A

A4 paper

ISO paper size 297mm x 210mm used for letterhead.

artwork

The electronic files or manual art, such as sketches and paintings, which make up your job to be printed.

aqueous coating

A water-based coating applied like ink by a printing press to protect and enhance the printing underneath.

author’s corrections

Changes made to the copy or file by the author after typesetting and construction, but not including those made as a result of errors in construction.

B

binding

The various methods used to secure loose leaves or sections in a book, for example ‘saddle-stitched’ or ‘perfect bound’. (See PMU fact Sheets 18-21 for more information.)

binding margin

An allowance made on the binding edge of a page for the book to be bound. In particular, an allowance is made for punch holes or staples to be inserted.

bleed

Printed image that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming. The file should be set up so that there is at least 3mm – 5mm bleed, with the trim area clearly marked.

blend/vignette

Transition of one colour to another or a graduation of one colour to a lighter or darker shade of that colour.

blind embossing

A technique in which an image is pressed into a sheet without the use of ink or foil.

C

carbon neutrality

Some paper mills have made their manufacturing process carbon neutral. To do so, a detailed carbon footprint analysis is conducted and emissions significantly reduced through methods such as reducing energy requirements and utilising ‘green energy’ sources. The remaining emissions may be offset through an accredited carbon offset scheme.

case bound

A binding method where a hardback book is made up with stiff outer covers (cases) which can be covered with cloth, vinyl or leather.

cellosheen

Coating used on paper to enhance its appearance. Can only be used with solid or strip coverage, not in ‘spot’ applications. Most commonly used on covers, it is available in gloss or matt applications. Also known as celloglaze.

CMYK

Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and black – the ‘four-colour’ process ink colours.

colour bar

A strip printed onto the sheet (usually on the grip edge) showing combinations of the printing inks being used as screens and solids. It is used to help maintain consistency of ink coverage and density.

colour separations

The division of a multi-coloured original or line copy into CMYK colours. Spot colours can also be known as separations.

comb binding

A plastic strip with attached coils that run through punched slots in the binding edge of a booklet.

computer to plate (CTP)

A process whereby an electronic file is output directly to an offset printing plate without the need for a negative.

concertina fold

A method of folding in which each fold opens in the opposite direction to its neighbour, giving a concertina or pleated effect.

crop marks

The marks printed on a sheet to indicate to the guillotine operator where the job will be cut. Also used by the printer to line up and back up the sheet on the printing press.

creep

Phenomenon of middle pages of a folded signature extending slightly beyond outside pages.

D

die

A hardened steel stamp used to produce embossing effects.

die cut

The process of cutting shapes in paper using a die, or shaped cutting tool.

digital printing

Printing in which an image is applied to paper or another substrate directly from a digital file rather than using film and/ or plates.

dot gain

Increase in the size of a dot when being printed. It is influenced by pressure, the liquid nature of the ink, the type of paper being printed and the condition of the printing press.

DPI

Dots per inch (DPI) is the measurement used to determine the amount of digital information in a bitmapped image, by counting the number of pixels per line in one inch. This measurement is used to determine the output resolution of a printer or image setter. DPI is sometimes referred to as LPI (lines per inch).

dummy

Mock-up of the job showing the number of sections and the page sequence.

duotone

Halftone printed in two colours - one colour is usually black.

E

embossing

The process of creating a three-dimensional image or design in paper by the use of raised and recessed dies.

EPS (encapsulated postscript)

EPS is a PostScript image file format compatible with PostScript printers and is often used for transferring files between graphics applications. EPS files will print identically on all PostScript-compatible printers and will appear the same in all applications that can read the PostScript format.

equivalent paper

Paper that is not brand specified but looks, prints and may cost the same. Also called comparable stock.

F

finished size

Size of product after production is completed, as compared to flat size. Also called trimmed size.

finishing

The general term used to define anything done to a printed item after it is has been printed. It is considered a value-adding process and includes binding, collating, folding, laminating, mounting and trimming.

flat size

Size of product after printing and trimming, but before folding, as compared to finished size.

flyleaf

Leaf at the front and back of a casebound book that is the one side of the end paper not glued to the case.

fold marks

Small dashed lines indicating where a job will be folded.

folio

The page number.

forme

Frame containing raised metal ribs set up to perforate, score or cut paper.

four-colour process

Printing in full colour using four-colour separations – cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

A World Wildlife Fund supported, international, non-profit organisation. FSC works to promote responsible forestry, conserve biological diversity and protect old growth forests.

