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Brumfield Printing Glossary

The following page is an alphabetical compilation of terms commonly used in the graphic arts field, with emphasis on book manufacturing terminology. The definitions come from a variety of sources such as Bookman's Glossary, Chicago Manual of Style, Pocket Pal and other publications. Other definitions are specific to use and operations at Braun-Brumfield. A special thanks to Agfa's Prepress Education Resources for their written permission for us to use some of the terms and definitions as they appeared in Agfa's own publications.

This glossary is meant to aid those working in Design and Production within the publishing world. We encourage its use and distribution both as an introduction to our intriguing industry and as a handy reference guide. We welcome any comments or suggestions that would make this glossary a more effective information source.

This is a listing of some common and not so common terms that are used when dealing with printing in general. (This page is very long so please use the • top link at the bottom of each section to return to this section) Note: that some of the glossary terms have specific reference to or from the source and may not be industry standard; however, in some situations we have added a line or two in corection. We trust you will find the general information useful.

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AA's
Changes from original copy or instructions, which are chargeable to the customer; also called Author's Alterations.
Abrasion Resistance
The degree to which paper can withstand repeated scuffing, rubbing or scratching.
Absorbency
The property of paper which causes it to take up liquids or vapors in contact with it.
Absorption
The first stage in ink drying; some of the ink vehicle is absorbed by the paper, leaving a stiffened film of ink on the surface.
Abstract
A short summary of a book or article.
Accordion Fold
In binding, a series of parallel folds, each opening opposite the next.
Acetate
A transparent sheet made of clear plastic; frequently used to make overlays on mechanicals.
Across The Grain
The direction 90¡, or at a right angle, to the paper grain. Paper is weaker and more sensitive to changes in relative humidity in the cross grain direction; also called Against the Grain.
Acid Free Paper
Paper which is free from acid or other ingredients likely to have a destructive effect; also called Neutral pH Paper or Alkaline Paper.
Actual Weight
The true weight of a given quantity of paper, which differs from basis weight because of manufacturing variations; also called Actual Basis Weight.
Additive Primary Colors
Red, green and blue light are referred as the Additive Primary Colors. When used in various degrees of intensity and variation, they create all other colors of light; when superimposed equally, they create white. Additive colors are transmitted light used in video monitors and televisions.
Adobe Type fonts
A collection of fonts manufactured by Adobe. Many consider these the industry standard.
Adhesive
A material, fluid at the time of use, spread by means of rollers to one or more surfaces, for the purpose of bonding two materials together, such as paper and board.
Adhesive Binding
See: Perfect Binding.
Advance Copies
(1) Finished books sent to a customer, usually by air, prior to bulk shipment of the balance of the order. (2) Copies of a new book sent to reviewers before the publication date; also called Review Copies.
Against the Grain
The direction perpendicular, or at a right angle, to the direction in which fibers of the paper lie; also called Across the Grain or Cross-grain. Folding against the grain is not recommended.
Air
Excess space in line or photographic art or in text matter.
Air Freight
A freight handling service in which the service owns the planes and ground transportation involved in moving the freight.
Air Freight Passenger Baggage Service
The fastest and most expensive package handling service offered by commercial airlines. A package of up to 50 pounds maximum weight is put on the next available flight to a destination, along with passenger baggage. The package must be picked up at the airport.
Airbrush
A small pressure gun, shaped like a pencil, that sprays watercolor pigments by means of compressed air; used to correct halftones and to obtain tone or graduated tone effects; also used with an abrasive-like pumice to remove spots or other unwanted areas.
Airing
See: Wind.
Alcohol
A substance added to the fountain solution of a printing press to reduce the surface tension of water.
Alcohol Substitutes
Chemicals added to the fountain solution of a printing press instead of alcohol.
Align
To line up.
Alignment
(1) Positioning of the letters of a line of type into exact juxtaposition with each other and with the accompanying lines. (2) The positioning of printed pages when they register with adjacent pages, and their reverse sides.
Alkaline Paper
Non-acid paper that has a high degree of permanence; also called Acid Free Paper or Neutral pH Paper.
All-Flaps-Meet Mailer
A corrugated mailing carton made to the exact dimensions of a book; does not provide as much protection as a Bumper-end Mailer. See also: OPF.
Aluminum Plate
A thin sheet of aluminum used in lithography for some press plates, the image being applied photographically.
Alteration
In composition, any change made in the copy after it has been typeset.
Analog
A smooth and continuously changing signal or display, such as a clock with a sweep second hand. Computer monitors are analog devices.
Anti-offset Spray
See: Spray Powder.
Antique
A natural or cream-white color of paper.
Antique Finish
A paper finish, usually on book and cover papers, that has a natural rough surface.
Appendix
An addition to the back matter of a book listing material related to the subject but not necessarily essential to its completeness.
Application Software
A computer program written to accommodate specific needs of the user (wordprocessing software, spread sheet software, graphics software, etc.).
Application File
A computer file still in its native software format (a PageMaker file, a Quark file, etc.).
Apron
Blank space at the bind edge of a foldout, usually on a French Fold, which allows folding and tipping without interfering with the copy.
Archival Paper
Acid-free paper made to resist disintegration, used for records that must last.
Art Boards
See: Camera-ready Copy.
Artificial Gold
See: Imitation Gold.
Artwork
A general term used to describe photographs, drawings, paintings, hand lettering, and the like, prepared to illustrate printed matter.
Ascender
The portion of a lower case letter that extends above the body of the letter, as in b, d, f, etc.
ASCII (AS-KEY)
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. This code set is used for data interchange among computers. Each character is represented as an 8-bit code.
Assemble
(1) The operation of bringing together the separate sections of a book, into a complete whole. See also: Gathering. (2) To bring together all the items in a set for packing; also called Collating.
Assemble Draws
The operation of putting together two or more groups of gathered signatures, to produce a completely gathered book. See also: Draw.
Assembly Sheet
An instruction sheet for a job, which shows the correct page sequence, identification of all unnumbered pages, positioning instructions, strip-in instructions, special camera instructions, etc.
Asynchronous
A telecommunications protocol allowing a variable time interval between each successive character. Asynchronous is a slower mode of transmission than bisynchronous.
ATM (Adobe Type Manager)
A software that performs the process of scaling type 1 fonts to the requested size.
Author
The original writer or composer of a book, treatise or document.
Author's Alterations
See: AA's.
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Bit Graphics (1 Bit)
An electronic image made up of pixels that are either on or off, white or black, with no variations of gray.
Bit Graphics (8 Bit)
An electronic image made up of pixels that in turn are made up of 16 x 16 grids or halftone cells. Each square within this grid can be either black or white and dependent upon how these two colors are used, creates an illusion of gray for that pixel. Each 16 x 16 grid is capable of creating 256 different levels of gray when defining the image.
Bit Graphics (24 Bit)
An 8 bit image when filtered through three channels of color (cyan, magenta and yellow). 8 Bits x 3 colors = 24 Bit Graphics.
Bit Graphics (32 Bit)
An 8 bit image when filtered through four channels of color (cyan, magenta, yellow and black or CMYK). 8 Bits x 4 colors = 32 Bit Graphics.
Back Cylinder Print
A press malfunction which causes the printed image to transfer to the impression cylinder and then to the press sheet.
Back Flap
The back inner fold of a dust jacket; often contains a photograph and brief biography of the author.
Back Lining
(1) A paper or fabric strip used with crash or super to reinforce the spine of a casebound book after rounding and backing. It provides the means for a firm connection between book and case. Headbands, if used, are attached to the paper or cloth. (2) The paper stiffening used in the backbone of a case, between the binder boards; also called Back Strip. (Must have back liner to stamp.)
Back Margin
See: Gutter Margin.
Back Matter
Material printed at the end of a book, such as appendix, addenda, glossary, index, bibliography.
Back Strip
See: Back Lining.
Back Up
To print the second, or reverse side of a sheet already printed on one side. Printing is said to back up when the printing areas on both sides are exactly opposite one another.
Backbone
The back of a bound book connecting the two covers; also called Spine or Shelfback.
Backing
(1) The process of raising a joint on a book to be casebound; occurs after rounding and before lining. (2) Printing the second, or back side of the sheet.
Backlining
The material, paper or fabric, pasted on the inside of the spine (backbone) of a book case.
Backup
The process of copying files and/or programs from a hard drive to an external medium to prevent the need to recreate in the event the original is lost, damaged or destroyed.
Backward Broadside Page
A page on which the text runs sideways. The book is turned counter-clockwise to read it.
Bad Break
(1) In composition, starting a page or ending a paragraph with a widow or other unsightly arrangement of type. (2) Incorrect word division.
B.A.M.
Balance after mailing.
Band
(1) A strip of paper, printed or unprinted, which wraps around loose sheets (in lieu of binding with a cover) or assembled pieces. (2) The operation of putting a paper band around loose sheets or assembled pieces.
Banding
Generally considered undesirable, banding is the visually obvious changes in density in a Vignette.
Bar Code
Printed on covers, dust jackets, etc. or on labels to be adhered to surface for Seller or Purchaser to scan for ISBN and price.
Base Color
A first color used as a background on which other colors are printed.
Base Stock
Foundation stock from which various papers are made.
Baseline
In composition, the line on which the bottoms of letters rest, exclusive of descenders which fall below the baseline.
Basis Size
The standard size for a grade of paper that is used to determine the Basis Weight; 25 x 38 is the Basis Size for book papers.
Basis Weight
The weight of a ream (500 sheets) of paper in the Basis Size for that grade of paper.
Bastard Size
Anything of a nonstandard size.
Bastard Title
See: Half-title.
Baud
(A telecommunications term.) A unit of signalling speed equal to the number of discrete conditions or signal events per second. One baud equals one bit per second in binary code. Popular baud rates for typesetting interfaces include 300, 1200, and 2400 baud.
Benday
A uniform pattern of dots, lines and other textures on artwork.
Bernoulli
Named after its manufacturer, it is a brand of removable hard drives currently in disks containing either 44 mb, 90 mb or 150 mb. This style of removable hard drive is most commonly used with PCs or compatibles.
Bill of Lading (B/L) / Packing Slip
The document that originates a shipment; it contains all the necessary information for the carrier to properly handle the shipment in transit, such as special instructions for handling and protection from the elements, as well as delivery information. A Bill of Lading is: a) the contract of carriage, b) documentary evidence of title, c) used by the carrier to generate a Freight Bill, d) serves as a Packing Slip since it describes shipment content.
Binary
The base-two numbering system which uses only the digits 0 and 1. It is the format for processing data in computers.
Bind
To join pages of a book together with thread, wire, adhesive or other means; to enclose them in a cover when so specified.
Bind Margin
The gutter or inner margin, from the binding to the beginning of the printed area; also called Gutter Margin or Back Margin.
Binder
(1) One who binds books. (2) Short for perfect binding equipment. (3) A detachable cover, into which loose pages or bound books and pamphlets are inserted on rings or posts; contents are easily removed.
Binder Board
A stiff, high-grade composition board used in book binding, inside the cloth of the case; more dense than chipboard.
Binding
(1) Fastening printed sheets together into books. (2) The covers and spine of a book.
Bisynchronous
A telecommunications protocol where the receiver device is able to verify the accuracy of the transmitted message and request a repeat if necessary. A "header'' signal is transmitted, then a series of synchronizing characters, then the text message, then the "end of text" message, then a checksum.
Bit
Short for binary digit. The smallest unit of information computers recognize, either a value of 1 or 0.
Bite
A surface characteristic of paper which causes it to accept ink, pencil or other impressions.
Bitmap
An electronic image made up of dots that are stored as either black or white (off or on). Each of these dots is equal to 1 bit of data.
Bitstream fonts
A collection of fonts manufactured by Bitstream.
Black and White
Originals and reproductions in single color, as distinguished from multicolor.
Black Dylux
See: Dylux (black, not blue).
Black Patch
See: Red Patch.
Black Printer
The black negative or plate made for color reproductions, to give proper emphasis to neutral tones and detail, as well as print any black copy.
Blank
An unprinted page.
Blanket
A fabric coated with natural or synthetic rubber, clamped around the blanket cylinder, which transfers ink from the printing plate to the paper on an offset press.
Blanket Contamination
Foreign matter that becomes attached to the blanket; interferes with print quality.
Blanket Cylinder
The roller on which the blanket is mounted.
Blanket Wash Streaks
Smears on press sheets which give the appearance of something damp having been pressed against the sheet; sometimes they will appear on a series of sheets after the blanket has been washed.
Blanket-to-Blanket Press
A perfecting press in which the web or sheet runs between two blanket cylinders, each of which acts as the impression cylinder for the other; also called Unit Perfecting Press.
Bleed
Any image that extends beyond the trim edge of the page.
Bleed Tabs
Most commonly, a solid ink square bleeding at the thumb edge of a page or pages as a guide for the location of specific text matter.
Blind Embossing
A design which is stamped without gold leaf or ink, giving a bas-relief effect.
Blind Folio
A folio (page number) which is counted, but not printed.
Blind Image
A plate image that has lost its ink-receptivity and fails to print; also called Blind Plate.
Blind Stamp
A design which is impressed (stamped) by the die alone, without foil or ink.
Block Style
A type style in which all lines align at the left margin.
Blocking
The sticking together of printed press sheets, caused by wet ink.
Blocking Out
Eliminating undesirable backgrounds and portions of negatives by opaquing the image; also called Opaquing and Spotting Out.
Blowup
A photographic enlargement.
Bluelines
A photoprint made from stripped-up negatives or positives, used as a proof to check position of image elements; also called Silverprints, Blues, Blueprints, Brownlines, Brownprints, Van dykes.
Blues
See: Bluelines.
Blurb
See: Mortice Copy.
BMI (Book Manufacturing Institute)
An association of manufacturers of books and suppliers of book materials.
Body
In inkmaking, consistency, or viscosity.
Body Copy
The main part of the text of a publication.
Body Type
Type used for the text matter of a book, as distinguished from the headings and display type.
Boldface (bf)
Heavy-faced type.
Bonding Strength
Cohesiveness of fibers within a paper, which determine its resistance to the destructive forces of printing.
Book Block
Sewn, trimmed signatures, ready for casebinding.
Book Cloth
Cotton cloth, sized, glazed or impregnated with synthetic resins, used for book covers; comes in different weights and weaves. The quality of the cloth is determined by the number of threads per inch and the tensile strength of the threads.
Book Order
See: Fulfillment.
Book Paper
A general term for a class or group of papers having common physical characteristics that are most suitable for book manufacture; made to close tolerances on caliper (pages per inch).
Book Rate
Fourth class mail with a special rate, less than ordinary fourth class; travels at the same speed as ordinary fourth class; also called Educational Material (EM).
Booklet
A small book of not more than 24 pages.
Border
A printed line or design surrounding an illustration or other printed matter.
Bottom Margin
The margin at the bottom of a page; also called Foot Margin or Tail Margin.
Bowed Edges (of paper)
Convex or concave edges on trimmed sheets, caused when the draw of the knife is not uniform because of wavy edges on the untrimmed sheets.
Box Fold Cover
An unattached cover with two folds made to form a spine equal to the bulk of the contents, into which two or more pieces are loosely inserted.
Boxhead
Similar to a cut-in head, but with a ruled line around it; also a head for a column in a ruled table.
Break For Color
To indicate or separate the parts of a mechanical which print in different colors.
Brightness
(1) The light being reflected by copy to the lens of the process camera. (2) In paper, light-reflective qualities that affect contrast and halftone reproduction. (3) The intensity or clarity of color; not dull or gray in value.
Broadside Page
A page on which the text runs sideways. The book is turned clockwise to read it.
Broker
An agent for foreign shipments who arranges all details of the shipment, including the paperwork, insurance, legal documents, etc.
Brownline
See: Bluelines.
Buckle Folder
A type of folder. To fold, two rollers push a sheet between two metal plates. When the paper meets a stop between the two plates, it starts to buckle at the entrance of the plates. A third roller, in conjunction with one of the original rollers, seizes the buckle and puts a fold in the paper.
Buckram
A book cloth which can be identified by heavy, coarse threads; available in a number of grades; normally used for library bindings or large, heavy books.
Building
In-To place newly cased-in books through a finishing step where backs are shaped and enough pressure applied by special hydraulic presses to secure the drying books firmly.
Bulk
(1) The stacked thickness of paper, usually expressed in pages per inch (ppi). See also: Caliper. (2) The thickness of a book, exclusive of cover.
Bulking Dummy
Unprinted sheets folded in the signature size and signature number of a given job, to determine the actual bulk; used to establish dimensions for cover or Dust Jacket art preparation or by the binder to determine case size.
Bullets
Round solid dots available in a variety of sizes; set on the vertical center of the type body size; used to set off items in an indented list.
Bump Exposure
An exposure in halftone photography in which the screen is removed for a short time to increase highlight contrast.
Bumper End Mailer
A cushioned-end corrugated mailing carton with an air cell which provides added protection for the contents.
Burn
In platemaking, a common term for plate exposure.
Burn Out
To overexpose a press plate so that no tints come up.
Burrs
Rough edges caused by cutting with a dull knife.
Burst Binding
See: Notch Binding and Notch Adhesive Casebinding.
Bursting Strength
The degree to which pa-per can withstand pressure without rupturing.
