GLOSSARY
For your convenience, we have provided a glossary of common graphic arts terms.
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A
accordion fold
A binding term for two or more parallel folds that open like an accordion. Brochures and maps often use accordion folds.
acetate
A high-quality, transparent sheet of plastic commonly used as a layer in multi-layer artwork or composition. Acetate is also used for overhead transparency printing.
alkaline paper
A stable, acid-free paper used for products that must resist deterioration and preserve their images for as long as possible. Archival photographs, high-quality books, and fine art prints are made on alkaline paper.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Pronounced an-see.
Supported by American trade organizations, professional societies, and business and industry, ANSI is this country's principal standards development body governing areas such as transmission codes and highlevel computer languages.
Apparent Dot Area (ADA)
The dot area of a printed halftone.
Author's Alterations (AAs)
Corrections made in proofs (galley proofs, bluelines, color proofs) that are not caused by printer error.
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B
binder
An adhesive component of paper designed to hold the paper together.
binding
Binding begins after a printer has laid the ink on the paper. It includes cutting, folding, trimming, gathering (collating), stitching, pasting, insetting, casing-in, etc.
bit
Abbreviation for binary digit. The smallest unit of information in a binary system, a bit is the fundamental unit of information used in computers. A bit element is a 1 signaling on or a 0 signaling off in a data string. Most computers work with 8-bit strings called bytes.
bitmap
A computerized image made up of dots or pixels. While satisfactory for pixel-based screen displays, bitmap images give a jagged appearance on paper or film. For high-quality print output, bitmap images must be translated to raster images
black plate change
Changes made to black text and headlines in process printing. The changes are made on the black plate and thus do not affect the color.
blanket
A fabric-reinforced sheet of rubber used on offset presses to transfer the impression from the plate onto the paper.
bleed
Printed colors that run all the way to the edge of a page. To accommodate the bleed, the printer must make the bleed area larger than the final trim size. The page is then trimmed right through the bleed area. Thus, bleeds requires more paper and printers charge extra for them.
blind folio
Page numbers are not printed on the page.
blueline
A photographic proof for checking the accuracy of layout and position before printing plates are made.
brightness
Also called value. (1) In color theory, one of the three attributes of color, the other two being hue and saturation. Brightness describes differences in the amount of light reflected from or transmitted through an image regardless of its hue and saturation. This is a difficult word to use in marking color correction. People use it for both the addition and subtraction of color. Correctly used, it refers to the amount of light (paper white) apparent in an area. (2) When speaking about paper, brightness is the light reflectance or brilliance of the paper at a specific wavelength, often perceived as whiteness. Generally, the higher the brightness rating, the better quality the paper.
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CIS
A trade acronym for coated (one) side. Commonly card stock used for postcards and fliers or cast coated sheets often used for covers printed on one side only.
camera-ready
Artwork that has all type, line art, and graphics in place and ready to be photographed or digitally transferred to film in preparation for making printing plates.
card stock
Also called cover stock A stiff paper often used for postcards, catalog covers, and other items that require rigidity. Card stock is usually described by point sizes that give the thickness of the sheet in thousandths of inches. For example, 10-pt card is 0.010 in. thick. Card stock can also be described by pound weights based on the weight of 500 sheets measuring 20 X 26 in. each.
character generation
The process of using master font information to create type images as a series of dots or lines on a computer or typesetter. The type images can be sent either to a screen for display or to an imagesetter for final output.
characters per inch (cpi)
The number of characters that fit within a linear inch in a particular font. Standard measurement units for typewriting are pica (10 cpi) and elite (12 cpi).
Charge Coupled Device (CCD)
A diode containing material that is light-sensitive when charged with electricity. Light reflects off or transmits through an image and registers on the CCD as a measurable electric charge. The charge is transferred as digital image information to a computer. Adapted from satellite imagery and television, the CCD captures images as a series of lines (raster imaging) on equipment such as color scanners, digital cameras, and video cameras..
coated paper
Paper coated with clay, white pigments, and a binder.
colorant
A pigment which is the color portion of an ink.
color cast
An unwanted dominant color present in the original image or in its reproduction. Color cast usually results from lighting variance during photography or improper processing or proofing conditions.
