Printing glossary – key print terms (A–Z)
Discover essential printing terms that are useful in offset and digital printing, as well as in preparing marketing materials. This glossary was created for people who want to understand what happens in the print shop and prepare files correctly according to technical requirements. Moreover, you will find definitions that also help in marketing and custom publishing, so in the end you reduce production errors and increase customer satisfaction.
A
Solid area (apla) – an even, uniform ink coverage of an area with one colour. It can be a CMYK colour or a PANTONE spot colour. Therefore, solid areas are often used to check the quality and stability of an offset press.
Allocation – arranging graphic elements on a sheet so that the paper is used as efficiently as possible and waste is kept low.
Printing sheet – a large sheet on which several items are printed at the same time. Afterwards, the sheet is cut or folded down to the final format.
Halftone (autotype) – a method for reproducing tonal images such as photographs with a halftone screen. As a result, continuous tones are rendered as a pattern of small dots.
B
Creasing (scoring) – creating a crease along a defined line to make folding easier. It is used above all on papers above approx. 170 g/m² to reduce cracking of the print along the fold.
Plate (CTP form) – a metal printing plate used in offset printing. It is produced in CTP technology (Computer To Plate), which means the plate is imaged directly from digital data without film.
Brochure – a multi-page publication, usually with wire-stitched saddle binding. Consequently, brochures work well for company presentations and slim catalogues.
C
CMYK – the basic colour space in offset and digital printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black). Therefore, print-ready files should be prepared in CMYK. Saving files in RGB often leads to colour shifts on the final print.
Crop marks – small lines placed outside the finished format that indicate where the sheet should be trimmed precisely.
Custom publishing – creating dedicated brand publications such as company magazines, catalogues and brochures that support brand image. In addition, custom publishing increases audience engagement.
D
Densitometer – a device used to measure the optical density of ink on a print. As a result, it enables control of colour strength and stability during production.
Printing – a process of reproducing an image on a substrate, most often paper. In sheetfed offset printing, the image is transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket cylinder and only then to the paper.
DTP (Desktop Publishing) – computer-based preparation of files for print. It includes layout, typesetting, colour correction, adding bleeds and preparing output files.
E–F
Exposure – exposing the printing plate or film in order to create the image that will be printed on press.
Folding – mechanical folding of a sheet along defined fold lines on a folding machine. It is an essential step in the production of books, brochures and folders.
Lamination (film lamination) – covering a sheet with a thin protective film. Common options include gloss, matt and soft-touch films, which provide a velvety feel. In addition, lamination protects the print against abrasion and dirt.
G
Guillotine cutter – a machine for precise cutting of paper into specific formats. It is used not only at the end of production but also between stages, for example when cutting down large sheets to smaller sizes.
Print head – the key element in an inkjet or digital printer that applies ink to the substrate. Its technical condition has a strong impact on print quality.
H
Hot stamping – foil stamping with heat and pressure, often in gold or silver. As a result, it gives packaging, invitations and catalogues a particularly refined look.
I
Imposition – arranging pages on a printing sheet so that, after folding and trimming, the pages appear in the correct order.
Bindery (finishing) – the department in a print shop that handles finishing processes such as folding, gluing, sewing and bookbinding.
J–K
Print quality – the level of image reproduction determined by resolution, screening and paper type. Professional print shops therefore use densitometric control to keep quality stable.
Board – a thicker paper-based material used for hard covers, folders and various packaging solutions.
PUR adhesive – a polyurethane bookbinding adhesive used in perfect binding. It offers high strength and flexibility, so publications last longer in everyday use.
L
Dispersion varnish – a fast-drying water-based varnish used in offset printing to protect the print and give it a matt or glossy finish.
UV varnish – a varnish cured with UV light. It can be applied spot-wise (spot UV) or over the entire sheet to enhance selected elements or the whole surface.
M–N
Mock-up – a model or dummy that shows the graphic and text layout before final printing. It helps verify format, folds and proportions.
Layout module – the smallest layout unit in a publication grid. Planning modules early in DTP work makes later design decisions easier and more consistent.
Print run – the number of copies printed in one production run.
Numbering – adding sequential numbers to prints such as tickets, vouchers or forms.
O–P
Offset printing – a common printing technology in which the image is transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket cylinder and then offset onto paper.
Saddle-stitched binding – wire-stitched binding used for brochures, catalogues and magazines, where folded sheets are gathered and stapled along the spine.
Pantone (PMS) – a colour matching system that enables precise specification and reproduction of spot colours independent of CMYK builds.
Proof – a colour-accurate test print that shows the expected result before the main print run. Therefore, proofs allow corrections to be made early. Proofs are printed exclusively on glossy paper.
R
Reprography – preparation of materials for printing, including scanning, colour correction and digital layout work (prepress).
S
Screen printing – a technique in which ink is pressed through a mesh screen. It is used for promotional items, textiles, signage and many specialty applications.
Die-cutting – cutting paper or board into a defined shape using a cutting die. It is essential for folders, boxes and many special formats.
Bleed – the area of artwork that extends beyond the final trim size. It is necessary so that no white edges appear after trimming. A missing bleed is one of the most common file errors.
DTP typesetting – arranging text and images in layout software (for example Adobe InDesign) and preparing the document for print.
T
Embossing / debossing – creating raised or recessed designs on paper and covers. It is often combined with hot stamping for a more luxurious effect.
Thermoprinting – a printing method in which pigment is fixed to the substrate by high temperature.
U–W
Print enhancement – adding extra effects to prints, such as varnishing, lamination, embossing or other finishing techniques that improve durability and appearance.
Cutting die – a tool used in die-cutting that cuts a specific shape out of paper or board.
Paper web – a long, uncut strip of paper used in web presses instead of individual sheets.
Z
Single-sided / double-sided printing – information indicating whether the print is applied to one or both sides of the sheet.
Foiling (gold) – applying gold foil to selected design elements. It is widely used in luxury invitations and packaging to emphasise premium character.
Perforation – creating a row of small cuts or holes in paper so that parts can be torn off easily, for example vouchers or coupons.
Contact us — if you wish, we will help you prepare print files and explain how to avoid the most common production errors.