#autolithography | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ncmagroup · 5 years ago

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To help you gain a better understanding of what’s happening to your project, we’ve compiled a glossary of common (and not so common) printing terms.

Abrasion Resistance

The resistance to scratching of a surface of the paper by other paper surfaces or other materials.

Absorbency

The ability of a material to take up moisture.

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 effect.

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 of black, white and gray.

Acid Resist

An acid-proof protective coating applied to metal plates prior to etching designs thereon. Bichromated solutions employed in photoengraving as sensitizers provide acid resist through the action of light on sensitized surface.

Acrylic

A water-soluble polymer used in paints to make them dry both tough and flexible.

Actinic Rays

Light exposure that affects chemical changes in the paper.

Additive Colors

In photographic reproduction, the primary colors of red, green and blue which are mixed to form all other colors.

Aerate

This refers to a manual process whereby an air stream is blown onto paper sheets to create a riffling effect that separates the sheets as they are fed to the printing press.

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. Fourteen 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.

Albion Press

A hand-operated printing press made of iron.

Album Paper

A wood pulp paper with an antique finish used for pages of photo albums.

Albumen Paper

A coated paper used in photography; the coating is made of albumen (egg whites) and ammonium chloride.

Albumen Plate

A surface plate used in the lithography process; it has a photosensitive coating.

Alignment

The position of elements on a page in relation to a referenced horizontal or vertical line.

Alkali Blue

Also called reflex blue. A pigment used in carbon black inks and varnishes to improve luster.

Alley

The blank space between columns of type, sometimes also called a gutter or column margin.

Alphabet Length

The measured length (in points) of the lowercase alphabet of a certain size and series of type.

Amberlith

Red-orange acetate used for masking mechanicals when photographing for plates. The amberlith area appears black to the camera, and prints clear on the resulting film.

Angle Bar

In “web-fed” printing (printing on rolls of paper as opposed to single sheets), an angle bar is a metal bar that is used to turn paper between two components of the press.

Aniline

Oil-based solvent (quick drying) used in the preparation process of dyes and inks.

Animal Sized

A technique of paper making which hardens the surface by passing the paper through a bath of animal glue or gelatin.

Anodized Plate

In lithography, a plate manufactured with a barrier of aluminum oxide, which prevents chemical reactions that break down the plate; it provides optimum press performance.

Antigua

An 11th-century Italian script typeface.

Antique Finish

Paper with a rough, sized surface used for book and cover stock.

Antiskinning Agent

An antioxidant agent used to prevent inks from skinning over in the can.

Apron

The white area at the margins of text or illustrations used to form a foldout.

Aqua Tint

A printing process that uses the recessed areas of the plate; ideal for graded and even tones.

Aquarelle

The hand application of transparent watercolors onto a printed picture through the use of stencils.

Aqueous Plate

Water-soluble plate coatings, which are less toxic and less polluting.

ArcLight

A light source produced by the passing of electric current between two electrodes; used in the production of plates in photolithography.

Arms

Those elements of letters that branch out from the stem of a letter, such as in “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 creating a hard smooth surface on one or both sides.

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.

As To Press

A term used for proofs that show the final page positioning of all graphical elements.

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 Negative

Film negatives consisting of line and halftone copy which are used to make plates for printing.

Assembled View

In the 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 the composition stage where the customer is responsible for additional charges.

Autochrome Paper

Coated papers that are regarded as exceptional for multi-colored printing jobs.

Autolithography

A printing method whereby the image is hand-drawn or etched directly onto lithography plates or stones.

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

The space between the edge of the type and the folded edge of the paper; also known as the binding margin.

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

The part of a photograph or illustration that appears behind the principal subject; 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.

Baking

A term given to the procedure of drying coatings onto papers.

Balance

A term used to describe the aesthetic or harmony of elements on a page, 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

A flap where the edges are more rounded; also called a wallet flap.

Banner

The primary headline usually spanning the entire width of a page.

Barn Doors

A device with two sets of thin metal doors (horizontal and vertical) placed before a light source to control the direction of light.

Barrier Coat

A coating that is applied onto the non-printing side of paper to add to the opacity of that paper. Reference: opacity.

Baryta Paper

A coated stock (barium sulfate compound) used for text impressions on typesetting machines.