Color Electronic Prepress System (CEPS)
A high-quality, proprietary computer-based system that may include equipment for page make-up, scanning color separations, displaying color, and making color corrections. This is to be contrasted with PC-based color scanning and manipulation systems often referred to as desktop publishing systems.
color gamut
The normal human eye can perceive color within the full range of the visible spectrum, including detail in very bright light and deep shadows. Transparencies and monitors, which view color with transmitted light, can hold much of that range. But due to such limitations as reflected light, ink impurities, and paper absorption, a conventionally printed image has a smaller range. Much of the work done in color correction arises from the tonal compression of the color gamut that occurs during color separation.
color separation
Also called seps. The photographic or electronic means of separating artwork into cyan, magenta, yellow, and black components. Also commonly used to separate spot colors.
composite fllm
Also called final film Color separations ready for printing. Composite film is usually created from color separations through a process called stripping.
contrast
The difference of tonal gradation between light and dark values within an image. A highcontrast image is predominantly highlights and shadows with few gray tones. A low-contrast image has few highlights and shadows with predominantly even tones. Image contrast is sacrificed somewhat when tones are compressed to bring an original's density down to a range that can be reproduced on a printing press.
contrast range
The amount of variance between highlights and shadows in an original or halftone. Ouantified as the difference between the top highlight and deepest shadow density readings as measured by a densitometer.
crop mark
Markings that show where a page, photograph, or transparency is to be trimmed.
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D
data compression
The translation of a computer file into a format that uses less disk space. Compressed files must be decompressed to be used. See also lossless compression and lossy compression.
desktop publishing (DTP)
The process of creating fully composed pages using a computer, off-the-shelf software, and an output device such as a laser printer.
duotone
Color reproduction from a monochrome original, such as a black and white photograph. Two halftones with different screen angles are made from the same original.
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electronic mechanicals
Digital layout files created on a desktop publishing system. Electronic mechanicals commonly contain text and graphics in EPS, TIFF, or similar file formats. They replace conventional paste-up boards.
embossing
Raised letters or designs on paper or other material. The effect is produced by uninked dies or blocks. Any colors to be used are put on first by regular printing methods.
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F
flle format
A set of instructions or patterns that describe how to store, access, or transmit information. Being able to match the format of data created in one program to what can be received by another is the basis for file compatibility, or the lack of it.
fluorescence
The ability of a substance, such as paper or ink, to absorb ultraviolet light waves and reflect them as visible light.
fold marks
Markings at the top edge of a page showing where folds should go.
folio
A page number.
form
The assembly of pages and other images for a single plate on a press. When printed and folded, the form is called a signature.
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G
gamma
(1) In photography, the degree of contrast in an image. Film types are listed as creating certain gamma ranges appropriate to different uses. (2) In electronic color correction, the difference in the status of the color curve. The color curve represents highlight to shadow values between current values and corrected values. Changing the color curve (making a gamma correction) increases or decreases the highlights, midtones, or shadows relative to the other points on the curve.
gloss
A shiny coating on paper. Gloss coatings allow very little ink absorption, thus providing excellent color definition and contrast.
grain
(1) In photography, the speckled appearance in prints or transparencies produced by clusters of silver particles in photographic emulsions. Frequently considered undesirable and apparent when an original is enlarged too much, grain can also be emphasized for special, softening effects. (2) In paper making, the direction in which most wood fibers lie within the sheet due to the direction of flow as the paper is made. Against the grain, cross grain, cross web, and grain short refer to folding or running paper through a press at a 90° angle to the grain. Folding paper against the grain breaks more wood fibers than folding with the grain (grain long), resulting in a more uneven, less precise fold.
gray component replacement (GCR)
Also called achromatic color replacement (ACR), integrated color removal (ICR), and polychromaUc color removal (PCR). Removing the achromatic (also called contaminant or graying) component of cyan, magenta, and yellow when they all combine and replacing it with black.
Gray component replacement is distinct from under color removal, which reduces process colors in only dark, neutral areas and adds black. GCR separation is done with specialized software on electronic scanners.
gutter
The inside space between pages; that is, the inside margin toward the back or binding edge of a book.
