Glossary

Artifact:

A visible defect in a scanned image, usually caused by hardware or software limitations. Also a defect in image caused by repeated encoding/compressing of JPEG images.

Application:

A program or group of programs designed for the end user. Application software includes database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets. Applications can not run without an operating system.

Aqueous Coating:

A clear, non-toxic finish used by some print houses to add brilliance and durability to the finished piece. See UV Coating.

ASCII:

(American Standard Code for Information Interchange) Pronounced “askee”, it is a world-wide standard for how computers write and read characters. (Example: letters, numbers and punctuation)

Banding:

An undesirable graphic effect in which a gradation contains visible stepping of shades.

Bandwidth:

The amount of information that can be transmitted in a certain amount of time. Simply put, the capacity for dealing with multiple tasks.

Binding:

The fastening of assembled sheets or signatures along one edge of a publication. The binding process also includes folding, gathering, trimming, stitching, gluing, and/or casing.

Bit:

(binary digit) the smallest unit of measuring information on the computer. A single Bit can only hold two values 0 and 1, by combining Bits together you can get more information.

Black and White Proof:

A laser print for the customer to review their job, usually in text form.

Bleed:

When an image extends off the edges of a printed piece.

Border:

The area between the image and the edge of a printed piece. Similar to a picture frame.

Bulk-Rate:

the USPS has retires this term. Bulk Rate is now known as Standard mail. The lowest postage rates are available if you sort and automate the addresses on your mailing list. Bulk-Rate postage is lower than First-Class, however Bulk-Rate has a longer delivery time. Note: Bulk-Rate is not less expensive than First-Class for a Standard size postcard.

C1S & C2S:

C1S and C2S are used to indicate which side of a particular paper has a coating on it. C1S indicates “coated on one side.” C2S indicates “coated on two sides.”

CASS:

(Coding Accuracy Support System) A service offered to improve the accuracy of address matching. CASS software will diagnose and correct any problems to ensure delivery point is correct.

CD-ROM:

(compact disc ready only memory) A format for recording, storing and retrieving digital information such as graphics, software applications, sound and video. Capacity is 650 megabytes.

Cheshire Labels:

a standard label format is printed on (blank) standard 11×14-7/8 computer paper, 4-across. The label size is 1 x 3.4 with no gutter.

CMYK:

(Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) the standard color model used in the printing process. It is often called four color printing.

Coil-bound:

A method of binding in which the book is held together with spiral wires inserted through holes punched along the inner margins of the pages.

Color Bar:

A tool used to judge color accuracy of an image when shooting film for output.

Color Correction:

Adjusting an image to improve overall color.

Color Proof:

A close representation of how the finished piece will look.

Color Separations:

The process of separating CMYK into film layers, each layer is than printed separately one on top of the other to give the impression of full color.

Continuous Tone:

An unlimited range of color and shades of grays. Contrast: An image with light tones (highlights) and dark tones (shadows).

Cookie:

A message is given to a web browser then stored as a text file called cookie.txt. These files contain information to identify you as the user.

Copy:

Your message, including words, sentences and paragraphs that appear on the printed piece.

Crop:

To trim or remove unwanted portions from the image in order to make it the proper proportion.

Digital Matte:

Digital Matte ink creates a differential gloss effect to add a spot varnish look.

Digital Order:

Jobs created using an accepted computer application then submitted on disk or via the Internet.

Direct-to-Plate:

This is a process where no film is used. A job will go direct to plate and then print eliminating an extra step, producing better quality.

Dot Pattern:

A series of dots that make up a printed image.

DPI:

Dots Per Inch. A measure of an output device’s resolution, such as a monitor or laser printer.

EPS:

(Encapsulated Postscript File) A file format that transfers easily between computer systems. This format is often used for high-resolution images that will be added to another document. (Example: Illustrator is a commonly known eps format)

Exposure:

The amount of time film is exposed to a light source.

“F” Stop:

The measurement of light able to pass through the photographic lens.

File Extensions:

These are simply the types of files you save. (example: bestcustomerlist.txt or bestcustomerlist.asc…) You can save list files from a number of different programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, ACT, etc. Below are the most common extensions used for mailing lists:
.ASC: (File Extension Definition) ASCII text file.
.CSV: (File Extension Definition) Comma delimited.
.TXT: (File Extension Definition) ASCII text file.

