Design terminology: Printing
Accordion folding
This elementary form of binding constitutes two or more parallel folds, which make the profile of the paper the shape of the letter Z.
Against the grain
Most paper will tear in a specific direction (according to paper fibres). If you tear against the grain, it’s at right angles to the grain direction. Also known as cross grain.
Backing-up
Printing on the reverse side of a sheet of paper which has already been printed.
Binding
To fasten pages together using glue, wire, thread, plastic comb or wire comb.
Bleed
Printing which deliberately extends off the edge of the page (and is trimmed off).
Blind embossing
Plain embossing of a shape or image which makes paper raised (doesn’t utilise ink or foil).
Choke
Reducing the size of a graphic or image (generally using stroke or thin line) so that the colour overlaps with the adjoining colour.
CMYK
Abbreviation for four colour process colours: cyan, magenta, yellow, black.
Collate
To put individual pages or separate documents in a specified order.
Colour bar
A range of different colour boxes which are used to test colour consistency.
Colour separations
The separation of colours for printing purposes (could be four colour and/or spot colours).
Comb binding
A disgusting form of plastic binding which holds together multiple pages. Most designers with any sense will advise you to consider wiro binding instead.
Composite
All colours printed on one surface (as opposed to separations).
Cover stock
The paper used to cover a document (if thicker than the paper inside the document). Otherwise it’s known as self-cover.
Crop (image)
Cropping an image refers to trimming the outer edges of an image (generally done to improve page composition or image composition).
Crop (paper)
This is where the page is trimmed after printing. Also known as trim.
Crop marks
Printed lines which dictate where a page is to be trimmed. Also known as trim marks.
Diecut
A metal block or bent metal (die) is used to cut paper into special shapes.
Digital printing
Unlike traditional printing (offset), digital printing transfers the image directly onto the substrate (paper, cardboard, plastic etc) without the use of rollers and plates.
Dots per inch (DPI)
The number of dots vertically and horizontally in one inch.
Emboss
Paper is raised (relief) in certain areas with ink, foil or without (blind embossing).
Finished size
The size of a document after it has been trimmed and folded.
Finishing
The surface characteristics of paper stock.
Foil
A metallic or plastic coating which is stamped or embossed onto a page.
Four colour process
Printing technique using cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Also known as process colour or full colour.
French folding
Paper is folded in two places at right angles.
Full colour
Also known as process colour or four colour process (see above).
Gatefold
Two parallel folds in a sheet of paper which cause three overlapping sections.
Gloss finish
Grain
The fibre of most paper is directional (and will tear in a specific direction).
Hickey
A printed imperfection caused by a mark on the printing press.
Imposition
The page order in which pages are printed, in order to ensure the correct order when folded and bound.
Laminate
Gloss or matte film or paper which is adhered to another surface.
Leading
The space between rows of type.
Lines per inch
The number of rows or columns per inch. So 300 lpi is 300 lines for every inch.
Matte finish
Dull (non-shiny) paper or dull varnish.
Opacity
The amount of printing on a printed sheet which can be seen on the other side of the page. Related to show-through.
Overs
Additional copies in excess of the amount ordered. Also known as over-run.
Page count
The total number of all pages in a document (including front and back of every page).
Perfect binding
Notches are made in the spine side of sheets of paper and then glued to the cover spine. Also known as burst binding.
PMS colour
The Pantone colour matching system is used to specify a particular spot colour. Also known as Pantone colour.
Process colour
Also known as full colour process or four colour process.
Proof
Printed sheet provided to test for errors.
Ream
Register
To co-align multiple colours when printed (to ensure print consistency/accuracy).
Saddle stitch
Folding a document at the spine, and then stapling in the seam.
Score
Pressing a seam or crease to help a page fold in the correct place.
Screen printing
A squeegee is used to press ink through a screen onto the substrate (common for printing onto fabric such as shirts). Also known as silk screening.
Self-cover
Same weight paper is used for the cover as the inside of a document.
Show-through
Printing on a page can be seen on the other side of the page.
Spine
Spot colour
Is a specific colour used in printing, which is created from mixing ink or using pure ink.
Spread (facing pages)
Pages which face each other in a document.
Spread (ink)
Increasing the size of a graphic so that the colour overlaps with the adjoining colour.
Stock
The paper, cardboard, plastic or other material being used.
Trapping
Printing an ink, varnish or coating on top of another ink.
Trim size
The size of a document after it has been trimmed. Also known as crop size.
UV coating
A film or liquid spot coating which adheres to the stock. Can be gloss or matte finish.
Varnish
A transparent liquid used to:
- give a gloss or matte finish
- seal the print (especially when heavy or solid coverage)
- reduce scuffing
Ask your designer if it’s worth having wet-trapped or dry-trapped varnish for your project.