Need Clarification with Technical Terms? Here’s Help!
Acid-free Paper
Paper made from pulp containing little or no acid so it resists deterioration from age. Also called alkaline paper, archival paper, neutral pH paper, permanent paper and thesis paper.
Against the Grain
At right angles to the grain direction of the paper being used, as compared to with the grain. Also called across the grain and cross grain. See also Grain Direction.
Alteration
Any change made by the customer after copy or artwork has been given to the service bureau, separator or printer. The change could be in copy, specifications or both. Also called AA, author alteration and customer alteration.
Artwork
All original copy, including type, photos and illustrations, intended for printing. Also called art.
Back Trim
Trimming all 4 sides of the paper to remove all traces of paper dust and fibers. This is critical for all our hand finishing services.
Basis Weight
In the United States and Canada, the weight, in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to the basic size. Also called ream weight and substance weight (sub weight). In countries using ISO paper sizes, the weight, in grams, of one square meter of paper. Also called grammage and ream weight.
Beveling
Cutting the outer edges of paper or heavy card stock at a 45° angle.
Bleed
Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming.
Bond Paper
Category of paper commonly used for writing, printing and photocopying. Also called business paper, communication paper, correspondence paper and writing paper.
C1S and C2S
Abbreviations for coated one side and coated two sides.
CMYK
Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the four process colors.
Colored Bevels
Coloring (similar to bordering) the bevel edges. Usually in gold or silver, but can match PMS colors as well.
Cover Weight Paper
Heavier grades of paper. Usually used for invitations, note cards, folders, and greeting cards.
Crop Marks
Small lines printed outside the image area that indicate where the final trim is to be made.
Cure
The time give to let all our finishes, dry and harden.
Deboss
To press an image into paper so it lies below the surface. Also called tool.
Deckle
A torn, ragged edge on paper.
Die
Device for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing and debossing.
Die Cut
To cut irregular shapes in paper or paperboard using a die.
Double Border
Two lines of overlapping colors applied to the outside edges of the face of a sheet of paper or an envelope blank.
Double Bump
To print a single image twice so it has two layers of ink.
Duplex Paper
Thick paper made by pasting highlights together two thinner sheets, usually of different colors. Also called double-faced paper and two-tone paper.
Edge Coloring
The application of metallic colors or PMS colors to the edges of paper, books, or pads (not the face of the sheet but the edge).
Embellishment
That unique, “something extra” that adds value, enhances, decorates, and adds impact to invitations, announcements, business cards, greeting cards, etc.
Emboss
To press an image into paper so it lies above the surface. Also called cameo and tool.
Engraving
Printing method using a plate, also called a die, with an image cut into its surface.
Feather Deckle
A soft, feathery deckle on the edge of paper.
Felt Finish
Soft woven pattern in text paper.
Felt Side
Side of the paper that was not in contact with the Fourdrinier wire during papermaking, as compared to wire side.
Filler Sheet
A cheaper paper used as the middle sheets when laminating, layering or pasting. This is used when the edges or bevels are to be colored, as the cheaper filler sheet will not be seen once colored.
Foil Emboss
To foil stamp and emboss an image. Also called heat stamp.
Foil Stamp
Method of printing that releases foil from its backing when stamped with the heated die. Also called block print, hot foil stamp and stamp.
Gate Fold
A sheet that folds where both sides fold toward the gutter in overlapping layers.
Gilding
Mostly in the book arena, gold leafing the edges of a book.
Glitter Border
Same as hand bordering only putting glitter on the borders.
Grain Direction
Predominant direction in which fibers in paper become aligned during manufacturing. Also called machine direction.
Gripper Edge
Edge of a sheet held by grippers on a sheetfed press, thus going first through the press. Also called feeding edge and leading edge.
GSM
The unit of measurement for paper weight (grams per square meter).
Gutter
When printing multiple images on a sheet, the space between each image.
Hand Bordering
The application of a thin line of color around the edges of the face of a sheet of paper or on an envelope blank.
Heritage Deckle
A finely cut, or carved deckle on the edge of paper.
