Glossary

Most used envelope size for standard, business mail. Dimensions are 4 1/8 inches tall and 9 ½ inches wide, used to enclose letterheads on standard 8.5’’ x 11’’ (US letter) paper. #10 envelopes come in a variety of ways, including security tint and windowed.

Also known as a “return envelope” or “remittance envelopes” these are usually enclosed in a #10 envelope. Dimensions are 3 7/8 inches tall and 8 7/8 inches wide, used to enclose letterheads on standard 8.5’’ x 11’’ (US letter) paper.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is black and white on one side.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is black and white on both sides.

A commonly used paper size for stationery and documents in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Measures at 11 by 17 inches or 279 by 432 mm.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is in color on one side.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is in color on one side, and black and white on the reverse side.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is in color on both sides.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is in color on one side, and finished with another color, such as a spot color or foil.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is in color on one side, and finished with another color, such as a spot color or foil, and the reverse side of the paper is a black and white print.

This describes a digitally printed sheet that is in color on one side, and finished with another color, such as a spot color or foil, and the reverse side of the paper is a color.

Most used paper size for stationery and documents in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Measures at 8.5 by 11 inches or 216 by 279 mm.

A commonly used paper size for stationery and documents in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Measures at 8.5 by 14 inches or 216 by 356 mm.

A 3 5/8’’ x 5 1/8’’ (92 mm x 130 mm) sized envelope that is commonly used for RSVPs. These are to enclose A1 cards (3 ½’’ x 4 7/8’’ or 89mm x 124mm).

A 4 3/8’’ x 5 3/4’’ (111 mm x 146 mm) sized envelope that is commonly used for greeting cards, announcements, and thank you cards. These are to enclose A2 cards (4 1/4’’ x 5 1/2’’ or 108mm x 140mm).

A 5 1/4’’ x 7 1/4’’ (133 mm x 184 mm) sized envelope that is commonly used for invitations and their accompanying pieces. These are to enclose A7 cards (5’’ x 7’’ or 127mm x 178mm).

A type of folding where each folded crease of a printed piece alternates directions. Also known as a zig-zag fold or fan fold, an accordion folded document expands out like the Accordion musical instrument.

When a process, such as scoring or sheet feeding, is done perpendicular to the paper’s grain direction. Scoring the paper against the grain may cause tearing in the paper fibers.

When a process, such as scoring or sheet, is done parallel to the paper’s grain direction. Scoring the paper along the grain is most ideal.

A post printing process that applies a clear, fast-drying water-based coating for protection. Mainly used to protect prints with high handling, such as postcards and business cards.

In digital design software, this is a virtual representation of the printable area.

All visible content, which includes text, graphics, and colors, of a printed project.

Artwork that extends past the trim size. Our minimum bleed size is 1/8’’ (.0125’’) on each edge of the page.

Process of creating a recessed indention of an image without using ink. This is done by pressing a plate into the paper.

Process of creating a raised image without using ink. This is done by pressing a die and counter into the paper.

An inconsistent repositioning of the image being printed on the sheet as it moves through the press. Bounce can be mitigated but will persist on all digital prints.

Also referred to as a style guide, this is a document that contains all the styling choices to represent a brand, which includes logo usage, font choice, colors, image guidance, voice, and any other rules that apply to a brand’s visual and written identity.

A small card, usually 3.5’’ x 2’’ that presents a business and its contact and location information. They can be personalized to include the individual’s name, position, and contact information.

Abbreviation for “Coated One Side” whereas one side of the paper is coated and the other is left uncoated. Ideal for projects where the reverse side will be written on.

Abbreviation for “Coated Two Sides” where both sides of the paper is coated.

A type of coated paper that creates a carbon copy, or duplicate, of a form when written on. The reverse-side of the paper contains a dye that copies the original and transfers it to the subsequent pages. These can be ordered as 2-part, 3-part, or 4-part.

The two facing pages that appear in the middle of a book.

The horizontal space between characters in a line of text.

