Terminology

The positioning of printed elements in relation to each other and the sheet edges.

A water-based coating applied to protect printed pieces and enhance appearance.

All visual elements supplied for printing, including images, text, and graphics.

A rigid material mounted behind a printed piece for added support or display.

The weight of paper measured in pounds based on a standard sheet size.

The department or process responsible for finishing printed pieces.

A raster image made up of individual pixels (photographs, scans).

The rubber surface on an offset press that transfers ink from plate to paper.

Printing that extends beyond the trim edge to ensure full coverage after cutting.

When ink fills in fine details due to excessive ink coverage.

Thick paper or paperboard used for rigid applications.

A multi-page printed piece bound along one edge.

Printed materials packed together without individual wrapping.

Coated one side or coated two sides. Refers to paper with a coated (typically gloss or dull) finish.

The thickness of paper, usually measured in thousandths of an inch.

Paper treated to transfer an image between multiple sheets without carbon paper, commonly used for multi-part forms.

A sheet used to support items during printing, cutting, or finishing.

A slight reduction of one color to prevent overlap issues in printing.

The four process printing colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (key).

To assemble printed pages in a specific order. Uncollated refers to stacks of identical pages.

Printed color reference marks used to monitor ink density and color accuracy.

Where one color stops and another begins.

A noticeable change in color from the approved proof.

A proof showing all colors together rather than separately.

The text or written content of a printed piece.

Heavier paper stock used for covers, cards, postcards, and other durable applications.

Printed lines indicating where the final piece will be trimmed.

 The process of ink or coating drying or hardening completely.

The amount of ink coverage on a printed sheet.

Cutting custom, non-rectangular shapes using a die tool.

Printing method using toner or inkjet technology without printing plates.

The increase in dot size during printing that can darken an image.

Printed on both sides of the sheet.

Creating holes in a specific location for binding, tags, or hanging applications.

A coated paper finish with reduced shine compared to gloss.

To print on both sides of a sheet in one pass or process.

A finishing process that raises an image or text above the paper surface.

Encapsulated PostScript file format commonly used for vector graphics.

A paper finish with a soft, textured surface.

The final dimensions of a printed piece after trimming and folding.

All production processes that occur after printing, such as cutting, folding, binding, and coating.

Applying ink or coating edge-to-edge across a printed surface.

A finishing process using heat and pressure to apply metallic or pigmented foil.

Multiple jobs printed together on the same sheet to reduce cost.

A coated paper finish with high reflectivity and a smooth surface.

The direction paper fibers run, affecting folding and durability.

Images made up of shades of gray rather than full color.

A physical printed proof for approval.

Pages printed upside down in relation to each other on a press sheet.

Pages printed in the same orientation on a press sheet.

A material’s resistance to ink absorption, affecting color appearance.

The arrangement of pages on a press sheet to ensure correct order and efficient production.

The percentage of a surface covered with ink.

Finishing operations performed during the printing process.

Documentation outlining specifications and instructions for production.

The adjustment of space between individual characters.

A cutting method that cuts through the printed material but leaves the backing intact, commonly used for labels and decals.

A clear protective film applied to one or both sides of a printed piece to increase durability and resistance to moisture.

An embossed paper finish that simulates the texture of woven linen.

The setup process before a press run begins.

A non-glossy finish with low reflectivity.

An unbleached paper color with a light brown or cream appearance.

Printing one color on top of another.

A binding method where pages are glued along the spine.

Creating a series of small cuts that allow a printed piece to be easily torn.

The surface that carries the image in offset printing.

A standardized color system used to ensure consistent spot color reproduction.

The process of checking digital files for errors or issues before print production.

A printed proof produced on press using the intended substrate.

A sample or preview of a printed piece used for review and approval.

The alignment of multiple colors or elements on a printed piece.

Image clarity measured in dots per inch (DPI).

A black made from combining multiple inks for deeper appearance.

The quantity of pieces printed.

A binding method where folded sheets are stapled through the spine.

A crease applied to paper to allow for clean and accurate folding.

Printing method where both sides of the sheet are printed using separate plates.

A relatively small quantity print job.

A sheet of paper placed between printed sets for separation and organization.

A digital proof shared electronically for review.

A binding method using a continuous plastic or metal coil.

A pre-mixed ink color used instead of or in addition to CMYK.

Any material on which printing is applied.

Lighter-weight paper used for interior pages, as opposed to cover stock.

Final dimensions of a printed piece after cutting.

Paper without a surface coating, resulting in a more natural feel and reduced shine.

Artwork made from paths and shapes that scale without loss of quality.

Unprinted areas used intentionally for balance and readability.

A binding method using a crimped wire along the edge of a document.