Printing Glossary

Within the trade, abrasion resistance refers to The extent of scuffing and squeezing that a paper can withstand without becoming useless or worthless. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock.

Absorption means Refers to characteristics within a paper that gives it the ability to absorb fluids that are in contact with it. Examples would include water, drinks and all forms of fluids. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

In print practice, accordion fold means Refers to a particular pattern of folding paper. The name is derived from the shape of the paper when it is unfolded (like an accordion’s). It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock.

Within the trade, acetate proof refers to Refers to a printing proof that is acetate in nature. This proof is used to make sure that print colors that are anticipated are done on a sheet that is transparent and acetate in its very nature. It is also known as the color overleaf proof. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Acid-free Paper describes Paper manufactured with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH and an alkaline reserve (often calcium carbonate) to resist yellowing and deterioration over time. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Acidity commonly denotes The level or extent of acid that is found in any paper or its substance when compared with the pH level. Getting a 7 to 14 pH is normally classified to be alkaline while 0 upwards to 7 is acidic in nature. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Against the grain can be defined as The right location or position of fiber in the paper. It is important to fold with the grain and not against the grain. It comes highly recommended. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Air-dried Paper is Paper that has dried off through the use of hot air. Hot air is blown into the paper with nothing holding back the piece of paper. The end result is a finish that is similar to bond papers. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Alcohol means Refer to fluids which the printing press would utilize to make sure that the surface tension of the water is reduced. Alternatives to alcohol would also suffice in this situation. It is equipment used for production or quality control. Calibration is essential for reliable results.

Technically, aluminum describes A press plate made from metal. It is usually used when dealing with offset lithography. It is often used in long or moderate runs. These runs would help lift the image. It is equipment used for production or quality control. Calibration is essential for reliable results.

Announcement Cards describes These refer to matching envelopes paired with cards of paper. You could usually find them when there are weddings or important announcements. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Antique finish — Refers to a finish used for papers. You can usually find these finishes in cover papers or books. These finishes would usually come with a tactile surface and can be performed with white colors. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

In print practice, apron means Refers to space that is created at the edge of a foldout (usually used in binding). You would usually find this on French folds. Their function is to make it possible to fold and tip without disrupting the copy that is being made. It relates to book assembly and durability. It influences section alignment and page longevity.

Archival Paper commonly denotes Refers to A paper that is acid-free and that is resistant to forms of disintegration. Its function is to make paper documents to last longer. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Artificial parchment means Paper that has been poorly formed or has a very weak formation. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock.

Artwork — used to generally refer to every item or material that is being used, customized or made ready for the process of printing. It is a method of producing printed images. Each process has distinct plate, ink, and substrate demands.

Ascenders: the letters in lower case. This would specifically refer to the tops of those letters. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Back cylinder Pressure is It refers to the extent of the pressure that is put on to make sure that the image that is to be transferred to the press sheet is done correctly and smoothly. The pressure would usually come from the impression cylinder. It is equipment used for production or quality control. Calibration is essential for reliable results.

Backbone is popularly known as the spine. It simply refers to a bound book’s back. It is a standard concept in printing.

Backing up commonly denotes Refers to the process of having the reverse side of the paper being printed even in the situation where it has already been printed on the other side of the paper or sheet. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Within the trade, bagasse refers to Refers to fiber or sugar cane which has been crushed. Its function is usually associated with the production of papers. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock.