Abbreviation for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black), the four process colors that are read and combined by digital printers to produce a colored image.

When paper is manufactured with a coating on them (also known as clay). This seals the paper so that less ink is absorbed in the paper, giving a vibrant, crisp quality. Coated papers can vary between gloss, silk, or matte. Since coated papers have less friction than uncoated papers, they are not ideal for writing on.

A type of book binding where a plastic coil is looped through holes along the spine. Coils can come in different diameters and are commonly used for publications that require frequent flipping, such as calendars, notebooks, and catalogs.

To organize a print of multiple pages in stacks in the order in which they are intended to be viewed (i.e. 1,2,3; 1,2,3; 1,2,3).

Using computer software to tweak, modify, adjust, and retouch colors of an image.

A premium service where the pressman carefully adjusts color values to closely match a physical sample of color.

Defines how the computer will store the data of the colors of a given document. These modes include RGB (millions of colors), CMYK (four-printed colors), Index (256 colors), Grayscale (256 grays) and Bitmap (2 colors). The color mode determines the file size and color detail, and should be chosen based on the final application of the artwork (i.e. RGB for web/email and CMYK for print).

A print defect where a given color appears different when compared to previously printed copies during a single run.

Describes the organization of colors as the computer calculates and interprets it. These include RGB (Red, Green Blue), CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness), and Lab (Lightness, Red/Green, Yellow/Blue).

A book binding technique where stacks of paper are hole punched and then bound together with the teeth of a flexible plastic com. Commonly used for large publications, such as manuals and reports.

Refers to the difference between light and dark colors that brings attention to the element on an artwork.

In desktop publishing, this refers to the text or verbiage that will be displayed on a printed piece. This can include titles, sub headers, footers, and body text.

Thin paper that is regularly used in standard printers, usually 20lbs. This is an economical solution for legal documents, handbooks, and survey forms.

Thick paper, sometimes referred to as cardstock, that is commonly used for book covers, brochures, business cards, and handouts.

The amount of ink or toner that will cover the sheet of a printed piece. This is usually described as light, medium, or heavy.

Short dash lines that are printed to the margins that measure where the piece will be cut. These can be used by a pressman to configure alignment.

Refers to lines that indicate where the piece will be cut to its cutsize. Also known as “trim lines”

The process of creating recessed relief artwork on paper. Contrary to embossing, debossing creates a sunken surface/depression onto the paper. This is done by pressing a plate into the paper and can be combined with a printed ink or foil.

A custom-made tool that is used by a press to make cuts or impression on a substrate. Dies are normally used to cut complex shapes, score, perforate, or rounded edges.

The process of using a customized die to cut a printed piece.

Like a cutline, this is a line that visually represents where the die will cut through the artwork.

A visual example of what the finished printed product would look like before it is sent to the press. As transparencies, layers, fonts, and copy can vary between applications and machines, a digital proof is sent to clients to review for accuracy.

A thick type of cover stock which is made by laminating two pieces of cover stock together (also known as duplexing).

Abbreviation for “Dots Per Inch” or “Pixels Per Inch,” which represents the density of detail the image will have when printed. We recommend images of 300 DPI or above for print clarity.

A visual effect where a darkened silhouette of an object is cast behind it, often feathered, so that it looks like it is casting a shadow as it is raised into the foreground.

A halftone reproduction of an image using two different colors.

Process in which two pieces of paper are glued together by an adhesive to make it twice as thick. Pieces of paper could be of different colors and weights.

The process of creating raised artwork on paper. This is done by pressing a die and counter into the paper and can be combined with a printed ink or foil.

Abbreviation for Encapsulated Post Script. This is a file format used to transfer postscript formatting between different applications.

In terms of paper, this is the surface characteristics of the paper (uncoated, coated, etc.) In terms of production, this refers to all post press operations, which include cutting, folding, and binding.

The dimensions of the product as it will be presented after it has been trimmed and closed completely.