FSC mixed source

Products grouped from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fibre.

FSC recycled

A minimum of 85% of the wood fibre content is from post-consumer sources, with a maximum of 15% coming from post-industrial sources.

full colour

Same as four-colour process.

G

grain

The direction in which the paper fibres lie corresponding to the direction that the paper travels in papermaking. Grain has an influence on folding, gluing and running through laser printing equipment.

grammage

Basic weight of paper in grams per square metre (gsm).

gutter

A margin or allowance made by printers between pages to facilitate the printing and binding process.

H

hairline rule

A default option given in most programs for the weight of a line.

halftone

A photograph which is reproduced by breaking down the original tone into a pattern of dots of varying sizes. Light areas will have small dots and darker areas or shadows will have larger dots.

hickies

The term used to describe dust particles that stick to the printing plate or blanket which then appear on the printed sheet as a dark spot surrounded by a halo.

high resolution scan

A scan that contains all the necessary digital information to yield a high resolution image when printed or viewed on the screen.

I

imposition

The method of arranging individual pages on a sheet. When the sheet is printed both sides and folded, the pages will fall in their correct order.

international paper sizes

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) system of paper sizes is based on a system of three sizes – A (general printing and stationery), B (posters) and C (envelopes).

ISO 14001

The standard published by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) specifying the requirements of an environmental management system.

J

jpeg

A file format used to compress photographs and complex graphics.

L

laminate

A thin transparent plastic coating applied to paper or board to provide protection and give a glossy finish.

landscape

The viewing of a page or image where the width is greater than the height.

leading (pronounced ‘ledding’)

The vertical distance between lines of type, measured in points from the baseline of one line of type to the baseline of the next line.

leaf

Two pages of a book - the front and back of a single piece of paper.

letter or Z fold

A method of folding where two parallel folds will produce a fold that looks like a Z.

linen finish

Embossed finish on text paper that simulates the pattern of linen cloth.

lithography

A printing process based on the principle of the natural aversion of water to ink (ink and water do not mix). The photographically prepared printing plate is treated chemically so that the image will accept ink and repel water and the background of the printing plate will accept water and repel ink.

low resolution scan

A scan that contains only a fraction of the digital resolution of a high resolution scan. Low resolution scans are often 72 DPI. These images are suitable for use on the Internet and for viewing on screen only and will not reproduce well through a commercial printing process.

M

margins

The non-printing areas of a page.

matt art

A coated printing paper with a dull finish.

mock-up

A rough visual of a publication or design.

moire pattern

The result of superimposing more than one halftone screen at the wrong angle, thereby giving a chequered pattern effect within the printed halftone.

O

offset printing

An indirect printing process whereby ink is transferred to the paper by a blanket that carries an impression from the printing plate, rather than directly from the plate itself. This is currently the most common method of commercial printing.

opacity

Characteristic of paper that prevents printing on one side from showing through to the other.

out of register

Characteristic of an image not printed in register. Also called misregister.

overprinting

Printing over an area already printed e.g. printing more information onto pre-printed stock.

overs

Additional paper required to compensate for spoilage during printing and binding. Also used to refer to the quantity produced above the number of copies ordered.

P

page

One side of a leaf

pagination

The numbering of pages in a book.

pantone

The worldwide ink colour matching system.

paper – coated

Paper that has a layer of coating applied to one or both sides during manufacture (e.g. a gloss, dull or matt finish). Coated papers provide sharper images and are used frequently in four-colour process work, as well as in black and white where photographs are used.

paper – uncoated

Paper that has not had a final coating applied during manufacture. Uncoated paper is absorbent and soft in appearance.

paper – recycled

Recycled paper is manufactured with recovered fibre. Recycled fibres have been extracted from existing paper products, to be used in the manufacture of further paper products. Recycled paper can be 100% recycled or mixed with virgin fibre to improve consistency. Fibres can normally be recycled 5-6 times before they break down

paper – post-consumer waste (PCW)

PCW fibre is made from reprocessing or de-inking paper that has been used by a consumer. It is considered the most environmentally efficient as the fibre has completed a useful life before re entering the cycle.

paper – pre-consumer waste

Waste that has left the mill but has not reached the end user, typically trimmings and rejected materials from printers, envelope converters etc. Pre-consumer waste has often not been printed on and requires less de-inking.

parallel or roll fold

A method of folding where two parallel folds will produce a six page sheet.

PCF (process chlorine free)

Made from recycled fibre that has not been rebleached with any chlorine based bleach.