Butt
To adjoin without overlapping (Ex-ample: two pieces of film or two colors of ink).
Byte
An electronic unit of measure equal to 8 bits. Sometimes referred to as a computer word, a byte is generally an alpha or numeric character.
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C1S (Coated One Side)
Cover or text paper coated on one side only; for covers and dust jackets.
C2S (Coated Two Sides)
Cover or text paper which has been coated on both sides.
Caking
The collecting of ink pigments on plates or rollers, caused primarily by the inability of the vehicle to hold the pigment in suspension.
Calendered Paper
Paper which has been compacted and smoothed during manufacture by passing it through a stack of polished metal rollers called calenders.
Calibration
Adjusting a monitor to more accurately display colors or an imagesetter to more accurately output halftone screens.
Caliper
(1) The thickness of a single sheet of paper measured under specified conditions; usually expressed in thousandths of an inch (mils). (2) The instrument that measures thickness. (3) The thickness of a single sheet of board, measured in points.
Camera
Ready Copy-In offset, material ready for reproduction; also called Copy, Photocopy, Art Boards or Originals.
Camera Setting
The percentage of reduction or enlargement at which a piece of copy is to be photographed to achieve proper finished size; also called Repro-duction Ratio.
Cancel
Undesired blank pages on a printed sheet which are to be removed, either by cutting from the sheet before folding or removal by hand after folding.
Cap and Lower Case (C and LC)
Marking on a manuscript calling for the use of capital and lower case letters; all primary words in a sentence begin with a capital letter.
Caps
Upper case letters; capitals.
Caps and Small Caps (C and SC)
Two sizes of capital letters used to typeset words, consisting of full size capitals and small capitals designed to be approximately the height of lower case primary letters.
Caption
The description accompanying an illustration, for explanation or identification.
Caret
A triangular symbol (^) used in writing or in proof-reading, to indicate where a change is to be inserted.
Carload Lot
Sufficient paper to make up a full freight carload, usually 36,000-100,000 pounds; also refers to a price category.
Cartage Company
Pickup or delivery of freight within commercial zone of a city by local carrier acting as agent for shipper or over-the-road carrier.
Carton
A cardboard box; shipping carton.
Case
The covers of a hardbound book, consisting of paper or cloth over binder boards.
Case Fraction
In composition, a small built up fraction, such as 21. .
Casebound
A book bound with a hard (stiff) cover; also called Hardbound or Clothbound.
Casebinding
Binding in which the cover is made separately and consists of rigid or flexible boards covered with cloth, paper or other material in such a manner that the covering material surrounds the outside and edges of the board. Covers always project beyond the edges of the text pages; also called Edition Binding or Hardcover Binding.
Casemaker
A machine that produces finished cases from raw materials (paper or cloth, boards and backstripping) which have first been cut to the proper size.
Casing
In-The operation of applying paste or glue to the endsheets of a book, inserting the sewn and trimmed text into the case (cover) and building-in using hydraulic presses to secure the books while drying.
Cast Coated
Coated paper dried under pressure against a polished cylinder, to produce a high gloss, enamel finish.
Cast Off
(1) To estimate the length of a manuscript when typeset. (2) The result of making a castoff.
Catalog Envelope
See: Open End Envelope.
Catalog Rate
A special fourth class mailing rate.
Catching Up
A press condition which indicates that the nonimage area of a press plate is starting to accept ink, or scum.
CD-ROM/CD (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory)
A computer medium capable of storing 650-700 megabytes or 1.3 gigabytes of compressed data. This format allows the data to be retrieved repeatedly, but cannot be edited or altered in any way.
CD-ROM ReWritable/CDRW (Compact Disk-Rewriteable)
A computer medium capable of storing 650-700 megabytes or 1.3 gigabytes of compressed data. This format allows the data to be retrieved repeatedly, and can be edited or changed in writeable sessions.
Cellulose
A fibrous substance obtained from cotton, linen, hemp and wood; used to make paper.
Center Spread
The facing pages in the center of a signature; also called Natural Spread.
Centerline or Center Mark
A short line applied to copy, a page negative or a negative flat to indicate the center of the trim margins of a page or a form; also used for registration.
Certified Mail
Mail which provides for a record of delivery to be maintained by the Post Office from which the mail is delivered. The carrier delivering the item obtains a signature from the addressee. There is a charge for Certified Mail. If a return receipt is requested, an additional fee is charged.
Chain Dot
See: Elliptical Dot.
Chalking
Improper drying of ink causing it to dust off; also called Powdering or Dusting.
Change Request
A form used to convey in structions or specifications pertaining to an order in process, or information affecting the status or schedule of such an order.
Chapter Headings
Headings printed on the opening page of each chapter, above the text.
Character
A letter, number, punctuation mark, space or special graphic used for the production of text.
Character Count
The total number of characters in a specified segment of copy.
Check Copy
(1) A folded and gathered, but unbound, copy of a book sent to a customer for approval before binding. (2) The gathered, trimmed copy which is inspected and approved by Quality Assurance prior to any binding operation; used as a guide in the bindery for assembling in the proper sequence, including inserts, furnished items, etc.; also called F & G.
Check Shot
A camera exposure made to determine whether the exposure time is proper for satisfactory reproduction of the copy.
Checker
The individual who checks folded sections prior to binding. Checking is done for quality, and verification is made of individual pages, with the photocopy and assembly sheet instructions checked against the finished pages for accuracy.
Chemical Ghosting
Faint replicas of images that are printed on the other side of the sheet, caused by chemical interaction of inks during the drying stage; also called Gloss Ghosting.
Chemical Pulp
Pulp for papermaking made from cellulose containing substances obtained by chemical means.
Cheshire Label
A label which can be applied by a Cheshire Labeler. See: Four-Up East-West Labels.
Chipboard
Low grade board made from wastepaper; commonly used as backing for padded forms.
Choke
In negative preparation, the photographic means used to close in and reduce the thickness of the printing detail; also called Shrunk Negative. It is also used to provide a printing overlap between a colored or tinted background and the display matter. This is the opposite of a spread negative.
Chokes
See: Trap
Chromalin Proof
A proprietary term for a color proof process employing a photosensitized clear plastic. Color separation negatives are exposed in such a way that process color will adhere to dots on the plastic. One sheet of plastic is exposed for each process color, treated with the separate process colors, placed in register, then laminated. Color may be very accurate, but is subject to variation due to exposure and application of the process color. Used to check register; obvious blemishes and size.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight at a given point of destination)
The seller pays all costs up to the arrival of the shipment at the foreign port.
CIP Page
The preliminary page which contains the Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data; normally the page with copyright information.
CL
A full rail car load.
Clasp Envelope
An envelope with a metal clasp for closing. It may be opened and closed, without damage to the envelope.
Classification
In shipping, a publication which assigns ratings to various articles and provides bill of lading descriptions and rules.
Clean-up
To make the non-printing areas of a plate, which have begun to be ink-receptive, ink- repellant once again.
Close Register
Low trap allowance, requiring press printing position accuracy of ± 1/2 row of dots; also known as Tight Register or Hairline Register.
Close Up
To move type or other elements on a page closer together by removing space.
Closed Head
The top of the signature produced by a fold, presenting a solid surface when opened at the center; the signature can be opened easily and accurately, for rapid feeding.
Cloth
Woven fabric, finished in various ways; used with binder boards to make cases.
Clothbound
See: Casebound.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
The primary colors used together in printing to effectively create a multitude of other colors.
Coated Paper
Paper with mineral and chemical substances applied to the surface to achieve higher opacity, brightness and special properties for printing; produced in glossy or dull (matte) finishes.
Coating
(1) The mineral substances such as china clay, blanc fixe, satin white, etc. used to cover the surface of paper, thus making the coated surface of enameled papers. (2) In photography and photomechanics, application of varnishes and other mixtures to plates and negatives. (3) Application of light-sensitive solutions to plate surfaces. (4) An emulsion, varnish or lacquer ap-plied over a printed surface to give it protection.
Coating Accumulation
An accumulation of paper coating material on the blanket during printing.
Coating Pile
The buildup of coating on the press blanket or as the sheet goes through a multicolor press. Fountain solution will loosen the coating, which will pile further down the line in the printing operation.
Coating Streaks
Uneven distribution of coating on base paper stock, wider than 1/8".
COD (Collect on Delivery)
A mail shipment for which collection of mail costs is done at the time of delivery; the value of the contents may also be collected and returned to the sender.
Coffee Table Book
An oversized book, heavily illustrated, that is suitable for displaying on a coffee table.
Cold Type
Text composition prepared for photomechanical reproduction with a typewriter, by hand-lettering, or by photocomposition, not requiring the use of metal types; also called Strike-On Com-position. All typesetting not using melted lead is known as Cold Type.
Collate
(1) Gathering (assembling) sections (signatures) in a predetermined order for binding. (2) To assemble multiple books or other items to form a complete set.
Collating Marks
Markings (a rule, rectangle or similar mark) on the outside of the fold of each signature. When signatures are collated, these marks align diagonally. A missing mark indicates an omitted signature; two side by side represent a duplication.
Collect Shipment
A shipment for which freight charges are billed by the carrier to the consignee.
Collotype
A screenless printing process; reproduces illustrations in continuous tone without halftone dots.
Colophon
(1) Trade emblem or device of a printer or publisher. See: Logo. (2) An inscription page sometimes found at the end of a book, listing details pertaining to production of the book, or the printer's imprint.
Color (of paper)
A characteristic achieved by dying paper in various hues, often in shades exclusive to a particular mill. Paper color affects readability and color reproduction. White sheets are considered to have color, varying in tones from blue to yellow to pink.
Color Bar
A control strip printed on the edge of a press sheet, for visual and densitometer checking of ink color and density. It consists of small blocks of each color, graded halftone tints and overprints of the color.
Color Correction
Any method such as masking, dot-etching, re-etching, and scanning, used to improve color rendition.
Color Key
An overlay proof composed of an individual colored acetate sheet for each color; used to check register, obvious blemishes and size.
Color Perception
The manner in which the eye distinguishes color based on hue, brightness and saturation.
Color Process Printing
A reproduction of color made by means of photographic separations. The printing is done using cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks, each requiring its own negative; also called Process Color or Four Color Process.
Color Proofs
A set of color process proofs, consisting of proofs of each color, singly and in combination with other colors, as the job will be printed; also called Progressives or Progs.
Color Scanner
Equipment used to make color separations by photoelectrically reading the relative densities of the copy; also called Electronic Scanner.
Color Separation
(1) In photography, the process of separating full color originals into the primary printing colors, in negative or positive form, with one piece of film for each color. (2) For some kinds of color reproduction a paste-up artist can preseparate by using separate overlays for each color.
Color Swatch
A small, usually square, solid color block used to furnish a sample of the actual ink color to be reproduced.
Color Transparency
A full color transparent positive on a transparent support.
Color Trap
See: Trap.
Comb Binding
See: Plastic Comb Binding.
Comber Marks
Marks which occur when the comber wheels of a folder pass over printed matter on the sheet, causing the ink to smear.
Combination Negative
See: Composite Negative.
Coming-and-Going Imposition
An imposition that has right hand pages in sequence from the front of the book to the end; the book is turned over and all left hand pages are in sequence and read from the back of the book to the front.
Commercial Perforation
A series of small slits, produced on a folder, running parallel to the fold at the binding edge; it permits paper to separate easily at the slits, to remove pages from the book.
Commercial Register
Color printing on which the allowable misregister is within one row of dots.
Common Carrier
A transportation line engaged in the business of handling persons or goods for compensation and for all persons impartially; regulated by I.C.C.
Common Pages
(1) In camera- ready copy, originals used for two or more different publications, usually without change or with very minor changes. (2) In reference to offprints, a leaf (2 pages) required in more than one article.
Comp
Short for Composition.
Compatibility
The ability of one computer to interconnect or share programs or data with one another.
Complex Mathematics
Copy to be set which includes multi-level equations, scientific copy, Greek characters and technical symbols.
Compose (or Composing)
The process of setting type.
Composite
Several pictures placed together to form a single, combined picture.
Composite Negative
A final negative which incorporates all reverses, doubleburns, etc. previously made by means of Intermediate Negatives; also called Combination Negative.
Composition
Setting type; also called Typesetting.
Compressability
The degree of pressure a sheet of paper can withstand and still return to its original thickness.
Compression
The process of manipulating the way data is stored through special software that allows files to be stored more compactly.
Concealed Damage
Shipping damage that is not evident from viewing the unopened carton.
Condensed Face
A narrow version of a regular typeface; permits more characters in a given measure; about 60% of the width of standard characters.
Condition
To bring paper to a state in which its moisture content is equal to that of the surrounding atmosphere; also called Stabilize.
Confirming Price
The price of an order, after all specifications are finalized; does not include Author's Alterations or Overruns/Underruns.
Confirming Proof
A proof confirming to the customer how the page, as shown by the proof, will print. No approval will be required or expected.
Connected Dots
Halftone dots of 50% value or more, joined together visibly in a negative.
Consignee
The receiver to whom goods are shipped.
Consignor
The shipper who forwards goods.
Contact
(1) In platemaking, this occurs when the negatives or positives are brought in contact (touch) with the plate, by means of vacuum, with no dirt or other foreign materials in between. (2) Brief for Contact Print.
Contact Print
A photographic print made from either a negative or a positive exposed in contact with sensitized paper or film; other common terms are PMT, T-Print, Stat, Contact and Velox.
Contact Screen
A halftone screen made on a film base with a graduated dot pattern; used in direct contact with the film, to obtain a halftone negative from a continuous tone original.
Continuous Tone
Any image which has not been screened and contains gradient tones from black to white; may be a photograph, oil painting, wash drawing, etc.
Contrast
(1) The tonal gradations between the highlights, middletones and shadows in an original or reproduction; also called Copy Density Range. (2) The relationship between the lightest and the darkest areas of an image.
Convertible Sheet-fed Perfecting Press
On a two-unit press, it will print two colors one side of the sheet or one color two sides; presses are available with up to six units.
Copy
Any furnished material to be used for reproduction; also called Camera-ready Copy.
Copy Dot
To photograph dot for dot; to exactly match previously screened originals.
Copy Fitting
(1) Making copy fit a predetermined area. (2) To determine the amount of copy that will fit in a given area.
Copy Preparation
(1) In photomechanical processes, directions as to size and other details for illustrations and the arrangement into proper position of various parts of the page to be photographed for reproduction. (2) In typesetting, checking manuscript copy to insure a minimum of changes after type is set.
Copyright
Literary, dramatic, artistic and musical property protection for the author as authorized by the U.S. Constitution, securing for the author, for limited times, the exclusive rights to his or her work.
Copyright Notice
A notice required by law to protect publicly distributed information. It must include the symbol C and the word copyright.
Copyright Page
The book page containing the copyright notice and copyright information.
CorelDraw
A graphics software program manufactured by CorelDraw.
Corner Marks
Open parts of squares ( _| |_ ) placed on original copy as a positioning guide.
Corr
Short for Correction.
Correction Marks
See: Proofreader's Marks.
Corroseal
A corrugated mailing material, used primarily for single copy mailing.
Count
The quantity of sheets, signatures or finished books available for an order.
Cover 1
Outside front cover.
Cover 2
Inside front cover.
Cover 3
Inside back cover.
Cover 4
Outside back cover.
Cover Paper
A designation for a wide variety of papers durable enough to be used as book covers.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Commonly referred to as the brain of the computer, it is a computer chip which provides the strength and manageability of data in the system.
Crack-n-Peel
Labels or pockets to have paper peeled off and to be applied to a surface.
Crash
See: Super.
Credit Line
A statement giving the name of a photographer, author, etc., responsible for the picture, quotation, etc., being used.
Crop
To eliminate certain areas of a photograph or other artwork.
Crop Marks
Marks along the margins of an illustration, used to indicate the portion of the illustration to be reproduced.
Cross Grain
See: Against the Grain.
Crossline Screen
In halftone photography, a grid pattern with opaque lines crossing each other at right angles, thus forming transparent squares, or screen apertures; classified by the number of lines per inch; also called Glass Screen. See also: Halftone Screen and Contact Screen.
Crossmarks
See: Register Marks.
Crowd
To ink the plate heavily in order to print darker; applying too heavy an ink film to the plate.
Crushing
On casebound books, smashing of the spine which can occur during the rounding operation; this may cause some creasing of text paper at the bind edge; occurs most often on books of small bulk.
Crystallization
A condition in which a dried ink film repels a second ink which must be printed on top of it.
Curl
In paper, distortion of the unrestrained sheet due to differences in structure, coatings from one side to the other or to absorption of moisture on an offset press. The curl side is the concave (wire) side of the sheet, which is more receptive to humidity change. Most commonly affects lightweight paper and cover paper.
Curling
A condition of flexible or stiff covers which do not remain flat after drying.
Customer Furnished (CF)
Any material supplied by a customer (Examples: paper, printed covers, mailing labels, etc.).
Customs Papers
See: Export Declaration.
Cut
(1) The act of cutting flat printed or unprinted paper. (2) Commonly used to mean a printed illustration.
Cut-In Head
A heading placed in a box of white space fitted in at the side of a typeset page.
Cutoff
Printed copy or artwork either completely or partially missing from the printed sheet or trimmed book.
