Glossary

The edge of a sheet of paper that is held by the grippers on a printing press to feed it through the press.

A device on an offset printing press that holds and advances the paper through the press. Grippers securely grip the leading edge of the paper, allowing for precise feeding and registration.

Gripper Margin Gripper Margin

The blank space on the leading edge of a sheet of paper in an offset printing press, where the grippers hold and advance the paper. The gripper margin is typically left unprinted and trimmed during the finishing process.

GSM GSM

Grams per Square Metre - unit measurement of paper.

Gutter Gutter

The space between columns of text or between facing pages in a book or magazine. The gutter helps accommodate the binding and prevents text or images from being lost in the binding process.

Halftone Halftone

A technique used to simulate continuous-tone images (such as photographs) by converting them into patterns of small dots. Different dot sizes or densities create the illusion of shades and gradients in the printed image.

Hard Proof Hard Proof

A physical proof of a printed piece that accurately represents the final product in terms of colour, resolution, and layout. Hard proofs are often used for colour-critical projects or client approvals.

Imposition Imposition

The arrangement and positioning of pages or images in a specific order to optimize printing efficiency. Imposition ensures that pages are printed in the correct sequence for folding, binding, or finishing processes.

Impression Cylinder Impression Cylinder

The cylinder on an offset printing press that applies pressure to the blanket cylinder, transferring the inked image from the blanket to the paper. The impression cylinder ensures proper ink transfer and print quality.

Ink Density Ink Density

The concentration or thickness of ink applied to the printing plate in offset printing. Ink density affects the colour saturation, vibrancy, and opacity of the printed image.

Ink Fountain Ink Fountain

The reservoir or container on an offset printing press that holds the ink. The ink fountain supplies ink to the inking rollers for distribution onto the printing plate.

Ink Key Ink Key

A mechanism on an offset printing press that controls the amount of ink delivered to the printing plate. Ink keys allow for precise ink adjustment, helping to achieve consistent color and coverage.

Inking Unit Inking Unit

The part of an offset printing press that applies ink to the printing plate. The inking unit consists of rollers that distribute the ink evenly and transfer it to the plate.

Inkjet Printing Inkjet Printing

A digital printing technology that uses tiny droplets of ink sprayed onto the substrate to create images or text. Inkjet printing is versatile, capable of printing on various materials, and offers high-resolution output.

Kerning Kerning

The adjustment of spacing between individual characters in a typeface to improve readability and visual aesthetics. Kerning ensures even spacing between letters and prevents awkward gaps or collisions.

Knockout Knockout

The process of removing or "knocking out" portions of an underlying colour or background to allow another colour or image to show through. It is commonly used to create text or graphic elements with transparent backgrounds.

Label Rewinder Label Rewinder

A machine or device used to automatically wind labels onto a roll after printing. Label rewinders ensure neat and organized label rolls for easy application.

Label Stock Label Stock

The material or substrate on which labels are printed. Label stock can be paper, film, vinyl, or other materials suitable for labelling applications.

Lamination Lamination

The process of applying a thin layer of plastic film onto printed materials to protect them from moisture, dirt, and wear. Lamination can be glossy or matte and enhances the durability and longevity of printed products.

Large Format Printer Large Format Printer

A printer designed to handle wide rolls of media and print on larger formats than standard desktop printers. Large format printers are commonly used for producing signs, banners, posters, and other oversized prints.

Latex Printer Latex Printer

A type of wide format printer that uses water-based latex inks. Latex printers offer excellent color reproduction, durability, and versatility, as they can print on a wide range of media, including vinyl, fabric, and rigid materials.

Layout Layout

The arrangement and organization of visual elements, such as text, images, and graphics, on a page or within a design. Layout involves creating a visual hierarchy, balancing elements, and considering overall composition.

Leading Leading

The vertical spacing between lines of text in a design. Leading affects legibility and readability, and proper leading ensures that lines of text are neither too tightly packed nor too widely spaced.

Letterpress Letterpress

A traditional printing method where raised surfaces (such as metal or polymer plates) with ink are pressed onto paper to create an impression. Letterpress is known for its tactile quality and is often used for specialty printing.

