A
Against the Grain
Folding or printing on press at a right angle to the grain
direction of the paper.
Aqueous Coating
Water based coating applied by printing press over printing.
Artwork - Art
Images, including photos and type that is set-up for printing on press.
Author's Alterations - AA
Changes or corrections requested by author after art has been submitted. AAs are
charged at an additional cost based on an hours rate.
B
Binding
The covering of for a book such as leather, cloth, coated papers. Also, to compile leafs
or signatures together with glue, stitching, sewing or other means to keep together.
Binding Cloth
Usually a cotton fabric that has been treated to affix to books as cover wrapping.
Bindery
Department within a printing plant that for folds, cut collates, drills, binds printed pieces
or books. At times, some or all bindery services are contracted though an outside
bindery.
Bleed
To run an image over the edge of a sheet or page and then trim after printing. A bleed is
3mm, or 1/8 inch (0.125 inch).
Blind Folio
The page number is not printed on the page. This could be a blank page.
Blind Image
An image that is not foiled or printed with ink, but is embossed, debossed or stamped.
Blueline
A proof made from a negative by means of a photographic process. The page(s) and/or
plate(s) to be printed show up in the color blue. Similar processes produce similar proofs,
but know by different names. A blueline might be known a position proof, Ozalid,
blueprint, diazo, Dylux, VanDyke, a brownline, among others. It is simply a proof of the
film negative versus a proof showing color. Bluelines should be checked to view the film
from which plates are made to print from, not for content.
Board Paper
Board is paper at or over 110 pound index, 80 pound cover or 200 gsm. It used for
products such as file folders, business cards, perfect bound book covers, and post cards.
Body Type
Formatted type used for text, versus type used for heading, subheads, titles, chapter
headings, etc. Body type should be easy to read.
Burst Binding
Spine perforated and glued. Also see Perfect Binding and Notch Binding.
C
C1S and C2S
Abbreviations for "coated one side" and "coated two sides" referring to a type of paper.
Camera-ready Copy
Artwork ready for printing without need for further copy or other changes.
Case
The hard cover for the covers and spine.
Case Binding
Encasing a book in a case made of grey board covered with leather, vinyl coated paper or
cloth.
CMYK
Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the four process colors used in
the printing process.
Coated Paper
Paper with a clay coating. In Asia it is commonly provided in gloss and matte finish.
Color Correct
To change or adjust process colors. Generally done correctly by professionals under
controlled lighting.
Color Key
A brand name for a type of color proof that overlays each plate to form the composite
color.
Color Separation
(1) Breaking down continuous-tone color images into four screened process inks suitable
for printing on press. Can scanned on a drum scanner, flatbed scanner, and digitally
separated. (2) The final color separated for four-color process printing.
Color Transparency
Transparent film used to make color separations. A 35mm slide is an example of a color
transparency
Continuous-tone Copy
Images like photographs and illustrations that have not been prepared for printing. They
have to dot pattern. A print of a photo taken with a camera is a continuous tone photo.
Cover
The front, back and spine of a book are considered the cover and should be set-up to
print on one page. If the inside covers are to be printed, create a side 2.
Coverwrap
The covering material used on the grey board of a hard case book. It may be cloth,
paper, vinyl, bonded leather or leather. Often the paper is printed with a design similar
to the dust jacket.
Crop Marks
Lines indicating trim and bleed.
Cyan
One of the four process colors that make up process color printing.
D
Data Compression
Reducing the size of a digital file so that it may be transmitted faster.
Deboss
To press an image so it lies below the surface. It is the opposite of emboss - to raise the
image.
Die
Used to cut, score, stamp, emboss, and deboss.
Die Cut
To cut shapes or special edges on paper using a die. It is often custom made.
Digital Proofing
Proofs produced from digital files printed on paper. They can be lasered or ink-jetted.
Double Bump
To print a single image twice so it has two layers of ink.
DPI
Dots per inch, a measure of the resolution of the printed image.
