4:0 or 4:1 or 4:4 etc
Refers to the number of colours used per side. Can be referred to as four back zero / four back one / four back four.
4 Colour Process
See CMYK
A-Sizes
The most common paper sizes used for stationery, leaflets and other publications
A0 - 841 x 1189 mm A1 - 594 x 841 mm A2 - 420 x 594 mm
A3 - 297 x 420 mm A4 - 210 x 297 mm A5 - 148.5 x 210 mm
A6 - 105 x 148.5 mm A7 - 74 x 105 mm A8 - 52 x 74 mm
A9 - 37 x 52 mm A10 - 26 x 37 mm
Art Board/Paper
A term used for coated papers
Artwork
The ../../images/text that are to be printed (usually supplied digitally as a PDF). As a general rule, artwork should be supplied as a high resolution PDF at 300 dpi, with crop marks and 3mm bleed. Please see here for further details
Authors Amendments
Changes made by the customer, usually at the proofing stage. These are sometimes chargeable, as opposed to in-house errors which are not
B-Sizes
Larger than A-sizes, most sheet-fed print presses take these paper sizes. It then allows for trimming to A-sizes
B0 - 1000 x 1414 mm B1 - 707 x 1000 mm B2 - 500 x 707 mm
B3 - 353 x 500 mm B4 - 250 x 353 mm B5 - 176 x 250 mm
B6 - 125 x 176 mm B7 - 88 x 125 mm B8 - 62 x 88 mm
B9 - 44 x 62 mm B10 - 31 x 44 mm
Back Up
To print on the reverse of a sheet which has already been printed on one side
Bleed
Where the image to be printed extends (usually by 3mm) over the crop marks. This makes trimming easier and means the finished documents will run to the edges
Blind Emboss
A type of embossing where no ink is used. Instead, the design or text is only visible as a raised area on the paper/card. Also see debossing which has the opposite effect
Block Foiling
Where a design is stamped into the cover, usually in a metallic foil
Bond Paper
Strong, uncoated paper often used for stationery
Bulk
Thickness of paper measured in Microns, as opposed to the weight (see GSM)
Burst Binding (or slot binding)
A method similar to perfect binding where the text pages are glued in to the cover. In burst binding, slots are cut in to the sections to help the adhesive.
C-Sizes
Paper sizes used for envelopes. These correspond to A-sizes (e.g. C4 envelope will hold A4 sheets)
C3 - 324 x 458 mm
C4 - 229 x 324 mm
C5 - 162 x 229 mm
C6 - 114 x 162 mm
DL - 110 x 220 mm (holds A4 folded twice)
CMYK
Abbreviation of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These make up the standard 4 colour process used for printing in full colour
Coated Paper
Paper which has a coating on one or both sides. This can have a gloss or silk (matt) finish. Coated papers are used for the majority of printed products, but not for stationery where an uncoated (or bond) paper is used
Coating
See sealing
Crease
Where a line is scored to allow for easier and tidier folding. Any board over 170gsm in weight will need to be creased before folding
Crop Marks
Lines marking where the paper is to be trimmed after printing. These should be part of the artwork
Cutting Forme (or Die)
The custom made cutter used when die-cutting
Debossing
Where an image is pressed or stamped into the paper creating a depression as opposed to an embossed, raised impression
Die-cut
Where an irregular shape is cut from the paper instead of trimming square edges. This can be any shape but requires a die or cutting forme to be made up specially
Digital Printing
Low cost method of printing best suited for short run jobs. It works directly from electronic data without the need for printing plates. This makes the process very quick but the print quality, although a good alternative is not on par with lithography. Also, you can not use specific spot colours or metallic inks
Digital Printed Proofs
Proofs printed digitally (not lithographically). These are suitable for checking layout and pagination but not for colour. The reason being they will be printed on different paper and/or using a different machine to the finished product. These can usually be offered free of charge.
DL
Envelope size to hold an A4 sheet folded twice (or a compliment slip). 220 x 110mm. See C-sizes
DPI
Dots per inch, or the image resolution. For print, all ../../images in a document should always be a minimum of 300dpi
Drawn On Covers
A paper back cover with the text pages glued in (see perfect binding & burst binding)
Drilling
Where holes are drilled. This is essentially hole punching but on a larger scale.
Dummy
A Mock up of the finished product. This can be printed or unprinted, depending on the purpose. See proofs
Embossing
Where designs are pressed in to the paper to leave a raised effect
Encapsulation
Where printed material is fully enclosed and sealed in plastic. This leaves a small, clear plastic border around the sheet where it is sealed. Encapsulation is durable and water resistant
Finished Size
The size once trimmed and folded
Flat Size
The size before folding, after trimming. Can also be used if a product is to be supplied creased but unfolded.
Folding
There are a large number of different folding options. Some common folds are:
Concertina or Z fold
Gate fold where left and right edges fold to the centre
Roll fold like a takeaway menu
FSC
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC.org) is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organisation established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. Certain paper brands are accredited by the FSC.
Full Colour
Printing in CMYK, as opposed to using spot colours. Although you can print full colour with additional spot colours
Gate Fold