Line Screen Line Screen

The measure of the number of lines or dots per inch used in halftone printing. Line screens determine the fineness and resolution of halftone dots and affect the overall quality of the printed image.

Lithography Lithography

A printing method based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. It involves using a printing plate with an image area that attracts ink and a non-image area that repels ink. Lithography is commonly used for high-quality commercial printing.

Margins Margins

The blank spaces surrounding the content on a page. Margins help provide visual breathing room, balance the design, and prevent content from being too close to the edge of the page.

Matt Matt

Flat looking stock.

Mockup Mockup

A visual representation or prototype of a design that shows how it will look in its final form. Mockups can be digital or physical and are often used to present and evaluate design concepts.

Offset Printing Offset Printing

A widely used printing technique that involves transferring ink from a plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the printing surface. Offset printing delivers high-quality, consistent prints and is suitable for large print runs.

Outdoor Durability Outdoor Durability

The ability of printed graphics or materials to withstand exposure to outdoor elements such as sunlight, rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Outdoor durability is an important consideration for signage and outdoor displays.

Outlined Fonts Outlined Fonts

Fonts that have been outlined in the design software.

Overprinting Overprinting

The printing of one colour or image on top of another. Overprinting is used to create new colours or to achieve certain visual effects by allowing the underlying colours to show through.

Pagination Pagination

The process of assigning page numbers or arranging content in a specific order for printed documents. Pagination is crucial for organizing multi-page materials, such as books, magazines, or catalogues.

Pantone Bridge Pantone Bridge

A colour guide that allows for colour comparison and conversion between Pantone spot colours and their closest CMYK equivalents. The Pantone Bridge guide helps ensure consistent color reproduction across different printing processes.

Pantone Matching System Pantone Matching System

A standardized colour matching system used in the printing industry to ensure consistent and accurate colour reproduction. Pantone colours are identified by specific codes and allow for precise colour communication.

PDF PDF

A file format commonly used in prepress and printing to ensure accurate representation of text, images, and layouts across different devices and platforms. PDF files are widely accepted for print production.

PDFx PDFx

A subset of the PDF file format specifically designed for prepress and printing purposes. PDF/X ensures that files are compliant with industry standards and include all necessary elements for accurate print reproduction.

Perfect Binding Perfect Binding

A method of binding where the pages of a book or magazine are glued to the spine. It creates a flat edge and allows for the printing of text or images on the spine.

Perfecting Press Perfecting Press

An offset printing press that can print on both sides of the paper in a single pass. Perfecting presses have two sets of blankets and cylinders to accommodate the double-sided printing process.

Plate Plate

A metal or polymer plate used in offset printing to transfer the ink onto the printing surface. The plate carries the image or text that needs to be printed.

Plate Chemistry Plate Chemistry

Chemical substances used in offset printing to prepare and process the printing plates. Plate chemistry includes solutions for cleaning, developing, and preserving the plates.

Plate Cylinder Plate Cylinder

The cylinder on an offset printing press that holds and transfers the printing plate. The plate cylinder rotates and brings the printing plate in contact with the blanket cylinder.

Plate Gumming Plate Gumming

The application of a water-soluble gum to the non-image area of the printing plate in offset printing. Plate gumming helps repel ink from the non-image areas and maintain clean image reproduction.

Plate Imaging Plate Imaging

The process of transferring the digital image or design onto the printing plates in offset printing. Plate imaging can be done through various methods, such as computer-to-plate (CTP) systems or computer-to-film (CTF) systems.

Plate Setter Plate Setter

A device used to create printing plates in offset printing. The plate setter transfers the digital image or design onto the printing plates through a process known as plate imaging.

Plotter Plotter

A wide format printer that uses pens or cutting blades to create vector-based drawings or cutouts on various media. Plotters are commonly used for architectural drawings, engineering designs, and vinyl cutting applications.

PostScript PostScript

A page description language developed by Adobe Systems commonly used in prepress and printing workflows. PostScript allows for the accurate representation of fonts, graphics, and page layouts across different devices.

PP PP

Printed Pages.

Preflight Preflight

The process of checking digital files for potential errors or issues that could affect the print quality or production process. Preflight involves verifying image resolution, font embedding, colour profiles, and other technical specifications.

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