Drill
To drill a whole in a printed matter. Instead of using a 3-hole punch, printers would drill
the holes.
Dummy
An example of what the final product may look like. Usually made up of plain stock.
Sometimes the cover wrap used is what was quoted to the client. Also called a mock-up.
Dust Jacket
A loose paper wrapping for a hard case or perfect bound book. Also called a jacket, it
has inside front cover and inside back cover flaps. The dust jacket and flaps often
contain promotional information. Also see French Fold Dust Jacket.
E
Emboss
To press an image into paper so it sits above the surface as a raised image.
Encapsulated PostScript file
A digital file containing both images and PostScript commands. Abbreviation; EPS file.
Endpapers
Folded sheet that attach to the inside front and back cover of a case bound (Hard cover)
book. Endpapers can be plain white paper, a colored paper, printed, or a specialty
endpaper that comes in different colors and finishes. Also called endsheets. Soft cover
books to not have endpapers.
F
Fifth Color
Ink color used in addition to the four needed by four-color process. It is usually a spot
ink.
Film Laminate
A permanent covering used to protect the cover of a printed book cover. It can be
matte or gloss.
Finished Size
The size of printed item after trimming or folding. The flat size would be a different
measurement. Also called trimmed size.
Flat Size
The size of a printed item after trimming but before folding.
Foil Emboss
To emboss an image and apply a foil stamp, commonly applied to a dust jacket.
Foil Stamp
A foil stamp may be used on a book cover and or spine. A die is made for a provided
image, usually the title and authors name. Then the images is pressed or stamped into the
cover and a foil is affixed to the impression.
Format
The style, shape, size and layout determined for a book design.
Four-color Process Printing
Full color printing uses CMYK, or cyan, yellow, magenta and black inks. The shorthand
for 4 color process on both sides on a page is 4/4 or 4C/4C. Four color process printing
on one side is 4/0.
French Flaps
Extended front and/or back cover on a perfect bound book.
French Fold Dust Jacket
A dust jacket with fold overs on top and bottom. Also see Dust Jacket.
G
Galley Proof
A proof of typeset text that has not yet been paginated.
Gathered
Signatures assembled in the correct order for binding.
Ghost Halftone
A digital image whose density has been scaled back so that it is a faint or ghosted image.
Gilding
To gild the edges of a book with gold leafing. Bibles and special edition books may have
gilding.
Grammage
Basis weight of paper in grams per square meter (gsm). Grams per square meter is the
standard in Asia and Europe.
Gray Component Replacement
Technique of replacing gray tones in the cyan, yellow and magenta films. It is used to
reduce the amount of ink on paper. Abbreviated GCR.
Gray Scale
Strip of values ranging from white to black.
GSM
The unit of measurement for paper weight (grams per square meter).
Gutter
The two inside margins toward the center or spine of the book.
H
Halftone
To scan a continuous tone image and convert the image into halftone by means of adding
a dot pattern which can be coarse or fine. The screened image is also called a halftone.
Hardcover
Hardcover books, also called case bound or hard bound, are bound with stiff boards and
a material, called the cover wrap that covers the boards. This can be paper, cloth,
leather, vinyl and more.
Head Margin
The margin at the top of the page.
I
Impression
An impression is one sheet passing through a unit of a press.
Ink Jet Printing
Method of printing by spraying droplets of ink. This is not used for books printed on a
printing press, but is commonly used for printing envelopes. Also called jet printing.
ISBN
International Standard Book Number, a number assigned to a published work. It is most
often on the copyright page. To get an ISBN number, go to www.ISBN.org.
J
K
K
Abbreviation for black in four-color process printing. Hence the 'K' in CMYK.
L
Laminate
A clear sheet applied to a hard case book over printed paper, and to perfect bound
books. It protects the surface and comes in gloss and matte finishes.
Landscape
The landscape orientation means it is horizontal. The width or a book, image or style is
greater than the height. The opposite is portrait, or vertical.
