Glossary of Printing Terms

Bleed - cutting edge.
Bindery / Link - Collecting printed sheets by stitching (stitching) with wire, thread, adhesive or other methods to form a book.
Black-white/color Print - Print on paper or cardboard on color laser printer.

CMYK - Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow, black - the four basic colors in polychromy
Composite Black - black color obtained by printing all four CMYK components. Also known as Rich Black.
Code Pantone - Color System with over 1,200 corporate colors that Pantone Inc. created.
CTF (computer-to-video) - The method by which the computer file is translated into a photographic film. This film is used to make conventional printing plate image in a frame copied.
CTP (computer-to-flat) - Technology used in the process of printing an image within which an application created in DTP (desktop publishing) is displayed directly on a printing plate by laser. CTP site presents several advantages over conventional method of plate exposure. In KTP, the entire process of image transfer from film printing plate is removed from the printing process, thus increasing image sharpness and detail.
Cold or hot foil - the application of a layer of foil up to 35 microns thick, matte or glossy, applied on one or both sides of the product.
Color separation - process technology (computer) to separate (divide) the continuous tone color images into four negative semitones.
Coated paper - Paper coated with chalk and other substances that, together, improve reflectivity and ink adhesion.


DTP additional - additional costs from the initial price of the work, costs incurred as a result of intervention on files.
Direct special colors - colors defined by Pantone color codes.
Decomposition color printing film - Material prepared in the computer breaks down into four basic printing colors (CMYK) using a specialized equipment called image-setter and printing lists movies. Movies are printing transparencies appearance (similar to those used for overhead) and made one for each base color (CMYK) and one for each special color, where appropriate.
Design - all the information (version) including text and images to be printed
Documentation of execution - all technical information (all PDF files) for work to be performed under the technical requirements imposed by the supplier.
DTP - Abbreviation of desktop publishing. Technique is to use a computer to "build" design images and pages, to combine text and graphics in order to playback via an imagesetter all created on paper, film or printing plate.
Die Cutting - Cutting to the desired shape of material, using molds and punching machines.
Delivery - The date on which the final product ordered will be delivered. It depends directly on the date that we receive complete specifications from the customer.
Digital printing - Printing polichromy on special paper, matte (up to 190g/mp) using computerized printing technology. It is used in small print runs, costs are high.
Drilling - Implementation of perforations in a straight line at small distances from each consulates to facilitate the detachment of a block consisting of formats.
Digital Proof - sheet printed by digital method (printers and special papers) to detect prior to actual printing defects or gaps of information. "Predict" the outcome of printing a printing works offer a viewpoint close image video of the finished product


Embossing - Applying a logo or text embossed on paper, thin cardboard or PVC. It is also called "embossing."


Folding - mechanical deformation of substrates for its subsequent folding, are recommended for carriers with weights from 150 gr / sqm.
Folding - Bending sheets in different modes (single, double parallel, cross, harmonica), following a certain order of succession of girls. It is recommended for media weights between 40 g / m² and 170 g / sqm.
Finishing - Bringing the product to the finite form by different processing methods (cutting, Folding, folding, laminating, etc..) Printing industry with specific machines.
Forza - sheet of paper or cardboard bound book that is glued to the back of the cover and title page of book block.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - the standard method of transferring files using an Internet connection. FTP allows transferring files between different computers with data storage.

HDC - Abbreviation of double-coated paper (both sides).
Hot printing - hot foil application on a support.


Imprimatur - 1. Consent given by the client or the person responsible for quality printing on the printed product quality, 2. A draft copy of which meet all quality standards required.


Laminating - The operation of gluing two sheets, cardboard or paper or cardboard on cardboard, applying adhesive unprinted face. Laminating can be single or double and can be done manually or mechanically.
Layout - Sample demonstration of the original position of printed work (direction, instructions) desired.

Metal - Applying for a school paper or paperboard of a sheet of transparent plastic and thick (70 to 250 microns) by hot pressing in order to protect and to achieve a glossy or matte finish. It can be made for up to A3 size

Negative - The images on film that make black and white areas to be black to be white.


Offset - offset printing plates using media of paper, cardboard, stickers. Printing operation involves the following steps to be done in printing: Printing and assembly done on film, photography offset mounting plates, mounting plate and adjust the offset printing machine, journeyman itself.
Overprint - overprint a background color to another color - mainly used for printing black text.
Offset paper - is the most absorbent support printing. On it you can print images in polychrome and special colors. The book is recommended for indoors, brochures, etc.În Generally lăcuieşte not support. Using weights exceeding 150 g / m to obtain images in excellent technical conditions.
Offset Lake - Lake gives improved image appearance.


Printing plate - piece of metal, plastic, paper or rubber with a surface bearing an image of printed reproduction.
Plotting - cutting plotter support (machine programmed by computer) of any type of format (eg cut letters and figures for banners).
PMS - refer to the Pantone colors (Pantone Matching System).
Polychrome - Printing performed using all the colors (color printing).
Prepress - Term used in printing or publishing industry to define processes and procedures that are used upon receipt to the text and explanatory plaques to be mounted in the printing machine.
Printing - The process of transfer paper or another substrate an image from the original media such as film negative or positive, electronic memory, stencil or plate.

Quire - Term used to refer to printed copy enclosed sheet length and width when printing on cardboard or sheet and that the width of paper roll and cut off your groove when the rotary printing. A quire is: 32 A5 pages, 16 pages A4, 8 page A3 (tabloid), 4 pages A2 (broadsheet).


RGB (Red, Green, Blue) - Primary Colours also called additive colors used by monitors. The combination and intensity of these colors can reproduce the full spectrum.
RIP (Raster Image Processor) - Method of printing from PostScript files created by the DTP. Hardware and software conversion of data stored in the computer producing a series of dots and lines that are exposed on film or printing plates.
Ritual - operative apply stickers to be removed in some form.



Stitching - Assembly of pages and / or covers together. Can be made by combining one or more of the following procedures: stitching, gluing, sewing, etc. spiralare.
Stapling - binding method in which sheets are bent in the middle attached to the outside to inside with metal staples. Usually, such a beam does not contain more than 96 pages.
Spot Color - A printing ink applied to certain portions of a printed sheet
Special color printing - Gold (golden bronze), silver (bronze and silver)
Specifications, deadline - once all the technical information on which to run the product ordered is sent by the client. Failure to surrender its specifications can influence the product delivery date.
Screen Printing - less conventional printing process on any flat surface or large curvature radius. The process consists of applying the material you print a layer of ink through a sieve. Image made by screen printing consists of a number of points which is given by the number of meshes of the sieve that is made mask.
Scan - photo image processing on the support or the slide in the computer, using scanners, the size and desired resolution.
Superfluous - Blank or finished product made in addition to circulation to offset further losses from digital production process.
Selective UV coating - Liquid laminate applied and cured with ultraviolet light.
Speeches on file - in pre print, original design changes made by the provider - required or accepted by the client (often for a fee).


Term of execution - the time necessary for the performance of a product based on customer specifications data (files, models, proof materials, etc.). Lead time may differ from delivery.


Varnishing - Process for finishing a transparent varnish is applied to the printed sheet to obtain a shiny appearance.