical transfer. Point A measurement unit equal to 1/72 of an inch. 12 points to a pica, 72 points to an inch. Positive Film that contains an image with the same tonal values as the original; opposite of a negative. Ppi Pixels per inch. Premium Any paper that is considered better than #1 by its manufacturer. Primary Colors In printing the four primary colors are cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black. Printability The quality of papers to show reproduced printed images. Printers Pairs Two consecutive pages as they appear on a flat or signature. 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. Process Lens A high quality specialty lens made for line art, halftone and color photography. 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. Pull For Position Guide sheet for the positioning of type, blocks, etc. Rag paper Papers with a complete or partial content of cotton fibers. Ragged Left The term given to right-justified type that is uneven on the left. Ragged Right The term given to left-justified type that is uneven on the right. Railroad Board A thick, coated paper used for signs; usually waterproof. Readers Pairs Two consecutive pages as they appear in printed piece. Ream 500 sheets of paper. Recto The odd numbered pages (right hand side) of books. Reel The master roll of paper as it comes off the papermaking machine. It is in its original width and is then cut into smaller rolls. Register The arrangement of two or more images in exact alignment with each other. Register Marks Any crossmarks or other symbols used on layout to assure proper registration. Right Angle Fold A term that denotes folds that are 90 degrees to each other. Rubine A pigment somewhat redder than true magenta. Run-Around A term given to copy that accommodates the lines of a picture or other image or copy. Runability A term used to describe how well a paper runs on a printing press. Running Head A title at the top of a page that appears on all pages of a book or chapter of a book. 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. Safety Paper A paper that shows sign of erasure so that it cannot be altered or tampered with easily. Satin Finish A smooth delicately embossed finished paper with sheen. Scaling The enlargement or reduction of an image or copy to fit a specific area. Score Impressions or cuts in flat material to facilitate bending or tearing. 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. Screen Ruling A measurement equaling the number of lines or dots per inch on a halftone screen. Screened Print A photo print made by using a halftone negative; also called a velox. Self Cover A cover made out of the same paper stock as the internal sheets. Shadow Dot The lowest density of a halftone image. Sharpen To decrease the dot size of the halftone which in turn decreases the color strength. Show Through A problem that occurs when the printing on one side of a sheet is seen from the other side. 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. 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. Silhouette halftone A halftone with the background screen removed. Silverprint Reference, brownline proof. Smoothness That quality of paper defined by its levelness which allows for pressure consistency in printing, assuring uniformity of print. Soft Dot An excessively large halo around a dot in a photograph that causes a fringe that diminishes the dot intensity. Spine Back edge of a book. Spiral Bind A binding whereby a wire or plastic is spiraled through holes punched along the binding side. Spot Color Small area printed in a second color. Stabbing To bind a series of pages with wire staples such that staples enter from the front and back simultaneously, neither side being long enough to exit the opposite side. Stability The quality of paper to maintain its original size when it undergoes pressure and moisture changes. Stagger Cutting A process of cutting many sheets from the same parent sheet in which the smaller sheets have different grain directions; also called dutch or bastard cutting. Star Target The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, GATF has established various quality control images; the star target appears along with the color bar and helps the pressman detect any irregularity in the ink spread. Reference, Color Bars Static Neutralizer A device on a printing press that minimizes the amount of static build up on paper as it passes through the press. Step And Repeat A process of generating multiple exposures by taking an image and stepping it according to a predetermined layout. 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. Stock A term for unprinted paper or other material to be printed. Stumping Or Blocking Impressing book covers, etc., by means of hot die, brass types or blocks. Super Calendaring A machine procedure that produces a high finished paper surface that is extremely smooth and exceptional for printing. Synthetic Papers Any petroleum based waterproof papers with a high tensile strength. Tag A dense, strong paper stock. Tensile Strength A paper's ability to withstand pressure. Text A high quality printing paper. 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. Ticket Envelope Envelopes used mostly for theater tickets, with no other particular usage. Tint A halftone screen that contains all the same sized dots. Tooth The rough surfaced finish of papers such as vellum or antique. Trim Marks Marks placed on the sheet to indicate where to cut the page. Twin Wire Machine Fourdrinier papermaking machines with two wires, instead of a wire and felt side. This assures higher quality when two sides are used for printing. Two-sidedness The difference in feel and appearance of either side of a sheet of paper due to the papermaking process having a felt and wire side. Uncalendared Papers that are not smoothed by going through the calendaring process. Up A term used to describe how many similar sheets can be produced on a larger sheet; two up, four up, etc. Upright A term given to books bound on the longer dimension. Vandyke Brown print Vellum A finish of paper that is rough, bulky and has a degree of tooth. Velour Paper A term given to papers that are coated with an adhesive and then flock dusted. Velox A photographic print which is made from a negative. Verso A term given to the left-hand or even-numbered pages of a book. Vignette Fade to white or small decorative design or illustration. A photo or illustration etc., in which the tones fade gradually away until they blend with the surface they are printed on. W&T An abbreviation for work and turn. Watermark A translucent logo that is embossed during the papermaking process while the paper slurry is on the dandy roll. Reference, dandy roll Wedding Paper A soft paper that is thick and holds up well under embossing. Widow A single word or two left at the end of a paragraph, or a part of a sentence ending a paragraph, which loops over to the next page and stands alone. Also, the last sentence of a paragraph which contains only one or two short words. Wire Side That side of the paper which lies on the wire screen side of the papermaking machine. Wire Stitching Or Stapling To fasten together sheets, signatures, or sections with wire staples. 3 methods... saddle stitching, side stitching, and stabbing. Wove A smooth paper made on finely textured wire that gives the paper a gentle patterned finish. Writing Paper Another name for bond paper. Xerographic Paper Papers made to reproduce well in copy machines and laser printers.