Lay Flat Binding
a kind of binding that allows a publication to lie fully open, with a hollow back.
Leading
Amount of space between lines of type.
Leaf
One sheet of paper in a book. Each side of a leaf is one page.
Lightweight Paper
Book paper with basis weight less than 40# (60 gsm).
Loupe
A magnifying lens that stands upright on a surface. It is used to inspect proofs, color,
printing, etc. It is also called a glass and another similar item is a linen tester.
M
Magenta
One of the four process colors including cyan, yellow, magenta and black, (CMYK).
Makeready
The set-up and detail work to ensure proper printing and bindery operations for a
particular project. The printing and bindery setup.
Manuscript
An author's original work, in any form, submitted for publication.
Margin
The white space around the edge of the page.
Match Print
A name of a proof for process color.
Matte Finish
Flat (not gloss) finish on coated paper.
Mechanical Binding
Binding materials using a comb (GBC), spiral coil, 3-ring binder, or a technique not
requiring gluing, sewing or stitching.
Mil 1/1000 Inch
The thickness of plastic films, "mils". The measurement for plastic sleeves for CDs or DVDs
are expressed in mils.
Mock Up
An example of what the final product may look like. Usually made up of plain stock.
Sometimes the cover wrap used is what was quoted to the client. Also called a dummy.
N
Notch Binding
Spine notched and glued. Also see Perfect Bonding and Burst Binding.
O
Offset Printing
Most commonly used for books. Ink is offset from plate to blanket and then from blanket
to paper.
Orphan
A word, or part of a word appearing alone at the end of a paragraph. Orphans should be
avoided by re-wording or changing spacing to lengthen or shorten it.
Over Run
Additional printed pieces to the original requested quantities. Overage varies in printing.
Typically, a US standard is plus or minus ten percent unless a request to print for "exact
quantity" is received. In Asia, unders and overs can (although infrequently) vary by as
much as fifteen percent. Typically, the range is closer to two to five percent. Please
request "exact quantity" at time of request for quote.
P
Page
Either side of a leaf in a book.
Pagination
The flow of pages in a proper order throughout the publication.
PDF
Portable Document Format. An Adobe document that allows viewing and editing (in
upgraded versions).
Perfect Binding
Spine roughened and glued. Also see Notch Binding and Burst Binding.
Perfecting Press
A press that prints both sides of the paper at the same time.
Perforating
Creating a line of small dotted wholes to be able to tear-off part . A reply device may
have a perf to be able to tear off a portion to mail back.
Pica
A unit of measure equal to is approximately 0.166 in. There are 12 points to a pica and 6
picas to an inch.
Pixel
A unit of a digital image. It is a scanner, computer, or other digitally generated dot.
Plate
A printing plate contains the image to be reproduced on press.
Pleasing Color
Color acceptable to the client. It may not match original samples such as a fabric swatch,
a continuous tone photo or print.
PMS
Pantone Matching System.
Point
A unit of measure in typography equaling 1/12 pica or .013875 inch (.351mm). There are 12
points to a pica and 6 picas to an inch.
Portrait
The landscape orientation means it is vertical. The width or a book, image or style is
greater than the width. The opposite is landscape, or horizontal.
Prepress
Procedures performed by the printer, color separator or service bureau prior to make
art of files ready to print.
Prepress Proof
A color proof made by ink jet printers or most any other means but a press proof that
uses ink. Also called dry proof.
Press Check
Press sheets that are examined before allowing production to begin.
Press Proof
Proofs made by press using before the job is started.
Print-On Demand (POD)
A method to make a few books at a time. The file is output on high-end digital copiers
and output in single pages. The pages are then bound, but often will fall apart quickly.
Star Print Brokers prints book signatures on commercial printing presses. (See signatures).
Process Color
The colors used for four-color process printing: cyan, yellow, magenta and black, (CMYK).
Q
R
Rag Paper
Paper or stock with a high content of cotton.
