Glossary of Printing Terms

A Pantone color book sits on a printed athletic logo to check the color is correct

We know our business is filled with a lot of unique terms, so we have included this glossary to help you interpret what you read or hear. Use this alphabetical list as a reference, but don't hesitate to ask us when you need clarification!


0 - 9  | A  |  B |  CD  |  E  |  F  |  G  |  H  |  I  |  J  |  K  |  L  |  M  |  N  |  O  |  P  |  Q  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  U  |  V  |  W  |  X  |  Y  |  Z  | 


0 - 9

1 to N - The sorting order from the first page to the last, opposite of N to 1. Also known as normal order.

2 in 1 - An imposition where the first and second images are on a single sheet of paper.

2 RepeatAn imposition that duplicates the image on a single sheet of paper. Also known as step repeat.

2-UpAn imposition where two images are on a single page.

4-upAn imposition where four images are on a single page.


A

Accordion FoldA fold where each parallel fold is opposite of the last fold, creating an accordion-like effect.

Account String A series of numbers that make up a person or departments individual account number for billing, commonly associated with the University of Cincinnati. 

A-FrameA sign holder that, when open, forms the appearance of a capital “A”, often used outdoors. Also known as a sandwich board sign.

Against the GrainFolding or feeding sheets of paper at a right angle to the grain of the paper. Also known as crossgrain.

AlignmentThe act of aligning two or more pages together, often for two-sided printing. Also known as justify.

Artwork Digital materials composing of an image, artwork, text, or other elements.

B

B/WAn acronym for Black and White, this is a type of printing that uses only black toner/ink in grayscale. Also known as black.

Backing SheetA protective sheet on the back of self-adhesive or cling substrates that is peeled off before mounting.

Backlit PaperA substrate used for light or LED casings to illuminate the print from behind.

Bi-foldA fold where a sheet is folded in half vertically or horizontally. Also known as half-fold.

BindingThe way a book is held together such as staples, coil, comb, glue, tape, and more.

Binding EdgeThe side or edge of a book where binding is located.

BlackA type of printing that uses only black toner/ink in grayscale. Also known as black and white.

Black and WhiteA type of printing that uses only black toner/ink in grayscale. Acronym: B/W. Also known as black.

BleedAny element such as color, images, or artwork that extends past crop marks or the edge of the page, often requires cutting.

Bleed Marks -Similar to crop marks, a small or thin line in each corner of an image indicating the edge of the bleed.

BondA paper that is usually high in cotton fiber, used most often with stationery and basic prints. Also known as writing paper.

BookA set of printed sheets with some form of binding such as coil, comb, staples, etc.

BookletA book binding that folds all pages in half and staples inside the fold, most magazines use this binding. Also known as a saddle stitch book.

Booklet EnvelopeAn envelope that opens on the long edge.

BrandingAn often strict set of guidelines established by an organization or group to ensure the consistent appearance of digital or physical materials. This can include specific fonts, artwork, marketing materials, and more.

BREAn acronym for Business Reply Envelope, a pre-addressed envelope included in mail to allow the receiver to reply to the sender free of charge.

Brightness - 

  1. In paper, it is how reflective the light is on the sheet of paper.

  2. Digitally, it is how white or washed-out the overall image can be.

BristolA thick paper with a smooth finish.

BrochureA print that is folded and often used for informational or marketing material. Also known as a pamphlet or leaflet.

Bulk MailMail that is prepared in large volumes or quantities as a specific class at a reduced postage cost.

Business Reply EnvelopeA preaddressed envelope included in mail to allow the receiver to reply to the sender free of charge. Acronym: BRE.

C

C1S - An acronym for Coated 1 Side, the gloss or coating on only one side of paper.

C2S - An acronym for Coated 2 Sided, the gloss or coating on both sides of paper.

Caliper - Similar to gsm and lb, the standard unit of measurement for paper thickness expressed in microns, often seen as 10pt, 12pt, etc.