Bas Relief

A three dimensional impression in which the image stands just slightly out from the flat background. Reference: blind emboss.

Base

The support onto which printing plates are fixed.

Base Film

The foundation material onto which the film positives are stripped for making printing plates. Reference: photomechanical.

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

Refers to a standard size of paper stock even though the required size may be smaller or larger.

Bauhaus

A design school in Germany where the Sans Serif font was originated.

Bearoff

The adjusting of type spacing in order to correct the line/paragraph justification.

Bed

The flat steel table of a cylinder printing press upon which the type sits during the printing process.

Bending Chip

A recycled paperboard product used for making folding cartons.

An abbreviation for boldface; used to determine where boldface copy is to be used. Reference: boldface.

Bible Paper

A thin but strong paper used for Bibles and books.

Bimetal Plate

A plate which is used in long print runs; the printing image is copper or brass, and the non-printing area is aluminum or stainless steel.

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 of paper together and fastening them to a cover to form a book.

Bite

The etching process in photoengraving requires the application of an acid; the length of time this acid is left to etch out an image is referred to as its bite. The more bites, the deeper the etched area.

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 Photo Paper

A black paper used to protect photosensitive materials.

Black Printer

This refers to the film portion of the color separation process that prints black; increases the contrast of neutral tones.

Blackening

Darkening a portion of a sheet of paper due to the excessive pressure of the calendar roll. Reference: calendar rolls.

Blackout

Also referred to as a 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.

Blanket

On offset presses a fabric-reinforced sheet of rubber to transfer the impression from the plate onto the paper.

Blanket-to-Blanket Press

A printing method in which there are two blanket cylinders through which a sheet of paper is passed and printed on both sides.

Bleed

The extra inked area that crosses the designated 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 the page.

Blind Image

A problem that arises in the lithography process when an image loses its ink receptivity and fails to print.

Blistering

Although seemingly dry, the paper does contain approximately 5% moisture. In cases where there is excessive moisture and the paper is passed through a high heat-drying chamber, the moisture within the paper actually boils and causes a bubble or blistering effect.

Block

Illustrations or line art etched onto zinc or copper plates and used in letterpress printing.

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.

Blue-Line

Photographic proof made from flats for checking accuracy, layout, and imposition before plates are made; also known as dylux.

Body

The main shank or portion of the letter character other than the ascenders and descenders; a term used to define the thickness or viscosity of printer’s ink.

Body Size

The point size of a particular type of 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 17×22 inches.

Book

A printed work that 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.

Book Paper

A general classification of the paper stock used to print books.

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.

Bourges

A pressure-sensitive color film that is used to prepare color art.

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 used for food storage.

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 thicknesses having a smooth finish and used for printing and drawing.

Broad Fold

A term is 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.

Bronzing

A printing method whereby special ink is applied to sheets and then a powder is applied producing a metallic effect.

Brownline Proof

A photographic proof made by exposing a flat to UV light creating a brown image on a white background. Also referred to as silverprint.

Buckle Folder

A portion of the binding machinery having rollers that fold the paper.

Buckram

A coarse sized cloth used in the bookbinding process.

Bullet

A boldface square or dot used before a sentence to emphasize its importance.

Bump Exposure

A process used in halftone photography that entails the temporary removal of the screen during exposure, increasing the highlight contrast and diminishing the dots in the whites.

Burn

A term used in platemaking to describe the amount of plate exposure time.

Burnish

A term used for the process of “rubbing down” lines and dots on a printing plate thereby darkening those areas.

Burnishing

Creating a polished finish on paper by rubbing with stone or hand smoothing a surface.

Burst Binding

A binding technique that entails nicking the backfold in short lengths during the folding process, which allows the glue to reach each individual leaf and create a strong bond.

Cable Paper

A strong paper used to wrap electrical cables

Cadmium Yellow

A pigment made from cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide.

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 the 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 is given to any copy, artwork, etc., that is prepared for photographic reproduction.

Canvas Board

A paperboard with a surface of the simulated canvas, used for painting.

Cap Line

An imaginary horizontal line running across the tops of capital letters.

Caps & Lowercase

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, which is indicated by the use of a larger capital letter to start a sentence with the rest of the letters being in smaller capitals.

