Resources

A type of paper folding in which each fold runs in the opposite direction to the previous fold creating a pleated or accordion effect.

Any materials or images that are prepared for graphic reproduction.

Any part of a lower case letter which rises above the main body of the letter such as in "d", "b" and "h".

That portion of a photograph or line art drawing that appears furthest from the eye; the surface upon which the main image is superimposed.

Basis or basic weight refers to the weight, in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to a given standard size for that particular paper grade.

Various methods of securing folded sections together and or fastening them to a cover, to form single copies of a book.

Extra ink area that crosses trim line, used to allow for variations that occur when the reproduction is trimmed or die-cut.

A grade of durable writing, printing and typing paper that has a standard size of 17x22 inches.

A general classification to describe papers used to print books; its standard size is 25x38 inches. A printed work which contains more than 64 pages.

A board paper of various thickness; having a smooth finish and used for printing and drawing.

The measurement of thickness of paper expressed in thousandths of an inch or mils.

A term given to any copy, artwork etc., that is prepared for photographic reproduction.

A paper that is coated and then pressure dried using a polished roller which imparts an enamel like hard gloss finish.

Any paper that has a mineral coating applied after the paper is made, giving the paper a smoother finish.

To gather sheets or signatures together in their correct order. (see Gather)

Refers to any typewritten material, art, photos etc., to be used for the printing process.

A term describing a general type of papers used for the covers of books, pamphlets etc.

When the rubber blanket on a cylinder moves forward due to contact with the plate or paper. Result of added thickness of folded sheets being behind one another in a folded signature. Outer edges of sheets creep away from back most fold as more folded sheets are inserted inside the middle.

To eliminate a portion of the art or copy as indicated by crop marks.

Markings at edges of original or on guide sheet to indicate the area desired in reproduction with negative or plate trimmed (cropped) at the markings.

Sharp edged device, usually made of steel, to cut paper, cardboard, etc., on a printing press.

A term that describes that portion of lower case letters which extends below the main body of the letter, as in "p".

Design, letters or shapes, cut into metal (mostly brass) for stamping book covers or embossing. An engraved stamp used for impressing an image or design.

A method of using sharp steel ruled stamps or rollers to cut various shapes i.e. labels, boxes, image shapes, either post press or in line. The process of cutting paper in a shape or design by the use of a wooden die or block in which are positioned steel rules in the shape of the desired pattern.

An intaglio process for printing from images engraved into copper or steel plates.

Color separation data is digitally stored and then exposed to color photographic paper creating a picture of the final product before it is actually printed.

The actual drilling of holes into paper for ring or comb binding.

Any matte finished paper.

A unit of measurement equaling 12 points or 4.5mm.

A method of paper finishing whereby a pattern is pressed into the paper when it is dry.

To raise in relief a design or letters already printed on card stock or heavy paper by an uninked block or die. In rubber and plastic plate making the process is usually done by heat.

That stage of the photographic process where the image is produced on the light sensitive coating.

The surface quality of paper. (ie. Dull - (low gloss) also matte or matte gloss.)

Markings at top edges that show where folds should occur.

The bundling of two or more different printing projects on the same sheet of paper.

Assembling sheets of paper and signatures into their proper sequence; collating.

Direction of fibers in a sheet of paper governing paper properties such as increased size changes with relative humidity, across the grain, and better folding properties along the grain.

This is a term that refers to a paper that a printer keeps on hand in his shop.

Arrangement of pages so that they print correctly on a press sheet, and the pages are in proper order when the sheets are folded.

Product resulting from one cycle of printing machine. The pressure of the image carrier, whether it be the type, plate or blanket, when it contacts the paper.

A relatively thick paper stock; basis size---25 1/2 x 30 1/2.

Markings pre-printed on mailing envelopes to replace the stamp.

Extra printed pages inserted loosely into printed pieces.

To physically manipulate a stack of pages so that they are tightly aligned.

Vibrating, sloping platform that evens up the edges of stacks of paper.

A coarse unbleached paper used for printing and industrial products.

A rendition that shows the placement of all the elements, roughs, thumbnails etc., of the final printed piece before it goes to print.

The actual weight of 1000 sheets of any given size of paper.

Process of adjusting final plate on the press to fine tune or modify plate surface.

Imprinted space around edge of page.

A coated paper finish that goes through minimal coating.

An undesirable halftone pattern produced by the incorrect angles of overprinting halftone screens.

A term to describe papers that have a color similar to that of wood; also called cream, off-white or ivory.

The most commonly used printing method, whereby the printed material does not receive the ink directly from the printing plate but from an intermediary cylinder called a blanket which receives the ink from the plate and transfers it to the paper.

Indirect printing method in which the inked image on the press-plate is first printed onto a rubber blanket, then in turn offsets the inked impression on to the sheet of paper.

A term for uncoated book paper.

Quality of papers that defines its opaqueness or ability to prevent two-sided printing from showing through.

A quality of paper that allows relatively little light to pass through.

Surplus of copies printed.

Any printing that is done on an area that has already been printed.

Type that is set in excess of the allotted space.

A sheet that is larger than the cut stock of the same paper.

Binding process where backs of sections are cut off, roughened and glued together, and rung in a cover.

Standard of measurement, 1/6 inch. 1 pica = 12 points 72 points = 1 inch

A method of binding books whereby holes are drilled on the side closest the spine, and a plastic grasping device is inserted to hold the pages together.

Pixels per inch.

In printing the four primary colors are cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow and black.

Impression from composed type or blocks, taken for checking and correction, from a lithographic plate to check accuracy of layout, type matter, tone and color reproduction.

500 sheets of paper.

Any crossmarks or other symbols used on layout to assure proper registration.

A term that denotes folds that are 90 degrees to each other.

A paper that shows sign of erasure so that it cannot be altered or tampered with easily.

The enlargement or reduction of an image or copy to fit a specific area.

Impressions or cuts in flat material to facilitate bending or tearing.

A cover made out of the same paper stock as the internal sheets.

A problem that occurs when the printing on one side of a sheet is seen from the other side.

Stitching where the wire staples pass through the pile of sections or leaves gathered upon each other and are clinched on the underside.

Back edge of a book.

A binding whereby a wire or plastic is spiraled through holes punched along the binding side.

Small area printed in a second color.

A film image that is larger than the original image to accommodate ink trapping. Reference, trapping

A process of generating multiple images by taking an image and stepping it according to a predetermined layout.

A term for unprinted paper or other material to be printed.

Any petroleum based waterproof papers with a high tensile strength.

A dense, strong paper stock.

A high quality printing paper.

A printing process whereby slow drying ink is applied to paper and while the ink is still wet, it is lightly dusted with a resinous powder. The paper then passes through a heat chamber where the powder melts and fuses with the ink to produce a raised surface.

Envelopes used mostly for theater tickets, with no other particular usage.

The rough surfaced finish of papers such as vellum or antique.

Marks placed on the sheet to indicate where to cut the page.

A term used to describe how many similar sheets can be produced on a larger sheet; two up, four up, etc.

A finish of paper that is rough, bulky and has a degree of tooth.

A translucent logo that is embossed during the papermaking process while the paper slurry is on the dandy roll. Reference, dandy roll

To fasten together sheets, signatures, or sections with wire staples. 3 methods... saddle stitching, side stitching, and stabbing.

A smooth paper made on finely textured wire that gives the paper a gentle patterned finish.

Another name for bond paper.

The actual amount of force needed to start an ink flowing.