Process in which a digital press prints on a sheet of paper. There are no dimensions with the print.

Also known as “painting the sheet”, a flood is a large area of a solid color that is printed. Depending on the process and color, there may be inconsistences with how floods appear when printed.

Typically, 8.5’’ x 11’’, a flyer is a form of printed advertising for a business, event, or announcement. These are usually produced inexpensively at large quantities and can be handed out or posted on bulletins.

A collection of related fonts that vary in styles and sizes.

Printing process that uses a combination of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to recreate a fully colored image.

Laying out two or more printing projects to be printed on the same paper during the press run. These are often the same project repeated multiple times to fill a page.

A three paneled fold where the two outside panels fold to meet in the center (like a closed gate). The width of the two outside panels are at least half the width of the inside panel.

An undesired print defect where a faint image of the previous print is left on the next print.

In typography, a glyph is a specific individual character that appears within a typeface. A glyph can be a number, letter, punctuation mark, or any other symbol the designer included in the typeface.

The direction in which the paper fibers are manufactured on a sheet of paper. Short Grain indicates that the direction of the grain is parallel to the short edge, and Long Grain indicates that the direction of the grain is parallel to the long edge. When folding is required, the fold should be done parallel to the grain to avoid paper tearing.

A group of metal fingers that hold down a sheet of paper as it passes through the press.

Also known as the feeding edge or leading edge, the gripper edge is the edge that will be held by the grippers when fed through a press. Ideally, there would be no printing on this edge, as there needs to be clearance for the gripper.

For text, the gutter is the blank space between columns. For books, the gutter is margin between two facing pages where artwork could be lost or displaced during the binding process.

A process of applying foil to a substrate through relief printing where a die is heated at high temperatures and pressed against the substrate.

A common file format for faster graphics. This format offers lossy compression and is most suitable for photographs.

In terms of text formatting, this describes lines of text that are left or right aligned, but also includes the spacing between words and letters so the line of text spans the entire length of the text box.

Refers to the spacing between two letters. This is different from character spacing, as character spacing is the spacing between all letters of a word.

A paper stock that has an adhesive back that can be sealed by applying pressure onto another surface.

To overlay a printed piece with a layer of plastic to protect it.

For rectangular prints, this describes an orientation in which the top and bottom of the printed image are represented by the long edges.

Printing on substrates or at a dimension that is not possible with readily available commercial printers. Generally, this would include printing large signage, banners, seating charts, etc. through a wide-format printer.

A form of measuring the thickness of a sheet of paper as indicated by the manufacturer.

A personalized stationery that identifies the author or organization with logos, contact information, and watermarks. These graphics are usually found in the header and footer.

A printing method where ink is pressed into a substrate with a plate, creating a recessed impression effect on all printed areas.

Two or more letters that are joined as one glyph.

The vertical distance between lines of text.

A graphic that represents a company. It may accompany a logotype, but generally will speak for the brand on its own.

A visually unique way a company’s name is represented through a combination of colors, fonts, geometric shapes, and more.

On a rectangular sheet of paper, this refers to the longer dimension.

Are extra sheets of paper used to set up, align, and proof the order before printing begins to ensure the end result is to specifications.

The negative space around an element on the artwork. For example, artwork with a page margin of .5’’ will not extend its contents past .5’’ from the top, bottom, left, and right edge of the page.

Coated paper that has been finished with minimal coating, giving it a softer, feathered look than standard coated papers.

Ink containing metallic particles giving it a metallic sheen when reflected on light.

A print defect that features blotchy, spotty marbling because of uneven ink absorption.

Used to describe the color of papers that have a color close to ivory, cream, or wood. Also called “off-white”.

Printing process where an image from a plate is transferred onto a rubber blanket to be printed on a sheet of paper. As the image does not vary between prints, this is economical for high volume runs.

The transparency or lack of opaqueness of an image. In a layered digital graphic, layers with a lower opacity will show layers immediately behind them.

