Printing: common terms and definitions

Assembly

The step of arranging signatures in precise order during finishing.

Bicolor

Use of two colors for printing.

Bleed

The overflow area of an image or background beyond the final format of a document (a kind of external margin). This margin is necessary during graphic design and will be trimmed during finishing.

Dummy

A paper schematic that visualizes the position of different elements (text, images, etc.) across all pages of a document.

Coated

Paper with more sensitive surfaces offering superior print quality. Available in gloss, matte, semi-matte, or textured finishes.

Primary Color

All color shades are obtained by mixing primary colors. In printing, subtractive synthesis is used: a mixture of magenta, cyan, and yellow, plus black.

DPI

Resolution expressed as the number of pixels relative to the actual dimension of an image. From the English Dots Per Inch.

Inserting

During finishing, this operation consists of inserting one printed document into another, such as a sheet inserted into a brochure.

Thumb Index

Often used in the manufacturing of planners, this cut made in the corners of several pages facilitates finding a section or directory.

Proof

A contractual paper print presented to the client for approval of the final artwork.

Finishing

The set of operations—cutting, folding, assembly, inserting, saddle stitching, binding, sewing, gluing, stapling—performed after printing to shape the document.

Flush Left / Flush Right

Alignment of text lines regular on one side and irregular on the other. Also refers to text block justification, either left or right. Not to be confused with full justification, which optimizes text to the same width on each line.

See the typography section for examples.

Watermark

A pattern visible by transparency through paper, designed to leave a visible trace of the brand to protect content or remind of the information source if someone wishes to photocopy or alter the page.

Folio / Page Numbering

Page number / page numbering.

Portrait

Format orientation where the longest side is the height. This format is often used for posters, flyers, portrait photos, etc. to emphasize vertical dimension. As opposed to landscape format, which is horizontal for landscapes, for example.

Illustrator

Vector graphic design software published by Adobe. The file extension for Illustrator is .ai.

InDesign

Graphic layout software published by Adobe. The file extension for InDesign is .indd (for InDesign Document).

Landscape

Format orientation where the longest side is the width. As opposed to portrait format, which is oriented toward height.

Letterspace

The space between the two lines of reading, ascending and descending, forming the height of the letter excluding the overshoot of round letters, ascenders, and capitals.

Pantone Color Guide

Pantone Matching System

This color guide references different shades of Pantone ink used in printing by assigning them an alphanumeric reference. Selecting a reference by the client during graphic design guarantees the fidelity of the final result at print.

Offset

From the English "to set off," the offset process is the most commonly used printing technique for quality work (books, brochures, newspapers, posters, etc.).

The digital file of the document to be printed is exposed onto photosensitive plates (one plate per color), which are then fixed onto machine cylinders. The exposed areas (which become ink-sensitive) receive color; water repels ink from non-exposed areas. The formed image is transferred to a blanket, which in turn transfers the ink onto paper.

DTP

Desktop Publishing

Creation of mockups and page layout on a computer.

PDF

Portable Document Format

A page description language created by Adobe. This file format preserves formatting (fonts, images, etc.) on any screen and platform, which is why it is recommended for printing. The file extension for PDF is .pdf

Lamination

This finishing step consists of applying a transparent cellulose film, either gloss or matte, to the paper to reinforce the fiber and give printed materials a more premium appearance.

Photoshop

Image editing and processing software published by Adobe. The file extension for Photoshop is .psd.

Saddle Stitch

The step of stapling different pages of a brochure, catalog, or any other document together.

Folds

There are several types of folds for flyers or brochures:

Accordion Fold

A fold shaped like an "M".

Offset Fold

Parallel fold executed at irregular intervals.

Crossfold

Two folds made perpendicular to each other.

Wallet Fold

Three parallel folds allowing the two outer sheets to fold back toward the center fold.

Rolled Folds

Parallel folds allowing the different panels created to stack and close a document.

PowerPoint

Presentation software published by Microsoft. The file extension for PowerPoint is .ppt

Gripper Margin

A non-printable margin required on the paper width to allow the sheet to be held in the machine during printing.

Four-Color Process

Use of the three primary colors and black in reproducing the tones of a document in printing (see CMYK)

Resolution

The fineness of definition of a document or digital image, whose value is expressed in dpi.

Overprinting

Printing on documents already printed, for example to personalize them.

Press Run

The operation performed on the machine after all controls and adjustments have been made. This is the actual printing stage.

FTP Server

File Transfer Protocol

A data storage computer that allows, for example, a client to transfer files necessary for the graphic composition of a document to be printed via the internet directly to their printer.

Spot Varnish

The client defines with their printer the areas of a page or business card that will be varnished, allowing, for example, an image or logo to stand out more. The varnish is applied to the card using a file the graphic designer sends separately, which defines the areas to be varnished on the paper.

Varnishing

After printing a document, varnish can be applied to protect the pages and give them a gloss or matte appearance.

Word

Word processing software published by Microsoft. The file extension for Word files is .doc or .docx.