Deboss To print an image on paper by pressing the front surface resulting in a sunken appearance
Densitometer An instrument used to measure the density of ink and determine ink coverage
Density Degree of lightness or darkness of a color
Diazo A light-sensitive chemical used as coating on paper, film, or press plates
Die Metal plate cut used for cutting, stamping or embossing images
Die cutting A process of putting a shape or design on paper using metal dies
Direct Imaging A technology that directly transfers an image to a press plates from a digital file, eliminating the use of film plates
Direct Imaging Press (DI) An offset press where the plate is imaged directly on the press with laser
Dot Single identifiable element of an image; also referred to as a “pixel”
Dot gain or spread An occurrence when dots print larger than they were on the plate or film
Dots Per Inch (DPI) A measurement of resolution of a screen image or printed image defined by the number of dots that fit horizontally and vertically into one inch; The higher the DPI, the sharper the image
Double burn Using multiple negatives to burn one image onto a print
Draw-down A thin coating or smear of ink on paper used to determine and approve colors before printing
Drop-out Parts of artwork that are not reproduced
Dummy A mock layout of a copy used to show how a finished product should appear
Duotone A halftone image made up of two colors – black and white
Duplexing The ability of a press to print on both sides of a sheet without turning the sheet over
E
Emboss Technique of pressing an image into paper to create a 3D or raised effect
Emulsion Photosensitive coating on printing plates and photographic film
Encapsulated Postscript File (EPS) An Adobe graphic file format that can contain both vector and bitmap images
F
Feeder Section of a printing press that separates the sheets and feeds them into position for printing
Flood To print an entire sheet completely with ink or varnish
Flop Reversing a negative to make the image on the right side appear on the left
Foil A thin metal film with a dry pigment applied to paper by heat or pressure; used in foil stamping and foil embossing
Foil emboss To foil stamp or emboss an image on paper using a die
Foil stamping Printing an image on paper without ink using a foil and heated metal die Four color process printing The process of printing by separating the color components of an image - cyan, magenta, yellow and black – which when combined reproduces full color images
Four over Four (4/4) A print job with four color printing on both sides of the paper
Four over One (4/1) A print job with four color printing on the front side and one color (usually black) on the back side
Four over Zero (4/0) A print job with four color printing on the front side and no printing on the back side
G
Gang Printing of multiple images on the same sheet during a single press run
Ghosting A unwanted faint image that appears on a printed sheet
Gloss A coating applied to paper that provides higher light reflection resulting in a shiny appearance
Grain In paper, the direction in which the fibers lie during manufacturing
Graphic Design The art of using visual elements to convey a message
Grayscale An image made up of gray tones ranging from black to white
Grippers The metal fingers on printing presses that holds and pulls the paper as it passes through the press H Halftone A continuous tone image made up of a pattern of dots
Hard copy The printed output of a document or image on paper or film
Hickey A spot or a small white circle with ink in the center on a printed sheet caused by dust or dirt Highlight The lightest are of in a photograph or image House Sheet Paper kept in stock by a printer that can be used for various printing jobs