Cutout
In negative flat preparation, openings cut through the goldenrod or masking paper to produce the exposure areas needed on the negatives for plate exposure; also called Window.
Cutter Dust
Residue resulting from the paper cutting operation, which may interfere in the printing process.
Cutter Wrinkles
Creases or folds in the sheet, usually running at a slight angle to machine direction; may vary in size and appear at random.
Cyan
Process Blue; one of the four process colors.
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Damp Streaks
In paper, streaks caused by uneven pressing or drying during the manufacturing process.
DAT
A removable storage medium created from a magnetic tape with a storage capacity of up to 2 gb of data.
DCS
Computer program that traks employee time per job number.
Decorating
Printing or stamping a case, making it ready for use.
Delamination
A separation of the surface of paper.
Delete
To omit from copy or film. The delete mark ( ) is used to designate the material to be omitted.
Densitometer
(1) In photography, a photoelectric instrument for measuring optical density or relative degree of light absorption or opacity of a subject. (2) In printing, a reflection instrument used to measure the density and consistency of color throughout the run.
Density
(1) The specific gravity of paper, or weight per unit volume. (2) A measure of the degree of blackness. (3) The blackness and weight of type set in phototypesetting.
Descender
The portion of a lower case letter that extends below the main body, such as in g, j, p, q, and y.
Desktop Computer
See: Microcomputer.
Desktop Publisher
(1) A page layout application that integrates text and graphics on a microcomputer. (2) One who uses a desktop publishing application.
Desktop Publishing
Use of personal computers and software applications that allow integration of text and graphics with true typesetting standards. Frequently abbreviated as DTP.
Destination
The point to which a shipment is consigned.
Device Driver
A printer driver. Ad program which functions as a translator, converting one devices' output into data that another device can understand.
Die
A design, letters or pattern cut in metal for stamping book covers or for embossing; also called Stamping Die.
Die Cutting
The use of sharp steel rules to cut special sizes and shapes, labels, boxes and containers from printed or unprinted materials.
Die Negative
See: Engraver's Negative.
Die Repro
Camera-ready copy of material to be stamped.
Digital
A signal or display which varies between two extremes, either on or off, such as a clock which displays time by illuminating numbers. Computers are digital devices.
Dimensional Stability
The degree to which paper or film will maintain its size and shape when subjected to changes in moisture content or relative humidity.
Dingbat
A typographical symbol or ornament; most common use is for decoration.
Display Type
(1) Typefaces designed for use in headlines or other non-text positions. (2) Large sizes of any typeface, 14 points or larger, as distinct from body text sizes which usually extend up to 12 or 14 points.
Divide and use all
An instruction to the printer to divide a lot of paper so as to use the same number of sheets for each form, thereby printing the greatest number of complete books.
Dividers
Tabbed sheets of index or other heavy stock, used to identify and separate specific sections of a book.
Dogears
A portion of a page, usually a corner, folded back in such a way that it will not trim.
DOS (Disk Operating System)
The base level program which allows the operation of the PC (or compatibles) as well as any externally loaded software. DOS must always be present when the PC computer is in operation.
Dot
The individual element of a halftone, created with a halftone screen.
Dot Etching
Color correction done on screened color separations by changing the sizes of halftone dots by hand, thereby changing the tone.
Dot Gain
In printing, a defect in which dots print larger than they should, causing darker tones or colors.
Dot Gain Scales
A series of fine screen numbers 0-9 in a coarse screen background; used to determine plate sharpness, resolution during platemaking and dot gain or plate wear on the press during printing.
Dot-Matrix Printer
An impact printer that creates characters on a sheet of paper by printing only selected dots, in a pattern that forms the desired letter or image (also called Stylus Printer).
Dot Slurring
Smearing of halftone dots during printing.
Dot Spread
In printing, a defect in which dots print larger than they should, causing darker tones or colors.
Double Black Duotone
A two color halftone in which both plates are printed in black; also called Double Black Halftone Printing.
Double Black Halftone Printing
See: Double Black Duotone.
Double Burn
(1) Black printing that appears in the light area of a photograph. (2) The effect and operation of photoprinting different line and halftone negatives in succession and register on the same sensitized surface, negative or plate.
Double Burning
Combining the images on two or more pieces of film, to create a single image; result is a Composite or Combination Negative.
Double Column
Pages which consist of two vertical columns of type rather than type extending across the entire page. This glossary is double column.
Double Draw
Occurs when there are more sections in a book than stations on the gathering line; the sections are assembled in batches (draws), then the two batches are merged to form a completely gathered book.
Double Image
Two impressions of an entire image, or portion of an image. The undesirable double image may be caused by press sheets touching while the ink is still wet.
Double Page Spread
Any two facing pages on which the layout requires that copy on both pages match at the binding edge; copy which extends across the gutter margins.
Double Thick Cover Stock
A cover stock composed of two sheets of 65 lb. cover stock laminated together.
Double Varnish
Two applications of press varnish.
Doubles
A mechanical malfunction of the gathering line, which results in two like signatures being dropped on the line where there should be one.
Doubling
(1) A press problem which generally occurs when sheets make contact with the blanket twice, one just before the impression point and the second time at the impression point, resulting in a double image. (2) Occurs when the feeder of the press feeds two sheets instead of one. (3) Occurs when the blanket slips at the pressure point, resulting in a slur or double image. (4) A doubled impression in stamping, where the second impression or "hit" does not register perfectly over the first one.
DPI (dots per inch)
The unit of measure for output resolution, the dpi refers to the number of dots that will fit in an inch. DPI is also used to measure the quality of input when using a scanner. The DPI in this case, becomes a square function measuring the dots both vertically as well as horizontally. Consequently, when an image is scanned in at 300 dpi, there are 90,000 dots or bits of electronic data (300 x 300) in every square inch.
Drag
Press register trouble with the dot enlarged toward the back (non-gripper edge) of the sheet. See: Slur.
Draw
(1) The gathered sections of a book. (2) The dragging motion of any cutting machine knife.
Drawdown
An ink chemist's method of roughly determining color shade. A small glob of ink is placed on paper and drawn down with the edge of a putty knife spatula, to get a thin film of ink.
Drier
Any substance added to ink to hasten drying.
Drilling
Punching of holes in folded sections, trimmed or untrimmed, or in finished books, which will permit their insertion over rings or posts in a binder.
Drop Folio
A page number placed at the bottom of a page.
Drop Page
A sinkage page.
Drop Shipment
To ship an order to one address and bill the charges to another.
Dropout Halftone
A halftone that contains no dots or details in the highlights; also called Highlight Halftone.
Dropout Type
See: Reverse.
Dropping-on Covering
See: Sew and Glue.
Dry Trapping
Printing wet ink over ink which has dried.
Drying Time
The time required for an ink to become rub-free or tack-free.
DTP
See: Desktop Publishing.
Dualtone
A halftone image reproduced using two colors.
Dull Finish
A smooth surfaced paper with a low gloss finish.
Dummy
(1) A preliminary layout showing the position of illustrations and text as they are to appear in the final reproduction. (2) A set of blank pages made up in advance to show the size, shape, form and general style of a piece of printing. See: Bulking Dummy.
Duotone
A two-color halftone reproduction from a one-color original, requiring two halftone negatives for opposite ends of the gray scale, one emphasizing highlights and the other emphasizing shadows. One plate usually is printed in dark ink, the other in a lighter one.
Duplex Paper
A paper or cover stock with a different color, finish or texture on each side, usually produced by laminating two sheets.
Duplicating Film
A film used for making positives from positives and negatives from negatives.
Dust Jacket
The printed or unprinted wrapper, usually paper, placed around a case bound book; also called Dust Cover, Dust Wrapper, Book Jacket or Jacket.
Dusting
See: Chalking.
Duty
The charge assessed by a government on shipments exported or imported.
Digtal Video Disk/DVD
This is the next generation of optical disc storage technology. It typically holds 4.7 Gigabytes of information. It's important to note the difference between the physical formats (such as DVD-ROM or DVD-R) and the application formats (such as DVD-Video or DVD-Audio). DVD-ROM includes recordable variations DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM, and DVD+R/RW.
Dylux
A fast, self-fixing photographic proofing paper that is sensitive on both sides. See: Bluelines.
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Edge Staining
Coloring the trimmed edges of a finished book; may be the top only or thumb edge or all three edges. Staining is done by brushing, spraying, or sponging with dye. If the top only is colored, it is called Top-Staining.
Edit
To modify or revise existing text or to prepare a manuscript for publication; also called Redact.
Edition Binding
See: Casebinding.
Educational Material (EM)
A special mailing rate for books; the lowest possible rate. See: Book Rate.
Eggshell Finish
A relatively rough finish given to uncoated paper; resembles the surface texture of an eggshell.
Electronic Publishing
See: Desktop Publishing.
Electronic Scanner
See: Color Scanner or Scanner.
Elliptical Dot
In halftone photography, elongated dots that give improved gradation of tones, particularly middletones; also called Chain Dot.
Em Space
A typesetting unit of measurement, equal to the space of the largest letter in the alphabet of the type face and size being used.
Embossed Finish
Paper with a raised or depressed surface resembling wood, cloth, leather or other pattern.
Embossing
(1) Impressing an image in relief, to achieve a raised or depressed surface; either over printing, or on blank paper, for decorative purposes. (2) The swelling of the image on an offset blanket, due to its absorbing of solvents from the ink. (3) A finish on paper or cloth.
Emulsion
A photographic term for a gelatin or collodion solution holding light-sensitive salts of silver in suspension used as the light-sensitive coating on glass photographic plates, film or metal plates.
Emulsion Side
The side of a photographic film to which the emulsion is applied and on which the image is developed; the side on which scratching or scribing can be done; has a dull appearance.
En Space
One-half the width of an em space; the width given to a numeral.
En Route
A shipment in the possession of the carrier and being transported.
Enamel
A high gloss coated paper or a coating material on a paper.
Encapsulated PostScript
See: EPS.
End Matter
See: Back Matter.
Endleaf
See: Endsheets.
Endpoint Densities
In halftone photography, the densities that yield the desired highlight and shadow dot sizes at the ends of the halftone range.
Endsheets
Four pages each at the beginning and end of a casebound book, one leaf of each being solidly pasted against the inside board of the case. Stock is stronger and heavier than text stock; may be white or colored stock, printed or unprinted; also called Endpapers, End-leaves or Lining Papers.
English Finish
A grade of book paper with a smoother, more uniform surface than machine finish.
Engraver's Negative
The negative from which stamping dies are made; a right-reading, emulsion down negative; also called Die Negative.
Enlargement
A reproduction larger in size than the original; also called Blowup.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
A high-resolution, electronic file format used to transfer PostScript image information from one program to another. The file includes PostScript code and a low resolution (PICT) representation of the image.
Errata
An acknowledgement of a printing error.
Errata Sheet
A loose page with revised text to correct technical, typographical or other errors. Inserted loose in books prior to distribution, or sent later to be inserted.
Estimate
A price provided to a customer, based on the specifications outlined on the estimate form; it is normally sent prior to entry of an order and prices may change if the order specifications are not the same as the estimate specifications.
Etch Out
See: Hone Off.
Ethernet
A local area network hardware standard capable of linking up to 1,024 nodes.
Exclusive Use of Trailer
A very costly method for a direct truck shipment. The charge is for a full trailer load, plus a surcharge, regardless of the amount shipped.
Expanded Type
See: Extended Type.
Expansivity
The degree to which a paper changes its dimensions for a given change in its relative humidity.
Export
Shipment of goods to a foreign country.
Export Declaration
Paperwork given to the carrier for use in clearing a shipment through U.S. Customs; also called Customs Papers.
Exposure
A step in photographic processes during which light produces an image on the light-sensitive coating on film or plates; in photography, called Shot; in platemaking, called Burn.
Extract
A passage taken from another book or another author's writing; usually set in smaller type than the main text, or differently indented.
Extended Type
Type with a wider face than normal type, which permits less copy to be set in a given measure; also called Expanded Type.
Extender
A pigment used in printing inks to reduce intensity and opacity.
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F & G
A folded and gathered, but unbound, copy of a book. See also: Check Copy.
Face
A style of type.
Face Margin
See: Trim Margin.
Facing Pages
Two pages that face each other when a publication is open.
Facsimile
An exact reproduction of the original copy; sometimes abbreviated as "facsm" or "fax."
Fadeout Halftone
A general reduction in the overall contrast of a halftone, to allow type to be easily readable when printed over it; also called Ghost Halftone.
Fake Duotone
A two color reproduction, using a single halftone negative, usually black, and halftone screen tint for the background, usually in color.
Family
All sizes and weights of basic type design; members may vary in weight, width, or other treatment. For example, a family may include roman, italic, extended and boldface treatments of a face.
Fanout
A condition in which printing subjects are spread or separated, usually along the back edge of the press sheet, caused by moisture absorption and expansion of the sheet.
FAS (Free Alongside Ship, at port of export)
The seller pays all charges to deliver the goods to the dock within reach of the ship's tackle, but not on board. All shipping activities, costs and risks from that point are the responsibility of the buyer.
Fax
Short for Facsimile Transmission, a process of scanning graphic images to convert them into electric signals which are transmitted to reproduce a recorded likeness of the original.
Feathering
The spreading of ink at the edges of printed type, caused by irregularities in the ink or its distribution.
Federal Express (Fed Ex)
A package air freight service limited to 70 lbs. per package, with specific delivery areas.
Felt Side
The smoother side of the paper for printing; the top side of the sheet in paper manufacturing.
Fiber
In the papermaking process, minute particles of rag or wood pulp that are the raw ingredients of paper.
Fiber Case
See: Slip Case.
FIFO (First in-First out)
In inventory, the first material received (i.e., the oldest) is the first issued and used.
Figure (fig.)
An illustration. This may be a drawing, a photograph, a diagram, or a chart.
Figure Legend
See: Legend.
File
A collection of electronic information with a distinctive name which may be treated by the computer as a single unit.
Filler
(1) Minerals, such as clay and other white pigments, added to paper pulp to improve opacity, smoothness, brightness and printing capabilities. (2) Material which can be worked on as time permits, when there is no other work of greater urgency.
Filling In
A condition in offset lithography where ink fills the area between the halftone dots or plugs up the type; also known as Plugging or Filling Up.
Film
A thin, transparent plastic sheet that is coated with a photographic emulsion. After exposure, it is developed and processed to produce either a negative or a positive.
Film Assembly
See: Stripping.
Film Lamination
Bonding plastic film by adhesives or heat and pressure, to protect the printed material and improve its appearance.
Final Negatives
Negatives that are right reading, emulsion down.
Finish
The general surface properties of paper, determined by various manufacturing techniques.
Finish Size
See: Trim Size.
Finishing
Any post-press operations, such as folding, binding, etc.
First Class Mail
Written or typewritten matter, sealed in an envelope and closed against inspection; limited to a maximum of 12 oz.
Flap
(1) in copy preparation, a single piece of copy used more than once, which has changes on a piece of paper or an overlay. The copy is then photographed with the flap up for one page and down for another, with the only differences being the contents of the flap. (2) The portion of a dust jacket which wraps inside the front and back covers and is made visible by opening the cover. (3) A protective covering of tissue over artwork, that is hinged at the top; also called Tissue Overlay.
Flash Exposure
In halftone photography, the supplementary exposure given to strengthen the dots in the shadow areas of halftone negatives.
Flat
(1) An assembled composite of negatives or positives on goldenrod paper or other suitable masking material, ready for platemaking. (2) Printed matter or a photograph that is lacking in contrast.
Flat Back
A binding on which the spine (back) is not rounded; also called Square Back.
Flat Color
Printing two or more colors without overlaying color dots (i.e., without color trap); individual color matching. This differs from process color, which is a blending of four colors to produce a broad range of colors.
Flexible Binding
A binding built around boards which are flexible, rather than stiff.
Flocculation
Pigment particles of ink leave their required positions in the vehicle and bunch together in "flocks"' of an unstable nature; also called Livering.
Flooding
An excess of ink caused by too little water, or the absence of an etching material, in the water fountain.
Flop
To turn over an image so it faces the opposite way when printed.
Flop Negative
A lateral reversal of the image on photographic film; sometimes called an Intermediate Negative.
Floptical
Flopticals can generally hold 20 mb of data.
Flow
The ability of an ink to spread over the surface of the press rollers or into a thin film.
Fluorescent Inks
Extremely brilliant inks containing fluorescent pigments.
Flush
Even with; usually refers to typeset copy.
Flush Cover
A book cover that has been trimmed to the same size as the text pages.
Flush Left
Typeset copy that is even with the left edge of the printing, or text, area.
Flush Paragraph
A paragraph with no indention; also called Block Style Paragraph.
Flush Right
Typeset copy that is even with the right edge of the printing, or text, area.
FOB Ann Arbor
Consignee is responsible for freight and charges from the shipper's loading dock.
FOB Destination
Consignor is responsible for freight and charges until delivery is made to Consignee.
Focoltone
A color-matching system, used by QuarkXPress, Adobe and Adobe Illustrator, Aldus FreeHand and Page-Maker to create over 700 four-color combinations to mimic process colors or inks.
Fog
A photographic defect in which the image is veiled by a deposit of silver.