Canvas Paper - A substrate that is heavyweight with a textured coated surface that closely replicates a painting canvas.

Carbonless Paper - A thin, chemically treated paper that allows the transfer of writing, scratches, or impressions from one sheet to another, often printed in sets and as 2-part, 3-part, or 4-part. Also known as NCR.

Cardstock - A paper that is thicker than average copy or text weight paper. Also known as cover stock and cover weight.

Carriage -

  1. A device within a printer that feeds the paper or material.

  2. A device in some printers that houses the print head.

Case - A large box of paper containing multiple reams of paper, often 5 or 10 reams per case.

Catalog Envelope - An envelope that opens on the short edge.

Click - The count for each cycle of printing; a single-sided print would be one click. Also known as an impression.

Cloth - A substrate used for printing that can be easily folded without making indents. Also known as textile or fabric.

CMYK - The four basic colors used by most color printers consisting of: Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), and Black (K). 

Coated 1 SideThe gloss or coating on only one side of paper. Also known as C1S.

Coated 2 Side - The gloss or coating on both sides of paper. Also known as C2S.

Coated PaperA paper that has a coating on the surface of the sheet which produces a smooth finish, often glossy.

Coil BindingA binding that uses a metal or plastic spiral through multiple holes. This allows the pages to lay flatter than other binding methods as well as spin 360 degrees around the spine. Also known as spiral bind.

D

DatabaseA software that houses the digital grouping of all information pertaining to a specific person, organization, job, etc. to keep it organized and consistent.

DebossTo press an image into paper with a die to create an indent, the opposite of emboss.

DensityThe amount of darkness within a digital or physical image.

DieA devise used to cut, score, stamp, emboss or deboss sheets of paper.

Digital PrintingPrinting without plate systems that produces the images onto the sheet. All data is electronically transfered to the machine drivers and onto the sheet of paper.

Dirty CopyAn error that can occur where excess toner or ink is on the paper.

Door Wrap A removable self-adhesive substrate used to stick to the entire surface of a door.

Dots Per Inch

  1. Digitally, the measure of the resolution of an image.

  2. Physically, the measure of dots of ink per inch on a printed sheet of paper. 

Acronym: DPI

Double-SidedPrinting on both sides of a single sheet of paper. Also known as duplex.

DPIAn acronym for Dots Per Inch.

  1. Digitally, the measure of the resolution of an image.

  2. Physically, the measure of dots of ink per inch on a printed sheet of paper. 

DrillingCreating one or multiple holes through a single sheet or a stack of paper for binding. Also known as hole punching.

DriverThe software that allows you to print directly to the printer. Also known as controller.

DrumAn electronically charged unit within a printer that adheres the toner to the sheet of paper.

DuplexPrinting on both sides of a single sheet of paper. Also known as double-sided.

E

Emboss The creation of a raised, three-dimensional design on paper by using ink, foil, or a die, the opposite of deboss.

Engineering BondA thin substrate bond used for drafts and engineering designs.

EPSAn acronym for Encapsulated PostScript, a file format that transfers digital images or graphics with compatible programs and applications.

EstimateA rough pricing calculation for the completion of a print project. Also known as a quote or quotation.

ExtentThe number of pages in a book, magazine, or other printed job. Also known as page count.

F

FabricA substrate used for printing that can be easily folded without making indents. Also known as textile or cloth.

Face DownThe orientation of paper that has the front side of a finished piece facing down. 

Face UpThe orientation of paper that has the front side of a finished piece facing up.

Fastback A binding that uses a thin strip of synthetic cloth to bind the edge of the book with glue when heated. Also known as tape binding.

FaxThe scanning of a sheet of paper and sending it to a receiver via a phone line.

Fiery Command WorkstationA software controller that allows the setup and printing of color prints.

FileDigital data that composes an entire image, artwork, text, or other elements.

Finish The surface quality or appearance of a sheet of paper, often referenced as matte or gloss.