Ink that hides all color underneath it. This usually refers to white ink as it can be printed on top of dark papers, while most standard inks are subtractive and show the color of the substrate underneath it.

When the first line of a paragraph is the last line of a page or column.

In digital graphics, this process converts editable text objects to vector curves. Outlined text cannot be edited after it has been converted. The benefit of outlined text is that it can be agnostically shared between devices and retain its styling without the end user having the same typeface installed.

Printing an image over an area that has been previously printed on.

A surplus of printed pieces that were produced during production.

One side of a sheet in a book. A sheet of paper that is printed two-sided has a Page Count of two (2).

The total number of pages in a book publication. Note that this refers to the number of each side of a sheet of paper, and not the number of physical sheets of paper in the book.

A section or flap of the page that is folded. The number of panels refers to the number of each side of the section. For example, a tri-fold brochure has six panels: the front cover, the back cover, the inside flap, the interior left-hand side, interior center, and interior right-hand side.

An abbreviation of Pantone Color Matching System, a proprietary color space used universally between printers. Written as a unique numbered code, printers use these swatches as a baseline for color matching to ensure consistency between printed goods.

A sheet of paper stock that is larger than the cut size paper that would be used in production. These are usually larger than 13’’ x 19’’ as specified by their paper mill.

An abbreviation for Portable Document Format, this is a proprietary file format for documents developed by Adobe. A PDF can store text, vectors, images, dimensions, and page layouts in a self-contained file, making it ideal to send across different machines. Since these files generally retain the original artwork in a stand-alone format, they are often the preferred file format for printing.

A type of booklet assembly where the sheets are bound at the spine of a cover with glue.A type of booklet assembly where the sheets are bound at the spine of a cover with glue.A type of booklet assembly where the sheets are bound at the spine of a cover with glue.

Cutting a dotted line of incisions to ease in tearing off the paper.

Used to describe a booklet where the cover of the book is made with a different paper stock as its inside pages. This is usually a thicker, higher quality, durable stock compared to the inside pages.

For rectangular prints, this describes an orientation in which the top and bottom of the printed image are represented by the short edges.

For rectangular prints, this describes an orientation in which the top and bottom of the printed image are represented by the short edges.

Developed by Adobe, postscript is a programming language that gives instructions on how a printed piece should look like. This can include defining fonts, images, and colors.

All processes done before the project is printed, which includes proofing, typesetting, and preparing materials.

An on-site printed proof that is prepared before sending the job into full production. As this is the most expensive proof, this is generally saved for the end, allowing clients to review the appearance, including color, alignment, and orientation.

Describes a file that checks all necessary specifications prior to being sent to the press. This includes validating font data, having high resolution images, and compiling any variable data inputs.

A paper stock that has an adhesive back that can be sealed by applying pressure onto another surface. Also known as label stock or sticker stock.

Also known as four color, this describes the four colors used by presses: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

A measurement of the thickness of a single sheet of paper, where one point is equal to one thousandth of an inch.

Typically, 4’’ x 9’’, a rack card is a form of printed advertising for a business that is made available on a rack in a lobby, front desk, or any other high foot-traffic areas. In general, these cards would outline the business, include information about any promotions or coupons, and offer contact and location information.

A format of artwork that consists of pixels of color to form images and photos. Unlike vector graphics, raster graphics are at a fixed resolution. Therefore, only high-resolution images are suitable for print. Common file extensions include JPEG, PNG, and GIF.

A symbol, usually a circled cross, that is printed on the margins to measure registration during multiple color passes.

The clarity of an image, primarily based on its pixel density, compared to its finished size when printed. A low-resolution image printed on a large scale will have more visible pixels and blemishes than a high-resolution image.

A color space that represents a value of Red, Green, and Blue to create a given color. Primarily used for digital graphics that would be used primarily on screen. As it will need to be converted to CMYK prior to printing, designing for print in RGB color space is not ideal.

