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This is a basic list of words that may help understand printing terminology.
Full Service Print Center
Glossary
This is a basic list of words that may help understand printing terminology.
| RAM: | Random Access Memory is semiconductor-based memory that can be read and written by the microprocessor or other hardware devices. The storage locations can be accessed in any order. Note that the various types of ROM memory are capable of random access. The term RAM, however, is generally understood to refer to volatile memory, which can be written as well as read. |
| Raster graphics: | Bitmapped graphics. |
| Raster image processing: | The process of converting a graphics file to a raster of addressable dots appropriate to the output device specified. |
| Register marks: | Any crossmarks or other symbols used on layout to assure proper registration. |
| Register: | To place the image in position relative to the sides of the sheet and relative to other colors. |
| Resolution: | The quantification of output quality designated in dots per inch (dpi) when applied to paper output and in lines per inch when applied to film output. Laser printers commonly hold resolutions of 300, 600, 800 and 1200 dpi. Film output units (imagesetters) have variable resolution output; but are most commonly specified based on the surface type of papers to be printed. Uncoated papers typically use 120, 133 or 150 line screens. Coated papers can hold resolutions of 133, 150, 175 and 200+ line screens. |
| Retouching: | The process of electronically changing an image's color, background or texture. |
| Reverse: | Reversed type is when white lettering appears against a solid or heavily shaded black or colored background area. Reverses are hard to read and should be used sparingly. |
| RGB: | Red, Green and Blue, the standard color model used for monitors and televisions. This color model should never be used when creating documents for print. |
| Right angle fold: | A second or subsequent fold at right angles to the first (parallel) fold. Right angle folds combine with parallel folds to make a right angle. |
| Royalty-free photos: | Stock photos that are free from any additional royalty fees after an initial fee has been paid. |
| Rule: | A line. Rules are used as decorative as well as functional elements to separate, offset or anchor areas of a page. Rules can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. A downrule is a vertical rule placed between columns of text, and is used to provide greater visual separation between columns. |
| Saddle stitch: | The binding of booklets or other printed materials by stapling the pages on the folded spine; also called saddle wire. |
| San Serif Type: | San serif typefaces have straight stems and cross-bars with no tiny extensions or decorations at the end of any letter part. Examples of common san serif types are Helvetica, Franklin Gothic, and Univers. |
| Scalable: | Images that can be reduced or enlarged in size without degradation or pixelation. |
| Scalable font: | A font that is mathematically defined so that it can be rendered at any requested size. Opposite of a bitmapped font. |
| Scaling: | The enlargement or reduction of an image or copy to fit a specific area. |
| Scanner: | A scanner converts a photograph or piece of artwork into an electronic grahics file. Scans used in printing production are usually saved as EPS or TIFF files. |
| Scoring: | To impress paper with a rule for the purpose of making folding easier. |
| Screen: | Screens are the "tinting" or "shading" of a solid image area. Screens are defined in percentages from 99% to 1% of solid (which is 100%). Screening can be applied to type, the background that type overprints, or a piece of artwork. |
| Screen angles: | The placement of halftone screens to avoid unwanted moire patterns. Frequently used angles are black 45º, magenta 75º, yellow 90º, and cyan 105º. |
| Screened print: | A photo print made by using a halftone negative; also called a velox. |
| Secondary paper: | Any recycled fibers, waste papers, or other sources of pulp and fiber that come from a previously created product or process. |
| Self cover: | A cover made out of the same paper stock as the internal sheets. |
| Serif Type: | Serifs are the tiny decorative extensions applied to the ends of a type font's character. Serifs enhance reading flow and reduce eye strain in long, text-heavy documents and books. Examples of common serif types are Palatino, Times, Garamond, and Bodoni. |
| Set-off or Offset: | Ink or marks on a sheet that have come from the previously-printed sheet by rubbing or touching. |
| SGML: | Standard Generalized Markup Language, both a language and an ISO standard for describing information embedded within a document. HTML and XML are based on the SGML standard. |
| Sheet-Fed Printing: | Sheet-fed printing is the process where pre-cut sheets of paper are fed through the printing press rather than paper being fed off rolls (or webs). |
| Signature: | A printed sheet with many pages on it which is folded so that the pages are in their proper numbered sequence, as in a book. |
| Slab Serif Type: | When a type font's serifs are squared off, rather than tapered to a point, they are referred to a slab serif types. Examples of common slab serif types are Courier, Lubalin and Egyptiennes. |
| Slitting: | A term to describe the process of cutting of printed sheets by rotary cutting wheels of a printing press or folder. |
| Soft Proof: | A proof that is seen on a color video monitor, as opposed to a hard proof on paper. Also known as remote proofing. |
| Specialty bindery: | A bindery capable of mechanizing difficult folding styles that might otherwise be considered hand work or capable of unusual folding styles such as miniature (pharmaceutical) folding or large map folds. |
| Spell-Check: | Spell-checking is an automatic function that page layout programs offer to assist designers in reducing typographical errors. A spell-check is only as reliable as the dictionary that its program employs and spell-check will not identify mistyped words which exist but are out of context. Spell-checks also cannot identify nonsensical sentences which can occur with "cut" and "paste" operations or double space occurrences. (Note: No professional graphic designer relies solely on computer spell-checks for their final document's approval, thus the proofing process is key to an error free product) |
| Spot Color: | A color printed in an ink of a specific color, rather than creating the color by combing CMYK inks. See PMS Colors |
| Spot Color Seperations: | When spot colors (or PMS colors) are being used in a printing order the identification and assignment of each color can be done in a page layout program. This process is done by the designer of the art files. When electronic files are recieved, routinely a proof is given back to the client to verify that the spot color separations appear in the correct locations. |
| Spread: | A spread is the relative viewing position of a pair of left and right-hand pages in a book or publication. A "reader'" spread is the consecutive placement of pages by page numbers. A "printer's" spread is the imposed position of a pages based on how many pages are in the publication. |
| Step and repeat: | A process of generating multiple exposures by taking an image and stepping it according to a predetermined layout. |
| Stitching: | Stapling using a roll of wire automatically cut to length and formed |
| Stripping: | Stripping is the process where film negatives are positioned (imposed) in preparation for making the printing plates. Litho strippers lay the films down on carrier sheets. A proof is then made from the ""stripped up"" negatives for the client to review and approve. After approval or corrections, the same stripped up negatives are then used to make the printing plates. |
| Stroke: | A straight or curved line that is added to any graphical element to "fatten" it, either for graphical effect, or to add color space for trapping of colors. |
| Style sheet: | A list of standard type styles that can be applied to paragraphs in a publication; promotes consistent layout and presentation. |
| Substrate: | Any surface on which printing is accomplished |