Foil
Tissue-thin material, faced with metal or pigment, used in book stamping with a stamping die.
Fold Marks
Marks added to a negative flat along the margins of a press sheet as a guide for folding.
Folding Endurance
The ability of paper to withstand repeated folding without breaking.
Foldout
An oversize leaf folded to fit within the trim size of the book and tipped in.
Folio
(1) A page number. (2) Sometimes used to refer to a sheet that has been folded once.
Font
A complete assortment of type of one size and face, containing all of the characters needed for ordinary composition.
Foot
The bottom of a column, page or book.
Foot Margin
The margin at the bottom of a page; also called Bottom Margin or Tail Margin.
Footnote
Reference material usually at the foot of a page, set within the text area and usually two points smaller in type size than the text.
Fore Edge Margin
See: Trim Margin.
Foreign Mail
Any mail destined for a foreign country.
Forwarding
In casebinding, the operations between trimming sewn signatures and casing in.
Foreword
A statement forming part of the front matter of a book, often written by an expert, other than the author, to give the book greater promotability and authority.
Form
Any assembly of pages that can be printed simultaneously in a single impression of the printing press; a flat of imposed negatives.
Format
The size, style, type page, margins, printing requirements, etc., of any magazine, catalog, book or printed pieces.
Foul Proof
Type proof from which corrections have been made and approved.
Four Color Process
The printing process in which full-color reproduction is obtained by printing successive images from photographic plates in yellow, magenta, cyan and black inks; also called Process Color and Full Color Printing.
Four Color Separation
See: Color Separation.
Four-Sided Trim (Trim 4)
After folding and gathering is complete, a trim is taken from all four edges to produce evenly trimmed sheets.
Four-Up East-West Labels
Computer labels which are 4 across, with sequencing in an East-West (horizontal) direction; this type of label is applied by Cheshire addressing equipment.
Fourth Class Mail
A class of mail which includes domestic parcel post, special catalog mailing rates, Book Rate and Library Rate.
Foxing
Brown stains in paper, caused by chemical impurities.
FPO
Short for `For Position Only'. Refers to an illustration positioned on camera copy to indicate position only, not for reproduction; may be a xerox copy, a blueline or a print. The original must be photographed separately, to be stripped in or used to make a composite negative.
Free Astray
A shipment misloaded out of route, when found, is designated to be "astray," so it is sent to its proper destination; weight is billed on the original Freight Bill, so there are no additional charges.
Free Sheet
A paper free of groundwood or mechanical wood pulp.
FreeHand
A graphics software program manufactured by Aldus Corporation.
Freight Claim
A loss or damage claim against a carrier.
Freight Forwarder
(1) An individual or company accepting shipments from shippers and combining them for forwarding in carload lots. (2) An air freight forwarder who acts as an agent, using commercial airlines and providing ground transportation services.
French Fold
A sheet folded twice, with the second fold at right angles to the first.
French Spacing
In typesetting, putting extra space after the punctuation and before the start of the next sentence.
Front
The edge of a book, opposite the binding edge; also called Thumb Edge or Trim Edge.
Front Cover
The face of a book; also called Cover 1.
Front Flap
The inside fold on the front of a dust jacket.
Front Guide
On a printing press, the mechanical stop against which the gripper edge of the sheet is positioned.
Front Matter
The pages preceding page 1 of a book. See: Preliminaries (Prelims).
Fronting
Printing the front side of the sheet.
Frontispiece
An illustration facing the title page of a book; also called Frontis.
Fulfillment
The filling and shipping of book orders or serial subscriptions.
Full Color Printing
See: Four Color Process.
Full Measure
Text set to make a line of type the full width, flush with both margins.
Fuzz
Loose fibers projecting from the surface of a sheet of paper; also called Fluff.
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Galley
Typeset material before it has been arranged into page form.
Galley Proof
Proof of typeset material in galley form prior to page makeup.
Gang Scanning
Sequential scanning of multiple originals using the same previously defined exposure setting for each.
Gatefold
A four page insert, having foldouts on either side of the center spread.
GATF (Graphic Arts Technical Foundation)
A scientific, technical and educational organization serving the graphics industries, to conduct research in all graphic processes and applications.
GATF Star Target
A quality control aid which is a target smaller than a dime, with pie-shaped wedges of lines that converge to the center. It is commonly printed with color bars, on the edge of a press sheet. It is used to detect dot gain, slurs, double images or spreading of the image.
Gather
See: Collate.
Gathering
Collecting, by hand or machine, the signatures of a book in the sequence in which they are to be bound; also called Collating.
Generation
Each succeeding stage in reproduction from the original.
Ghost Halftone
See: Fadeout Halftone.
Ghosting
The undesirable appearance of faint replicas of printed images, caused chemically or mechanically.
Gigabyte
An electronic unit of measure equal to about 1,000 megabytes of data (or 1,000,000 bytes). Gigabytes are abbreviated as gb.
Glass
Brief for magnifying glass; also called Loupe or Linen Tester.
Glazed
Paper with a high gloss or polished finish.
Glide-Pak
A customer furnished corrugated cardboard, on which cartons are piled and banded for shipment.
Gloss
A paper's shine or luster, which reflects light.
Gloss Ghosting
See: Chemical Ghosting.
Gloss Ink
An ink containing an extra quantity of varnish, which gives a glossy appearance when dry.
Glossy Print
A photographic print on a shiny-finished paper. Prints intended for reproduction are usually made on such paper.
Glued-On Cover
A paper cover fastened to the text with glue.
Gluing Off
The process of applying glue to the spine of a book to be casebound, after sewing and smashing, before trimming.
Goldenplast
Stable base sheeting which can be used for assembling and positioning negatives or positives for exposure in platemaking; used in place of Goldenrod; also called Orange Plast.
Goldenrod Flat
Negatives (or positives) assembled for exposure in contact with a light-sensitized press plate. The goldenrod paper used is translucent enough to see the penciled layout on the underside, or master layout on a separate white paper beneath, so film negatives can be attached in proper position with tape. The goldenrod paper is cut away to place the emulsion side of negatives to the emulsion on a metal plate; also called Form. The flat is also used for making Bluelines.
Goldenrod Paper
A specially coated masking paper of yellow or orange color, used to assemble and position negatives for exposure to press plates; also called Masking Paper.
Gradation
Variation in tonal values, from white to black.
Grade
A means of ranking various kinds of paper and cloth.
Grain
In paper, the machine direction in paper-making along which the majority of fibers are aligned. This governs some paper properties such as increased size change with relative humidity across the grain, and better folding qualities along the grain.
Grain Long
Paper in which the grain runs parallel to the longest measurement of the paper.
Grain Short
Paper in which the grain runs parallel to the shortest measurement of the paper.
Grainy Printing
Printing characterized by unevenness, particularly of halftones.
Granite Finish
Paper that has been mottled by the addition of fibers of a different color, to resemble the texture of granite.
Graphic Arts
In common usage, all components of the printing industry.
Gray Goods
Undyed, unfinished book cloth as it comes from the loom.
Gray Scale
A strip of standard gray tones ranging from white to black, to measure the tonal range obtained during photography or plate exposure. See also: Sensitivity Guide.
Gray Scale Image
An image that is made up of various levels of gray and is not restricted to just black and white. The number of bits defining the image determines the number of levels of gray available.
Gripper Edge
The leading edge of a sheet of paper passing through a printing press. It is the longer edge of the sheet.
Gripper Margin
The unprintable back edge of paper, which press grippers clamp on; usually 1/2" or less; see also: Gripper Edge.
Grippers
Metal fingers on a sheet-fed press that clamp on paper and control its flow as it passes through the press.
Gross Weight
The total weight of merchandise and shipping container.
Groundwood Paper
Paper made from groundwood pulp; paper used for newspapers and other forms of non-permanent printed materials.
Groundwood Sheet
Cheap paper containing a proportion of bark, in addition to wood fibers. This makes it acidic and leads to early decay.
Guarded Signatures
See: Reinforced End-sheets.
Guide Edge
The edge of a printed sheet at right angles to the gripper edge, which travels along a guide on the press or folder. This edge, like the gripper edge, should never be altered or manipulated between the printing and folding operations. It is the shorter edge of the sheet.
Guide Marks
A method of using crossline marks on the offset press plate to indicate trim, centering of the sheet, centering of the plate, etc.; sometimes called Register Marks.
Guide Side
The side the press uses to guide the sheet to the exact side position, usually the side toward the operator; also known as Operator or Control Side.
Guillotine
A flat bed cutter with a single cutting blade, resembling a guillotine in appearance.
Gum Streaks
Streaks, particularly in halftones, produced by uneven gumming of plates, which partially desensitizes the image.
Gummed Labels
Labels with an adhesive on the back which must be moistened for application.
Gumming
The treating of plate surfaces with a thin coating of Gum Arabic as a protection against oxidation and as an aid to desensitizing the plate.
Gutter
(1) In multi-column composition, the blank space between columns on a page. (2) Short for Gutter Margin.
Gutter Margin
In binding, the blank space where two pages meet; the inside margin at the binding edge; also called Back Margin or Bind Margin.
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Icons
A graphics prompt displayed on a computer monitor representing software, peripheral devices, or instructions for various computer functions.
IDF
Includes drop folio. When used after the printer surface height, it is used for placing base of drop folio on bottom PS line. Used for layout of chapter openers and other drop folioed pages to give same bottom space to trim.
Illustrations
The drawings, photographs, etc., used to supplement the text of printed matter.
Illustrator
A person who creates illustraions. A popular graphics software program manufactured by Adobe.
Image
(1) A picture formed by light, such as is projected from an illuminated piece of art by means of a lens. (2) The impression left by the projected light image on a photosensitive emulsion. When this impression is invisible, it is called a Latent Image. Subsequent chemical development is then used to make the latent image visible.
Image Area
The area inside the margins of a page. See also: Print Block.
Image Assembly
See: Stripping.
Imagesetter
A device used to output a computer image or composition at medium or high resolution onto photographic film or paper.
Imagesetting Processing Time
This is the time it takes an imagesetter to RIP an electronic file, whether it be text, graphics or both. Industry supports a surcharge be passed on to the individual or institution responsible for the files when the Imagesetting Processing Time surpasses what the printer deems standard or acceptable.
Imitation Gold
A metallic composition leaf frequently used as a substitute for genuine gold leaf in stamping book cases; also called Artificial Gold.
Impact Printer
A computer printer that uses arrays of needles (dot-matrix printer) to print the image; makes direct contact with the printing ribbon.
Imposition
The plan for the assembly of pages in a press form so that they will be in the correct sequence after the printed sheet is folded; also called Press Layout.
Imposition Form
See: Layout Sheet.
Imposition Software
Software used to manipulate pages created in page layout programs into proper sequence and position for signatures.
Impression
(1) In printing, the pressure of type, plate or blanket as it comes in contact with the paper. (2) An image of any kind imposed on a surface.
Imprint
(1) The identifying name of a publishing company carried on a published book. (2) To print on a previously printed piece by running it through a press again.
In-Line
Denotes a production line of machinery, as opposed to a single piece of production equipment.
In-Line Covering
Covers applied on gathered and glued signatures in one continuous process. See also: Perfect Binding.
Indent
To begin a line with a given amount of white space, such as paragraph indentation.
Index
A list at the end of a book, showing individual terms from the text contents, in alphabetical order, and listing the pages on which each entry appears.
Indicia
Mailing permit information required by the Post Office; replaces a stamp.
Inferior Character
A letter, numeral, or symbol written below the baseline and to the right of another character, usually in a smaller type; also called Inferior Figure or Subscript.
Initial Carrier
The transportation line to which a shipment is delivered by the shipper.
Initial Letter
A large capital or decorated letter used to begin a chapter section or sometimes a paragraph.
Ink Absorption
The degree to which ink will penetrate paper.
Ink Dot Scum
On aluminum plates, a type of oxidation characterized by scattered pits that print sharp, dense dots.
Ink Film
Ink thickness when printed.
Ink Holdout
The ability to keep ink on top of the paper's surface; also called Ink Resistance.
Ink Receptive
Having the property of being wet by greasy ink in preference to water.
Ink Receptivity
The degree to which a paper resists or accepts ink penetration.
Ink Repellent
Having a surface which will attract water and repel greasy inks.
Ink Resistance
Resistance to the penetration of the ink vehicle; also called Ink Holdout.
Ink-jet Printer
A non-impact printer that forms characters by the projection of a jet of fast-drying ink onto paper. Tiny streams of ink are shot onto the paper to create dot-matrix characters.
Insert
(1) In stripping, a section of film carrying printing detail that is spliced into a larger piece of film; also called Strip-in or Set-in. (2) In printing, a page, etc., that is printed separately and then placed into or bound with the main publication. (3) In typesetting, copy to be added.
Inside Delivery
Delivery made inside a door or garage, on the ground level. It will not include breaking of skid bands and unloading cartons. There is an additional charge for Inside Delivery, and a charge for each additional floor above the ground floor.
Inside Margin
See: Gutter Margin.
Inspect
To examine the book during various stages of production or after completion.
Insured Mail
Third and Fourth Class mail can be insured for protection against loss or damage. The minimum fee insures for a maximum of $15. Numbered insured mail provides for a receipt to the mailer at the time of the mailing, the mail is identified by number and a signature is required on delivery. The fee varies with the insured value. The maximum value is $200. A return receipt can be requested; an additional fee is charged for this.
Intensity
The extreme strength, degree or amount of ink.
Inter-Line Carrier
A shipping term for a carrier participating in a through movement, other than either the originating or delivering carrier.
Interleaving
See: Slipsheeting.
Intermediate Negatives
Negatives right reading, emulsion up, that cannot be used to make plates. Intermediate negatives must be contacted emulsion to emulsion to make final negatives. See also: Composite Negative and Flop Negative.
Interstate Traffic
Traffic moving between points in two or more states.
Intrastate
Between two points in one state.
Inverted Page
An upside down page.
ISBN Number
The International Standard Book Number assigned by the publisher, under a system administered by the R. R. Bowker Co. It uniquely identifies the particular book. This number should appear on the copyright page, and usually on Cover 4.
ISSN Number
Similar to ISBN Number, but issued for journals only.
Italic
The style of letters that slope forward in distinction from upright or roman letters; used for words requiring emphasis.
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Jacket
See: Dust Jacket.
Jacketing
The application of dust jackets on finished casebound books.
Jaz Drive
A 1 to 2 Gigabyte removable hard disk system manufactored by Iomega. Works on MacIntosh as well as IBM. Very popular in the 1990's. Also see Zip Drive.
Jiffy Bag
A padded mailing bag, available in various sizes.
Jiffy Rigi Bag
A cardboard-type mailing bag available in various sizes.
Job Jacket
The printer's primary order documentation; contains all support information, such as proof approval, shipping information, etc.
Job Number
An identification number assigned to a production order.
Jog
(1) To align or even flat sheets of paper to a common edge or edges. (2) The intermittent turning on and off of a press to position, clean or put on a plate or blanket. (3) To align folded sections so edges are even.
Joint
The flexible hinge where the cover of a casebound book meets the spine, permitting the cover to open without breaking the spine of the book or breaking apart signatures; also called Hinge.
Justified
Text copy typeset flush to both left and right margins.
Justify
To set type or prepare text composition to a specified width or measurement so that the left and/or right-hand margins of the printed matter will be aligned. Justification may be accomplished by adjusting the spacing between words, or between words and characters (letterspacing) so as to fill the measure with each full line of type.

K or Key
In four color process work, the common symbol for black.
K-Pack Bag
A corrugated mailing bag, available in various sizes.
Kerning
In typesetting, adjusting the spacing between two characters so they appear closer together.
Key
(1) To code copy to a dummy by means of symbols, usually letters. (2) The principal or master layout for a flat that is used as a guide for stripping up other flats.
Key Plate
In color printing, the plate used as a guide for the register of other colors. It normally contains the most detail.
Keyboard
In phototypesetting, the input mechanism which records onto paper or magnetic tape. It is usually separate from the typesetting unit.
Keyline
In artwork, an outline drawing of finished art to indicate the exact shape, position and size for such elements as halftones and type.
Keyline Rules
Rule lines to indicate the exact position of halftones on a page; unless specified otherwise, keyline rules will be dropped from the printed page.
Kilobyte
An electronic unit of measure equal to 1,024 bytes. Kilobytes are abbreviated as k.
Knock Out
See: Reverse.
Knockout
A printing term that refers to the technique of preparing a color separation to produce a transparent area on the film. This typically occurs when one process color overlaps a second causing the bottom color not to print.
Kraft
Paper or board made from un-bleached woodpulp by the sulfate process; it is brown in color.
Kraft Paper
Used to wrap books, usually journals, for individual copy mailing.
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Label
(1) Gummed paper with carton content information and the shipping address stenciled on it. This label is applied to the carton. (2) Address labels applied to an envelope, mailer or directly on printed matter; normally customer furnished.
Laid Paper
Paper which, when held up to the light, shows fine parallel lines (wire-marks) and crosslines (chain-marks).
Laminate
(1) To coat with clear plastic, either liquid or film. (2) Two separate sheets of paper joined together as a single sheet, to provide a special thickness, surface, or varying colors from one side to the other.
Landscape
A page which has a greater width than height.
