Print executives, press operators and students have all referred to our terminology reference at one time or another. The following is a short list of some of the most common terms and processes in the industry. You may also refer to our full Terminology List  in PDF format if you choose. 

 

You’re welcome to share this resource with others in your business. 

 

Bar Code

A symbol consisting of a series of thin and thick lines used to encode product and other information.Barcodes are readable with an optical scanner.

Color Correction

A process used to alter the colors in an image, done in order to compensate for limitations of the output device or to achieve a result desired by the customer.

Contract Analog Proof

A proof that is made to manufacturer’s recommendations for exposing and processing by a specific analog proofing system, representative of what the finished product will look like before the design goes to press.

Contract Digital Proof

A proof that is profiled to a specific digital proofing system, representative of what the finished product will look like before the design goes on press.

Control Target

The standard set of graphic elements placed outside the live area of each of the pieces of film, used to monitor makeready, and if possible, the entire production run.

CTP

Acronym for Computer to Plate or Digital Platemaking.

Cut-back Curve

Data that indicates the halftone dot areas need to be compensated for normal dot gain through the entire tone scale during the printing process.

Dot Gain

A measurement and calculation of the apparent increase in dot area from one medium to another. Dot gain [and loss] is normal and must be controlled throughout the prepress and printing process.

Encapsulated Postscript [EPS]

A file format carrying a description of an image and an optional bitmap equivalent for screen display.

Micro Dot

Typically used in video-mounting devices, microdots are placed on the left and right sides of a printed material, and in the center of the web direction. When printed, the dots will overprint each other and appear to be an almost perfect dot.

Photoengraving

A metal plate prepared photochemically, from which the matrix or rubber mold is reproduced.

Photopolymer Plates

A flexible, relief-printing plate used in flexography. Photopolymer plates require exposure to UV light during the platemaking process.

Portable Document Format [PDF]

 A file format invented by Adobe Systems as a solution for transporting files cross-platform. PDF’s are independent of the original application software.

Preflight/File Review

A process of determining the completeness and correctness of an electronic design file prior to commencement of production.

Trapping

The overlapping of various colors in a design to prevent their separating and not touching as a result of registration variables during printing.

 

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