Glossary

Prepress Prepress

The phase of the printing process that occurs before actual printing, involving all the tasks required to prepare digital files for printing. Prepress includes activities such as file preparation, color management, proofing, and imposition.

Press Check Press Check

A quality control process in offset printing where the printer and client review a sample print sheet together to ensure that the colours, registration, and overall print quality meet the desired specifications.

Press Sheet Press Sheet

A printed sheet of paper produced in an offset printing press. Press sheets are inspected for quality control purposes and are often cut down into individual printed pieces during the finishing process.

Print on Demand Print on Demand

A digital printing workflow where items are printed as needed, rather than in large quantities or in advance. POD allows for efficient production of small quantities, reducing waste and storage costs.

Print Run Print Run

The total number of copies or impressions produced in a single printing job. The print run can range from a few hundred to millions of copies, depending on the requirements.

Print Server Print Server

A dedicated computer or device that manages print jobs, handles print queues, and controls the flow of data between digital devices and the digital printing press. Print servers play a crucial role in digital print production workflows.

Printing Press Printing Press

The machine used for offset printing. It consists of various components, such as the feeder, inking unit, printing plates, blanket cylinder, impression cylinder, and delivery system.

Proofing Proofing

The process of producing a physical or digital proof of a design or print file to review and verify its accuracy, colour representation, and layout before final production. Proofs help identify and correct any potential errors or issues.

Proportional Scaling Proportional Scaling

The adjustment of the size of an object or element while maintaining the original proportions. Proportional scaling ensures that objects are resized uniformly, preserving their visual balance and relationships.

QR Code QR Code

A type of two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned using smartphones or QR code readers to access digital content, website links, or other information. QR codes are used for marketing, tracking, and interactive purposes on labels.

Quality Control Quality Control

The measures and processes implemented to ensure consistent and accurate output in digital printing. Quality control involves monitoring colour accuracy, print registration, image clarity, and overall print quality.

Raster Graphics Raster Graphics

Images created using a grid of individual pixels. Raster graphics are resolution-dependent and can lose quality when scaled up. They are commonly used for photographs and complex illustrations.

Rasterize Rasterize

The process of converting vector graphics or text into raster images. Rasterization is necessary when preparing files for output devices that can only handle raster graphics, such as printers or screens.

Registration Registration

The precise alignment of different colours or elements in a printed design. Accurate registration ensures that colours and images align correctly without any gaps or overlapping.

Registration Marks Registration Marks

Crosshair-like marks placed on a layout or printed piece to assist in aligning colours or elements during the printing process. Registration marks help ensure accurate registration and colour consistency.

Resolution Resolution

The level of detail and sharpness in a printed image, typically measured in dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI). Higher print resolution results in crisper and more detailed prints.

RGB RGB

Stands for Red, Green, and Blue. It is the colour model used for electronic displays such as monitors and screens. RGB colours are additive and are converted to CMYK for printing.

RIP RIP

Software that translates digital image files into a format compatible with the specific digital printing press. RIPs interpret image data, apply color management, and generate printing instructions for optimal output.

Roll-to-Roll Printing Roll-to-Roll Printing

A printing process where a continuous roll of media is fed into the printer, printed on, and then rewound onto a take-up reel. Roll-to-roll printing is ideal for producing large quantities of prints, such as banners and signage.

Saddle Stitching Saddle Stitching

A binding method where folded sheets are stapled together along the fold line using wire staples driven through the centerfold. Saddle stitching is commonly used for brochures, booklets, and magazines.

Saturation Saturation

The intensity or purity of a colour. Highly saturated colours are vibrant and vivid, while desaturated colours appear more muted.

Score Score

The process of creating a crease or indentation on paper or cardstock to facilitate folding. Scoring prevents cracking or tearing along the fold line and ensures clean, professional-looking folds.

Scoring Scoring

Creating a crease or indentation on paper or cardstock to facilitate clean and accurate folding without cracking or damaging the material.

Sheetfed Press Sheetfed Press

An offset printing press designed to print on individual sheets of paper rather than continuous rolls. Sheetfed presses are commonly used for smaller print runs and jobs that require precise registration.

Slug Slug

An area outside the final trim size of a printed piece that contains information such as crop marks, registration marks, color bars, or additional instructions for the printer. Slugs are typically used for reference and are not intended to be part of the final design.