Carbon Black

A pigment made of elemental carbon and ash.

Carbon Tissue

A color printing process utilizing pigmented gelatin coatings on paper, which become the resist for etching gravure plates or cylinders.

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 pressures 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.

Chalking

A term used to describe the quality of print on paper where the absorption of the paper is so great that it breaks up the ink image creating loose pigment dust.

Chancery Italic

A 13th-century handwriting style which is the roots of italic design.

China Clay

An aluminum silica compound used in gravure and screen printing inks. Also called kaolin.

Chrome Green

The resulting ink pigment attained from the mixture of chrome yellow and iron blue.

Chrome Yellow

A lead chromate yellow ink pigment.

Circular Screen

A screen that utilizes a concentric circle pattern as opposed to dots used for halftones 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.

CMYK

An abbreviation for the four primary colors used in four-color process printing–cyan (a light blue), magenta (a pinkish purple), yellow and black.

Coarse Screen

Halftone screens commonly used in newsprint; up to 85 lines per inch.

Coated (Paper)

Paper coated with clay, white pigments, and a binder. Better for printing because there is less picking.

Coated Art Paper

Printing papers used for printing projects that require a special treatment of detail and shading.

Coated Stock

Any paper that has a mineral coating applied after the paper is made, giving the paper a smoother finish.

Cold Color

Any color that moves toward the blue side in the color spectrum.

Cold-Set Inks

A variety of inks that are in the solid form originally but are melted in a hot press and then solidify when they contact paper.

Collate

To gather sheets or signatures together in their correct order. Reference: Gather.

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 printer’s or publisher’s identifying symbol or emblem.

Color Bars

This term refers to a color test strip, which is printed on the waste portion of a press sheet. It is a standardized GATF (Graphic Arts Technical Foundation) process which allows a pressman to determine the quality of the printed material relative to ink density, registration, and dot gain. It also includes Star Target, which is a similar system designed to detect inking problems.

Color Separating

The processes of separating the primary color components for printing.

Color Strength

A term referring to the relative amount of pigmentation in an ink.

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 typeface.

Contact Print

A print made from contact of a sensitive surface to a negative or positive photograph.

Contact Screen

A halftone screen made on film of graded density and used in a vacuum contact with the film.

Continuous Tone

Image made of non-discernable picture elements that give the appearance of a 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 category of papers used for the covers of books, pamphlets, etc.

Cracking

Delamination.

Creep

When the rubber blanket on a cylinder moves forward due to contact with the plate or paper. Result of added thickness of folded sheets being behind one another in a folded signature. Outer edges of sheets creep away from back most fold as more folded sheets are inserted inside the middle.

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.

Crossover

A term used to describe the effect of ink from an image, rule or line art on one printed page, which carries over to another page of a bound work.

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.

Cut-off

A term used in web press printing to describe the point at which a sheet of paper is cut from the roll; usually this dimension is equal to the circumference of the cylinder.

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.

Cylinder Gap

The gap in the cylinders of a press where the grippers or blanket clamps is housed.

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 distribute the dampening solution to the plate.

Dandy Roll

During the papermaking 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 is given to remove an element from a layout.

Demy

A term that describes a standard sized printing paper measuring 17.5 x 22.5 inches

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, the weight of darkness or color within a photo or reproduction; measurable by the densitometer. Reference: densitometer.

Descender

A term that describes that portion of lowercase 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 pre-sensitized 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 (e.g. labels, boxes or 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 type of 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 the 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

This 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.

DPI

Dots Per Inch; the standard measurement of resolution for printers, phototypesetting machines, and graphics screens. The higher the value, the finer the detail of the finished print.

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 the page.

Drop Shadow

A shadow image placed strategically behind an image to create the effect 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 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, the second plate printed in light flat tints. A two-color halftone reproduction generated from a one-color photo.

Duplex Paper

The paper which has a different color or finishes on each side.

Dutch

A type of deckle-edged paper originally produced in the Netherlands. Reference: deckle edge.

Dye Sublimation

The process by which an image is printed onto a specially coated paper and from there transferred onto the final media (e.g. a piece of fabric) through the application of heat.

Dye-Based Ink

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

Eggshell Finish

The finish of the paper surface 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.

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 plates making the process is usually done by heat.

