Glossary Page 2

Glossary of Terms – Page 2.

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.

D E F G H I J K L M( Page 1 – Page 3)

• Dahlgren

  A dampening system for printing presses which utilizes more alcohol (25%) and less water; this greatly reduces the amount of paper that is spoiled.

• Dampening

  An essential part of the printing process whereby cloth covered rubber rollers distributes the dampening solution to the plate.

• 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.

• Deep Etching

  The etching or removal of any unwanted areas of a plate to create more air or white space on the finished product.

• 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.

• Densitometer

  An optical device used by printers and photographers to measure and control the density of color.

• 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”.

• Diazo

  A light sensitive coal tar product used as a coating on presensitized plates, as well as overlay proofs.

• 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.

• Distribution Rollers

  In the printing process, the rubber coated rollers responsible for the distribution of ink from the fountain to the ink drum.

• Doctor Blade

  A term in gravure printing which refers to the knife-edge that runs along the printing cylinder; its function is to wipe the excess ink away from the non-printing areas.

• 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.

• Draw-down

  A method used by ink makers to determine the color, quality and tone of ink. It entails the drawing of a spatula over a drop of ink, spreading it flat over the paper.

• Drier

  A term that describes any additives to ink which encourages the drying process.

• 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.

• Dry Offset

  Process in which a metal plate is etched to a depth of 0.15 mm (0.006 in), making a right-reading relief plate, printed on the offset blanket and then to the paper without the use of water.

• Ductor Roller

  The roller between the inking and the dampening rollers.

• 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.

• Duotone

  Color reproduction from monochrome original. Keyplate usually printed in dark color for detail, second plate printed in light flat tints. A two-color halftone reproduction generated from a one-color photo.

• 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

• Dye-Based Ink

  Any ink that acquires its color by the use of aniline pigments or dyes. Reference, aniline

• 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.

• Emulsion

  A light sensitive substance used as a coating for film; made from a silver halide compound. This side should face the lens when the film is exposed.

• 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.

• Etch

  The process of producing an image on a plate by the use of acid.

• 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.

• Exposure

  That stage of the photographic process where the image is produced on the light sensitive coating.

• Extender

  A white pigment added to a colored pigment to reduce its intensity and improve its working qualities.

• 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

  A cloth conveyor belt that receives papers from the Fourdrinier wire and delivers it to the drier.

• 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.

• Filling In

  A fault in printing where the ink fills in the fine line or halftone dot areas.

• 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.

• Flat

  In lithography, the assembly of photographic negatives or positives on vinyl acetate for exposure in vacuum frame in contact with sensitized metal press plate.

• Flock Paper

  Paper that is patterned by sizing, and than coated with powders of wool or cotton, (flock).

• Fluid Ink

  Also called liquid ink; ink with a low viscosity.

• Flush Cover

  A bound book or booklet etc. having the cover trimmed to the same size as the text.

• Flushed Pigment

  The results of combining a wet ink pigment with a varnish and having the wet pigment mix or transfer over to the varnish.

• 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.

• Form Rollers

  The rollers that come into direct contact with the plate of a printing press.

• 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.

• Fugitive inks

  Colors that lose tone and permanency when exposed to light.

• 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.

• Ghosting

  Image which appears as a lighter area on a subsequent print due to local blanket depressions from previous image areas on a letterpress rotary machine as well as on an offset press.

• Ghosting

  Marring a print by the placement of an image of work printed on the reverse side which has interfered with its drying so that differences in the trapping frame colors or glass variations are apparent.

• 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.

• Gloss Ink

  Quick drying oil based inks with low penetration qualities, used on coated stock.

• Glyphic

  A carved as opposed to scripted typeface.

• Goldenrod

  An orange colored paper with gridlines, used to assemble materials for exposure for platemaking.

• 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.

• Gripper

  A series of metal fingers that hold each sheet of paper as it passes through the various stages of the printing process.

• Gripper Edge

  The grippers of the printing press move the paper through the press by holding onto the leading edge of the sheet; this edge is the gripper edge.

• Groundwood

  Low cost papers such as newsprint made by the mechanical pulping process as opposed to chemical pulping and refining.

• Gumming

  The application of gum arabic to the non printing areas of a plate.

• 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.

• Hickies

  Imperfections in presswork due to dirt on press, trapping errors, etc.

• 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 Area

  That portion of the printing plate that carries the ink and prints on paper.

• 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.

• Impression

  Product resulting from one cycle of printing machine. The pressure of the image carrier, whether it be the type, plate or blanket, when it contacts the paper.

• 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 Fountain

  The device which stores and meters ink to the inking rollers.

• 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.

• Ink Setting

  The inertial resistance to flow that occurs to ink as soon as it is printed.

• Inkometer

  A device used to measure the tack of ink.

• Inserts

  Extra printed pages inserted loosely into printed pieces.

• Integral Proof

  A proof made by exposing each of the four-color separations to an emulsion layer of primary colors. These emulsion sheets are stacked in register with a white sheet of paper in the background. Types of integral proofs are cromalin, matchprint, ektaflex, and spactraproof.

• 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.

• Key Plate

  The printing plate that is used as a guide for the other plates in the color printing process; it usually has the most detail.

• 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.

• Kiss Impression

  A delicate printed impression, just heavy enough to be seen.

• Kraft

  A coarse unbleached paper used for printing and industrial products.

• Lacquer

  A clear gloss coating applied to printed material for strength, appearance and protection.

• 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.

• Lay Edge

  Edge of a sheet of paper being fed into a printing press.

• 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.

• Leaf Stamping

  A metal die, either (flat, or embossed), created from the image or copy, which is then heated to a specific temperature which allows the transfer of a film of pigmented polyester to the paper.

• Ledger Paper

  A stiff heavy business paper generally used for keeping records.

• Length

  The optimum length of a filament of ink.

• 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.

• Lithocoated Paper

  A paper that is coated with a special water-resistant material which is able to withstand the lithographic process.

• 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.

• Make Rready

  Process of adjusting final plate on the press to fine tune or modify plate surface.

• Margin

  Imprinted space around edge of page.

• Mark-up

  To write up instructions, as on a dummy.

• Mask (1)

  The blocking out of a portion of the printing plate during the exposure process.

• Mask (2)

  A photo negative or positive used in the color separation process to color correct. Reference, PRINTING, mask.

• Match Print

  Photographic proof made from all color flats and form composite proof showing color quality as well as accuracy, layout, and imposition before plates are made.

• Matte Finish

  A coated paper finish that goes through minimal calendaring. Reference, calendaring.