Solvent Printer Solvent Printer

A type of wide format printer that uses solvent-based inks. Solvent printers offer excellent durability, water resistance, and vibrant colors. They are commonly used for outdoor signage and vehicle graphics.

Spot Colour Spot Colour

A single, pre-mixed ink colour used to print specific elements of a design. Spot colours are often used when exact colour matching is required, such as corporate logos.

Spot Varnish Spot Varnish

A glossy or matte varnish applied selectively to specific areas of a printed piece for visual enhancement or to create contrast with the surrounding areas. Spot varnish adds a tactile and visual dimension to printed materials.

Step-and-Repeat Step-and-Repeat

A process of duplicating an image or design multiple times in a precise pattern, often used in large-format printing or creating repetitive patterns on labels or packaging.

Stochastic Printing Stochastic Printing

A high-resolution printing method that uses randomly placed, variable-sized dots to create images. Stochastic printing can achieve smoother tonal transitions and finer detail compared to traditional halftone printing.

Stock Stock

Refers to the type and weight of paper or other material used for printing. Common types include bond, gloss, matte, and cardstock, each with its own characteristics.

Sublimation Printing Sublimation Printing

A printing process that uses heat and pressure to transfer dye onto a substrate, such as fabric or coated materials. Sublimation printing results in vibrant, permanent coloration and is commonly used for textiles and promotional products.

Substrate Substrate

The material or surface onto which a design is printed. It can refer to paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric, or any other material suitable for printing. The choice of substrate affects the final appearance and durability of the printed product.

Toner Toner

A fine powder used in digital printing systems, such as laser printers or digital presses, to create the image or text. Toner is electrostatically attracted to the printing surface and fused onto the substrate through heat or pressure.

Trapping Trapping

The technique of slightly overlapping adjacent colours or elements to minimize gaps or misregistration caused by printing variations. Trapping compensates for potential misalignments during the printing process and helps ensure clean and accurate colour transitions.

Trim Size Trim Size

Final size of the print product.

Truetype Font Truetype Font

A font format developed by Apple that defines characters using mathematical curves. Truetype fonts are widely used in digital publishing and can be scaled to any size without loss of quality.

Typography Typography

The art and technique of arranging and designing typefaces to make written language readable, legible, and visually appealing. Typography includes selecting appropriate fonts, sizing, spacing, and arranging text elements.

Uncoated Paper Uncoated Paper

No coating, similar to laser stock, absorbs more ink.

UV Coating UV Coating

A clear liquid coating applied to a printed piece in offset printing, then cured instantly using ultraviolet (UV) light. UV coating provides a protective layer that enhances durability, glossiness, and scratch resistance.

UV Printing UV Printing

UV printing, also known as ultraviolet printing, is a digital printing technique that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to cure or dry the ink instantly.

Variable Data Printing Variable Data Printing

The capability to print customized content on each printed piece using variable data from a database or external source. VDP enables personalization, such as printing individual names, addresses, or unique QR codes on each piece.

Varnish Varnish

A clear liquid coating applied to printed materials to provide a protective layer and enhance visual appeal. Varnish can be applied as an all-over coating or selectively to specific areas for highlighting or spot gloss effects.

Vector Graphics Vector Graphics

Graphics created using mathematical equations to define shapes and lines. Vector graphics are resolution-independent and can be scaled without loss of quality. They are commonly used in logo design and illustrations.

Vehicle Wrap Vehicle Wrap

A printed graphic or vinyl film applied to the surface of a vehicle for advertising, branding, or customization purposes. Vehicle wraps can completely or partially cover a vehicle, transforming its appearance.

Vignette Vignette

A gradual fading or blending effect at the edges of an image or design element. It creates a soft transition from the main subject to the background.

Visual Hierarchy Visual Hierarchy

The arrangement and prioritization of design elements based on their importance or significance. Visual hierarchy guides the viewer's eye through a design and helps emphasize key messages or elements.

Visual Identity Visual Identity

The consistent visual representation of a brand or organization through the use of logos, colours, typography, and design elements. Visual identity helps create recognition, establish brand personality, and maintain brand consistency.

Wall Graphics Wall Graphics

Printed graphics or murals applied directly to walls or other large surfaces for decorative or informational purposes. Wall graphics are commonly used for interior décor, retail displays, and environmental branding.

Washup Washup

The process of cleaning ink from the printing press, rollers, and plates between print runs or when changing ink colours.

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