Emulsion

A light sensitive substance used as a coating for the film; made from a silver halide compound.

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.

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 a 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 and delivers it to the drier. Reference: fourdrinier.

Felt Finish

The smoother side of the paper, usually a soft weave pattern used for book papers. A soft weave pattern used for book papers.

Felt Side

It is the top side of the sheet in the papermaking process that does not lie on the fourdrinier. Reference: fourdrinier.

Filling In

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

Film Coat

Also called a wash coat; any thinly coated paper stock.

Finish

The surface quality of the paper.

Finish (Paper)

Dull – (low gloss) also matte or matte gloss.

Fist

A symbol used in printing to indicate the index; usually seen as a pointing finger on a hand.

Fit

The registration of items within a given page.

Flash Point

A term is given to the lowest temperature of the ignitibility of vapors given off by a substance.

Flat

In lithography, the assembly of photographic negatives or positives onto a vinyl acetate or transparent polyester sheet in preparation of making a printing plate. There is one flat created for each printing color.

Flock Paper

Paper that is patterned by sizing, and then 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 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 the density of an image in a specific area usually to make the type more legible while still letting the image show through.

Foils

Papers that have a surface resembling metal.

Fold Marks

Markings at top edges that show where folds should occur.

Folder

The machine used to fold signatures down into sections.

Folio or Page Number

The numbering of a page at the top or bottom and either centered, flushed left or flushed right.

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.

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 on which paper sheets are formed on a continuous moving wire screen. Water drains from the screen as the wet pulp is moved over it and formed into paper sheets.

Free sheet

Any paper that is free from wood pulp impurities.

French Fold

A sheet of paper printed on one side and folded first vertically and then horizontally to produce a four-page folder where the printing is on the 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 are delivered to the fourdrinier machine in the papermaking process. Reference: fourdrinier.

Fuzz

A term for the fibers that project from the paper surface.

Gang

Group of frames or impositions in the same form 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. Reference: 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.

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 the image where halftone dots range continuously from one density to another.

Grain

The direction of fibers in a sheet of paper; governs paper properties such as increased size changes with relative humidity.

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.

Hexachrome

A color separation process developed by Pantone

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 the 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 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, matchpoint, ektaflex and spectraproof.

Interleaves

Extra blank pages inserted loosely into the 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 of body forward (leaning to the right).

Jacket

The paper cover of a hardbound book sometimes called the “dust cover.”

Job Number

A number assigned to a printing project used for recordkeeping and job tracking. Also used to retrieve old jobs for reprints or reworking by customers.

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 delicately 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 that is able to withstand the lithographic process.

Lithography

The process of printing that utilizes flat inked surfaces to create printed images.

Logotype

A personalized type or design symbol for a company or product.

M Weight

The actual weight of 1,000 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. Reference: grain.

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 Ready

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

Margin

Imprinted space around the edge of a page.

Mark Up

To write up instructions, as on a proof sheet.

Mask

1) The blocking out of a portion of the printing plate during the exposure process; 2) A photo negative or positive used in the color separation process to color correct.

Match Print

Photographic proof made from all color flats to 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.

Measure

The width of the type as measured in picas. Reference: picas.

Mechanical

A term used to describe finished artwork that is camera ready for reproduction, including all types, photos, illustrations, etc.

Midtone Dot

Commonly taken as the area between the highlight and shadow areas of a subject’s face in a halftone image.

Moire

An undesirable halftone pattern produced by the incorrect angles of overprinting halftone screens.

Molleton

A cotton fabric used on the dampening rollers of a printing press.

Molybdate Orange

An ink pigment made from precipitating lead molybdate, lead sulfate and lead chromate.

Mottle

A term used to describe spotty or uneven ink absorption.

Mull

Coarse muslin glue placed on the back of the book or pads for strengthening.

Mullen Testing

A specific test of tensile paper strength, an important factor if web presses are used for printing.

Natural

A term to describe papers that have a color similar to that of wood; also called cream, off-white or ivory.

Negative

The 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.

OA of Register

When two-sheet passes on a press are misaligned.

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

An 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.

Opaque Ink

The ink that completely covers any ink under itself.

Orthochromatic

Any light-sensitive surfaces that are not sensitive to red.

Overhang Cover

A cover of a book that extends over the trimmed signatures it contains.

