D

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

Next Glossary (I-P) >