Baggy roll refers to defect on the mill roll that is caused by a change in the web’s basis weight or the caliper. The result of this would be the presence of paper results that have been stretched. These stretched papers would usually lead to a complication in the production process. It is important to know that most of the mill rolls would be scrutinized for any areas that may appear to be baggy. It is usually done by hitting the areas with a baton or checking for any changes by listening to any noise. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Band means defined in three ways;. It can refer to straps that are metallic. These straps would be kept inside materials or cartons that are in papers with waterproof qualities. The purpose for this would be to make sure that the items inside the cartons are secure while they are being shipped. It can also refer to a paper (strip) that is either unprinted or printed. This piece of paper would be wrapped around sheets that are loose. They would be kept wrapped until they are bonded by a cover. This can also refer to the process of placing a paper band in a position where they would be around pieces that have been brought together or assembled other loose sheets. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Barium Sulfate: substance that is used primarily for whites. It is used as an alternative to a reflecting diffuser that is at 100%. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Baronial is envelope which usually takes the shape of a square. This envelope would normally be used giving announcements. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Base is Refers to a paper that has already been manufactured but also has to undergo further processes. These processes could lead to the lamination of the paper, creating a duplex or Bristol cover in addition to the production of an embossed paper without the aid of the machine. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Technically, base color describes Refers to a color that is first used on the sheet. Its function is to provide a background or foundation that enables subsequent colors to be printed on the sheet of paper. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Base size: The normal size of the sheets that are used. It usually differs depending on the grade that is in use. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Baseline refers to Refers to a line that is largely invisible. This line can mostly be found in typesetting situations. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Basis Weight: Refers to the weight of the basic sized paper that is calculated in inches. The weight would be measured per ream. It is also measured in pounds. However, in some areas outside North America, the metric that is used to calculate the basis weight might be different. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Beater is Refers to a machine that is similar to a blender. Its function is to crush pulp. It is also used to mix certain additives into the stock. It also has the ability to mix color. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Beater-sized refers to Refers to the procedures involved in the addition of sizing materials into the beater. Most times, the procedures are aimed at mixing these sizing materials with pulp. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Technically, bindery describes Refers to the folding, reduction and the piercing of a printed paper. In some context, it could also include the binding of the printed paper. It relates to book assembly and durability. It influences section alignment and page longevity.

Binding is There can be two meanings to this word;. It relates to book assembly and durability.

Binding Edge commonly denotes It can refer to a part of the book, usually, book edges that have been bound or bonded. It can also mean the sheets that have been attached to a single item. It is usually achieved through the use of adhesives, prongs, snaps and so much more. It can also be said to be the entire procedure involved such as piercing, the collection, and folding of the material into the final product. Refers to the edges of a book where the binding takes place. It relates to book assembly and durability. It influences section alignment and page longevity.

Black Printer can be defined as Refers to the black plate that is generally used to give more detail to the tones that are neutral. It is usually used in a printing process that is four-colored. It is equipment used for production or quality control.

In print practice, blank means This word can have two meanings;. It can be another word for shell. It can also be used to define or describe a group of paperboards that vary in terms of thickness (usually from 15 upwards to about 48). The Blanks can also be grouped into C25, C15 and so much more. You would usually find them in use in the creation of posters and signs. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Blanket describes The word is usually used in relation to offset lithography. It refers to the fabric which clings to the blanket cylinder. This fabric is usually rubber-coated and its main function is to move the image that is been made to the paper from its original location (the plate). It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Blanket contamination is Refers to waste that has attached itself to the offset blanket. Because of this attachment, it would usually disrupt and cause the printing process to produce an inferior product. It is a method of producing printed images. Each process has distinct plate, ink, and substrate demands.

Blanket Creep: Refers to all changes or movements on the surface of the blanket. The part of the surface where movement occurs must have the likelihood of being touched by the printing plate. The same would also apply to the paper. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock. Selection affects stiffness, opacity, and printability.

Blanket Cylinder is Refers to the cylinder that is used in the printing press. The same cylinder where the blanket would most likely be set or positioned. It is equipment used for production or quality control. Calibration is essential for reliable results.

Blanket Pull commonly denotes Refers to the middle (tack) that can be found between the paper and the blanket. It concerns the properties or grades of the paper stock.

Technically, bleach describes Refers to a substance that is usually chemical or chlorine. It is usually used to add the whitening effects to the pulp. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Bleaching commonly denotes Refers to using certain chemicals to treat the pulp fiber. The aim would usually be to refine, whiten or improve its purity. It is a standard concept in printing. Usage varies with process and material.

Bleed is This word can have two meaning;. When it is used in the context of printing, it may refer to running off of the printed images on the edges of the page. The movement of ink into undesignated areas. It affects drying, adhesion, and print appearance. Formulation choices influence drying time and rub resistance.

Technically, blind embossing describes Refers to a technique in which a design that is based on bas-relief is used without the aid of ink or foil. It affects drying, adhesion, and print appearance.

Blocking — Refers to printed sheets shearshim. It is usually frequent in piled ones that have the presence of wet ink. It affects drying, adhesion, and print appearance. Formulation choices influence drying time and rub resistance.

Blocking out can be defined as The removal of certain parts of the negatives. It is usually achieved by making the image opaque. It is a standard concept in printing.