RIP
A Raster Image Processor Device translates native files into bitmapped information for a
laser printer or imagesetter; both output devices.
Recycled Paper
Paper that is made from old paper that has been recycled, such as newspapers, boxes,
preprinted inserts, etc.
Register Marks
Short lines marking edges of paper, trim, or bleeds.
Resolution
Sharpness of an image. The higher the resolution, the smaller the dot. Books are typically
printed at 300. Higher resolution files may be processed, but the printed results will be
300 dpi.
Reverse
Image or type produced reversing the ink color. Black type on a white background
becomes white type on a black background.
RGB
Stands for red, green, blue. RGB mode is used for web design, where color is made for
red, green and blue. In process color printing, CMYK is used, cyan, yellow, magenta and
black. Photographs should be changed to CMYK mode before handing off native files or
PDF files to a service provider. This can be done in Photoshop by the client, or for an
extra cost in prepress.
Round Back Bind
A hard cover case binding with a rounded spine.
S
Saddle Stitch
A type of binding which simply staples folded sheets.
Scanner
Used to scan an image. There are different types of scanners including a wide range of
flatbed and drum scanners. Quality is an important consideration.
Screen Tint
Color created by dot pattern rather than solid ink.
Self Cover
A booklet or catalog having the same paper on the cover as on the inside.
Separations
Images that have been separated into the four inks for process printing, cyan, yellow,
magenta and black, (CMYK).
Sheetfed Press
A press that prints sheets of paper. A web press prints on rolls of paper. Books are
usually sheetfed. Large run catalogs may be run on a web press.
Signature
A large printed sheet with an even number of pages printed front and back. It is then
folded several times and trimmed to form a signature, or group of pages in a book. The
groups of pages are then bound into a book. Pages do not fall out as is common with
single sheet outputs for print-on-demand books (copying)
Soft cover
An example of a soft cover book is a paperback. They are perfect bound books that can
be Smythe sewn, or notch or burst bound.
Specifications
Complete details of a book or any project to be printed. Ink, paper, bindery and well as
any specifics are detailed. Abbreviated as "specs".
Spine
The back or binding edge of a book. It is the area between the front cover and back
cover. It will vary in width depending on the type of binding and number of pages in the
book.
Spiral Bind
A binding using a continuous wire or plastic, thread through punched holes.
Spot Color, Spot Varnish or Spot UV
One ink, UV or a varnish applied to a specific portion of a page or pages.
Spread
Pages that are side by side. Pages 2 and 3 would be a reader spread.
Standard Viewing Conditions
Colored viewed under a Kelvin lights in a color viewing booth.
T
TIFF Tagged Image File Format
A stable file format commonly used for photographs and images in graphic design.
Tip In
A separate printed imaged added to a book. Often to a cover or spine.
Trade Shop
A printer or bindery strictly for trade professionals such as print brokers; not for the
general public.
Transparency
A positive photographic image that allows light to come through. An example is a 35mm
slide.
Trim Size
The size of a printed item after it is printed and then trimmed to size.
U
Uncoated Paper
Paper that has not been coated. Coated papers are coated with clay.
UCR Under Color Removal
When making color separations a potion of the of cyan, magenta and yellow ink is
removed and black ink is added.
UV Coating
A liquid coating applied to a printed sheet. It is cured to bond with UV light.
V
Varnish
A thin coating applied over a printed sheet for protection and appearance.
Viewing Booth
A booth for proper viewing of prepress materials, especially color.
Vignette
A graphic element or illustration that fades to the background paper.
W
Web Press
A press that prints using large rolls of paper versus a press that is sheetfed with sheets of
paper. Books are usually printed on sheetfed presses.
Widow
A short line that is the end of a paragraph that appears at the top of the next page. A
widow should be avoided by re-wording text or modifying spacing to lengthen or shorten
it.
Woodfree Paper
Made with a chemical pulp only. Woodfree paper is typically used for novels or paperback
books.