Finished SizeThe final size of a printed piece after cutting and/or folding.

FinishingOptions such as binding, folding, cutting, etc. performed after printing is completed. 

Fit to PrintThe act of digitally increasing or decreasing an image’s size to proportionately fit on a sheet of paper.

Flat SizeThe size of an image after printing and trimming, but before folding. 

Fleet The grouping of multiple printing machines.

Floor ClingA textured self-adhesive substrate capable of withstanding foot traffic. Also known as a floor sticker

Floor Sticker - A textured self-adhesive substrate capable of withstanding foot traffic. Also known as a floor cling.

Flyer A printed sheet used for advertisement or information. Also known as a handbill or hotcard.

Foam BoardA sturdy or rigid board with a foam core, often used for easel signs.

FoilA thin metal sheet applied to paper to give text or images a metallic finish, often gold or silver.

Foil StampingThe process that applies foil to a printed image.

FontThe digital assortment of letters, numbers, punctuation, etc. of a given size or design.

Format The style, size, margins, printing requirements, etc. of a digital or physical image.

G

Gang-UpAn imposition where two images or pages are placed together on a single sheet.

GapThe blank space or margin between the printed images and/or the binding. Also known as a gutter.

Gate FoldA fold where the outer panels fold inward toward the center of the middle panel, creating the appearance of a gate.

Gator BoardA sturdier version of foam board that requires lamination for mounted images.

GhostingA fault where a printed image appears lighter than the previous page and may continue through the set. 

GlossThe shiny coating on a sheet of paper, ink, or laminate, opposite of matte.

Grain The line or direction of fibers within a sheet of paper.

Graphic A visual element that supplements the text, making the layout clearer and more interesting. Also known as an image.

Grayscale Tones of gray ranging from white to black.

Grommets A thin ring of various sizes used to reinforce holes and prevent wear and tear, often metal in material and used to hang posters or banners.

Grouping Combining sheets in a set based on the page number rather than in sequential order. Also known as uncollated.

GSM An acronym for Grams per Square Meter, similar to lb. This is a standard unit of measurement for paper weight, or thickness, often seen as 75gsm, 216gsm, etc.

Guillotine A cutter that has a sharp blade that drops down to cut paper.

Gutter The blank space or margin between the printed images and/or the binding. Also known as a gap.

H

Half-FoldA fold where a sheet is folded in half either vertically or horizontally. Also known as bi-fold.

Handbill A printed sheet used for advertisement or information. Also known as a flyer or hotcard.

Hard Copy A physical printed image used for duplicating

Hobby Knife - A blade mounted onto a pen-like aluminum body used for precision trimming by hand. Also known as a utility knife, precision knife, and x-acto knife.

Hole PunchingCreating one or multiple holes through a single sheet or a stack of paper for binding. Also known as drilling.

HorizontalA document layout where the width is greater than the height, opposite of portrait. Also known as landscape.

HotcardA printed sheet used for advertisement or information. Also known as a flyer or handbill.

House SheetThe stock of paper regularly kept in the print shop.

I

ID BadgeA small printed card with a person’s name, information, or picture designated by an organization or business. Also known as a pocket card.

ImageA visual element that supplements the text, making the layout clearer and more interesting. Also known as a graphic. 

Image AreaThe section of a digital or physical sheet that houses the image or artwork. 

Image Shift  - The shifting of an image on a sheet of paper, can occur during digital printing. 

Imposition - The positioning of pages before or after printing, folding, and cutting so all pages appear in proper sequential order.  

Impression - The count for each cycle of printing; a single-sided print would be one impression. Also known as a click.

Index Paper - A lightweight cardboard paper that can be easily written on. 

Indicia The image or text pre-printed on mailing pieces in place of the stamp. 

In-HouseAny activity or service that is completed within the organization rather than by an outside provider. 

Ink CartridgeA device within a printer that houses the ink used for printing. 