File Format:

Each different type of file has a different file format. A file format specifies how information is organized. (Example: EPS, TIFF, PDF, and formats for mailing list files such as .txt, .asc, .csv, .dbf)

Foamcore:

Strong lightweight, easily cut material useful for backing, mounting photographic prints, framing, 3D design and painting.

FPO:

For Position Only. Refers to images used as placeholders in a document.

Frontside:

In 4/1 printing, this is usually the image and color-coated side of the piece.

FTP:

(File Transfer Protocol) The process of copying files between computers over the Internet.

Gatorboard:

A Multi layer composite of extremely dense and durable Polystyrene foam that resists crushing and denting

Gigabyte (GB):

A measurement of data capable of holding 1,024 megabytes. Gigabytes are used to store very large amounts of information.

Grayscale:

256 levels of gray-from black to white.

Gutter:

The inner margins of two facing pages in a publication.

Halftone:

Black and white dots that vary in pattern to simulate shades of gray in an image.

High-Res:

The resolution (Res) of an image indicates the number of dots per inch (dpi). High resolution is usually anywhere from 300 dpi to 2,500dpi.

Homepage:

The main page of a website. It serves as a website’s introduction, starting point and guide.

HTML:

(Hyper Text Markup Language) The language used to create documents on the World Wide Web. When you use a browser, everything from text to graphics is interpreted into HTML commands.

Inkjet:

A type of printer that works by spraying ionized ink at a sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers are capable of producing high quality print resolutions up to 300 dots per inch. Newer models offer even higher resolutions.

JPEG:

(Joint Photographic Experts Group) A file format used for color images. It retains a higher degree of color and files are smaller. Unfortunately, the more you compress a JPEG file the more detail and color is lost.

Keyline:

A thin outline or rule.

Kilobyte (KB):

A measurement of data equal to 1,024 bytes.

Laser Printer:

A type of printer that utilizes a laser beam to produce an image on a drum. One of the chief characteristics of laser printers is their resolution — how many dots per inch (dpi) they lay down. The available resolutions range from 300 dpi at the low end to 1,200 dpi at the high end. By comparison, offset printing usually prints at 1,200 or 2,400 dpi.

Line Art:

Black and white artwork that does not contain any halftone screens.

Line Screen (lpi):

The number of dot lines created per inch.

Low-Res:

The resolution of an image indicates the number of pixels per inch (ppi). Low resolution is usually anywhere from 72 ppi to 250 ppi.

LPI:

The number of rows of halftone cells per inch, also referred to as screen frequency. The finer the frequency, the less noticeable the halftone dots.

Margin:

The white space surrounding the text or main content of a page.

Mask:

This is a process used to delete unwanted areas of an image while maintaining its shape.

Megabyte (MB):

A measurement of data equal to 1,024 kilobytes.

Moiré:

An undesirable result in an image when a texture or screen is placed one on top of another. The image will appear fuzzy or wavy.

Negative:

A reverse of an image created when processing film. Dark areas will appear light and light areas will appear dark.

Network:

A group of two or more computers linked together sharing data from the same source.

Offset Lithography:

Also called Offset Printing it is a process in printing where ink is spread on a plate then transferred to paper by using a blanket and pressing down.

PDF:

(Portable Document Format) A popular way of formatting documents so they can be viewed and printed on multiple platforms the way you intended. You use Adobe Acrobat Reader to view a PDF.

PERF:

(Perforation) one of the series of holes, as between rows of postage stamps, in a sheet that serve as an aid in separation.

Perfect Bound:

A method of binding in which signatures are folded and collated on top of one another and held together by adhesive.

PIP:

(Photoconductive Imaging Plate) Printing plate in a digital press, electrically charged by a laser in select areas where the image is. Ink applies only to the charged areas of the PIP which is transferred to the print blanket, then to the substrate.

Pixel:

(Picture Element) An image displayed on a computer is made up of lots of dots called pixels. A number of pixels displayed is referred to as the image’s resolution.