X
Y
Z
Against the Grain
Folding or printing on press at a right angle to the grain
direction of the paper.
Aqueous Coating
Water based coating applied by printing press over printing.
Artwork - Art
Images, including photos and type that is set-up for printing on press.
Author's Alterations - AA
Changes or corrections requested by author after art has been submitted. AAs are
charged at an additional cost based on an hours rate.
B
Binding
The covering of for a book such as leather, cloth, coated papers. Also, to compile leafs
or signatures together with glue, stitching, sewing or other means to keep together.
Binding Cloth
Usually a cotton fabric that has been treated to affix to books as cover wrapping.
Bindery
Department within a printing plant that for folds, cut collates, drills, binds printed pieces
or books. At times, some or all bindery services are contracted though an outside
bindery.
Bleed
To run an image over the edge of a sheet or page and then trim after printing. A bleed is
3mm, or 1/8 inch (0.125 inch).
Blind Folio
The page number is not printed on the page. This could be a blank page.
Blind Image
An image that is not foiled or printed with ink, but is embossed, debossed or stamped.
Blueline
A proof made from a negative by means of a photographic process. The page(s) and/or
plate(s) to be printed show up in the color blue. Similar processes produce similar proofs,
but know by different names. A blueline might be known a position proof, Ozalid,
blueprint, diazo, Dylux, VanDyke, a brownline, among others. It is simply a proof of the
film negative versus a proof showing color. Bluelines should be checked to view the film
from which plates are made to print from, not for content.
Board Paper
Board is paper at or over 110 pound index, 80 pound cover or 200 gsm. It used for
products such as file folders, business cards, perfect bound book covers, and post cards.
Body Type
Formatted type used for text, versus type used for heading, subheads, titles, chapter
headings, etc. Body type should be easy to read.
Burst Binding
Spine perforated and glued. Also see Perfect Binding and Notch Binding.
C
C1S and C2S
Abbreviations for "coated one side" and "coated two sides" referring to a type of paper.
Camera-ready Copy
Artwork ready for printing without need for further copy or other changes.
Case
The hard cover for the covers and spine.
Case Binding
Encasing a book in a case made of grey board covered with leather, vinyl coated paper or
cloth.
CMYK
Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the four process colors used in
the printing process.
Coated Paper
Paper with a clay coating. In Asia it is commonly provided in gloss and matte finish.
Color Correct
To change or adjust process colors. Generally done correctly by professionals under
controlled lighting.
Color Key
A brand name for a type of color proof that overlays each plate to form the composite
color.
Color Separation
(1) Breaking down continuous-tone color images into four screened process inks suitable
for printing on press. Can scanned on a drum scanner, flatbed scanner, and digitally
separated. (2) The final color separated for four-color process printing.
Color Transparency
Transparent film used to make color separations. A 35mm slide is an example of a color
transparency
Continuous-tone Copy
Images like photographs and illustrations that have not been prepared for printing. They
have to dot pattern. A print of a photo taken with a camera is a continuous tone photo.
Cover
The front, back and spine of a book are considered the cover and should be set-up to
print on one page. If the inside covers are to be printed, create a side 2.
Coverwrap
The covering material used on the grey board of a hard case book. It may be cloth,
paper, vinyl, bonded leather or leather. Often the paper is printed with a design similar
to the dust jacket.
Crop Marks
Lines indicating trim and bleed.
Cyan
One of the four process colors that make up process color printing.
D
Data Compression
Reducing the size of a digital file so that it may be transmitted faster.
Deboss
To press an image so it lies below the surface. It is the opposite of emboss - to raise the
image.
Die
Used to cut, score, stamp, emboss, and deboss.
Die Cut
To cut shapes or special edges on paper using a die. It is often custom made.
Digital Proofing
Proofs produced from digital files printed on paper. They can be lasered or ink-jetted.
Double Bump
To print a single image twice so it has two layers of ink.
DPI
Dots per inch, a measure of the resolution of the printed image.