InsertA printed or blank sheet placed inside another printed piece such as a packet, magazine, or book.  

InterruptTo stop or pause a print job in process. 

InvoiceAn itemized bill for a completed print request. 

J

JamAn issue that occurs when paper or other materials get stuck, lodged, or break and cannot be passed through the machine.

Job ListThe data log showing what has been printed.

Job NumberA unique code dedicated to a specific print request. Used to keep track or retrieve data during the printing process.

Job TicketA digital or physical page that outlines information needed for a print request.

JogTo vibrate or shake a stack of sheets so they are tightly aligned in a neat stack.

JPEGAn acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group, a file format often used for photos, images, and artwork that compresses into a smaller file size, often degrading the quality. This format is used most for image files.

JustifyThe act of aligning two or more pages together, often for two-sided printing. Also known as alignment.

K

KerningThe narrowing or lengthening of space between letters and characters of a font.

Kraft PaperA sturdy brown paper used for packaging prints.

L

LabelA self-adhesive material covered by a backing sheet. Also known as pressure-sensitive and crack-n-peel.

LaminateA thin plastic sheet applied to paper to make it more rigid, durable, and waterproof. Laminate can come in both gloss and matte finishes as well as various thicknesses. Also known as lamination.

LandscapeA document layout where the width is greater than the height, opposite of portrait. Also known as horizontal.

Large Format - The printing of any material that is larger than a digital or offset printer, typically larger than 12”x18”. Also known as wide format.

LayoutA rendition that shows the placement of images, text, and artwork. 

Lb - Similar to GSM, a unit of measurement for the weight of 500 sheets of paper, indicating the weight or thickness of a sheet of paper, often seen as 20#, 80#, etc. or as 20lb, 80lb, etc. Also known as pound.

LeafletA print that is folded and often used for informational or marketing material. Also known as a brochure or pamphlet.

Ledger PaperA strong durable paper with good erasing quality, used often with record keeping.

LEFAn acronym for Long Edge First, when paper is placed in a print tray, the longest edge of the sheet is first and pulled into the printer by that edge.

Left BindThe most common layout position that uses the left edge of a page as the spine, opposite of right bind.

Legal PaperA size of paper that measures 8.5”x14”.

Letter PaperA size of paper that measures 8.5”x11”.

LinenA paper used to emulate the look and texture of cloth but not the functionality.

Loading Accessory An item used to assist in the loading process for thinner substrates such as cloth.

Long Edge FirstWhen paper is placed in a print tray, the longest edge of the sheet is first and pulled into the printer by that edge. Acronym: LEF.

M

M WeightThe actual weight of 1,000 sheets of any given size of paper or stock.

MagneticA paper or substrate that has a special back for clinging to metal.

MatteA finish on paper or images that is dull in appearance, opposite of gloss.

Mixed MediaAn option within a print driver that allows pages to be produced differently than the others without the need for stopping, options include color, B/W, stock, etc. Also known as page setting.

MountedThe adhering of a substrate to a surface such as foam board, corrugated, gator board, glass, and more.

Mounting AdhesiveA sticky sheet that adheres to the back of a substrate to allow for a laminated, glossy board.

N

N to 1The sorting order from the last page to the first, opposite of 1 to N. Also known as reverse order.

NCR A thin chemically treated paper, that allows the transfer of writing, scratches, or impressions from one sheet to another, often printed in sets and as 2-part, 3-part, or 4-part. Also known as carbonless.

Newsletter A short informational periodical presenting specialized information to a specific audience.

Normal OrderThe sorting order from the first page to the last, opposite of N to 1. Also known as 1 to n.

Notecard A small printed card with text, images, artwork, etc.

O

Offset The process during printing that shifts one set of a completed print from the previous in order to keep them separated without the need for a slip sheet.

Offset Printing The printing process that uses ink from a printing plate to transfer the image onto a rubber blanket and then onto the paper. This method is more common with larger quantities and can be more cost effective. Also known as offset lithography.