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H
halftone
Continuous tone copy (for example, photograph, drawing, print, etc.) that has been photomechanically or electronically reproduced on either negative or positive film as a regular grid pattern of various-sized dots with equidistant centers to simulate shades of gray when viewed from a normal reading distance. This reproduction method contrasts with line art (no shading of tones), mezzotints (irregular shapes in random placement), and stochastic screening (same-size microdots in a controlled random placement within a given area).
hard dot
A halftone dot that has a hard, crisp edge without the fringe seen with the soft dot. The halftone dot also has a fairly uniform density over its entire surface.
hue
One of the three attributes of color, the other two being saturation and brightness. Hue is determined by the color's dominant wavelength within the visible spectrum.
hue error
Characterizes colorants used as process colors. Expressed as a percentage, hue error indicates the deviation from a theoretically perfect process hue. It does not, however, indicate any error or problem with the process inks.
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I
imagesetter
A general term used for devices that generate graphic arts films or plates from electronic data sources.
imposition
Arrangement of pages so they print correctly on a press sheet and the pages are in proper order when the sheet is folded.
impression
The result of one cycle of a plate cylinder printing press.
inserts
Extra printed pages inserted into printed pieces.
interleaves
Extra blank pages inserted loosely into printed pieces.
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J-no items in this category
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Kelvin (K)
A thermometric scale used to measure light temperature. 0°K is absolute zero (a hypothetical temperature representing the complete absence of head; water freezes at 273.15°K, which is 0°C or 325F. The most common use of Kelvin temperatures in the graphic arts is to describe lighting sources for viewing and analyzing color. A standard balanced light source (neutral in hue and with the brightness of midday sunlight) measures 5000°K.
knockout
When type or line art is to be printed over a photograph or other variable color background, the best way to produce a consistent color is to first reverse the type or artwork out of the background and then drop in the desired color. This process is referred to as knocking out. See also surprint.
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llaser
Abbreviation for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation The amplification of only one frequency of light within the spectrum to create a directional, intense beam. The beam has a very narrow bandwidth capable of producing images through electronic impulses.
lossless compression
Data compression methods that rearrange or re-code data in a more compact fashion and lose no information when decompressed. Because all data are preserved, there is a distinct limit to the amount of compression that can be achieved (for example, 3u or 5u). See also data compression and lossy compression.
lossy compression
Data compression methods (for example, JPEG) that selectively discard repetitive information to decrease file sizes. Depending on the amount of compression requested, the lost information may or may not be noticeable. See also data compression and lossless compression.
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make ready
Also called set up. All work done on a printing press before running a job. Make ready includes adjusting the feeder, grippers, side guides; putting inks in the fountains; registration; and matchiny the printed result to the supplied proof (bringing it up to color). For short runs of a few thousand, the make ready costs are a significant percentage of the total printing costs.
matte
A coated paper finish that is not shiny like a gloss, but still keeps much of the ink from being absorbed by the paper and provides an excellent image. Matte stocks are used commonly by book publishers.
mechanicals
Commonly used to designate the paste-up boards that camera-ready artwork is mounted on. A second layer, often a sheet of acetate, contains the photographs or transparencies mounted in position. A sheet of tracing or other semitransparent paper is often attached and includes special information or instructions; for example, make this type blue or that logo red.
metamerism
The phenomenon that causes the color of two objects to match under one lighting condition and not under another. This is because the two objects have different spectral curves.
moire
An undesirable optical pattern that happens when two or more grid patterns overlap, such as the halftone dots produced by an angled screen. A moire pattern may also occur when a pattern in the artwork, such as a herringbone weave or window blinds, interferes with a halftone dot pattern. Using stochastic screening may eliminate the moire.
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N
Newton's rings
Irregularly shaped patterns, similar to oil on the surface of water, that appear in a color separation. They are caused by the varying amounts of air between the scanning cylinder and transparency surfaces as they come into contact. The light refracts into a rainbow pattem as it passes from the cylinde, through the air pockets to the transparency. This is avoided by applying a coat of oil (to make airless contact) or a thin mist of powder (to prevent any contact) between the two surfaces.
nonrepro blue
Also called nonphoto blue. A light blue color often used to make crop marks or notes on mechanicals. Most camera systems cannot see this color.
