May 10 2009
Print Glossary
I realize that some of the terms I use in my posts are not known by the general public. Here is an alphabetical list of certain terms I deemed appropriate for further detail and description. I will continuously update this page so keep checking back. If I missed a term you would like to know more about, please comment and let me know.
Astrobright - This is a group of color choices for paper that are mostly neon and/or highly saturated colors.
Bleed - Printing that goes all the way to the edge of the cut sheet.
Booklet - A binding method that uses 2 staples in the middle of the sheets (called a saddle-stitch) and the sheets are then folded in half.
C1S - Short for Coated One Side. This is a classification of paper in which one side of the sheet has a coating (usually glossy) and the other side is left uncoated.
C2S - Short for Coated Two Sides. This is a classification of paper in which both sides of the sheet have a coating applied.
CMYK - The process of printing in full (four) color. The letters stand for the colors used: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
Comb bind - A binding method that uses a plastic comb that can be opened and closed with the use of a special bindery machine where the sheets are slipped on and off of plastic teeth.
Digital printing - Printing technique that is direct from the computer to the printer or press.
Double-sided -Also called duplex, printing on both sides of the sheet.
ECF - Short for Elemental Chlorine Free and refers to a paper that was bleached without using elemental chlorine gas, but more than likely still used a chlorine compound like chlorine dioxide.
Face trim - Trimming of any binding (mostly used in booklets) that trims off the outside (face) edge of the pages to create a cleaner, more even look.
Finishing - The final step(s) in the print production process. Finishing services include, but are not limited to, folding, cutting, binding, padding, mounting and laminating.
FSC - Short for Forest Stewardship Council. This is an independent agency that regulates and monitors safe and responsible forest management. They also certify the end-use products from those forests, such as paper and furniture, and can certify printers and paper manufacturers.
FTP - Short for File Transfer Protocol. This is an easy and secure way to upload files to a server.
Hard Proof - A printed example of what your final document will look like. Most often, this is done on the same paper with the same inks and on the same machine as your end print run. However, with offset printing, this may not be the case since the set up of the machines is a time and cost intensive process. In this instance, you would typically receive a digital print out from a printer calibrated to match the end presses colors.
Inkjet Printer - A printer that uses a wet ink that has to dry on the paper.
Laser Printer - A printer that uses a dry-toner ink that is infused on the paper.
Offset printing - Printing technique that transfers ink from a plate to a blanket to paper instead of directly from plate to paper.
Pantone - A color matching system for offset printing where each ink color is assigned a specific number and formula ensuring that a printer in Delaware will be able to match the ink to a printer in Arizona.
PCF - Short for Processed Chlorine Free and refers to a 100% recycled paper that was bleached without the use of a chlorine coumpound.
PCW - Short for Post-Consumer Waste. This is waste that was recycled by the end user (versus a paper mill recycling its waste) and is represented as a percentage of the recycled content of a paper.
PDF - Short for Portable Document Format. The beauty of pdf files are that they are supposed to be universally readable by any computer anywhere. However, even when converting a native file to pdf, there can still be errors that occur if your settings aren’t correct.
Perfect bind - A binding method that usesa glued spine to hold the sheets together. This method can be compared to a the way a magazine is bound.
Recyclable - Having qualities that allow an item or material to be recycled.
Recycled Paper - Paper that has a content of 10%-100% recycled fibers.
Single-sided - Printing only on one side of the sheet.
Soft Proof - A digital example of what your final document will look like. This is most commonly used when graphic design or document creation/manipulation is needed. If you supply your printer with a print-ready pdf file, a soft proof would most likely be your original file sent back to you.
Spiral (coil) bind - A binding method that uses a continuous plastic spiral spine to hold the sheets together.
Spot color - A process used in offset printing where a single color is applied to only a portion of the sheet.
Sustainable - Living or operating in such a way so as to not permanently damage or deplete existing habitats and resources.
TCF - Short for Totally Chlorine Free and refers to any virgin paper that was bleached without the use of a chlorine compound.
Virgin fiber - Fiber used in paper that comes straight from trees.
VOC - Short for Volatile Organic Compound and refers to an organic chemical compound that can vaporize and enter the atmosphere.
Wire bind - A binding method that uses a metal wire spine to hold the sheets together.
