R

Raster  
To convert a digital data into pixel maps

Raster image
Also called bitmap image; a graphic made up of pixels or dots

Raster Image Processor (RIP)  
A hardware device or program that translates commands into bitmapped info needed by a printer or output device

Ream
500 sheets of paper

Resolution  
Refers to the number of pixels or dots in an image expressed in pixels per inch (ppi) or dots per inch (dpi) that represents the output quality of an image

RGB  
Stands for red, green, blue - the additive primary colors used to display color in video and computer monitors

Rich Black  
A darker and deeper black color achieved by combining other ink colors with black ink. The values to create Rich Black is usually 40% Cyan, 30% Magenta, 30% Yellow, 100% Black

Ruleup  
A drawing that shows how a printing job must be done with a specific press and sheet size; also called Press Layout  

S

Saddle stitch
To bind where the pages are stitched through from the outside using wire staples

Scanner
A device that can output text and graphics from a physical image to digital data  

Score
A crease made on paper to allow it to fold easier and accurately

Scoring  
Creating a crease in a straight line to a sheet of paper for easy and accurate folding

Screen angles
The angles at which halftone screens must be placed to avoid moire patterns

Self-cover
A product with the same stock used for the cover and text pages

Shadow
The darkest area in a photograph or image

Side stitch
To bind by inserting staples into the sheets from the front through to the back

Signature
Refers to a printed sheet once it has been folded

Specifications
A precise description of the features of a product such as paper grade, paper size, print quantity, folding, and others; also known as specs

Spine
The bound edge at the back of a book

Split Run  
Binding of printed publication in two different ways

Spoilage
Damaged and unusable printed product

Spot varnish
Varnishing paper on a specific area  

Stamping
Using a die to press a design or image onto a sheet

Step-and-repeat
Repeated exposure of an image on the plate to form a pattern

Stock
The paper or material to be printed on

Stripping
Assembling of films for plate making, now mostly done electronically

Substrate
Any stock or material on which printing is done

T

Tagged Image File Format (.TIFF)  
A standard graphics file format developed by Aldus, Adobe, and Apple popularly used for storing high resolution bitmap images

Tint
Color mixed with white

Tissue overlay
A thin translucent paper placed over art boards used to mark areas and write notes

Trapping
Overlapping of adjacent colors or ink to prevent gaps from showing

Tree-free  
Pulp or paper made from other resources other than trees like hemp or cotton

Trim marks
Marks on a printed sheet to show where page will be trimmed or cut

Trim size
The final or finished size of a printed sheet

Typesetting  
To arrange or layout copy for printing

U

Uncoated paper
Paper manufactured with no coating on the surface

Under run
The quantity of prints produced is less than the ordered quantity

Up
Printing multiple copies of the same on the same sheet

UV coating
A liquid protective coating applied to a print, bonded and cured with ultraviolet light

V

Varnish
A thin liquid protective coating applied to a product for protection to enhance appearance

Vignette
Image with the background gradually fading to white

Vector Images  
Scalable images or graphcis made up of lines and curves instead of dots or pixels

W

Wash up
Cleaning of ink on a printing press for a different ink to be applied

Waste
Damaged or unusable paper at the press or bindery

Watermark
A design impressed on paper during paper manufacturing

Web
Roll of paper used on a web press  

Web press
A high speed printing press that print on a large continuous roll of paper called a “web” instead on individual sheets

Wire O
A method of binding using double loops of wire through a hole

With the grain
 Feeding paper into the press parallel to the grain direction of the paper

Work and tumble
Printing on the second side of a sheet by turning the sheet over from front to rear

Wove paper
A paper with an even and a smooth finish

Z

Z fold
A bindery term for two or more parallel folds that result in a sheet that opens like an accordion; also known as an accordion fold.

Back To Glossary (A-C) >