Opacity The property of paper that defines the transparency of the sheet. The higher the opacity, or opaqueness, the less you can see what’s printed on the second side.

Orientation The position of a page, sheet, or artwork, commonly referred to as portrait or landscape.

Outsourced Any activity or service that is completed by an outside organization rather than done within the organization. Often due to the rarity of the request or outside the capabilities of the organization.

Overprinting Printing over an area that has already been printed.

P

Packet Similar to a book, a set of printed sheets that is stapled in the corner.

Padding The process of binding pages together on one side with glue, often used for tear pads.

Page Count The number of pages in a book, magazine, or other printed job. Also known as extent.

Page InformationInformation printed in the margin indicating the file name, date, time, and other information at the time of saving or printing.

Page SettingAn option within a print driver that allows pages to be produced differently than the others without the need for stopping, options include color, B/W, stock, etc. Also known as mixed media.

Pages Per MinuteThe speed measurement of how many test pages a printer can produce in one minute. Acronym: PPM.

Pagination - 

  1. The number of individual pages in a multi-page document.

  2. The act of printing numbers on the page or sheet on a separate machine.

PamphletA print that is folded and often used for informational or marketing material. Also known as a brochure or leaflet.

Pantone®  A color system based on over a thousand ink colors, unlike CMYK this uses inks that have been mixed prior to printing. Also known as Pantone® matching system.

Pantone® 186A specific color on the pantone scale composing of: 0% cyan, 100% magenta, 81% yellow, and 4% black. This color is the specific red used by the University of Cincinnati. Also known as PMS 186.

Pantone® Matching SystemA color system based on over a thousand ink colors, unlike CMYK this uses inks that have been mixed prior to printing. Acronym: PMS. Also known as Pantone®.

Paper Posters - A paper substrate with a soft gloss coating.

Paper WeightThe thickness of paper, material, or substrate. Also known as stock weight and weight.

Parchment A paper that emulates animal skin, often used for awards that require hand writing.

Parent SheetA sheet of paper that is larger than the finished cut stock of the same material.

PDF An acronym for Portable Document File, a universal and preferred file format that maintains the format, font, artwork, size, etc. regardless of what computer it is viewed on.

Perf MarksThe dotted line on a document that indicates where to perforate.

Perfect BindA binding that applies glue to the spine of a book and wraps the cover around the front, back, and spine of the book to create a paperback book once trimmed.

Perforate The process of making micro holes in a straight line to make it easier to tear. 

Perforated Window Vinyl A substrate that has tiny holes and can be mounted onto windows; the printed image is solid and opaque when viewed from the outside but transparent from the inside. 

Pixel Short for picture element, a resolvable point of an image, the basic unit of digital imaging.

Plate A flat or cylindrical surface that bears the preproduction image or copy for printing. Used in offset printing.

Plus-Cover A cover of a finished print that has different material or stock than the interior pages.

PMS An acronym for Pantone® Matching System, a color system based on over a thousand ink colors, unlike CMYK this uses inks that have been mixed prior to printing. Also known as Pantone®.

PMS 186A specific color on the pantone scale composing of: 0% cyan, 100% magenta, 81% yellow, and 4% black. This color is the specific red used by the University of Cincinnati. Also known as Pantone® 186.

PNG An acronym for Portable Network Graphics, a file format often used for photos and artwork that does not compresses an image. This format is used more for image files.

Pocket CardA small printed card with a person’s name, information, or picture designated by an organization or business. Also known as an ID badge.

Polyester Display Film A polyester substrate with a low-glare satin finish and water resistant coating, used for roll-up banners. Also known as roll-up film.

Portrait A document layout where the height is greater than the width, opposite of landscape. Also known as vertical.

Postcard A small printed card with a picture on one side and a place to write on the other, can also be a single-sided image, and designed to be mailed without the need for an envelope.

