Helpful Print Terms
It doesn’t matter if you work in lawn care, medical, insurance, auto , or education — each industry has its own “language”. We have our own language thanks to the many terms we use, from offset to bleed. We thought it would be helpful to share a glossary with common terms, so everyone can understand each other when they need to place an order or ask questions.
Understanding the unique language of printing allows us to communicate our thoughts, desires, and needs through words. Understanding these terms can help to ensure your designs look the best on paper as they did on screen. Here we have outlined some important terms in printing to help you get started on your journey toward becoming a print guru.
Artwork
Original digital copy that includes all text, graphics, and illustrations. This file can be used for printing design purposes.
Batch
Multiple projects can be printed simultaneously using a set of defined data.
Bleed/Cut Lines
The limits to the placement of your image.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
This color space uses ink to show colors during printing. Standard for digital and offset printing.
Coating
Texture and coating of paper.
Die Cut
A die is a sharp, precise blade that can make multiple cuts of the exact same shape. A die–cut refers to a process in which the die cuts through material, paper, or other materials on a die press. This allows for identical cuts that give the product a uniform appearance.
Digital Printing
Digital printing, also known as four –color printing, is the best process for small–volume printing jobs that require between 1 and 5,000 sheets. This is the most economical print process and is compatible with CMYK color. It also requires less setup work by the technician.
Direct Mail
Traditional direct mail addresses a particular demographic. It can be used to send flyers, postcards, and brochures to a mailing address comprised of people who match your target income, age, or gender.
DPI
DPI stands for dots per inch. Higher DPI equals better. DPI values don’t compare across technologies. Inkjets usually print at 700dpi to do basic proofing, 1440dpi to produce a typical output, and 2560dpi to print very high quality. Higher DPI values print slightly more smoothly, but require more ink and take longer to print.
Dye–Sublimation
Digital printing technology uses heat transfer to apply images to substrates. Digital sublimation is also known as the decoration of apparel, signs , and banners, as well as other sublimation–friendly items.
EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail)
You can select a specific area to be covered with direct mail using the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) mailing routes. EDDM targets a particular geographic area. You don’t need a mailing list.
Finish
Any paper’s texture and feel. Laid finish is a machine –made paper that emulates handmade; embossed finish presses a pattern into the surface of the paper; matte papers have a dull surface well –suited to text – the list goes on.
Foil
A thin metal used in foil embossing and foil stamping. It is usually made of gold or
silver.
silver.
Four Color Process
Printing using a combination of four primary colors: CMYK (cyan , magenta yellow, black) to create a variety of colors and a color image.
Four over Four (4/4)
Four–color, full–color printing on both sides of the paper in a print job.
Four over One (4/1)
A print job that has four colors on the front and one on the back.
Four Over Zero (4/0)
A print job with four color printing on one side and no printing on another.
Gang Run
Multi–printing is a printing technique that allows multiple printing projects to be placed on one paper sheet. This helps reduce printing costs.
Gloss
Shiny coating on paper.
Group Sets
This shipping option allows customers to ship the exact product to different locations. This option saves time and prevents repeat orders.
Group Shipping
Shipping option that allows customers to combine multiple sets and ship them in one package. This saves shipping costs.
Indicia
Preprinted postal information that replaces a stamp on a postcard or mailing envelope.
Lamination
This is the process of adding a thin layer to paper or card sheets in order to protect and enhance printed material. There are three types of laminate: gloss, matte, and silk.
Large Format
This broad category of printed material is too large for most commercial printing presses. These printers use the same technology but are larger and more reliable than desktop printers.
Lithographic printing
Litho printing, also known as offset printing, involves placing the desired content on a plate. The plate is then covered with ink and printed. This can be used to print on paper or cardboard as well as many other materials.
Matte
The finish is dull and non–glossy.
Offset Printing
This process is commonly used to print large quantities of 1000 pieces or more. It requires setting up a separate printing plate for each color and running every print through each printing plate to create the final product.
Pantone Color
Designers, printers, and brand owners use this universal color language.
Perfect Binding
This sounds a lot more glamorous than it actually is. A paper block is glued to a wrap–around cover, just like in a paperback book. PUR binding is a variant of this that uses
extra–strength, temperature–resistant glue.
extra–strength, temperature–resistant glue.
Perforation
A series of cuts or holes that are made to make it easier to tear or fold.
Plating
Chemically edging the entire batch onto steel plates .
Process Colors (use this definition below for CMYK)
To simulate the full spectrum of colors, the four main colors used in printing are Cyan (blue), Magenta (process Red), Yellow (process Yellow), and Black (process Black).
Proof
You can get a sample of the final design in digital or hard format. This is the best way of avoiding costly mistakes in printing. It’s also important to carefully examine the proofs you get to ensure that the design, copy , and color are correct.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
This color space uses light to display images. This is commonly used for digital advertising, TV, social media , and websites.
Run Size
Number of copies printed at once.
Saddle Stitch
Staples are used to bind a book or booklet using staples at the spine or seam. The page count must be divided by four.
Set
This classifies the number of units printed simultaneously from a specific print product.
Spot UV
This refers to applying the UV coating to a particular area of a printed piece to add texture or interest instead of coating the entire surface. This is a creative way of adding depth and contrast by using varying levels of sheen and texture.
Substrate
The base material on which printing will take place. This is often used in reference to large–format products.
UV Coating
A glossy, liquid coating that is applied to the paper’s surface. It is then cured by UV light.
Vector images
Images that are made up of lines, solids, and curves can be scaled or edited without affecting their resolution.
Group Sets
This shipping option allows customers to ship the exact product to different
locations. This option saves time and preve nts repeat orders.
Group Shipping
Shipping option that allows customers to combine multiple sets and ship them in one
package. This saves shipping costs.
Indicia
Prepr,nted postal information which replaces a stamp on a postcard or mailing
envelope.
Lamination
This is the process of adding a thin layer to paper or card sheets in order to protect
and enhance printed material. There are three types of laminate: gloss, matte, and
silk.
Large Format
This broad category of printed material is too large for m ost commercial printing
presses. These printers use the same technology but are larger and more reliable than
desktop printers.
Lithographic printing
Litho printing, also known as offset printing, involves placing the desired content on a
plate. The plate is then covered with ink and printed. This can be used to print on
paper or cardboard as well as many other materials.
Matte
The finish is dull and non–glossy
This shipping option allows customers to ship the exact product to different
locations. This option saves time and preve nts repeat orders.
Group Shipping
Shipping option that allows customers to combine multiple sets and ship them in one
package. This saves shipping costs.
Indicia
Prepr,nted postal information which replaces a stamp on a postcard or mailing
envelope.
Lamination
This is the process of adding a thin layer to paper or card sheets in order to protect
and enhance printed material. There are three types of laminate: gloss, matte, and
silk.
Large Format
This broad category of printed material is too large for m ost commercial printing
presses. These printers use the same technology but are larger and more reliable than
desktop printers.
Lithographic printing
Litho printing, also known as offset printing, involves placing the desired content on a
plate. The plate is then covered with ink and printed. This can be used to print on
paper or cardboard as well as many other materials.
Matte
The finish is dull and non–glossy
UIC Creative & Digital Services , formerly UIC Publications, has been a trusted source of print fulfillment at the University of Illinois Chicago since the early days of the East Campus, offering a vast selection of quality print solutions at low prices. With capabilities such as gang–run offset, digital, grand format, promotional printing, and state–of–the–art equipment, CDS offers every customer savings, selection, and scale.
Contact us today to learn how you can harness the power of our professional printing services.