Plates:

A metal sheet of coated material that transfers ink from the printing press to paper.

POD:

(Print on demand) Printing, usually from a digital file to a digital printer, only when the object is needed and in the quantity required.

Positive:

The end result of film once it has been exposed. The image contains dark and light values as well as color (Example: a 35mm slide is a positive)

PostScript:

Is a language for printing, meaning it treats fonts, images and graphics as geometrical objects and stores it into one document.

PPI:

(Pixels Per Inch) A measurement of how many pixels can fit into one inch. The higher the amount of pixels, the sharper the image will be.

Preflight:

the process of examining your files to identify, diagnose and correct potential printing problems.

Presort First Class Mail:

The process of preparing & sorting mail to qualify for reduced postage rates. The lowest First-Class postage rates are available if you sort and automate the addresses on your mailing lists.

Press Ready Digital Files:

We consider any digital files to be press-ready if they are 100% ready to print, requiring no additional in-house adjustment other than preflighting and pre press work.

Primary Colors:

Are made up of ♦ Red, ♦ Green & ♦ Blue – Additive Primaries (which create white light) and ♦ Cyan, ♦ Magenta, ♦ Yellow, & ♦ Black – subtractive Colors (which are used for printing)

Process Colors:

Overlapping dots of ♦ Cyan, ♦ Magenta, ♦ Yellow, & ♦ Black (CMYK) to simulate a large number of different colors.

Program:

(See also application) A program is a organized list of instructions, that causes a computer to behave in a predetermined manner. With-out programs, a computer is useless.

Raster:

Graphics composed of pixels on a bitmap, allowing for solid colored objects and graphics as we know them.

Resolution:

The Number of pixels that can fit into one inch determines the sharpness and quality of an image. This is the image’s resolution (Example: 72 ppi is low-res, 355 ppi is high-res).

Resubmit:

To submit materials for a current job over again. You may be asked to resubmit, if you have missing or incorrect files.

RGB:

(Red, Green & Blue) When mixed together these colors create a white light. (Example: televisions and computers display color in RGB.)

Saddle-Stitched:

A form of binding that uses staple-shaped wires through the gutter fold.

Scanner:

A machine that will convert an image into a screened pattern to be read by a computer.

Score and Fold:

To make an indent in paper. This step is necessary when folding cards to prevent cracking.

SCSI:

(Small Computer Systems Interface) Pronounced “scuzzy,” provides a faster data transmission than standard devices. A SCSI is used to attach any externals to a computer. (Examples: printers, disk drives, display monitors, keyboards, storage devices, scanner, and mice.)

Sintra:

Closed-cell PVC foamboard, Light-weight rigid material used primarily in the manufacture of signs and displays. Its closed-cell foam structure makes it very light (as little as half the weight of solid PVC), highly resistant to moisture and some chemicals, and very easy to cut and shape.

Sketch/ Mockup:

A rough drawing by the client to represent final piece’s layout and design.

Standard Mail:

Formerly known as bulk rate. The process of preparing & sorting mail to qualify for reduced postage rates. The lowest postage rates are available if you sort and automate the addresses on your mailing list. Standard Mail postage is lower than First-Class, however Standard Mail has a longer delivery time. Note: Standard Mail is not less expensive than First-Class for a Standard size postcard.

Tab Delimited:

Having tabs as separators between data elements. For example, in a database or spreadsheet, the tab key can be used to move from one field or cell to the next. The file is tab-delimited (even though the user also has the option to use the mouse to move around). The data from one of these files can be exported into a tab delimited text file.

TIFF:

(Tagged Image File Format) A TIFF is the most widely supported file format for storing images on a computer. It can handle a range from one bit to 24 bits of photographic image color with equal ease. A TIFF can be black and white, grayscale or color.

Typesetting:

To lay out words, text and logos.

URL:

(Uniform Resource Locator) The internet’s equivalent to an address. It is the global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web.

UV Coating:

Ultra-violet coating is a glossy coating applied over ink printed on paper and dried by exposure to UV radiation.

Vector Images:

Object-oriented graphics of defined curves and line segments; these are resolution independent and can be stretched or resized. (Example: An Illustrator EPS is a Vector Image)