Pound Similar to GSM, a unit of measurement for the weight of 500 sheets of paper, indicating the weight or thickness of a sheet of paper, often seen as 20#, 80#, etc. or as 20lb, 80lb, etc. Also known as lb.

PPI

  1. An acronym for Pages Per Inch, the amount of pages in a book per inch.

  2. An acronym for Pixels Per Inch, similar to DPI, this measures the amount of pixels in a digital image per inch.

PPM An acronym for Pages Per Minute, the speed measurement of how many test pages a printer can produce in one minute.

Precision Knife A blade mounted onto a pen-like aluminum body used for precision trimming by hand. Also known as a utility knife, x-acto knife, and hobby knife.

Presort The process in which mail is prepared and sorted to the finest extent required by the standards for the price claimed.

Press A production machine used for digital and offset printing. Also known as a copier, printer, production unit, digital press, and offset press.

Pressure-SensitiveA self-adhesive material covered by a backing sheet. Also known as a label and crack-n-peel.

Print QualityThe physical appearance of a printed piece.

Print Shop ProAn online site used for ordering, tracking, and quoting print requests.

Printer SpreadsA formatting where two pages are placed side by side in an alternating order. The last page is next to the first page on a single sheet of paper and alternating for the other side. Used most for booklets, when a page is wrapped around the middle of a sheet.

Printhead The component of a printer that applies the image to the paper or substrate.

Process ColorThe mixing of inks during the printing process to create the desired color, with the four standard colors CMYK.

Proof A digital or physical representation of a completed product. 

  1. Digitally, it displays the artwork and appearance of a file. 

  2. Physically, it shows how the image will look when printed on the specific paper. Physical proofs can differ from the digital versions in appearance.

Pull-Up BannerA free-standing, retractable banner that can be rolled into a compartment for easy storage and transportation. Also known as a retractable banner, roll-up banner, and stand-up banner.

Q

Quality CheckThe act of checking a printed piece to ensure it meets all requirements and standards.

Quote A rough pricing calculation for the completion of a print project. Also known as an estimate or quotation.

R

Rack CardA printed card used for advertising or informational purposes, often long and thin in size such as 4.25”x11”.

Raster ImageImages compiled using pixels containing unique colors or tonal information, they are dependent on resolution.

Reader SpreadsA formatting where two pages are placed side by side in sequential order but, leaving the first and last page separated on a single sheet. This formatting is designed for reading rather than printing.

Ream - A packaged set of blank sheets of paper, often in sets of 500 or 250.

RegistrationThe act of aligning two or more pages together exactly, often for two-sided printing. Also known as alignment.

Registration MarksThe lines or crosses on a sheet of paper used to ensure two or more pages are aligned.

Relay UnitA section of a printer that decurls the printed sheet.

ResolutionMeasured in DPI or Dots Per Inch, the greater the DPI the better the image quality, standard is 300dpi.

Retractable BannerA free standing, retractable banner that can be rolled up into a compartment for easy storage and transportation. Also known as a pull-up banner, roll-up banner, and stand-up banner.

Reverse OrderThe sorting order from the last page to the first, opposite of 1 to N. Also known as n to 1.

RGB The three primary colors used in digital and some printing devices: Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B).

Right Bind A layout position that uses the right edge of a page as the spine, opposite of left bind.

Ring BindingA binding that uses a circular metal ring to attach pages through a punched hole or holes, often 3 ring binders or flip cards.

RIP An acronym for Raster Image Processor, a combination of hardware and software that sends the image to the printing device.

RIP Queue The software used to organize and setup wide format print files.

Roll-Up Banner A free-standing, retractable banner that can be rolled into a compartment for easy storage and transportation. Also known as a retractable banner, pull-up banner, and stand-up banner.

Roll-Up FilmA polyester substrate with a low-glare satin finish and water resistant coating, used for roll-up banners. Also known as polyester display film.

Rotation The pivoting of an image around a central point changing the orientation.

