Glossary of Terms
Bleed
An extra ink area for printing colour and images past the trim line. This allows printing to the edge of the page allows slight variation of guillotining and die cutting.
Blind Emboss
Is the same as embossing (see Embossing) – only the embossed area is not register to a printed area.
Burst Binding
As each page is folded, a wheel perforates the binding side of each section. When the sections are gathered into the unbound book, these perforations along the spine allow the glue to penetrate into each fold of paper. Hot melt glue is applied to the spine and an oversized cover is wrapped the glued book. Within seconds the glue dries and the books move along the binding machine to the trimmer. The top, bottom and right hand side are trimmed off and the book is now completed.
Carbonless
Any paper that has been coated with chemicals and dye to produce copies through pressure without the need to insert carbon paper. This is also known as NCR (No Carbon Required).
Concertina Fold
A method of folding paper so that each fold opens in the opposite direction to its neighbour, giving a concertina or pleated effect. This is also known as a Z fold.
Debossing
A metal plate is used to push the surface of the paper backward to create a depressed image.
DPI (Dots Per Square Inch)
This is the standard measure of resolution.
Dry Trap Varnish
The paper is printed first and then allowed to dry before the varnish is applied. This will give a more defined effect than varnishing in-line.
Embossing
A metal plate is used to push the surface of the paper forward to create a raised image.
FSC
Forest Stewardship Council. A non-profit organisation that promotes environmentally appropriate management of the world’s forests.
GSM
An acronym of grams per square metre, gsm is the standard measure of weight for paper sheets.
Machine Varnish
Gloss, Satin or Matt varnishes applied in-line with the colour printing process. This is commonly used to seal the ink and help protect against scuffing
Pantone Colours
A brand name for the system of colours set out in the PANTONE Matching System.
Also known as spot colours or PMS colours.
Perforating
Small incisions or slits made in sequence to make it easier to tear the paper or board.
Press Check
An event at which make-ready sheets from the press are examined by the client before full production begins.
Process Inks
Printing inks, usually in sets of four colours, which are printed over one another in that order to obtain a coloured print with the desired shades of colour. Commercial printers will most commonly use the combination; cyan, magenta, yellow & black.
Register
The alignment of different separation impressions, so that the final printed image forms a perfect composition.
Resolution
The measurement used in printing to express the quality of output. Measure in DPI, the higher the value of DPI the higher the clarity and quality will be.
Saddle Stitching
The folded sections of a book are assembled inside a folded cover, then stapled twice along the spine. The books then move along the saddle stitcher to the trimmer. The top, bottom and right hand side are trimmed off and the book is now completed.
Score
A linear impression or cut made part-way through paper or board, making it easier to bend or fold. Also known as a crease.
Section
A printed sheet folded to make numerous pages.
Tint
A percentage shade of a single colour or combined colours.
Trim Marks
A set of fine cross-hair lines on the film and printed sheet that indicate where a sheet is to be trimmed. Also known as crop marks.
UV Varnish
A high-gloss spot finish that is applied as a separate process to lithographic printing. UV Varnish should not be used on creases or trims as it may crack.
Vignette
A fade to white, giving an image a ‘soft’ edge.
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