Drill
To drill a whole in a printed matter. Instead of using a 3-hole punch, printers would drill
the holes.
Dummy
An example of what the final product may look like. Usually made up of plain stock.
Sometimes the cover wrap used is what was quoted to the client. Also called a mock-up.
Dust Jacket
A loose paper wrapping for a hard case or perfect bound book. Also called a jacket, it
has inside front cover and inside back cover flaps. The dust jacket and flaps often
contain promotional information. Also see French Fold Dust Jacket.
E
Emboss
To press an image into paper so it sits above the surface as a raised image.
Encapsulated PostScript file
A digital file containing both images and PostScript commands. Abbreviation; EPS file.
Endpapers
Folded sheet that attach to the inside front and back cover of a case bound (Hard cover)
book. Endpapers can be plain white paper, a colored paper, printed, or a specialty
endpaper that comes in different colors and finishes. Also called endsheets. Soft cover
books to not have endpapers.
F
Fifth Color
Ink color used in addition to the four needed by four-color process. It is usually a spot
ink.
Film Laminate
A permanent covering used to protect the cover of a printed book cover. It can be
matte or gloss.
Finished Size
The size of printed item after trimming or folding. The flat size would be a different
measurement. Also called trimmed size.
Flat Size
The size of a printed item after trimming but before folding.
Foil Emboss
To emboss an image and apply a foil stamp, commonly applied to a dust jacket.
Foil Stamp
A foil stamp may be used on a book cover and or spine. A die is made for a provided
image, usually the title and authors name. Then the images is pressed or stamped into the
cover and a foil is affixed to the impression.
Format
The style, shape, size and layout determined for a book design.
Four-color Process Printing
Full color printing uses CMYK, or cyan, yellow, magenta and black inks. The shorthand
for 4 color process on both sides on a page is 4/4 or 4C/4C. Four color process printing
on one side is 4/0.
French Flaps
Extended front and/or back cover on a perfect bound book.
French Fold Dust Jacket
A dust jacket with fold overs on top and bottom. Also see Dust Jacket.
G
Galley Proof
A proof of typeset text that has not yet been paginated.
Gathered
Signatures assembled in the correct order for binding.
Ghost Halftone
A digital image whose density has been scaled back so that it is a faint or ghosted image.
Gilding
To gild the edges of a book with gold leafing. Bibles and special edition books may have
gilding.
Grammage
Basis weight of paper in grams per square meter (gsm). Grams per square meter is the
standard in Asia and Europe.
Gray Component Replacement
Technique of replacing gray tones in the cyan, yellow and magenta films. It is used to
reduce the amount of ink on paper. Abbreviated GCR.
Gray Scale
Strip of values ranging from white to black.
GSM
The unit of measurement for paper weight (grams per square meter).
Gutter
The two inside margins toward the center or spine of the book.
H
Halftone
To scan a continuous tone image and convert the image into halftone by means of adding
a dot pattern which can be coarse or fine. The screened image is also called a halftone.
Hardcover
Hardcover books, also called case bound or hard bound, are bound with stiff boards and
a material, called the cover wrap that covers the boards. This can be paper, cloth,
leather, vinyl and more.
Head Margin
The margin at the top of the page.
I
Impression
An impression is one sheet passing through a unit of a press.
Ink Jet Printing
Method of printing by spraying droplets of ink. This is not used for books printed on a
printing press, but is commonly used for printing envelopes. Also called jet printing.
ISBN
International Standard Book Number, a number assigned to a published work. It is most
often on the copyright page. To get an ISBN number, go to www.ISBN.org.
J
K
K
Abbreviation for black in four-color process printing. Hence the 'K' in CMYK.
L
Laminate
A clear sheet applied to a hard case book over printed paper, and to perfect bound
books. It protects the surface and comes in gloss and matte finishes.
Landscape
The landscape orientation means it is horizontal. The width or a book, image or style is
greater than the height. The opposite is portrait, or vertical.