Lap
(1) The slightly extended areas of printing surfaces in color plates which make for easier registration of color (2) See: Lip.
Lap Register
Register achieved by overlaying a narrow strip of the second color over the first color at the points of joining.
Laser Printer
A high speed computer printer that produces hard copy of computer data, using laser technology to project an intense light beam with a very narrow width. This light creates a charge on the printer drum that picks up the toner and transfers it to paper.
Latent Image
The image on light- sensitive material, film or plate, which must be chemically treated before it becomes visible.
Lay Sheet
The first of several press sheets run to check lineup, register, non-printing areas and type.
Layback
The non-printable area of a plate; the distance from the plate edge to the gripper margin, plus the gripper margin.
Laydown Sequence
The sequence in which multiple colors are printed.
Layflat
Type of lamination used on paper bound books.
Layout
(1) The drawing or sketch of a proposed printed piece; the working diagram for a printer to follow. (2) Short for Layout Sheet. (3) Another term for Plate Prep.
Layout Sheet
The imposition form; indicates the sequence and positioning of negatives on the flat, which corresponds to printed pages on the press sheet; also called Imposition Form. Once the sheet is folded, pages will be in consecutive order.
Leaders
In composition, rows of dashes or dots used to guide the eye across the page; used in tabular work, programs, tables of contents, etc.
Leading
The space between lines of type, measured from baseline to baseline; always expressed in points. For example, 8/9-point size of type is 8, amount of leading is 9 points. This may also be expressed as 8 point type, 1 point leaded.
Leading Scale
A clear acetate scale, calibrated in points, to measure the leading of typeset copy.
Leaf
(1) Each separate piece of paper in a book, with a page on each side. (2) A pigmented stamping material used to decorate cases.
Legend (Leg.)
(1) On a map or chart, the key to various signs and symbols used. (2) The brief wording which identifies or explains an illustration, usually appearing directly below the illustration or figure; also called Figure Legend.
Length
The ability of an ink to flow.
Lens
A device, usually glass or quartz, used to focus light in a camera.
Letterspacing
The placing of additional space between each letter; sometimes used to fill out lines for justification.
Library Binding
A book bound in accordance with the standards of the American Library Association, having strong endpapers, muslin reinforced end signatures, sewing with four-cord thread, canton flannel backlining, and covers of Library or Caxton Buckram cloth with round corners.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number
An identification number issued by the Library of Congress upon application of the publisher; normally appears on the preliminary page which contains copyright information.
Library Rate
A special Fourth Class mailing rate for books sent from a publisher or printer to a library, college or university only.
Lift
(1) The number of books in a convenient handful. Books are stacked in lifts and trimmed in lifts. (2) The number of printed or unprinted sheets in a pile for cutting by the guillotine.
Lightweight Paper
Paper in the 17-35 lb. weight range.
Like-sidedness
A description of paper with similar color and finish on both sides.
Limited Edition
A specified and limited quantity of books, often numbered and frequently signed by the author.
Line Copy
Any copy suitable for reproduction without using a halftone screen.
Line Drawing
A drawing containing no grays or middle tones. In general, any drawing that can be reproduced without the use of halftone techniques.
Line Gauge
A ruler for measuring in points and picas.
Line Length
See: Measure.
Line Negative
A negative made from line copy.
Line Up
(1) The centering of the image in the camera at the film plane. (2) The positioning of printed matter on a press sheet.
Linen Finish
Book cloth which has a two-tone effect due to the white threads which show through the color.
Linen Tester
See: Glass.
Lining
The material which is pasted down on the backbone (spine) of a book to be casebound, after it has been sewn, glued off and rounded. It reinforces the glue and helps hold signatures together.
Lining Papers
See: Endsheets.
Lining Up
Adding the kraft paper, crash and headbands to a rounded book before applying cases.
Lint
Small fuzzy particles in paper.
Lip
The allowance for overlap of one-half of the open side edge of a folded section, needed for sewn and saddlestitch binding, for feeding the sections; also called Lap.
Litho
An abbreviation for lithograph.
Litho Cover
A casebound cover which is printed before cases are made, rather than being decorated by stamping after cases are made.
Lithography
A generic term for any printing process in which the image area and non-image area exist on the same plane (plate) and are separated by chemical repulsion.
Livering
See: Flocculation
Load
(1) To place paper, signatures or books into or on a machine for a subsequent operation. (2) The paper, signatures or books placed into a machine. (3) The amount of work in a center or in the entire plant.
Logo
A company trademark; also called Logotype or Colophon.
Long
An ink that has a good flow on the ink rollers of a printing press.
Long Grain
Paper made with the machine direction of fibers in the longest dimension of the sheet.
Long Run
A print run in excess of 10,000 copies.
Loose Register
Color that fits "lonely"; positioning (register) is not critical.
Loupe
See: Glass.
Low Bulk Paper
A paper with a smooth surface; a "thin" sheet.
Low Key Picture
A continuous tone photograph made up of predominantly shadow (black) areas.
Lower Case (lc)
The small letters in type, as distinguished from capital letters.
LPD
Customer-furnished text on disk to be output to negatives by an image setter.
LPI (Lines Per Inch)
The LPI is what defines the size of the halftone cell of an electronic image. A 150 linescreen image will have finer dots than a 133 linescreen image.
LTL (Less than Truck Load)
A motor carrier term, meaning less than a full truck load.
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M
The abbreviation for a quantity of 1000.
M Weight
The weight of 1000 sheets of paper, cut into its Basis Size.
Machine Coated
Paper which is coated on one or two sides on the paper-making machine.
Machine Direction
In papermaking, the formation of paper parallel to its forward movement on the paper machine; also called Grain Direction.
Machine Finish (mf)
Paper which has been given its smooth finish while on the papermaking machine, rather than as a separate manufacturing operation.
Machine Tip
Attaching an insert, endsheet, four page signature, or other material to the outside of a signature, using a tipping machine; also called Tip-On.
Magenta
Process red; a purplish red; one of the four process colors.
Magneto-Optical
A computer medium using a combination of technologies to create a disk with storage capacities of 128 mb, 650 mb & 1000 mb.
Mailer
A corrugated cardboard carton, frequently tailor made, to contain one volume, a set, etc. This is usually the protective container in which the material is mailed; also called Mailing Carton.
Main Exposure
The camera exposure made through the halftone screen to reproduce in the negative all areas of a photograph except the deeper shadows.
Makeready
(1) On an offset press, all work done prior to running, such as adjusting of the feeder, side guide, putting a plate on press and ink in the fountain to be ready to run. (2) Any machine adjustments made for size, bulk, etc., prior to performing the required operation.
Makeup
In composition, the arrangement of lines of type and illustrations into page form.
Making Order (Paper)
The mill minimum order for making a non-standard size paper or cover stock, or a stock with non-standard specifications.
Manifest
A statement listing the particulars of all shipments loaded in a car, ship, truck, etc.
Manuscript (mss)
A written or typewritten work, which the typesetter follows as a guide in setting copy.
Marginal Notes
Material in the marginal area of a page, outside the text page area; sometimes handwritten.
Marginal Heads
Headings in the marginal area of a page, outside the text page area.
Margins
The white space around the printed matter on a page.
Mark Up
(1) The process of preparing a manuscript for setting, with standard markings for the typesetter. (2) The operation of converting typesetting specifications to computerized typesetting instruction codes and the process of indicating these codes on the manuscript as items to be included during the keyboarding.
Mask
(1) In color separation photography, an intermediate photographic negative or positive used in color correction. (2) In offset lithography, opaque material used to protect open or selected areas of printing plates during exposure.
Masking Paper
See: Goldenrod, Golden-plast.
Match Print Proof
Four-color proof before printing to show layout/color of cover, dust jacket, cloth cover, etc.
Matte Finish
Dull paper finish without gloss or luster.
Matte Print
A photographic print having a dull finish.
Measure
In composition, the length of a full line of a page or column, usually expressed in picas; also known as Line Length.
Mechanical
Camera-ready copy (usually for a cover or dust jacket) showing exact placement of every element, and carrying actual or simulated type and artwork.
Mechanical Binding
Individual leaves fastened by means of an independent binding device such as Plastic Comb, Wire-O or Spiral.
Mechanical Ghosting
Undesirable images that appear on the printed piece as a result of onpress conditions, such as ink starvation, form layout or a faulty blanket.
Mechanical Pulp
Groundwood pulp produced by mechanically grinding logs or chips, including bark, as opposed to breaking them down chemically. See also: Groundwood Paper.
Mechanical Separations
Copy which utilizes overlays to indicate the position and register of each color to be printed.
Megabyte
An electronic unit of measure equal to 1,024 kilobytes (or 1,024 k). Megabytes are abbreviated as mb.
Metallic Inks
Inks which contain metallic powders mixed with the ink base; powders are flakes which deposit in reflective layers.
Meter Postage
Prepaid postage printed by a meter on adhesive strips which are then affixed to a package by hand.
Meter Stamp
A metered mail imprint of prepaid postage which serves as postage payment, a postmark and cancellation mark; may be used for all classes of mail and for any amount of postage.
Mezzotint
A patterned screen used to create the effect of a true mezzotint, which is a copper or steel engraving that creates the effects of light and shadow.
Microcomputer
A complete, small computing system consisting of hardware and software with a microprocessor as the central processing unit; also called Desktop Computer or Personal Computer.
Microfilm
Film rolls, 16mm or 35mm wide, negative or positive, enlarged for projection.
Micrometer
A calibrated instrument for determining the thickness of paper or the packing of the plate and blanket.
Middle Tone
The tonal range between highlights and shadows of a halftone or reproduction.
Mil
0.001 inch; the unit of measure of plastic film. See also: Caliper.
Minimum Charge
The lowest charge that can be assessed to transport a shipment.
Mnemonic
An easily remembered or identifiable abbreviation for an instruction, routine, or format.
Model Paper
A special size paper on which copy is typed to be photographed. It is marked off in spacings equivalent to typewriter spacings. The type area has been marked according to the size of the finished book, finished type size and the camera setting.
Modem
Contraction of modulator + demodulator. A device that converts a digital signal to an analog signal and vice-versa. A modem is used to communicate signals from a telephone line to a computer.
Moir
Undesirable patterns occurring when reproductions are made from halftones; caused by conflict between the ruling of the halftone screen and the dots or lines of the original, usually due to incorrect screen angles.
Moisture Content
A measure of the relative humidity that expresses the amount of water in paper.
Monochromatic
Composed of tints and shades of a single color.
Monotone
Printed with a single color, black or any color.
Montage
A combination of related pictures, parts of pictures and/or pieces of copy appearing as one. See also: Collage.
Mortice copy
An open space cut out of the background, so type can be printed in the space; also called Blurb or White Inset.
Mottle
A spotty or uneven appearance of printed matter; most pronounced in solid areas; caused by transparent inks whose film split badly during impression.
Mottled Finish (of paper)
Uneven finish characterized by high and low spots or glossy and dull areas on the same sheet.
Mount
A term referring to affixing camera-ready copy pages to a carrier sheet which provides registration to the Opti-Copy camera.
Mylar
A polyester film, made by Du Pont, specially suited for stripping because of its mechanical strength and dimensional stability.
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Nailhead
A description of a paper covered book that, in profile, resembles the head of a nail; a paper-covered book that is thicker at the spine.
NAPL (National Association of Printers and Lithographers)
A Graphic Arts trade organization.
Narrow Measure
A block of copy indented from one or both margins, to distinguish it from the surrounding full measure copy.
Natural
A paper color such as cream, white or ivory.
Natural Finish
Book cloth or paper characterized by a soft, slightly fuzzy appearance due to the finishing process.
Natural Spread
See: Center Spread.
Negative
Film containing an image in which the values of the original are reversed, so the dark areas appear light and the light areas dark.
Net Weight
The weight of merchandise without the shipping container.
Neutral pH Paper
See: Acid-free Paper.
Newsprint
See: Groundwood Paper.
Nick
A small tear on the head of a saddle-stitched book that occurs during the trimming operation.
Nip
(1) A crease-like line at the joint of a casebound book. (2) To squeeze sewn books for about a 2" width along the backbone to give all the books a uniform bulk by reducing the swell caused by the sewing thread.
Nipping
The binding operation in which the binding edge of folded sheets are squeezed free of air.
Non-image Area
That portion of the printing plate which does not accept ink; also called Non-Printing Area.
Non-woven
A cover material made of materials other than cloth, frequently consisting of fibers bonded under heat and pressure.
North-South Labels
Labels supplied in rolls or on accordion folded strips one label wide; labels are arranged vertically, one above the other.
Notch Adhesive Case Bind (NACB)
An alternative to Smyth Sewing prior to casebinding; text is held with adhesive rather than thread. Sometimes called Perfect Case Bind or Burst Casebind.
Notch Bind (NB)
An adhesive binding similar to Perfect Binding. Pieces of text stock (notches) are removed on the binding edge, during folding, to allow greater adhesive penetration without trimming the spine; primarily used for adhesive binding of coated paper.
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Object Oriented Art
A form of electronic imagery created by a collection of mathematically defined lines and/or curves.
Oblong
In binding, a book bound on the shorter dimension.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
The analysis of scanned data to recognize characters so that these can be converted into editable text.
Odd Sizes
Any nonstandard paper or book size.
Off Color
Paper or ink which does not match the sample.
Offprints
Additional sheets printed with the initial order, which are cut into single pages and assembled as separate articles, bound by stapling once in the upper left corner.
Offset
(1) Wet ink transferred from one sheet to another in a load of freshly
printed sheets; also called Set Off. (2) Short for Offset Lithography.
Offset Lithography
The most common form of lithographic printing, in which the image area and nonimage area exist on the same plate, separated by chemical repulsion. To print, ink is "offset" (transferred) from the plate to a rubber blanket and then to the paper.
Offset Paper
Paper which is strong enough to resist the tacky inks and considerable moisture encountered in offset printing.
Old Style Numbers
In composition, a special design of numbers which are non-base aligned, for special effect.
Opacity
The property of paper which minimizes show through of the printed image from the opposite side of the sheet, or the sheet under it.
Opaque
(1) An area or material which completely blocks out unwanted light; a filter may be opaque to only certain colors. (2) A red or black liquid used to block out or cover unwanted clear or grey areas on a negative. (3) White opaque used to cover unwanted black images in an original copy (on white paper). (4) To paint out areas on a negative which are not to print. See also: Blocking Out. (5) The property of paper that makes it less transparent.
Opaque Ink
An ink that conceals all color beneath it.
Opaquing
Removing pinholes or other small transparent defects in a negative; also called Spotting Out or Blocking Out.
Open End Envelope
An envelope which opens on a short dimension.
Open Negative
A negative slightly underexposed and/or underdeveloped, so the image formed will be slightly larger than normally obtained. An open negative will result in fuller or darker printed matter.
Open Side Envelope
An envelope which opens on the long dimension.
OPF (One-Piece Folder)
A one-piece mailing carton, tailor-made to fit a specific book or set of books.
Optical Center
The center of a rectangle as it appears to the eye; usually a point slightly above geometric center; about 2/5 from the top of the rectangle.
Optical Disk
A type of recently developed high capacity computer storage disk which stores information in a mode similar to a CD-ROM but is erasable and reusable.
Opti
Copy II¨ A computerized camera that uses a Slo-Syn¨ numerical control to position images on film in proper position for printing on a flat-size piece of film; the exposed film contains the matter to be printed on one side of the press sheet.
Opti-Copy Template
An underlay for an individual page which is used as a guide in punching the page for mounting the copy on the Opti-Copy camera. This template is drawn so there is an equal distance from the center of the page to the top and bottom, or to the left and right.
Original
The artwork, mechanical or other material furnished for printing reproduction; usually refers to photographs or drawings for halftone reproduction. More commonly called Photocopy or Camera-ready Copy.
Out of Register
(1) Descriptive of pages on both sides of the sheet which do not back up accurately. (2) Two or more colors not exactly aligned when printed.
Outline Halftone
A halftone image which is outlined by removing the dots that surround it; also called Silhouette Halftone.
Outline Letter
A letter form drawn in outline only; there are no solid parts.
Outlined Image
Letter forms that are defined by an outline and are hollow on the inside.
Outside Margin
See: Trim Margin.
Over Pressure
Too much pressure, causing ink to tend to plug letters and especially halftone dots.
Overhang Cover
A cover larger in size than the pages it encloses.
Overinked
Describes printing when too much ink has been used, resulting in heavy print that tends to blur toward the back of the press sheet.
Overlay
In artwork, a clear acetate sheet or tissue with color separated as it is to be photographed; sometimes confused with Tissue Overlay.
Overprinting
Double printing; printing on an area that already has been printed; usually refers to printing black type over a halftone or colored background. See: Surprint.
Overrun
Copies printed in excess of the specified quantity.
Overset
In composition, type set in excess of the space allowed; where the type in a line exceeds the stated measure.
Oversewing
A method of machine sewing, often used in Library Binding, in which stitches are made through the section, forming a lock stitch with each separate section, and independent lock stitches along the back. An oversewn book does not lie open flat.
Oxidation
A chemical reaction which hardens the ink vehicle and makes the film of ink reasonably rub-proof.
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Packing Slip
See: Bill of Lading/Packing Slip.