Rush An order request that is less than a standard three business day turnaround, often resulting in a surcharge.

S

Saddle Stitch A book binding that folds all pages in half and staples inside the fold, most magazines use this binding. Also known as a booklet.

Safety Paper -  A paper that shows signs of watermarks, fibers, or erased content, used to prevent tampering and fraud and often seen in legal documents. Also known as security paper.

Sandwich BoardA sign holder that, when open, forms the appearance of a capital “A”, often used outdoors. Also known as an A-Frame.

ScaleTo digitally increase or decrease the size of an image.

Scan The use of a machine to make a digital image from the physical one.

Scoring Indenting paper in a straight line to make folding easier and reduce cracking. Also known as creasing.

Security PaperA paper that shows signs of watermarks, fibers, or erased content, used to prevent tampering and fraud and often seen in legal documents. Also known as safety paper.

SEFAn acronym for Short Edge First, when paper is placed in a print tray, the shortest edge of the sheet is first and pulled into the printer by that edge.

Self-AdhesiveA substrate that has a sticky back when the backing sheet is removed. This is used to adhere graphics to boards, walls, floors, glass and other surfaces and can be removable or permanent and comes in white or clear.

Self-Cover A cover of a finished print that is the same material or stock as the interior pages.

Short Edge First When paper is placed in a print tray, the shortest edge of the sheet is first and pulled into the printer by that edge. Acronym: SEF.

Show-ThroughWhen opacity is low, text on the second side or sheet shows through to the front, often occurs with thin paper.

Shrink WrapA type of packaging that uses a clear plastic to wrap a product and shrink with heat to tightly fit on the product.

Single-SidedPrinting on only one side of a sheet of paper.

Slip Sheet A blank piece of paper used to separate one set of work from another, often used in larger runs with multiple pages.

Slug The amount of area or gutter outside the print area such as the artwork or crop mark.

SortThe gathering or sorting of materials, blank sheets, or printed pages in a specific order.  Also known as collate.

Spine

  1. The edge of a printed set where pages are turned or flipped.

  2. The element of a book that connects the book together such as a coil or comb.

Spiral Bind - A binding that uses a metal or plastic spiral through multiple holes. This allows the pages to lay flatter than other binding methods as well as spin 360 degrees around the spine. Also known as coil bind.

Spot Color Used in offset printing, any color generated by an ink either pure or mixed and is printed using a single run.

Square FoldingA fold that squares off the spine of a saddle-stitch allowing it to lay flatter.

Stand-Up BannerA free-standing, retractable banner that can be rolled into a compartment for easy storage and transportation. Also known as a retractable banner, roll-up banner, and pull-up banner.

Staple A thin metal pin that attaches multiple pages together either in a corner, or side of a printed set.

Static ClingA removable substrate that adheres to a glass surface with static. This can be easily removed and comes in white or clear. Also known as a window cling.

Step RepeatAn imposition that duplicates the image on a single sheet of paper. Also known as 2 repeat.

Stock The paper, material, or substrate used for printing.

Stock Weight The thickness of paper, material, or substrate. Also known as paper weight and weight.

Straight EdgeA long piece of metal engineered to allow cutting in a straight line.

Stroke A line created on an image of various thickness.

Substrate Any material that can be printed on such as paper, self-adhesive, vinyl, and more.

Synthetic PaperAny non-wood or non-cloth based paper, often plastic based.

T

Tabloid PaperA size of paper that measures 11”x17”.

Tabs A thicker paper stock with extended labels for writing or printing, used with books for section separation.

Take-Up ReelA mechanism found on large printers designed to spool a substrate as it prints.

Tape BindingA binding that uses a thin strip of synthetic cloth to bind the edge of the book with glue, when heated. Also known as fastback.

Template A pre-designed layout used to digitally design or set up artwork to ensure consistency and appearance.

Tent CardA printed product that displays information on one side and folds in the middle to allow it to stand on its own, often used for seating charts.