Lay Flat Binding
a kind of binding that allows a publication to lie fully open, with a hollow back.
Leading
Amount of space between lines of type.
Leaf
One sheet of paper in a book. Each side of a leaf is one page.
Lightweight Paper
Book paper with basis weight less than 40# (60 gsm).
Loupe
A magnifying lens that stands upright on a surface. It is used to inspect proofs, color,
printing, etc. It is also called a glass and another similar item is a linen tester.
M
Magenta
One of the four process colors including cyan, yellow, magenta and black, (CMYK).
Makeready
The set-up and detail work to ensure proper printing and bindery operations for a
particular project. The printing and bindery setup.
Manuscript
An author's original work, in any form, submitted for publication.
Margin
The white space around the edge of the page.
Match Print
A name of a proof for process color.
Matte Finish
Flat (not gloss) finish on coated paper.
Mechanical Binding
Binding materials using a comb (GBC), spiral coil, 3-ring binder, or a technique not
requiring gluing, sewing or stitching.
Mil 1/1000 Inch
The thickness of plastic films, "mils". The measurement for plastic sleeves for CDs or DVDs
are expressed in mils.
Mock Up
An example of what the final product may look like. Usually made up of plain stock.
Sometimes the cover wrap used is what was quoted to the client. Also called a dummy.
N
Notch Binding
Spine notched and glued. Also see Perfect Bonding and Burst Binding.
O
Offset Printing
Most commonly used for books. Ink is offset from plate to blanket and then from blanket
to paper.
Orphan
A word, or part of a word appearing alone at the end of a paragraph. Orphans should be
avoided by re-wording or changing spacing to lengthen or shorten it.
Over Run
Additional printed pieces to the original requested quantities. Overage varies in printing.
Typically, a US standard is plus or minus ten percent unless a request to print for "exact
quantity" is received. In Asia, unders and overs can (although infrequently) vary by as
much as fifteen percent. Typically, the range is closer to two to five percent. Please
request "exact quantity" at time of request for quote.
P
Page
Either side of a leaf in a book.
Pagination
The flow of pages in a proper order throughout the publication.
Portable Document Format. An Adobe document that allows viewing and editing (in
upgraded versions).
Perfect Binding
Spine roughened and glued. Also see Notch Binding and Burst Binding.
Perfecting Press
A press that prints both sides of the paper at the same time.
Perforating
Creating a line of small dotted wholes to be able to tear-off part . A reply device may
have a perf to be able to tear off a portion to mail back.
Pica
A unit of measure equal to is approximately 0.166 in. There are 12 points to a pica and 6
picas to an inch.
Pixel
A unit of a digital image. It is a scanner, computer, or other digitally generated dot.
Plate
A printing plate contains the image to be reproduced on press.
Pleasing Color
Color acceptable to the client. It may not match original samples such as a fabric swatch,
a continuous tone photo or print.
PMS
Pantone Matching System.
Point
A unit of measure in typography equaling 1/12 pica or .013875 inch (.351mm). There are 12
points to a pica and 6 picas to an inch.
Portrait
The landscape orientation means it is vertical. The width or a book, image or style is
greater than the width. The opposite is landscape, or horizontal.
Prepress
Procedures performed by the printer, color separator or service bureau prior to make
art of files ready to print.
Prepress Proof
A color proof made by ink jet printers or most any other means but a press proof that
uses ink. Also called dry proof.
Press Check
Press sheets that are examined before allowing production to begin.
Press Proof
Proofs made by press using before the job is started.
Print-On Demand (POD)
A method to make a few books at a time. The file is output on high-end digital copiers
and output in single pages. The pages are then bound, but often will fall apart quickly.
Star Print Brokers prints book signatures on commercial printing presses. (See signatures).
Process Color
The colors used for four-color process printing: cyan, yellow, magenta and black, (CMYK).
Q
R
Rag Paper
Paper or stock with a high content of cotton.