PDF (Portable Document Format)

Format that allows documents to be passed from one computer to another in any platform. The documents can then be viewed on screen or printed.

perforations

Small scores put into form or page to enable it to be easily removed by tearing.

perfect binding

A method of binding books which requires printed sections to be gathered, the spines ground off and a cover glued on. This method of binding is not considered as strong as burst binding and should not be used with coated stock due to adhesion problems.

perfecting

A printing process which allows both sides of a sheet to be printed with one pass through the press.

PMS (Pantone Matching System)

Internationally recognised standard for matching, coordinating and mixing printing inks to produce specially formulated colours.

point

Regarding type, a unit of measure used to express size (height) of type, distance between lines (leading) and thickness of rules. One point equals 1/12 pica and .013875 inch (.351mm).

portrait

And upright image or page where the height is greater than the width.

preflight

Preflighting ensures that all files needed for a print job (fonts, scans, et al) are present and properly formatted.

prepress

The steps taken to prepare digital files for final printing on a printing press. These may include preflight, color correction, imagesetting and platemaking.

proof

Any kind of print that is used to preview the job before final printing starts.

proof – digital

A proof that is generated electronically from the electronic file that will be used to print the job. Proofs can be used to represent black and white, process and PMS colour. Not considered to be colour correct.

R

recycled content

The amount (percentage) of pre and post consumer content in the finished paper

reflow

A consequence of adding text to a page that causes existing text to ‘reflow’ to the next page.

registration

The correct positioning of colours when printing more than one colour.

register marks

Cross-hair lines on mechanicals and film that help keep flats, plates and printing in register. Also called crossmarks and position marks.

RGB (red, green, blue)

The colour model used by computers and peripherals. Colour is created using additive primary colours red, green and blue.

resolution

The amounts of digital information contained within an image or output device. Measured in DPI (dots per inch).

reverse out

To reproduce as a white image out of a solid background.

roll or parallel fold

A method of folding where two parallel folds will produce a six page sheet.

runaround (text wrap)

The ability within a program to run text around a graphic image within a document, without the need to adjust each line manually.

S

saddle stitching

A method of binding where folded sections are gathered one inside another and wire staples are then passed through the spine.

satin finish

Alternate term for dull finish on coated paper.

score

Mechanically grooving or furrowing a sheet, particularly if it is heavy stock, to enable it to be folded without cracking.

screen angle

In colour reproduction, angles at which screens are placed in order to avoid undesirable patterns in the final printed image.

section

A printed sheet folded to make multiple pages.

self cover

A cover printed on the same paper stock as the body of the publication.

sheet fed

A printing press which prints single sheets rather than reels.

shell

A printed job which contains blank areas intended for additional printing at a later stage.

show through

Printing on one side of a sheet that is visible from the other side due to insufficient opacity of the paper, as compared to strike through.

side stitched

Folded sections of a book stacked on top of one another are stabbed through the spine area with wire staples.

spine

The binding edge of a book.

spiral bound

A book bound together by inserting wires in spiral form though holes punched along the binding edge.

spot colour

Separate colours not made up of a mixture of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Usually printed in addition to the four process colours as a five or six colour job or on their own as a one, two or three colour job.

spot varnish

To put a varnish coating on a printed sheet in a local area only. Usually used on photos or covers to enhance appearance.

swatch

A colour sample.

T

tabloid

A page half the size of a ‘broadsheet’.

template

A standard layout usually containing basic details of the page dimensions.

tiff

Tagged Image File Format. A file format for exchanging bitmapped images (usually scans) between applications.

tint

The effect of adding white to a solid colour or the screening of a solid area.

trim

The cutting of the final product to its correct size using the marks incorporated on the printed sheet.

trim marks

The guide marks incorporated on the printed sheet to aid cutting.

trim size

The actual size of the finished product after cutting.

type style

Characteristic of a typeface, such as bold, italic or light.

U

UV overgloss

Coating applied to a paper stock to enhance its appearance. Most commonly used on covers and as a spot coating on photographs.

V

varnishing

A finishing process whereby a transparent ‘matt’ or ‘gloss’ varnish is applied over the printed sheet.

W

watermark

An impression incorporated into the paper making process. Often used to show the name of the paper and/or the company logo.

wire-bound (wiro)

Continuous series of double wire loops run through slots that have been punched in the binding edge of a booklet.

Z

Z or letter fold

A method of folding where two parallel folds will produce a fold that looks like a Z.