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off-press proof
A four-color or mono-tone proof generated before the production press run and before, or instead of, a press proof. An off-press proof can be produced photomechanically, electrostatically, or electronically.
offset lithography
A printing method that uses the repellent properties of oil and water to reproduce an image on a net surface that contains both the image and non-printing areas. The process originated with the practice of drawing on stones (lithography comes from the Greek for "stone writing") with an oil-based crayon and then wetting the stone. Oil-based ink would then be applied, repelled by the water, and transferred to a sheet of paper pressed upon it.
Modern metal plate cylinders are dampened with water that is repelled from the oily image area. Ink is then applied to the image area by ink rollers and an intermediate blanket cylinder picks up and transfers the ink image from the plate to the paper. The intermediate blanket cylinder is why this process is called offset The bulk of publication and commercial printing is done by the offset method.
ordiochromatic
Referring to a film that is sensitive to blue and green light, but not red light. Panchromatic film is sensitive to all colors of light.
output
Processed optical or electronic data transferred to another device such as a secondary storage unit, a laser printer, an electronic manipulation station, or an analog proofing device.
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perfect binding
A binding method where the binding edge of a book or magazine is ground down about 1/8 in. and coated with a fast-drying glue. Then, a flexible cover is attached, creating a squared-off back.
pica
In measuring type, 1 pica equals 1/6 in. Thus, there are 6 picas to the inch.
PICT
A common data format for vector graphics popular with illustrations encoded on the Macintosh. PICT data can be created, displayed on the monitor, and printed.
pixel
Abbreviation for picture element The smallest unit that can be sensed, manipulated, or output by a digital system or displayed on a computer screen. More pixels per inch mean better resolution.
plate
Reproduction of type and images on metal, plastic, rubber, or other material to form an imaging surface.
point
(1) In measuring type,1 point is 1/12 of a pica or 1/72 of an inch. In other words, there are 12 points to a pica and 72 points to an inch. (2) In measuring the thickness of heavy paper stock such as bristolboard, a point is 1/1000 of an inch. Thus, 10-pt stock is 10/1000, or 0.010 in.
porosity
The open or closed characteristics of a paper's surface that allows air to pass through and ink to penetrate. Generally, coated papers have very closed surfaces, low porosity, and hold ink on the surface well. Some papers used for blow-in cards are porosity rated for bindery use.
PostScript
A page description language for medium- to highresolution printing devices. Consists of a specific set of software commands and protocols that form images on output printers and film recorders when translated through a raster image processor. The key feature of PostScript is device independence, allowing different output devices from different manufacturers, which may not be compatible through any other means, to print the same file in more or less the same way.
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R
random proof
Also called first submits, scatters, or loose proofs. A press proof or off-press proof of unstripped images. Generally the first proof to be evaluated, a random proof can be used for preliminary color OKs and color correction.
raster image process (RIP)
The process of interpreting a page description language, such as PostScript, to a raster format at the resolution and in the format required for a specific output device or imagesetter. The RIP may also incorporate machine-specific instructions, and the RIP may occur either in the imagesetter or in a separate computer system.
registration
Also called register Two or more images positioned in predetermined alignment. Out of registration refers to an element reproducing slightly above or to the side of the matching one underneath it. The need for trapping (extending a line width or tint) exists because of the unavoidable variations in registration during printing as the paper shifts and stretches on the press.
registration marks
Marks used to help align the various levels of overlays on paste-up boards or film during the stripping process.
resolution (res)
The ability to make parts of an image visible. Measured in pixels, dpi, or pixels per square millimeter, resolution indicates the degree of image sharpness that can be reproduced by a piece of equipment. On high-end scanners, resolution is counted both vertically and horizontally; for example, res 12 is counted as 12 X 12 = 144 pixels per sq mm. Desktop publishing equipment usually measures resolution in dpi; for example, a 300 dpi printer. The higher the resolution, the better the image detail appears and the larger the file becomes, requiring more computer memory and longer processing times.
reversed type
The background is printed instead of the type.