Padding
(1) Loose sheets stacked, with or without a backing material, to which adhesive is applied, usually with a brush, to the binding edge. The adhesive must be flexible and capable of allowing easy removal of a single sheet. (2) Corrugated material used as filler material in bulk cartons or individual mailing cartons.
Page
One side of a leaf; may be abbreviated as p. or pg.
Page Composition
See: Desktop Publishing.
Page Flex
The number of flexes a book page can withstand before loosening from the binding.
Page Makeup
The hand or electronic assembly of the elements that comprise a page.
Page Proof
Proof of type, in page form.
PageMaker
A page-layout software program manufactured by Adobe
Pagination
(1) In computerized typesetting, the process of performing page makeup automatically. (2) To number pages consecutively.
Paint
A low-resolution bitmapped file.
Pallet
A wooden platform with stringers wide enough to allow a fork lift to drive into it and lift; used to pack cartons for shipment, if specified by the customer.
Panel
In decorating of cases, a solid block of color, (ink or foil) used as a background for other material to be stamped. Separate hit from type even if same foil.
Panel Pictures
Individual photos of uniform size, pasted up as one unit, with pictures touching one another, to be shot as a single halftone.
Paperbound
A paper covered book; also called Paperback or Soft Cover.
Paragraph Indention
The amount of space, usually one em, preceding the first word of a paragraph.
Parallel Fold
A series of folds, with each fold parallel to the other.
Parcel Post
Used for mailing packages. Regulations include maximum size and weight limitations; the minimum weight is 16 ounces. Rates are determined by the weight of the parcel and the approximate distance over which it is to be delivered.
Part Title
A right hand page containing the title of a part (section) of a book; usually backed by a blank page.
Paste-up
The assembling of type elements, illustrations, etc., into final page form, ready for photographing. See: Mechanical and Page Makeup.
Patent Register (Mark)
The typesetting symbol indicating a product is registered with the U.S. Patent Office¨.
PE (Printer's Error)
A correction or change required, due to an error by the typesetter or printer; not billable to the customer.
Perfect Binding
A binding method which uses flexible adhesive to hold each page in place after folds along the spine have been cut off; also called Adhesive Binding. See also: In-Line Covering.
Perfect Case Bind
See: Notch Adhesive Case Bind.
Perfecting Press
A printing press that prints both sides of the paper in one pass.
Perforate
To make slits in the paper during folding, at the fold, to prevent wrinkles and allow air to escape. Books which perfect bind are perforated on the spine fold to aid in binding.
Perforation
A series of small slits produced on a folder in the printed sheet, parallel to the fold at the bind edge, which permits the paper to be separated easily at these slits (perforations); also called Commercial Perforation.
Permanence
The degree to which a paper will resist changes in its properties and characteristics over a period of time.
Permit Mailing
A method of paying for movement of mail at rates which are dependent upon the specific permit, such as Second Class, Third Class, Nonprofit Second Class, etc.
Personal Computer (PC)
See: Micro-computer.
pH
The acidity or alkalinity of a solution (fountain solution, ink) or material (paper). The scale is 0-14 with 7.0 the neutral point. A rating lower than 7 indicates an acid nature; over 7 alkaline. In paper, neutral pH increases longevity so it will neither be corroded by excess acid nor become brittle because of excess alkalinity.
Photocopy
All of the camera-ready copy used for an order; includes text, artwork, halftones, etc.; also called Camera Copy Copy, Art Boards or Original.
Photographic Proof
A proof made from negatives or positives. See: Bluelines.
Photoposterization
See: Posterization.
Photoshop
A graphics software program manufactured by Adobe Systems, Inc.
Photostat
See: Contact Print.
Phototypesetting
The process of setting type photographically.
PIA (Printing Industry of America)
A graphic arts trade organization.
Pica
A printer's unit of measurement used primarily in typesetting. One pica equals approximately 1/6 inch.
Pick Resistance
The surface strength of paper.
Picking
The lifting of small clumps of fibers from the paper's surface during printing. It occurs when the pulling force (tack) of ink is greater than the surface strength of paper.
Pickup
(1) The act of calling for freight by truck, at the consignors shipping platform. (2) Rework ordered to make up a shortage, rather than to correct an error.
PICT
A low resolution, bitmapped format generally used for viewing privileges on a computer monitor only; rarely is the quality suitable for print.
Pigment
The fine solid particles used to give color, body or opacity to printing inks.
Piling
(1) In printing, the building up or caking of ink pigment on rollers, plate or blanket; will not transfer readily. (2) The accumulation of paper coating on the blanket of an offset press.
Pin Register
Accurately positioned holes and special pins on copy, film, plates, and presses to insure proper register or fit of colors.
Pinhole
(1) A small, unwanted, transparent area in the developed emulsion of a negative or black area on a positive; usually due to dust or other defects on the copy, copyboard glass or on the film. (2) In paper, small imperfections caused by foreign matter on its surface during papermaking.
Pinholing
A condition caused by failure of ink to cover the surface completely, leaving small holes in the printed area.
Pixel (Picture Element)
A single dot of light on a video monitor.
Planographic Printing
A process of printing from a flat or plane surface, such as is done in Lithography.
Plastic Comb Binding
A type of mechanical binding using a piece of rigid vinyl plastic sheeting diecut in the shape of a comb or rake and rolled to make a cylinder of any thickness. The book is punched with slots along the binding edge, through which this comb is inserted.
Plastic Film
The material used on shrink wrap equipment for wrapping packages. It is a plastic material which shrinks to fit the contents, after it passes through a heat tunnel.
Plastic Shrink Wrap
See: Shrink Wrap.
Plate
(1) Brief for printing plate; a thin sheet of metal that carries the printing image, the surface of which is treated so that only that image is ink-receptive. (2) An illustration printed separately from the text and inserted by tipping.
Plate Finish
A smooth, hard finish of paper.
Plate Prep
Those operations after camera and before platemaking; includes opaquing of negatives, strip-ins of halftones, stripping of negative flats and any other operations needed to make negative flats ready for platemaking.
Plotter
Machine in Layout which is programmed with all trim size and margins to create an underlay that is used for the layout of text pages to correct imposition.
Plugged
A printing condition characterized by the loss of dot reproduction; no dots are visible.
Plugging
See: Filling In.
PMS (Pantone Matching System)
An ink color system widely used in the graphic arts. There are approximately 500 basic colors, for both coated and uncoated paper. The color number and formula for each color are shown beneath the color swatch in the ink book.
PMT (Photomechanical Transfer Prints)
Camera-generated positive prints used for pasteup and for making paper contacts without the need for a negative; also called Contact Print or T-Print.
Pocket
(1) A station on the gathering line. (2) Paper, cloth, vinyl or other material made into a pocket, with or without gussets, affixed inside the front or back cover of a book.
POD (Proof of Delivery)
Any document which travels with a shipment and is signed by the consignee on receipt of shipment.
Point
(1) A printer's unit of measurement, used principally for designating type sizes. There are 12 points to a pica; approximately 72 points to an inch. (2) A papermaker's unit of measure equal to .001 of an inch, used as the measure for binder boards.
Polish Out
See: Hone Off.
Poor Trapping
The condition in wet printing when less ink transfers to previously printed ink than to unprinted paper; also called Undertrapping.
Porosity
The property of paper that allows the permeation of air, gas or liquid, determined by the compactness of its fibers.
Portrait
A page which has a greater height than width.
Positive
A photographic image on paper, film or glass which corresponds to the original copy; the reverse of negative.
Posterization
A method of replacing continuous tones with a limited number of flat tones, by making a line shot instead of a halftone; also called Photoposterization.
PostScript
A standard language that computers can use for communicating visual information. It describes pages to any output device with a PostScript interpreter.
Powdering
See: Chalking.
PPD File (PostScript Printer Description File)
A file that contains information on screen angle, resolution, page size and device-specific information for a file to be printed on a PostScript device.
PPI (pages-per-inch)
The number of pages contained in a one inch stack of paper.
Preface
Part of the preliminary matter in a book; it usually explains the purpose of the book or acts as a general introduction.
Preliminaries (Prelims)
Those introductory pages which precede the text of a book. They include title page, copyright, preface, contents, and other non-text pages for identification or explanation; also called Front Matter.
Prep
See: Prepress.
Prepaid
A shipment for which freight charges are paid by the consignor; a 5% surcharge is added for this service.
Prepress
All manufacturing operations prior to press; also called Prep.
Prepress Proofs (Bluelines)
Proofs made by photographic techniques to eliminate the expense of making press proofs.
Prescreen
A lower contrast halftone, printed on glossy photographic paper for direct pasteup with line copy, to avoid stripping of a halftone negative into a line negative; also called Screened Print.
Press Layout
See: Imposition.
Press Proof
Actual press sheets to show image, tone value and color. A few sheets are run and approval received from the customer prior to printing the job.
Press Sheet
The full-size sheet of paper selected for a job to be printed on a sheet-fed press.
Press Varnish
See: Varnish.
Pressure Sensitive Labels
Labels with an adhesive coating, protected by a backing sheet until used, which will stick without moistening.
Primary Letter
A lower case letter which has no ascenders or descenders, such as e, m, n, o, and c.
Print Block
The area on the page occupied by printed matter; also called Print Box, Type Surface or Image Area.
Printability
The characteristic of a paper which allows good performance on the press and yields printed material of high quality.
Printer's Error
See: PE.
Printer Font
A high-resolution outline version of the screen font necessary for imagesetting.
Priority Mail
Air Mail parcels exceeding 12 oz.; also called Air Parcel Post.
Pro Number
A number assigned by a carrier to its freight bill; this number is essential for tracing a shipment.
Process Camera
A large camera for graphic arts applications, consisting of copyboard, lensboard, lens, bellows, camera back and independent camera bed or suspension.
Process Color Separation Negative
A color picture is actually printed with the four process colors. To obtain the negatives for each of these colors requires a complicated darkroom process. Basically, filters are used to block out all but the desired color for each color negative, and for each a different angle screen is employed. Usually special color correction masks must be used to improve colors for each negative.
Process Colors
(1) Yellow (2) Cyan Blue (3) Magenta Red (4) Black. When these colors are used in various strengths and combinations, they make it possible to produce thousands of colors with a minimum of photography, platemaking and presswork.
Process Color Printing
See: Color Process Printing.
Process Inks
Transparent inks manufactured for use in four color process printing.
Progressive Color Proofs
Proofs made from the separate negatives in color process work, showing the sequence of printing and the result after each additional color has been applied; also called Progs.
Proof
Trial prints from type, negatives or plates.
Proofreader
One who reads proof and marks errors for correction.
Proofreader's Marks
The standardized symbols used by copy editors and proofreaders in the correction of proof.
Proportion Rule
A device used to establish the amount of reduction, enlargement, ratio and proportion for copy; used in Planning and Plate Prep; also called Proportion Scale, Reduction Wheel or Scale.
Protect Shipment
An expedited shipment.
Publisher
One who makes a business of publishing and marketing newspapers, periodicals, books, music, plays, etc.
Pull Test
A test performed on perfect bound books to determine the amount of pull pressure required to remove a page from the binding; used to verify that pages are securely bound.
Pulp
The fibrous material which has been mixed, beaten, and diluted, to which chemicals and fillers may be added in preparation for the papermaking process.
Punch
(1) In the Opti-Copy II system, precise holes put in the photocopy, used for mounting copy for photographing. (2) See: Drilling.
Pyroxlin
Plastic material (cellulose nitrate) used for impregnating or coating book cloth or some paper.
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Quad Center
Direction to set copy centered in the type measure, with all excess space equally placed on each side.
Quad Left
Direction to set copy to the left margin of the type measure; also called Flush Left.
Quad Right
Direction to set copy to the right margin of the type measure; also called Flush Right.
Quality
A measure of the degree of perfection of all phases of printing reproduction.
Quality Control
In printing, the process of taking random samples during the run to check the consistency of quality.
Quality Standards
Standards for various production centers with specified acceptable variations and inspection routines.
Quark
A page layout software manufactured by Quark.
Quarter Binding
A style of casebinding in which the backbone of the case is cloth or leather and the sides are paper or cloth. See: Three-Piece Case.
Quarterly
A publication issued four times a year, usually every three months.
Query
A marginal note in copy or on proofs to the author or editor, from the typesetter, to call attention to some matter in question.
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Rachwal
The Rachwal is a computerized imposition and platemaking system that can take you from copy to plate faster than conventional pre-press and platemaking methods.
Ragged Left
In typesetting, type that is justified to the right margin, unjustified on the left.
Ragged Right
In typesetting, type that is justified to the left margin, unjustified on the right; also called Unjustified.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
The temporary memory which allows the Central Processing Unit the ability to access information easily and quickly and to move around from various softwares while the user is viewing, editing or creating documents. The visual displayed on the computer monitor is the result of RAM and is temporary data until intentionally stored or saved by the user on the hard drive.
Raster Image
An image displayed as a series of lines of dots or video "blips". Examples include TV pictures, video graphics, and laser-printed documents.
Ream
500 sheets of paper, regardless of size.
Rebind
To bind again a book previously bound; usually used in reference to a book taken apart for use as camera-ready copy, which must then be assembled in the original order and recovered using the original case.
Reconsignment
A shipping term for the act of changing Bill of Lading provisions as to consignee.
Recto
A right-hand page of a book; usually odd numbered.
Recycled Paper
Paper made from old paper pulp; used paper is cooked in chemicals and reduced back to pulp, after it is de-inked.
Red Patch
A piece of red or black material placed on camera-ready copy to photograph as a clear window in the line negative, for placement of a halftone negative without the need for stripping; also called Black Patch.
Redact
See: Edit.
Reduction Wheel
See: Proportion Rule.
Reflection Copy
Any image viewed by means of light reflected off its surface.
Reflection Densitometer
A device used to measure and control color proofs and sheets printed with color bars. Ink strength, dot gain and ink trapping are measured on printed sheets.
Register
(1) Accurate alignment of plates, film or color separations one over the other, in order to produce a single image effect. (2) In photo-reproduction and color printing, fitting two or more printing images on the same paper in exact alignment with each other.
Register Marks
(1) Small crosses, guides or patterns applied to originals before reproduction; used for positioning negatives in register; also called Crossmarks. (2) Similar marks added to a negative flat to print along the margins of a press sheet; used as a guide for correct alignment, backing and color register in printing; also called Guide Marks.
Registered Mail
Domestic first class, air or priority mail may be registered with an indemnity limit of $10,000. Registered mail provides for a receipt to the customer at the time of mailing and a Post Office record of the mailing. For an additional charge, a proof-of-delivery receipt is returned to the mailer.
Registration
Printed material in which two or more colors are in specific alignment with each other.
Reinforced Endsheets
A strip of muslin tape applied around the fold of the first and last signatures of a book and their respective endsheets, to reinforce the paper and add strength to the binding; sometimes called Guarded Signatures. See also: Wrap Reinforced Endsheets.
Relative Humidity (RH)
The amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere, expressed as a percent of the maximum that could be present at the same temperature.
Relative Units
In phototypsetting, the unit system used for letter width and spacing material which, in physical size, is relative to the type size being used. An em space contains 18 relative units. If the type size is 18 point, each unit will be 1 point. If the type size is 9 point, there are still 18 units in each em space, but they are each only 1/2 point in width.
Reply Card
See: Return Card.
Reprint
To print again, from standing negatives, with or without corrections; also called Rerun.
Reprints
Articles for which negatives are relaid so the articles are produced in booklet form. The quantities for a number of different booklets on an order do not have to be the same. See also: Offprints.
Reproduction Proof (Repro)
Carefully printed proofs from type forms; used as camera copy for reproduction.
Reproduction Ratio
See: Camera Setting.
Rerun
See: Reprint.
Rescreen
A halftone negative of a previously screened and printed halftone, made with the aid of a diffusion filter placed on the front of the lens.
Residential Delivery
Delivery by a carrier to a home address. There is an additional charge for this service.
Resiliency
The property of paper which causes it to resist deformation and to wholly or partially return to its original dimension from any distortion resulting from an outside applied stress.
Resolution
On printed media, it is the number of dots per inch; on a video monitor, it is the number of pixels per unit of measurement.
Retarders
Chemicals that slow the setting time of ink.
Return Card
A response device included in a mailing piece for reader's convenience in replying to an offer; also called Reply Card.
Reversal Processing
The processing of an exposed film so that it will become a positive instead of a negative (or conversely).
Reverse
Type appearing in white on a black or color background or in a dark area of a photograph; also called Dropout, Dropout Type or Knock Out.
Reverse Overlay
Copy, pasted on an overlay, which is to be reversed.
Revised Edition
A new edition of a previously published book containing updated or supplementary material.
Revised Proof
Any proof required after an earlier proof has been read and corrections made.
Rework
Correction of a printer error or shortage.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
The additive primary colors which are used in video monitors, as opposed to the subtractive primaries (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black), which are used in four-color printing.
Right-Angle Fold
In binding, a term used for two or more folds, each at right (90 degree) angles to the preceding fold.
Right Reading Image
Any image that is correctly read from right to left.
Ring Binder
A looseleaf mechanism comprised of a metal housing to which heavy wire rings are attached. These rings open in the center. They are available with a variety of opening mechanisms, as well as a variety of shapes, finishes and spacing.