RIP
A Raster Image Processor Device translates native files into bitmapped information for a
laser printer or imagesetter; both output devices.
Recycled Paper
Paper that is made from old paper that has been recycled, such as newspapers, boxes,
preprinted inserts, etc.
Register Marks
Short lines marking edges of paper, trim, or bleeds.
Resolution
Sharpness of an image. The higher the resolution, the smaller the dot. Books are typically
printed at 300. Higher resolution files may be processed, but the printed results will be
300 dpi.
Reverse
Image or type produced reversing the ink color. Black type on a white background
becomes white type on a black background.
RGB
Stands for red, green, blue. RGB mode is used for web design, where color is made for
red, green and blue. In process color printing, CMYK is used, cyan, yellow, magenta and
black. Photographs should be changed to CMYK mode before handing off native files or
PDF files to a service provider. This can be done in Photoshop by the client, or for an
extra cost in prepress.
Round Back Bind
A hard cover case binding with a rounded spine.
S
Saddle Stitch
A type of binding which simply staples folded sheets.
Scanner
Used to scan an image. There are different types of scanners including a wide range of
flatbed and drum scanners. Quality is an important consideration.
Screen Tint
Color created by dot pattern rather than solid ink.
Self Cover
A booklet or catalog having the same paper on the cover as on the inside.
Separations
Images that have been separated into the four inks for process printing, cyan, yellow,
magenta and black, (CMYK).
Sheetfed Press
A press that prints sheets of paper. A web press prints on rolls of paper. Books are
usually sheetfed. Large run catalogs may be run on a web press.
Signature
A large printed sheet with an even number of pages printed front and back. It is then
folded several times and trimmed to form a signature, or group of pages in a book. The
groups of pages are then bound into a book. Pages do not fall out as is common with
single sheet outputs for print-on-demand books (copying)
Soft cover
An example of a soft cover book is a paperback. They are perfect bound books that can
be Smythe sewn, or notch or burst bound.
Specifications
Complete details of a book or any project to be printed. Ink, paper, bindery and well as
any specifics are detailed. Abbreviated as "specs".
Spine
The back or binding edge of a book. It is the area between the front cover and back
cover. It will vary in width depending on the type of binding and number of pages in the
book.
Spiral Bind
A binding using a continuous wire or plastic, thread through punched holes.
Spot Color, Spot Varnish or Spot UV
One ink, UV or a varnish applied to a specific portion of a page or pages.
Spread
Pages that are side by side. Pages 2 and 3 would be a reader spread.
Standard Viewing Conditions
Colored viewed under a Kelvin lights in a color viewing booth.
T
TIFF Tagged Image File Format
A stable file format commonly used for photographs and images in graphic design.
Tip In
A separate printed imaged added to a book. Often to a cover or spine.
Trade Shop
A printer or bindery strictly for trade professionals such as print brokers; not for the
general public.
Transparency
A positive photographic image that allows light to come through. An example is a 35mm
slide.
Trim Size
The size of a printed item after it is printed and then trimmed to size.
U
Uncoated Paper
Paper that has not been coated. Coated papers are coated with clay.
UCR Under Color Removal
When making color separations a potion of the of cyan, magenta and yellow ink is
removed and black ink is added.
UV Coating
A liquid coating applied to a printed sheet. It is cured to bond with UV light.
V
Varnish
A thin coating applied over a printed sheet for protection and appearance.
Viewing Booth
A booth for proper viewing of prepress materials, especially color.
Vignette
A graphic element or illustration that fades to the background paper.
W
Web Press
A press that prints using large rolls of paper versus a press that is sheetfed with sheets of
paper. Books are usually printed on sheetfed presses.
Widow
A short line that is the end of a paragraph that appears at the top of the next page. A
widow should be avoided by re-wording text or modifying spacing to lengthen or shorten
it.
Woodfree Paper
Made with a chemical pulp only. Woodfree paper is typically used for novels or paperback
books.
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Book Printing Terms of Interest
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