RGB
Red, green, blue.
rosette
A flower-like pattern created by the individual dots of four-color halftones when they are printed at the correct angles and in registration. The center of the rosette can be either clear or filled with a halftone dot. A recognizable rosette structure is critical for good quality printing.
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S
saddle stitching
A binding method where a signature is opened up and stapled at the center. In a magazine, several signatures and inserts can be combined before they are stapled. A similar process, called Smythe sewing, uses thread stitches instead of metal staples and groups several stitched signatures next to each other before attaching either a hard or soft cover.
saturation
One of the three attributes of color, the other two being hue and brightness. Saturation is the intensity of a hue at a given lightness. The closer a color is to neutral gray or white, the less saturated the color. The farther away it is, the more saturated it is. Thus, bright red is a saturated color and pink a less saturated color.
self cover
A publication format where the cover stock is the same weight as the text stock, as opposed to attaching a separate cover of heavier paper. Self covers are commonly used for booklets and similar small publications.
sharpen
(1) In color correction and platemaking, to make halftone dots smaller by adjusting the exposure of the film. Sharpening dots to decrease color is one of the dry dot etching techniques for color correction. Sometimes printers will sharpen incoming film ready for platemaking to counteract mechanical dot gain on press. (2) In detail enhancement, to electronically exaggerate the difference between tones or colors at their edges. During scanning, the function of unsharp masking can be adjusted to increase edge contrast and artificially enhance the detail overall. Certain paint and color manipulation programs have special tools to selectively sharpen isolated areas of an image.
side stitching
A binding method where two or three staples are passed through the signatures, usually on the left side of the book.
signature
See form.
silhouette
Eliminating the background from behind an object in a photograph or piece of art.
slur
An undesirable printing condition where the printed image is smeared. Slur can result from insufficient blanket pressure due to improper packing (offset), slippage of a press part during the printing stroke (screen printing), mechanical problems on the press, or lack of ink tack. In offset printing, slur causes halftone dots to enlarge dramatically and affects color fidelity. Type can become blurred and difficult to read. Print control targets containing microline slur bars can be placed at the edge of a form to spot and diagnose the problem. Slur is distinguished from a similar press problem called doubling, where the image is printed again next to the correct version instead of just smearing the ink.
soft dot
A halftone dot that is not completely opaque over its entire surface and may also have halation (a soft fringe around the dot), common with digital imagesetters. Contact exposure to another piece of film will burn away the indistinct area and produce a hard dot. This is an important area for calibration and quality-control checks since small variances in dot size can create dramatic changes in color reproduction.
Speciflcaffons Web Offset Publications (SWOP)
SWOP specifies color standards, film densities, screen rulings, reverses, surprinte,d type, proofing, color bars, and prooRng stock. The general purpose of SWOP is to encourage uniform communication among the various links in the publishing chain and to promote quality color in web offset publications.
stochastic screening
An alternative to conventional halftone screening that creates tonal gradations by placing same-size microdots (typically 12 to 30 microns across) in a computer-controlled, non-periodic order within a given area. The computer uses frequency modulation to vary the number and placement of same-sized dots. The non-periodic dot pattern eliminates many moire problems and allows more than four colors to represent the tones in an image (primary aspect of highfidelity printing).
stripping
The process of assembling and combining film or negatives to create the final four pieces of film used for four-color process printing. Stripping completes the films, which are then used to create the actual printing plates.
substrate
A base upon which something is applied. This can include paper that is printed with ink, acetate that is coated with a photosensitive emulsion, and proofing material (paper-based or plastic) that is laminated with colorant. Because the graphic arts industry repeats an image at different stages of reproduction onto various materials (originals, proofs, final printed pieces), the use of the term substrate permits a discussion of the characteristics of those materials as an element in the perception of that image.
surprint
To print over another image. In photography, two images are exposed on one piece of film creating a double exposure. In a layout for printing, an image (usually type) would be planned to print over another area of an image. For instance, a black headline could surprint a light area of an image instead of removing all color below tbe type (dropping out). That would eliminate the need to mechanically trap (create overlapping edges) the type to the image.