RIP (Raster Image Processor)
Part of an output device or imagesetter that converts information into the dot pattern that will be imaged onto film or paper. Sometimes referred to as the imagesetter's engine.
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing)
A type of raster image processor capable of faster computation because it uses simpler and more regular instructions.
River
A streak of white space in printed matter, resulting when the spaces between words in several lines happen to occur almost one below the other.
Roll Curl
The cross-grain curl which results from paper being wrapped around a roll; also called Wrap Curl.
Roller Stripping
(1) A lithographic term denoting that ink does not stick to metal ink rollers on the press. (2) Removing excess ink from rollers by feeding a heavy paper on the roller.
Roll-out
To ink an area with a hand roller in order to test or sample its color or other characteristics.
Roll-up
Applying press ink to the plate, after it has been mounted on the press and the protective plate coating has been removed.
ROM (Read Only Memory)
The part of the computer that provides the Central Processing Unit (CPU) its instinctive moves or directions. Read Only implies that the Memory cannot be altered or edited.
Roman Numerals
Numerals made up by letter combinations, such as iv for the Arabic number 4; often used for numbering preliminary pages in a book.
Roman Type
A regular type face, as opposed to the italic or bold version of the same type face.
Rounding and Backing
In case binding, the process of rounding gives books a convex spine and a concave fore-edge. The process of backing makes the spine wider than the rest by the thickness of the covers, thus providing a shoulder against which the boards of the front and back covers fit (i.e., the crease or joint).
RPS (Roadway Package Service)
A package delivery service, similar to UPS.
RSC (Regular Slotted Container)
A corrugated container with closing flaps on the top and bottom.
Rub-Off
(1) Ink on printed sheets, after sufficient drying, which smears or comes off on the fingers when handled. (2) Ink which comes off the cover during shipment and transfers to other covers or to the shipping carton or mailer; also called Scuffing.
Rub-Proof
An ink that has reached maximum dryness and does not mar with normal abrasion.
Rubylith
A separable two-layer acetate film of red or amber emulsion on a clear base. It has dozens of uses in graphics, most often for color separations by hand.
Rules
Vertical or horizontal lines on a page; may be done by typesetting, drawn by hand, or scribed on a negative.
Run
The total number of copies ordered (length of run).
Run-around
A description of type set to fit around a picture or other element of the page.
Run-In Head
A heading which is part of the first line of text it refers to.
Runability
The characteristic of paper in terms of how well it performs on press.
Running Foot
Same as Running Head, except placement is at the bottom (foot) of the page.
Running Head
A headline or title repeated at the top of each page, for the quick reference of the reader.
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Saddlestitch (SS)
A binding method which inserts sections into sections, then fastens them with wires (stitches) through the middle fold of the sheets. The limiting factor in this type of binding is bulk (thickness); also called Saddlewire.
Same Size (S/S)
An instruction to indicate that copy is not to be enlarged or reduced.
Sample Case
A stamped case for customer approval, prior to stamping the balance of cases.
Sample Page
Typeset sample of a book's intended design.
Sample Stamped Cloth
A sample of the cloth for a given order, stamped with the specified foil; done prior to making cases.
Sans Serif
A style of type face distinguished by the absence of serifs, or ticks, on the ends of strokes.
Saturation
A measure of the amount of gray in a color. The higher the gray content, the lower the saturation.
Sawtooth Edge
An effect which occurs when the edges of a halftone cross the screen line at a certain angle.
Scaling
Determining the size which an image should be reduced or enlarged to fit a specified area without changing the ratio of the dimensions; also called Sizing.
Scanner
An electronic input device used in making color separations and tone corrected color separations that converts the original medium (a photograph, a drawing, etc.) into a digitized, bitmapped image or file. This file can then be manipulated electronically to accommodate size, color correction, cropping or whatever artistic designs are warranted. Flatbed scanners use CCD (charged couple device) technology while Drum Scanners use PMT (photomultiplier tube) technology.
Score
A crease in a heavyweight paper or cover stock, to facilitate folding and prevent cracking.
Scoring
(1) Underlining of a word or words. It is normally produced using a ruling pen in Composition. When all words in a copy block are underlined with a continuous rule, it is called Solid Scoring. If each individual word is underscored, it is known as Broken Scoring. (2) Creasing paper or cover stock with a blunt blade along the line of the fold to prevent cracking and to facilitate folding.
Screen
A network of criss-cross lines which break up a continuous tone image in to patterns of dots which can be printed either black or white to represent gradations of gray. See also: Crossline Screen, Contact Screen and Halftone Screen.
Screen Angles
In color reproduction, angles at which a halftone screen is placed in order to prevent formation of interference patterns (Moir) in the completed color reproduction.
Screen Font
A low-resolution bitmapped representation of the font used for viewing privileges on a computer monitor, not for printing.
Screen Printing
See: Silkscreen Printing.
Screen Range
The density difference between the highlight and shadow areas of copy that a halftone screen can reproduce without a flash exposure.
Screen Ruling
The number of lines or dots per inch on a halftone screen.
Screen Tint
See: Screentone.
Screened Halftone Negative
The negative film produced when continuous tone original copy is shot through a halftone screen.
Screened Print
A print made from continuous tone copy which was screened during exposure; also called Prescreen.
Screentone
A halftone film having a uniform dot size over its area, and rated by its approximate printing dot size value, such as 20%, 50%, etc.; also called Screen Tint.
Scribe
To etch or remove part of the emulsion on a negative; done to produce a neat, uniform line.
Scriber
A pencil-like tool with a steel point; used to remove the emulsion of a negative, for engraving rules or adding other fine detail.
Script
A type style which resembles handwriting.
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface; pronounced ''scuzzy'')
A type of connector used to attach peripherals such as an external hard drive or scanner to a computer.
Scuffing
See: Rub-Off.
Scum
A film of ink, printing in the nonimage area of the plate; also called Toning.
Second Color
Any printing color other than the first, which is usually black.
Second-Class Mail
Mail which includes newspapers and magazines issued at least four times a year; requires a second-class permit issued by the Post Office.
Section
A group of 4, 8, 16, 24, 32, etc., pages folded as a unit; also called Signature.
Self-Cover
A cover of the same paper as text pages.
Semi-Concealed Cover
A cover for mechanical binding which is a single piece scored and slotted or punched for combining with the mechanical binding device, forming a closed backbone on bound units.
Sensitivity Guide
A continuous tone gray scale with numbered steps, used to control exposures in process photography and platemaking; also called Gray Scale.
Serif
The short cross-lines at the end of many letters, in some typefaces. See also: Sans Serif.
Set
A series of volumes in sequence, as in a 6-volume set.
Set Solid
Type composed without extra leading between the lines, where the leading used equals the type size.
Set-In
See: Strip-In.
Set-Off
Undesirable transfer of wet ink from one sheet to another; also called Offset.
Set-Up Sheet
A sheet drawn on a Craftsman table and used as a master for the layout and positioning of pages on the job for which it was drawn.
Sew and Glue (S&G)
Covering sewn signatures with a paper cover, which is applied on hot adhesive; also called Dropping-on Covering.
SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language)
SGML of a computer programming language that can be used to convert the information in a document onto a database.
Shadow
The darkest parts in a photograph, represented in a halftone by the largest dots.
Sharpen
To decrease in color strength, as when halftone dots become smaller; opposite of Thicken or Dot Spread.
Sharpness
A photographic description of perfectly defined detail in an original, negative and reproduction.
Shave
To cut a slight trim from bound books or paper.
Sheet-Fed Press
A printing press which prints on individual sheets of paper, as opposed to paper in a continuous roll which is used on a web press.
Sheets
Paper cut into basic sizes for printing.
Sheetwise Layout
Different pages printed on each side of a sheet; used when the number of pages printed is sufficient to fill both sides of the sheet, using the same grippers and side guide.
Shelfback
See: Spine.
Shilling Fraction
In typesetting, a small slash fraction (1/2) versus a built up fraction ( 21. ).
Shingle
To vary the gutter margin according to the position of the page in the signature, and the paper bulk; done on larger signatures; most commonly used for saddle stitched books where signatures are inserted.
Shipper's Export Declaration
A form required by the US Treasury Department on all export shipments, listing full particulars of the shipment; given to the carrier for use in clearing a shipment through Customs.
Shipper's Load and Count
A clause that carriers stamp on Bills of Lading specifying the carrier did not take an actual count of cartons when accepting the shipment.
Short Grain Paper
Paper made with the machine direction of the majority of fibers in the shortest sheet dimension.
Short Ink
An ink that is buttery and does not flow freely.
Short Run
A press run from 100 to 2000 copies.
Shot
An exposure made on a process camera.
Show Through
(1) The transparency enhanced in printed sheets by the oily substances contained in ink; the ability to see the printing from the back of a sheet because the ink is too oily, too opaque, or the paper too transparent. (2) Printing that is visible from the back side of a sheet, or the next sheet, under normal lighting conditions.
Shrink Wrap
A clear plastic covering, heat-shrunk to fit tightly; used to avoid damaging books during shipment; also called Plastic Wrap, Plastic Shrink Wrap, or Shrink Packaging.
Shrunk Negative
A negative in which the image is thinned down to knock out color or screen background, when a black screen or another color is to be printed in that area; also called a Choke Negative.
Shutter
A device mounted either in front of, or behind, the lens in a camera to turn on or off light to the film plane.
Sidehead
In composition, a caption, heading or title that appears at the side of a page or column.
Signature
A printed sheet, after it has been folded. See: Section.
Silhouette Halftone
A halftone with all screen background removed; also called Outline Halftone.
Silhouetting
Opaquing out the background around a subject on a halftone negative.
Silkscreen Printing
A printing process where ink is forced through the pores of a fabric screen stencil bearing a reverse image of the design to be printed; can be used to print on almost any surface; more ink is applied than with other printing methods.
Silverprint
See: Bluelines.
Single-Color Press
A printing press capable of printing only one color at a time.
Sinkage
White space left at the top of a page, in addition to the top margin, most often at the beginning of a chapter.
Sinkage Page
See: Drop Page.
Size
Any material added or applied to paper to affect its ink or water absorbency. Starch, alginates and glue are used in surface sizing. Transparent white ink can be printed as a size to minimize linting, to increase ink hold-out, to dry ink previously printed or to overcome chalking.
Sizing
(1) The addition of substances to paper that give it water resistance, abrasion resistance and surface bonding strength. (2) See: Scaling.
Skid
(1) A wood platform support used to ship materials, usually in cartons which have been stretch wrapped to the skid. (2) A quantity of sheeted paper, weighing about 3000 lbs., skid packed.
Slime Spots
Undesirable spots in a paper's surface, caused by the growth of micro-organisms at the wet end of the papermaking machine.
Slip Case
A decorated slide box in which a finished book or set of volumes are inserted so that the spine(s) remains visible; also called Fiber Case.
Slip-Sheeting
(1) Placing blank pieces of paper between folded sections prior to trimming four sides, to separate completed books. (2) Inserting blank paper between printed sheets as they come off press, to avoid wet ink transferring; also called Interleaving.
Slit Pocket
A thin cardboard added to front or back, inside case before cases are made. Books cased in, then endsheet is slit open by hand on edge of thin board.
Slitting
Cutting printed sheets into two or more sections by means of cutting wheels on a folder.
Slur
Blurred or dragged printing detail due to press conditions.
Small Caps (sc)
An alphabet of small capital letters available in most type faces, approximately the size of the lower case letters; usually used in combination with larger capital letters.
Smash
To apply clamping pressure to folded signatures or sewn books, to remove excess air and make signatures or books more compact for binding. See also: Nip.
Smashed or Weak Blanket
A small area in the press blanket that is no longer firm; usually results in a small area of light printing in the center of a well printed area.
Smearing
A press condition in which the impression is slurred and unclear because too much ink was used or sheets were handled or rubbed before the ink was dry.
Smoothness
The flatness of a sheet of paper, which generally determines the crispness of the image printed on it.
SMP (Sealed Mailing Packet)
Customized packet used for individual book mailing. A machine inserts the book into corro, kraft, poly, and/or kraft/poly material, seals, imprints customer and postal indicias and applies Cheshire labels.
Smyth Sewing (CB)
Securing signatures together with thread by linked stitching on the back of the fold and through the center fold of each signature, permitting the book to open flat.
Soft Dot
Halation or fringe around the edge of a dot which is excessive and almost equals the area of the dot itself.
Softcover
See: Paperbound.
Software
Computer programs developed specific to user needs or wants (word processing, desktop publishing, spread sheets, games, etc.).
Solid
(1) An area completely covered with ink. (2) The use of 100% of a given color.
Solid Leading
In typesetting, type set so the space from baseline to baseline is to be the same as the point size specified for the typeface used; expressed, for example, 8/8. See also: Set Solid.
Special Delivery
An item of mail delivered as soon as practicable after it arrives at the addressee's Post Office. It virtually assures delivery on the day received at the Post Office, but generally does not speed up the transportation time to that point from the originating point. A fee is assessed in addition to the regular postage.
Special Handling
Intended for preferential handling in dispatch and transportation of third and fourth-class mail. A special fee is assessed for each piece in addition to the regular postage.
Spine
The back of a bound book connecting the two covers; also called Backbone or Shelfback.
Spiral Binding
A binding in which wires in spiral form are inserted through holes punched along the binding side.
Split Bind
An order with two or more bind types, such as perfect and case; also called Split Run or Simultaneous Edition.
Spoilage
Rework in excess of $200.00.
Spot Varnish
Press varnish applied to a portion of the sheet as opposed to an overall application of the varnish.
Spotting Out
See: Opaquing.
Spray Powder
A powder used at press to prevent setoff (offset) of wet ink; also called Anti-Offset Spray.
Spread
The photographic thickening of type characters or other printing detail that will provide a color or tint overlap and allow for slight misregister in the successive printings.
Spread Negative
A negative in which the image is thickened or spread.
Square Back
See: Flat Back.
Square Halftone
A halftone whose four sides are straight and perpendicular to one another.
Stabilize
See: Condition.
Stamping
Transferring an impression from a die by the application of heat and pressure; commonly used to decorate cases. Usually done with the addition of a foil which is transferred from a carrier membrane to a case.
Stamping Die
See: Die.
Stapling
Binding a book or loose sheets with one or more wire staples.
Standing Negatives
Imposed negative flats on file with the printer.
Star Target
See: GATF Star Target.
Starch-Filled
Book cloth with filler material of starch; it is subject to marking and tears easily; the least expensive grade of cloth.
Stat
See: Contact Print.
Stencil
Carton marking applied directly to a carton by an ink transfer process.
Step and Repeat
The multiple exposure of the same image, by stepping it in position according to a predetermined layout.
Stet
A proofreader's term, written in the margin, signifying that copy marked for corrections should remain as it was; "leave as is."
Still Develop
To develop film in a tray without agitation; the resulting negative will have lower contrast; sometimes used to process previously screened halftones or previously printed screentones.
Still Shot
A camera shot which requires still development.
Stochastic Screening
An alternative to conventional screening that separates an image into very fine, randomly placed microdots, rather than a grid of geometrically aligned halftone cells.
Stock
Paper or other material to be printed.
Stopping Out
See: Opaquing.
Straight Edge
A tool for drawing or establishing a straight line.
Straight Matter
Composition work that does not contain display lines, math, tabular or other complicated matter.
Strike-On Composition
Type set by a direct-impression composing machine method or on a typewriter; also known as Cold Type.
Strike-Through
The penetration of ink through paper so that it is visible on the reverse side.
Strip In
To combine a negative with another to give a single page negative which contains all components; also called Set-in.
Stripping
(1) Positioning of film (negative or positive) on Goldenrod or Goldenplast to create flats; also called Film Assembly. (2) The condition under which steel press rollers fail to take up ink and are instead wet by the fountain solution.
Style Sheet
A list of page format specifications, including typographic and layout specifications. In desktop publishing, a style sheet can be stored, retrieved, and applied to elements of the page displayed on the screen.
Stylus Printer
See: Dot-Matrix Printer.
Subhead
A secondary heading or title, usually set in smaller or less prominent type than a main heading in the text of typeset copy.
Subscript
See: Inferior Character.
Substance
The commonly used designation given to a sheet of paper, derived from the weight of one ream in the standard size for that paper grade.
Substance Weight
See: Basis Weight.
Subtractive Primary Colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black)
As opposed to Additive Primary Colors, Subtractive Colors are not transmissive; they are reflective on paper and printed media. When used together with various degrees of coverage and variation, they have the ability of creating billions of other colors.
Super
A strip of gauze glued to the backbone during lining-up, so the cloth extends on both sides of the backbone, to hold sewn signatures in the case; also called Crash.
Supercalender
In paper-making, a calender stack, separate from the paper-making machine, with alternate metal and resilient rolls, used to produce a high finish on paper.
Superior Figures
Letters or numbers in a raised position, usually in a smaller size; also known as Superscripts.
Surface Sized
Paper that has been sized by applying a film of sizing agent to the surface of the dried or partially dried sheet, usually to increase its resistance to ink vehicle penetration.
Surface Texture
The relative roughness, smoothness or unevenness of the paper surface.
Surprint
(1) An additional printing over the design areas of previously printed matter; also called Overprint. (2) Exposure from a second negative or flat, superimposed on an exposed image of a previous negative or flat.
