| Printing Terms |
| .....The
following descriptions are provided to aid
our customers in communicating the specifications for their
projects. There
are literally hundreds of specialized printing-related terms.
These are a few of the more common and useful terms. Click
here to download the PDF Printable version. |
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it here
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| Terminology |
Artwork: An image or graphic device used to enhance or illustrate
a publication. It may also be the actual hardcopy from which
printed or copied jobs are produced.
Binding or Bindery: Processes using glue, wire staples, thread
or mechanical clasps to hold pages together.
Bleed: Extension (1/8") of image areas printed beyond the
trim size of a sheet or page. This allows the image to spill
off the edge of the page.
Bond paper: A strong, durable paper especially well suited for
writing, duplicating, and office use.
Book paper: A paper available in a wide range of surface finishes,
well suited for printing.
Bulk: The relative thickness of a sheet of paper in comparison
to its weight. Bulky papers may be used to add thickness to a
publication without adding weight.
Camera-ready art (or Mechanical): A paste-up of all design elements
and type proofs in position for photomechanical reproductions.
Coated stock: Paper that has a chemical finish applied after
sheet-formation. The finish may be glossy or matte.
Cover stock: A heavy stock made for the covers of books or brochures,
folders, pamphlets.
Dot gain: The amount that an ink halftone dot expands when applied
to the surface of a paper. This is usually a factor of the type
of press and the absorbency of the paper.
Duotone: An image that uses two different overlapping halftone
screens in different spot colors to create a toned effect.
Finish: A term referring to the appearance of the surface of
a paper.
Glossy print: A photographic print, usually a positive, with
a slick shiny surface.
Halftone: An irregular pattern of tiny dots that can be used
to print a full range of tones. Halftone screens are used to
print reproductions of photographs and artwork that are not line
art. Multiple halftones are combined in process color to give
the illusion of a full-color image.
Line art: Any artwork or type in which there are no gray tones;
all image areas are either black or white. Shading may be accomplished
by such techniques as stippling or cross-hatching. Line art can
be reproduced without using a halftone screen.
Line screen: The frequency, or fineness of a halftone or screen,
expressed in lines per inch (lpi). Coarse screens are used where
dot gain is high, fine screens where highest quality is required.
This is usually a function of the type of printing press and
the paper specification. Common values are 85, 100, 120, 133
and 150 lpi.
Monotone: An image that uses a halftone screen printed in a single
spot color to create a toned effect.
NCR: No-Carbon-Required. Standard sequence of carbonless paper
is: 2 part = white/canary; 3 part = white/canary/pink; 4 part
= white/canary/pink/gold.
Offset: The method of traditional printing where ink is applied
to paper by first transferring the ink from a printing plate
to a set of rollers and then from the rollers onto paper. This
indirect or offset method is still the most common type of printing
press.
Opacity: That property of paper that minimizes the "show-through" of
printing from the opposite side or the next sheet.
Process color: The method of applying color to a printed project
that uses only four (4) inks to depict all colors. The four colors
are Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. This process is also known
as CMYK color.
Register: Fitting of two or more printed images, usually in different
colors, in precise alignment with each other.
Screen: A regular pattern of tiny dots that can be used to print
a full range of tones.
Spot color: The method of applying color to a printed project
that uses specially mixed inks to depict the color. There are
hundreds of these colors and the most common reference system
for selecting them is the Pantone Matching System.
Tint: Applying ink as a screen to achieve a tone, usually specified
as a percentage.
Transparency: A transparent, positive photographic image, usually
a full color slide. This is the highest quality art for color
scanning.
Trim size: The final size of a printed piece. The untrimmed size
may be larger due to bleed.
Uncoated stock: Paper without any special chemical finish or
coating. The most common type of paper used in printing and copying.
Weight: A relative measurement of the heaviness of papers, stated
in pounds (lbs). Common weights for copying papers are 20 and
24 lb. writing, for printing papers are 60, 70 and 80 lb. text,
and for covers are 65 and 80 lb. cover. |
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