Overlay

A transparent sheet placed over the 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.

Overrun

Surplus of copies printed.

Overset

The 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.

Panchromatic

Films or other photographic materials sensitive to all colors.

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 Drier

Any of a variety of compounds used in enhancing the drying properties of printing inks.

Paste Ink

An ink having a high level of viscosity.

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

The binding process where backs of sections are cut off, roughened and glued together, and rung in a cover.

Perfecting

Printing both sides of the paper (or other material) on the same pass through the printing machine.

Perfecting Press

A printing press that prints on both sides of the page in a single pass.

Perforating

Punching small holes or slits in a sheet of paper or cardboard to facilitate tearing along a desired line.

Phloxine

A blue-red pigment used mostly in news inks; not a good ink for lithographers as it bleeds in alcohol and water.

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

Picking

When the tack of ink is stronger than the surface strength of the paper, some lifting of the paper surface occurs; this is referred to as picking. Or, an occurrence in printing whereby the tack of ink pulls fibers or coating off the paper surface, leaving spots on the printed surface.

Piling

A buildup of pigment or paper coatings onto the plate, blankets or rollers.

Pin Register

Using metal pins fitted into preset holes of copy sheets, films, plates and presses that will assure the proper registration.

Pinhole

Failure of printed ink to form a completely continuous film, visible in the form of small holes in the printed areas.

Planography

A printing technique where ink is transferred to paper from a flat surface. Lithography and offset printing are a type of planography. Also called surface printing.

Plastic Comb

A method of binding books whereby holes are drilled on the side closest to the spine and a plastic grasping device is inserted to hold the pages together.

Plasticizer

An ink additive that adds flexibility, softness, and adhesion.

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 Cylinder

The cylinder on a printing press on which the plate is mounted.

Plate Finish

Any bond, cover or Bristol stock with an extremely smooth finish achieved by calendaring. Reference: calendaring.

Platemaking

The process of making printing plates, including preparation of the plate surface, chemically sensitizing the plate, exposing it to the flat, developing or processing the plate, and finally the finishing of the plate.

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

The film 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.

Presensitized Plate

A plate that has been treated with light-sensitive coatings by the manufacturer.

Press-Proof

Actual press sheet to show an image, tone values, and colors, as well as the imposition of frame or press-plate.

Primary Colors

In printing, the four primary colors are cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black.

Print Ready

See Camera Ready

Printability

The ability of a paper 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.

Process Printing

Printing from two or more halftones to produce intermediate colors and shades.

Progressive Proofs

Any proofs made from the separate plates of a multi-plate printing project.

Proof

An impression of composed type and illustrations made for the purpose of checking the accuracy of the layout, type and color.

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 a printed piece.

Ream

500 sheets of paper.

Recto

The odd numbered pages (right hand side) of books.

Red Lake “C”

A common pigment for paste and liquid red inks.

Reducer

Any substance that softens and reduces the tack of ink.

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.

The arrangement of two or more images in exact alignment with each other.

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.

Roll To Roll

A web press printing process where the roll of paper is printed and stored on a roll to be shipped.

Rub Proof

That stage of printed ink where the maximum dryness is achieved and the ink will not smudge.

Rubine

A pigment is somewhat redder than true magenta.

Runability

A term used to describe how well a paper runs on a printing press.

Runaround

A term is given to text that that is adjusted the fit around a photograph or illustration.

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 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 inserted to form a single section.

Safety Paper

A paper that shows signs 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.

Scum

Unwanted ink marks in the non-image area.

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.

Sheetwise

The printing of two different images on two different sides of a sheet of paper by turning the page over after the first side is printed and using the same gripper and side guides.

Short Ink

The ink is smooth and creamy but does not flow freely.

Show Through

A problem that occurs when the printing on one side of a sheet is seen from the other side.

Side Guide

The guides on the sides of the sheet fed press that position the sheet sideways as the paper is led towards the front guides.

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)

A group of pages that, having been printed together on one large sheet of paper, are folded, cut and bound, along with the book’s other signatures, into a book.

Silhouette halftone

A halftone with the background screen removed.

Silverprint

Reference: brown line proof.

Slitting

A term to describe the process of the cutting of printed sheets by the cutting wheels of a printing press.

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

The back edge of a book.