Swatch
See: Color Swatch.
Swatchbook
A sample book which contains samples of available colors of materials such as ink, cloth or paper.
Swell
The exact thickness at the binding edge of a book.
SWOP
Abbreviation for the Specifications for Web Offset Publications, developed in the U.S. as a standard for magazine production, and used to ensure consistency of color printing.
SyQuest
Named after the creating company, SyQuest is a technology of removable hard drives currently available in 44 mb, 88 mb & 105 mb disks; although manufactured now by various companies, the SyQuest disks are compatible with each other and their respective drives. (Dated technology, made popular by multi-media artist and quick print shops like Kinkos; killed by the Iomega Zip Drive)
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T Print
See: Contact Print.
Tab
(1) A tag on a skid of printed sheets as a marker for a given number of sheets. Skids are tabbed when the binding is of more than one kind and not all sheets are to be folded. (2) In composition, the point marking the beginning of a column in tabular material.
Table
See: Tabular Material.
Tabular Material
Any copy or typeset information in a columnar format, where the information in the first column refers to the copy in the succeeding columns across the page.
Tack
Pulling power of ink or glue against another surface.
Tail
The bottom of a page, section or book.
Tail Margin
See: Foot Margin.
Tapes
Strips of cloth or tape pasted or sewed to the backbone of a book to add strength to the binding. See also: Rein-forced Endsheets.
Tare Weight
The weight of packing material (cartons, skids, pallets, etc.).
Tear
A measurement of the resistance of pulp fibers to a tearing force.
Tear Sheet
(1) Any page torn from a book, with corrections or changes marked on it. (2) A sample of finished advertising.
Tear Strength
The resistance of paper to tearing.
Tear & Tip
Page taken from bound book and new page hand tipped in its place.
Technical Material
Copy to be typeset which includes special symbols, tables and scientific and technical terms; more complicated to set than straight matter.
Telecommunications
The transmission of signals by telephone, telegraph, radio or satellite, over a distance.
Tensile Strength
A measure of the force required to break a sheet of paper under standard testing conditions.
TEX
Page layout software, known especially for its ability to handle math.
Text
Straight type matter or body copy, as distinguished from headlines and subheads.
Textbook
In book publishing, textbook applies to any book that is to be sold through schools and used for educational purposes.
Text Paper
High quality papers, made in white and colors and a variety of finishes; used for books, booklets, etc.
Texture
The feel or appearance of paper or cloth.
Thickness (of Paper)
See: Caliper.
Third-Class Mail
Mail which consists of circulars, booklets, catalogs and other printed material; limited in weight to less than 16 ounces. A permit is required.
Three-Color Process
A method for reproducing color artwork that is similar to the four-color process, except the black plate is omitted.
Three-Knife Trimmer
A trimming machine with three knives, two parallel and one right angle, which trims three sides at once; can be hand fed or automatic feed.
Three-Piece Case
A case made with three separate pieces of material, usually one kind of material for the spine and a portion of the front and back of the case and a different material used for the balance of the front and back of the case. There is a slight overlap where the pieces meet; also called Quarter Binding.
Through Rate
A shipping rate that applies from point of origin to destination.
Thumb Edge
The outside edge of a book, directly opposite the binding edge.
Thumb Margin
See: Trim Margin.
Tie Together
In plate prep, small flats or partial flats which are taped in proper relation to one another to produce a full size flat.
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
A file format used to represent black-and-white, grayscale, or color bitmapped images, particularly those produced by scanners.
Tight Back
Occurs when the back of the cover is glued to the back of the book.
Tight Edges
A form of paper curling, caused when the surrounding atmosphere has a relative humidity lower than the pile of paper, allowing exposed edges to dry out and shrink.
Tight Negative
Overexposing and/or overdeveloping a negative so that the printing formed will be sharper than normally obtained.
Tight Register
See: Hairline Register.
Tint Block
A panel of color on which type or an illustration may be printed.
Tinting
An all-over color tint on the press sheet in the non-image area of the sheet, caused by ink pigment dissolving in the dampening solution.
Tinting Strength
Coloring power of ink; the amount it can be reduced or diluted with white ink to produce a tint of a given strength.
Tints
Various even tone areas (strengths) of a solid color.
Tip-In
Any separate page (or pages) pasted in a book, such as foldouts, frontispiece, etc.; pasted by hand or machine, before or after binding.
Tip-On
To attach endsheets or other material to the outside of folded sections by machine application of a thin strip of adhesive.
Tipping In
The hand operation of pasting into a book a separate leaf, an illustration, foldout or other material.
Tipping Machine
A machine used to tip end sheets or other material to the outside of signatures.
Tissue Overlay
A thin, translucent paper placed over artwork for protection; also may be used to indicate instructions, color break and corrections.
Title
The name of a book or other printed matter.
Title Page
A page in a book's front matter, usually a right-hand page, stating the title, author and publisher.
TL (Truck Load)
A motor carrier term meaning a full truck load, weighing 20,000 lbs. or more.
Tolerance
The acceptable amount of variance from stated specifications.
Tone
(1) The shade, hue or degree of a color. (2) Short for Screentone.
Toning
See: Scum
Tooth
A slightly rough paper surface which is readily ink receptive.
Top Margin
See: Head Margin.
Top Staining
A stain or dye added to the top trimmed edge of a casebound book. See: Edge Staining.
Tracer
The act of locating a shipment that has not arrived at its destination.
Trade Customs
Standard practices in the graphic arts field, affecting every phase of work.
Trade Edition
An edition of a book intended for sale through bookstores to the general public.
Transfer Key
A registered trademark of the 3M Company for a pre-press color proofing system.
Transfer Lettering
Letters, numbers and symbols on clear sheets, which can be applied to many surfaces by rubbing or burnishing after positioning. Sometimes used in composition for special symbols not available on the equipment; also known as Visi-Type or other trade names.
Transmission Copy
Original copy which is photographed by transmitted light; light passes through the copy; also called Transparent Copy.
Transmission Densitometer
A photoelectric instrument used to control the photographic process by the use of gray scales and measurement of the graded steps in them before and after photography; controlled by varying exposure and development; the densitometer and gray scales help measure results.
Transparency
(1) A photographic positive mounted on transparent film and viewed by transmitted light. (2) The quality that allows images to be seen through a sheet.
Transparent
See: Show-through.
Transparent Copy
See: Transmission Copy.
Transparent Inks
Printing inks which do not conceal the color beneath. Process inks are transparent so they will blend to form other colors.
Transpose
To exchange the position of a letter, word, line, or negative with another letter, word, line, or negative.
Trap
An area of overlapping ink where two different colors of ink meet. It is used to prevent an unwanted white edge between the colors.
Trapping
The ability of an already printed ink film to accept a succeeding or overprinted ink film.
Trim
To cut away the folded or uneven edges to form a smooth even edge and permit all pages to open.
Trim 4 Sides (T4)
Loose leaf pages-pages are imposed, printed and gathered, then all sides trimmed off.
Trim Margin
The margin of the open side, away from the bind; also called Thumb, Fore Edge, Face or Outside Margin.
Trim Marks
Marks placed on original copy to indicate trim size; also called Corner Marks.
Trim Size
The final size of a book after binding and trimming.
Tritone
An image reproduced using three colors.
Trumatch
Used by QuarkXPress, this system has over 2,000 colors created by varying degrees of CMYK to create individual process colors.
TruType
A brand of fonts manufactured by TruType. A unique trait of TruType fonts is that both the screen and printer font are built into one font file.
Tuck Envelope
An envelope with no adhesive application on the flap; the contents are retained in the envelope by tucking the flap into the envelope body.
Turn Around
The amount of time added to a schedule for customer approval of proof or printed material.
Turn-In
The portion of material used in making cases, which comes over the edges of the boards onto the inside of the boards, thus covering the board edges and completing the case; usually 5/8".
Two-Piece Case
A case made with two different materials applied to the binder boards separately. A standard case is made with a single piece of material. A second material is added over the first, covering the complete spine and partially wrapping around the front and back of the case.
Two-Piece Cover
A cover for mechanical binding consisting of separate front and back covers.
Two-Sidedness
The property of paper which denotes a difference in appearance and printability between the top (felt) and bottom (wire) sides.
Two-Up
Two identical printing subjects on a plate or sheet; usually made by preparing the flat so that it can be exposed successively in the two required locations.
Two-Up Binding
Printing and binding in such a way that two books are bound as one, then cut apart to become separate books.
Tying
See: String Tie.
Type Face
A style or design of type encompassing shape, weight and proportions which make it distinct from other type faces.
Type Family
A group of typefaces that are similar in style, usually differing only in boldness and whether characters are straight (Roman) or inclined slightly (Italic).
Type Font
A complete assortment of any one size and style of type, containing all the characters for setting ordinary composition.
Type Gauge
A printer's tool calibrated in points and picas; used to measure the various dimensions of typesetting.
Type Surface
The specified area on a page that can contain printed matter; also called Image Area, Print Box and Print Block.
Typsetting
See: Composition.
Typo
Short for typographical error.
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Unbleached
Paper not treated by bleaching; has a light brown hue.
Uncoated Paper
Paper on which the printing surface consists of the paper stock itself, which may or may not be surface sized.
Uncut Pages
Pages which have not been fully trimmed and thus will not open completely.
Under Color Removal (UCR)
The process by which equal shades of cyan, magenta and yellow are removed and replaced with black, thereby reducing ink plugging and usage and improving quality.
Under Pressure
If a plate is under too much pressure, it will result in broken letters.
Underinked
Not enough ink used, resulting in light printing.
Underlay
A ruled sheet used as a guide for stripping identical negative flats.
Underrun
A shortage in the number of copies completed; a quantity less than the amount ordered.
Undertone
The hue or color of a thin film of ink.
Undertrapping
See: Poor Trapping.
Undertrimmed
Trimmed to a size smaller than the specified trim size.
Unit Perfecting Press
See: Blanket-to-Blanket Press.
Unjustified
Type set with lines of unequal length. These lines will usually be aligned at the left; also called Ragged Right.
Untrimmed Paper
Paper cut into sheets with rotary cutters; may not be sufficiently square for presswork; squared with a guillotine cutter; also called Machine Trimmed.
Up
In printing, two-up, three-up, etc., refers to imposition of material to be printed on a larger size sheet to take advantage of full press capacity; also referred to as ___-Out (example: Two Out or Two-Up.)
Upper Case (UC)
The capital letters in any font of type.
Upper and Lower Case (U & LC)
Setting type with only the first letter of the sentence capitalized and the balance of the words (except proper nouns) in lower case letters.
Upright
In bookbinding, a book bound on its long dimension, as opposed to oblong binding which is on the short dimension.
UPS (United Parcel Service)
A delivery service which covers specific delivery areas; no delivery time guarantee.
UPS Overnight
Package delivery guaranteed the following day.
UPS Second Day
Package delivery guaranteed in two days.
UV Coating
A liquid protective coating on covers or dust jackets which is dried by means of UV (Ultra-Violet) lights; available as an outside purchase.
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Vandyke
See: Bluelines.
Varnish
A thin, protective coating applied to a printed sheet for protection or appearance; generally cheaper than lamination, but with less gloss and providing less protection.
Vector Graphics
Object-oriented graphics in which an image is stored as a series of numbers defining size, position, and shape. Such objects must be ''rasterized'' prior to imaging to film or paper.
Vehicle
In printing inks, the fluid component, varnish or oil, which acts as a carrier for the pigment.
Vellum Finish
(1) In paper, a toothy finish which is relatively absorbent for fast ink penetration. (2) A smooth finish, solid color book cloth.
Velox
See: Contact Print.
Ventura Publisher
A page layout software program manufactured by CorelDraw.
Verso
A left-hand page of a book; usually even numbered.
Vignette
An illustration in which the background fades gradually away until it blends into the unprinted paper.
Virus
A small program, commonly imbedded in another program, that infects programs or documents and causes them to malfunction. It is often designed to destroy data and infect other programs, drives, and disks.
Viscosity
In printing inks and glues, a broad term encompassing the properties of tack and flow.
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Walk-off
Deterioration of part of the image area on a plate during printing.
Warping
A defect of binder boards where the edges of the sheet have expanded more than the center, producing wavy edges or a curl around an axis diagonal to the length of the sheet.
Warrens Print
Contact.
Wash Drawing
A brushwork drawing which contains gray tones as well as black and white.
Washup
The process of cleaning the printing press between ink changes.
Waste Allowance
The printer's normal allowance of additional paper or other materials for makereadies and other uses, so the final count of completed books will be at or close to the ordered quantity.
Water in Ink
A press condition of too much water, which breaks down ink.
Water Resistance
The time required for water to penetrate from one surface of the paper to the other.
Waterproof Paper
Paper which is coated then top-surfaced with casein or gum to make it waterproof.
Watermark
In papermaking, a name or design impressed on paper by the raised pattern of the dandy roll during manufacture. This mark faintly shows when the paper is held to light.
Wavy Edges
A warping effect in paper which is the result of the edges of the sheet having picked up moisture under conditions of high humidity, then expanded. Can produce wrinkles from the center of the sheet to the back edges. The image gets progressively wider toward the tail of the sheet.
Waxer
A device used to place a thin coating of melted wax adhesive on the back of original copy for pasteup or on film for set-ins on a base page negative.
Waybill
A transportation line record issued for each shipment, showing all details, with copies sent to all interested parties.
Web
A continuous roll of paper; used in web printing.
Web Press
A press which prints from continuous webs (rolls) of paper; prints on both sides in one continuous web; incorporates an in-line folder, so press delivers folded signatures.
Weight (of paper)
See: Basis Weight.
Weight Tolerance
The acceptable degree of variation in paper's shipped weight; usually within 5% of the paper's nominal weight.
Wet Printing
Any process of printing where wet ink is printed on top of wet ink.
White Inset
See: Blurb.
Wide Hinge
5/16" cut off of the bind side edge of the case board before cases made to give a wider backspace area for disk. Supplement, etc., to fit in after book is bound.
Widow
A short single line at the top of a page or column, usually the last line of a paragraph; to be avoided in good typesetting. Also, a single word or syllable standing alone as the last line of a paragraph.
Wind
To separate printed sheets so they will be ventilated by air; also called Airing.
Window
An open or clear area which permits light to pass through; usually large areas on a negative or a hand-cut opening on a masking sheet to expose the image.
Window Patch
The Composition operation of stripping (or cutting in) corrections into the original typeset copy.
Windows
An operating system marketed by Microsoft for use on PC-compatibles, to offer a graphical user interface similar to that of the Macintosh.
Wire Side
In papermaking, the side of a sheet next to the wire in manufacturing; opposite from Felt Side. It contains less size and filler and fewer short fibers so it has a more pronounced grain than the Felt Side.
Wire-O-Binding
A continuous double series of wire loops run through punched slots along the binding side of a book.
With the Grain
Parallel to the direction in which the majority of the paper fibers lie.
Wordspacing
The placing of additional space between each word; sometimes used to fill out lines for justification.
Word Processor
A special purpose computer for typing manuscripts and other documents formerly produced on typewriters. The disk storage system of the word processor allows documents to be changed without having to be completely retyped by the operator.
Work and Flop (W & F)
A printing layout for printing both the front and back of a sheet from a single plate. After the first run through the press, the printed pile of sheets is turned over from the gripper edge to back; the side guide remains the same and the gripper edge changes; same plate is used for both sides of the press sheet; also called Work & Tumble.
Work and Turn (W & T)
A common printing arrangement for printing the front and back of a sheet from a single plate. After the first side is printed the sheet is turned over from left to right to print the second side; same gripper edge is used; the side guide changes; the same plate is used.
Wove Paper
Paper that shows no pattern of the sort that distinguishes Laid Paper.
Wrap
(1) To place jackets on finished books. (2) A folded section, such as four pages, into which another folded section is hand inserted; the outside section wraps around the inside section. (3) To package in kraft paper or plastic film (for shrink wrapping).
Wrap Curl
Paper curl which occurs when paper is sheeted too close to the core of the roll; can also be caused when the mill winds heavy paper too tightly on the cores. Always occurs across the grain and to the side (wire or felt) which was wound on the roll prior to sheeting; may show at intervals in the pile of sheets; should only affect a small amount of paper.
Wrap Reinforced Endsheet
An oversized endsheet which wraps around the signature; can only be stock matching the text and unprinted (i.e. not colored endsheet stock) since it is visible.
Wrinkles
(1) Creases in paper occurring during printing or folding. (2) In inks, an uneven surface formed during drying.
Wrong Font (wf)
A proofreader marking which indicates the wrong type face was used to set a character, word, line or block of type.
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
The ability of the computer monitor to accurately display on the screen the image or type as it will be reproduced by the printer or imagesetter.
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X-Acto Knife
A tool used in many areas where cutting of copy, film, etc., is required.

Y or Yellow
Process Yellow; one of the four process colors.

Zip Drive
A 100 to 250 megabyte removable hard disk system manufactored by Iomega. Works on MacIntosh as well as IBM. Very popular replacement for Syquest and floopies disk in the 1990's. Also see Jaz Drive.
Zip Code Sorting
Presorting mail other than first class into zip code sequence prior to delivery to the Post Office. The extent of the sorting is dependent upon the class of mail and other postal regulations.

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