Text WeightA paper that is thinner and more lightweight than cover paper.

Textile A substrate used for printing that can be easily folded without making indents. Also known as cloth or fabric.

TIFF An acronym for Tagged Image File Format, a file format that is neutral and compatible with all applications. This format is used more for image files.

Toner A powder that is adhered to a sheet of paper with a drum to produce a digital image on a sheet of paper, similar to ink.

Top BindA layout position that uses the top edge of a page as the spine, commonly used with landscaped books when flipping pages from top to bottom.

Trademark An exclusive right granted by law for a word, name, symbol or design, similar to a copyright. Also seen as the symbol ™.

Transparent Low to zero opacity, see-through

Tri-FoldA fold that has three panels and two folds. The right panel folds inward to the left, covering the middle panel. The left panel folds inward to the right, covering the back of the right panel, often used for informational or marketing material such as a brochure.

Trim MarksSimilar to bleed marks, a small or thin line in each corner of an image indicating where to cut. Also known as a cut mark, cut line, or crop mark.

Trim PathCutting in a specific outlined shape or design path rather than a straight line. Also known as a cut contour and cut path.

Trim SizeThe final size of a printed sheet after it has been cut.

Trimming Slicing a sheet of paper or a stack of pages with a sharp blade to achieve a desired size or appearance. Also known as cutting.

Typo Short for typographical error, a spelling mistake on a digital or physical piece.

U

Uncoated PaperPaper that does not have a coating on the surface of the sheet which would have produced a smooth or glossy finish. 

Uncollated Combining sheets in a set based on the page number rather than in sequential order. Also known as grouping.

Utility Knife A blade mounted onto a pen-like aluminum body used for precision trimming by hand. Also known as a x-acto knife, precision knife, and hobby knife.

UV CoatingA shiny and durable high gloss coating that is applied to print material, produced as liquid and cured or dried with ultraviolet light.

V

Variable DataA form of printing where elements such as text, graphics, artwork, etc. are pulled from a database and changed from one sheet to another without stopping the print process, often used for personalized letters, mailers, envelopes, and more. Acronym: VD.

Vector FileAn image that is made up of lines and/or shapes rather than pixels, can be made infinitely larger or smaller without reduction in quality. 

Vellum A paper that has a rough finish.

Velo BindA binding that punches holes in a book and attaches a thin flat piece of plastic along the front and back of a book.

Vertical A document layout where the height is greater than the width, opposite of landscape. Also known as portrait.

Vinyl A property of certain substrates that is heavier, durable, water resistant, and scratch resistant when compared to paper or bond substrates.

Vinyl Banner A substrate that is heavy and durable while still flexible, used with or without grommets for indoor or outdoor banners and posters.

W

Wall ClingRemovable self-adhesive that does not damage walls upon removal.

Watermark A transparent text or image that is embossed or printed on an image which is visible when held to the light.

Weight The thickness of paper, material, or substrate. Also known as paper weight and stock weight.

Wide FormatThe printing of any material that is larger than a digital or offset printer, typically larger than 12”x18”. Also known as large format.

Window ClingA removable substrate that adheres to a glass surface with static. This can be easily removed and comes in white or clear.  Also known as a static cling.

With the GrainFolding or feeding sheets of paper parallel to the grain of the paper. 

Wove A smooth paper with a gentle patterned finish.

Writing PaperA paper that is usually high in cotton fiber, used more often with stationery and basic prints. Also known as bond.

X

X-Acto KnifeA blade mounted onto a pen-like aluminum body used for precision trimming by hand. Also known as a utility knife, precision knife, and hobby knife.

Y

Yard SignAn image printed on self-adhesive and mounted on a corrugated board, attached to the ground with a metal “H” stake. 

Z

Z-Fold A fold that has three panels and two folds opposite of one another creating a “Z” shape.

Zip One or more compressed files in a smaller archive to take up less space for storage or file transfers.