For digital printing, a deeper, darker black can be achieved by combining black toner with a machine-specified amount of cyan, magenta, and yellow toner. Rich black tends to be waxier and shinier than standard black.

Abbreviation for “Raster Image Processor,” which is software that converts artwork into bitmapped information to be sent to a digital press.

A typographical effect that occurs when spacing between words in a line of text coincidentally aligns with the spaces of the following lines of text. This causes a visual effect of a “river of white” that flows down the page or column.

A book binding process where pages are held together by staple along the folded spine.

Refers to the dimensions of artwork, usually smaller than the cut size, that guarantees the contents will not be cut off or lost in a fold. Logos and text should remain in the Safe Zone, while photos, images, and other graphics can extend past this area and into the bleed.

Refers to a font that does not contain serifs (the small lines or tails that are attached to the end of each character). Sans Serif typefaces are used in more modern visual design.

The process of creasing the paper in a straight line so that folding it is easier. Scoring along the grain minimizes page tearing.

In digital design software, the scratch area is the area outside the printable area, useful for storing items to the side for reference or future use. Anything in the scratch area will not be printed.

Used to describe a booklet where the cover of the book is made with the same paper as its inside pages.

A formatting of capitalization where words that are capitalized are the first words, and any proper nouns are as they would appear in a standard sentence.

Refers to a font that has small lines or tails that are attached to the end of each character. Serif typefaces are used in more classical visual designs.

On a rectangular sheet of paper, this refers to the shorter dimension.

The edge where a book will be bound.

A type of book binding where a wire spiral coil is looped through holes along the spine. Coils can come in different diameters and are commonly used for publications that require frequent flipping, such as calendars, notebooks, and catalogs.

Two pages that face each other in a book publication. As the pair of pages are always viewed at the same time, content is generally similar on both pages to avoid abrupt transitions when reading.

Refers to the type of paper being printed on.

The material or surface that will be printed on (such as paper).

Another word for “logomark” which is a graphic that represents a company. It may accompany a logotype, but generally will speak for the brand on its own.

A type of paper manufactured with synthetic resin, making it waterproof and durable.

A standard layout of artwork that is intended to be modified later for a future project.

A value of a color that is made lighter by adding white.

A formatting of capitalization where the first letter of major words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns) are capitalized. Short conjunctions, prepositions, and articles are only capitalized when they are the first word.

The powder mixture used by laser printers to create printed images on a substrate.

A printing technique where one color is given more weight and printed on top of another to compensate for unwanted white space being visible between the two colors.

Also known as crop marks, these are lines in the corners of the sheet to indicate where cuts should be made.

The size of the print at its finished size after cutting and is completely flat.

Process in which three pieces of paper are glued together by an adhesive to make it twice as thick. Pieces of paper could be of different colors and weights.

A paper stock that has not been treated with clay. This paper is ideal for being written on.

To organize a print of multiple pages in stacks in their own unique page number (i.e. 1,1,1; 2,2,2; 3,3,3).

The number of copies of an artwork that will be printed multiple times on the same sheet. 4-up means there are four copies on one sheet of paper when printed.

Post printing process where a transparent liquid is applied and then bonded and cured using ultraviolet radiation. This finish is used to give prints a glossy coat on specific areas, such as text, while leaving the rest matte. This effect can also be raised to give the print some dimension.

A form of digital printing in which each printed copy has unique information on it, such as an address or name. The process is used for addresses for mail, personalized letters, and numbered invoices.

A format of artwork that consists of lines and curves to create complex polygons or text. Vector graphics are infinitely scalable and ideal for print. Common file extensions for vector graphics are SVG, AI, EPS, or PDF.

In terms of graphics, a watermark is an embedded translucent image above or behind text or other graphics. In terms of paper, watermarked paper has a feint translucent logo which can be seen when put against a light.

When the last line of a paragraph is at the start of a page or column.

Also known as Bond paper, this kind of paper is used for corporate letterheads for use on home or office printers. It is ideal for handwriting and generally have a watermark.