Imprint
To print new copy on a previously printed sheet, such as imprinting an employee’s name on business cards. Also called surprint.
Keylines
Lines on a mechanical or negative showing the exact size, shape and location of photographs or other graphic elements. Also called holding lines.
Klear Kote
A clear laquer type coating that adds protection to borders from chipping and rubbing off.
Kustom Kote
A second coat of color to borders to give a deeper, more solid color.
Laminating
Taking two or more sheets of paper and gluing them together to make a thicker, heavier card stock. This may be done using all the same paper or different, contrasting colors of paper.
Layering
Taking two or more sheets of paper and gluing them together to make a thicker, heavier card stock. This may be done using all the same paper or different, contrasting colors of paper.
Letterpress Printing
The original form of relief printing where the image is transferred directly to the paper from a raised metallic image.
Logo
A company, partnership or corporate creation (design) that denotes a unique entity. A possible combination of letters and art work to create a “sole” entity symbol of that specific unit. Also known as a logotype.
Loupe
Lens built into a small stand. Used to inspect copy, film, proofs, plates and printing. Also called glass and linen tester.
Makeready
1. All activities required to prepare a press or other machine to function for a specific printing or bindery job, as compared to production run. Also called setup. 2. Paper used in the makeready process at any stage in production. Makeready paper is part of waste or spoilage.
Marbeling
Same as hand bordering only putting a “marbled” effect on the borders.
M Weight
Weight of 1,000 sheets of paper in any specific size.
Offset Printing
Printing technique that transfers ink from a plate to a blanket to paper instead of directly from plate to paper.
ParchTique
The process of burning or searing the edges of the sheet creating a burnt border or antique look.
Pasting
Taking two or more sheets of paper and gluing them together to make a thicker, heavier card stock. This may be done using all the same paper or different, contrasting colors of paper.
Perfect Bind
To bind sheets that have been ground at the spine and are held to the cover by glue. Also called adhesive bind, cut-back bind, glue bind, paper bind, patent bind, perfecting bind, soft bind and soft cover. See also Burst Perfect Bind.
Pica
A unit of measure in the printing industry. A pica is approximately 0.166 in. There are 12 points to a pica.
PMS
Refers to the Pantone Matching System of matching colors.
Rag Paper
Stationery or other forms of stock having a strong percentage content of “cotton rags.”
Ream
500 sheets of paper.
Register
To place printing properly with regard to the edges of paper and other printing on the same sheet. Such printing is said to be in register.
Register Marks
Cross-hair lines on mechanicals and film that help keep flats, plates, and printing in register. Also called crossmarks and position marks.
Reverse
Type, graphic or illustration reproduced by printing ink around its outline, thus allowing the underlying color or paper to show through and form the image. The image ‘reverses out’ of the ink color. Also called knockout and liftout.
Score
To compress paper along a straight line so it folds more easily and accurately. Also called crease.
Setoff
Undesirable transfer of wet ink from the top of one sheet to the underside of another as they lie in the delivery stack of a press. Also called offset.
Set Up
(1) All activities required to prepare a press or other machine to function for a specific printing or bindery job, as compared to production run. Also called makeready. (2) Paper used in the set up process at any stage in production. Set up paper is part of waste or spoilage.
Single Border
A single line of color applied to the outside edges of the face of a sheet of paper or an envelope blank.
Slip Sheets
Separate sheets (stock) independent from the original run positioned between the “printed run” for a variety of reasons.
Specially Printer
Printer whose equipment, supplies, work flow and marketing is targeted to a particular category of products.
Text Weight Paper
Thinner grades of paper. Usually similar to letter sheets, book pages or brochures.
Thermography
Method of printing using colorless resin powder that takes on the color of underlying ink. Also called raised printing.
Trimming
Taking the oversized sheet and cutting it down to the “final size”.
With the Grain
Parallel to the grain direction of the paper being used, as compared to against the grain. See also Grain Direction.
Wove
Paper manufactured without visible wire marks, usually a fine textured paper.