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T
tack
The stickiness of an ink. Ink must be sticky enough to adhere to white paper or to previously printed layers of ink without pulling up the paper fibers (picking).
text stock
Paper stock used for the pages of reports, books, and other printing where the stiffness of card stock is not required. Text stock is described by pound weight determined by the weight of 500 25 x 38 in. sheets. For example, soo sheets of 80-lb text stock cut 25 x 38 in. weigh 80 pounds (standard US text pound).
thermal dye sublimation
Also called thermal dye diffusion transfer, or D2T2. Digital proofing technology that vaporizes solid process pigments with either a heated print head or a laser beam and floats them onto a special stock where they become solid again.
thermal wax transfer
Digital proofing technology that fuses process colored wax from a ribbon by heating it with pinpoint print heads and melting it onto a special stock.
tolerance
The acceptable range of error from a measured point.
tone compression
Reduction of an original tonal range to a tonal range achievable through the reproduction process.
touch plate
An additional printing film or plate that adds a matched color to a process color image.
transparency
Illustrative copy such as a color transparency or positive film through which light must pass in order for it to be seen or reproduced. Transparencies are also called chromes after the popular brand names Ektachrome and Kodachrome. This is in contrast to reflection copy, which is perceived by reflected light.
transpose
(1)A proofreading term that means to exchange the position of a letter, word, or line with another letter, word, or line. (2) Transpose can also refer to switching the position of one image for another.
trap (apparent trap)
A measurement of the ability, or inability, of a printed ink to accept the next ink printed compared with how well paper accepts that ink. Factors influencing trap include ink film thickness, ink tack and ink printing sequence, and the mechanical adjustments on press such as rollers and impression settings.
trapping (image)
ln electronic page assembly, slightly overlapping two adjoining colors to minimize the effects of normal variation on press. Conventional stripping uses chokes (slight reduction of image size), spreads (enlargement), and masks to create this overlap during dark room exposures. Because most DTP layout programs don't automatically create traps, special tricks using outline strokes and double images are required to simulate traps. Even so, much of this work is often lost or inadequate for sending the files to a high-end assembly system.
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uncoated paper
Paper that has not had a final coating applied for smoothness. Uncoated paper is very absorbent and dull in appearance. It is generally more economical than coated paper but does not reproduce four-color work as well.
Under Color Removal (UCR)
Reducing the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks independently within the darkest neutral shadow areas in an image reproduction and replacing them with a controlled amount of black to reduce the total tonal density. The three colors are opened so the shadows have better detail, improved trapping, and more consistent reproduction. This process is distinct from gray component replacement, which replaces the graying or neutral color of three-color combinations with black within the complete tonal range.
unsharp masking
A color separation and manipulation technique that increases the overall contrast at the edges of density or color chadges by exaggerating the differences. That can be done either electronically or photographically. In the scanner or color manipulation workstation, the computer reads the digital signals to locate where the color changes occur and then adjusts the tones and colors to create a more sudden change. If carried to an extreme, the exaggeration can result in an outline effect between some mask simultaneously compresses the tones and makes the corrections. In either case, unsharp masking, despite its name, globally increases the detail of an image.
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V
value
See brightness.
varnish
Also called lacquer. A clear, liquid, resinous coating, either matte or glossy, that is applied to a printed product for protection and appearance.
vignette
Illustration and electronic color manipulation effects in which all or a portion of an image fades gradually away until it blends into the non-imaged area. Sometimes used to refer to a graduated background tone created on a CEPS.
viscosity
Thickness or thinness of a fluid as measured by its resistance to flow. Ink viscosity is adjusted to maintain a proper flow through the ink train of a press and on to the paper.
visible spectrum
That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye is sensitive to; wavelengths of approximately 400 through 700 nanometers. Due to the characteristics of cone (color reading mechanism of the retina) sensitivities, it is generally agreed that humans detect only red, green, and blue. All perceived colors are combinations of those sensitivities (hue) in relation to the strength of the transmitted or reflected light (brightness) and the intensity of the light hitting the retina (saturation). Ultraviolet wavelengths are shorter and infrared wavelengths are longer than the sensitivity range of the eye.
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web press
A printing machine in which the paper is fed from a continuous reel as opposed to sheet fed.
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