Spiral Bind

A binding whereby a wire of metal or plastic is spiraled through holes punched along the binding side.

Spot Color

Small area printed in a second color.

Spread

A film image that is larger than the original image to accommodate ink trapping. Reference: trapping.

Stabbing

To bind a series of pages with wire staples such that the staples enter from the front and back simultaneously with neither side being long enough to exit the opposite side.

Stability

The quality of the 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 buildup 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. It 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.

Strip-in

To add an element, such as copy that is shot separately, and then stripped into place on a goldenrod flat.

Stripping

Originally, the removal of the photographic emulsion with its image from individual negatives and combining them in position on a glass plate. Now the use of strip film materials, and the cutting, attachment and other operations for assembling. The positioning of positives and negatives on the flat before proceeding to platemaking.

Stumping or Blocking

Impressing book covers, etc., by means of a 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 high tensile strength.

Tack

The adhesive quality of inks.

Tag

A dense, strong paper stock.

Tensile Strength

A paper’s ability to withstand pressure.

Text

1) The main body matter of a page as opposed to any headlines or captions; 2) A type of high-quality printing paper.

Thermography

A printing process whereby slow drying ink is applied to paper and while the ink is still wet 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.

Through Drier

A slower drier that dries the ink throughout without forming a hard crust.

Ticket Envelope

Envelopes used mostly for holding theater tickets.

Tint

A halftone screen that contains all the same sized dots.

Titanium Oxide

A bright white pigment (opaque) used for printing on metal and flexible packaging.

Toluidine Red

A red pigment with poor bleed resistance.

Tooth

The rough-surfaced finish of papers such as vellum or antique.

Transparent

Inks that do not block out the colored inks that they print over, but instead blend with them to create intermediate colors.

Trapping

The process of printing wet ink over printed ink which may be wet or dry.

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.

A term used to describe how many similar sheets can be produced on a larger sheet; two up, four up, etc.

Upright

A term is given to books bound on the longer dimension.

Vacuum Frame

Also called a contact frame; used in the plate making process to hold materials in tight contact during exposure.

Vandyke

Brown print.

Varnish

A clear shiny ink used to add gloss to printed pieces. The primary component of the ink vehicle. Reference: vehicle.

Vehicle

A combination of varnish, waxes, dryers, etc., which contains the pigment of inks and control the flow, the drying and the adhesion of the pigments to the printed surface.

Vellum

A finish of paper that is rough and bulky, and has a degree of tooth.

Velour Paper

A term is 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 is given to the left-hand or even-numbered pages of a book.

Vignette

Fade to white or a small decorative design or illustration. A photo or illustration in which the tones fade gradually away until they blend with the surface they are printed on.

W&B

An abbreviation for work and back. Reference: sheetwise.

W&T

An abbreviation for work and turn.

Walk-off

A term is given to the occurrence of plate deterioration of the image area during the printing process; usually occurs on long runs.

Washup

The procedure of cleaning a particular ink from all of the printing elements (rollers, plate, ink fountain, etc.) of a press.

Watermark

A translucent logo that is embossed during the papermaking process while the paper slurry is on the dandy roll. Reference: dandy roll.

Web

The roll of paper that is used in web or rotary printing.

Web Break

A tear in a web roll during the printing process.

Web Press

Cylinder printing machine in which the paper is fed from a continuous reel, as opposed to sheetfed.

Web Tension

The term is given to the tension or pulls exerted by the web press on the web roll.

Wedding Paper

A soft paper that is thick and holds up well under embossing.

Wet Trapping

The ability of an ink film to accept subsequent ink films.

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.

Wipe On Plate

A plate onto which is applied a light-sensitive coating; usually the first step in plate making.

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; methods include saddle stitching, side stitching, and stabbing.

Wove

A smooth paper made on a finely textured wire that gives the paper a gentle patterned finish.

Wrinkles

The unevenly dried surface of printed inks.

Writing Paper

Another name for bond paper.

Xerographic Paper

Papers made to work well in copy machines and laser printers.

Yield Value

The actual amount of force needed to start an ink flowing.

Go to our website: www.ncmalliance.com

Glossary Of Terms To help you gain a better understanding of what's happening to your project, we've compiled a glossary of common (and not so common) printing terms.

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