Industry Terms

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Padding Joining a specific number of individual sheets or forms together by applying a padding compound along one side of the stack. Each individual stack generally has a chipboard backer to provide stability to the pad.
Pads The base which the cutting knives strike.
Page One side of a leaf.
Page Buffering The spooling of all the pages of a file before the file starts to print. Once the entire file is spooled it will print the entire file.
Page Format The preset arrangement of page items such as headers, columns, paragraphs and fields.
Page Makeup The method of arranging type and art into pages. It can be a manual process or done on a computer.
Page Proofs Copies of made-up pages prior to negative and plate work.
PageMaker A page layout software created by Adobe, which provides tools to compose text and graphics for documents to be reproduced and output to print.
Pages-Per-Inch Also known as PPI, it is the number of pages in one inch.
Pagination The process of dividing text blocks and assembling with other page elements to create pages.
Palette The collection (or set) of colors or shades available to a graphic design system or program.
Pallet A wooden frame that is used by forklift trucks and which is used for shipping purposes.
Panchromatic A type of light sensitive film.
Pantograph Screen A screen that is printed in the background of a document. It is usually printed in a lighter color of ink and made up of a design that is hard to copy or scan. The main purpose of the pantograph is to help make the document hard to duplicate by someone trying to forge or alter the document.
Pantone Matching Systems (PMS) A specific set of color charts that have preprinted color patches of blended inks, used to identify, display or define individual colors.
Paper Grade The quality of paper as determined by the ingredients of the stock such as wood or cotton fiber and the method of manufacturing. All papers fit into a classification or group of paper which is its grade.
Paper Grain The direction in which the fibers line up during the manufacturing process. It is easier to fold, bend, or tear the paper along the same direction of the fibers. Cut sheet laser printers generally use long grain paper in which the grain runs parallel to the long side of the paper, resulting in better performance through the laser printer.
Paper Manufacturer A company that makes paper. They generally make paper in web rolls, sheets and cut sizes. The paper is sold to paper merchants and printers.
Paper Master A economical printing plate made of paper.
Paper Merchant A distributor that buys paper from the paper manufacturer and resells it to the paper buyer. They generally handle many types of paper and are knowledgeable about them so that they can advise the buyer on what will best fit their needs.
Paper Plates A plate used for analog and digital offset printing produced from a cellulose material. The plates are used for short runs on smaller printing equipment and use a toner-based technology for imaging.
Paper Sizes (International) Standard A-series sizes include the following: A0 (1189 x 841 mm), A1 (841 x 594 mm), A2 (549 . 420 mm), A3 (420 x 297 mm), A4 (297 x 210 mm), A5 (210 x 148 mm), A6 (148 x 74 mm).
Paper Sizes (US) US standard sizes include the following: A (8.5"x 11"), B (11" x 17"), C (17" x 22"), D (22" x 34"), E (34" x 44"), executive (7.25" x 10.5"), and legal (8.5" x 14"). "A" size is also referred to as "letter", and "B" size is referred to as "tabloid".
Paperbound A book having a paper cover versus a hard cover.
Papeterie A heavy, smooth, uncoated paper used for social announcements.
Paragraph Indentation The indentation on the first line of a paragraph.
Parallel Fold A fold that runs parallel to another fold or a particular edge.
Parallel Printer A printer that has a parallel port connection. A parallel port uses a 25-pin connection.
Parchment Finish A paper finish that has an old or antique appearance. Parchment is very durable and grease resistant.
Parchment Paper Paper with a parchment finish. Parchment is used on documents such as diplomas and other certificates. It gives the document a look of importance.
Parent Size The full size of a sheet before any cutting or trimming is done.
Part-Title A right-hand page where the title of a part of a book appears.
Paste Drier Chemicals in ink that aid in drying.
Pastelling Emboss A process that involves the use of a combination die to provide a subtle antique appearance to material being foil stamped and embossed. Also referred to as tint leaf embossing.
Paste-Up The method of pasting type, photographs and other artwork to a board to produce a 'mechanical' ready for platemaking.
Pasting The method used to paste papers together to produce a duplex paper or to paste two cover stocks together.
Patch A small amount of computer code that is written to fix a problem in a production version of software that was not detected before the software was released.
Pattern Adhesive Adhesive that is applied to the back of the facestock in a pattern opposed to an all over coat of adhesive. The adhesive coated areas can run parallel or perpendicular to the web direction.
Pattern Carbon Carbon paper that has had the carbon coating applied only in certain areas so that an image will only transfer in those particular areas. Also called spot carbon.
Pattern Varnish Varnish applied to the printed product in a specific area or pattern opposed to an all over coat.
PC Acronym for personal computer.
PDF (Portable Document File) A proprietary format created by Adobe Acrobat (distiller or writer) software for the sharing of designs across multiple computer platforms. PDF is a universal electronic file format, modeled after the PostScript language and is device-independent.
Pebble Finish A type of finish on paper.
Peel Tab A slit area on the facestock of a label used to assist in removal of the label from the liner. Also referred to as a pull tab.
Pen Reactive Ink A transparent ink that becomes visible with the use of a special felt tip pen.
Pencil Carbon A carbon paper that can be used repeatedly to transfer an image from one part to the next.
Penetrating Ink Penetrating inks contain a penetrating red dye that goes into the fibers of the paper and will show through to the back of the document. Penetrating inks are commonly used on the arabic and MICR numbering of negotiable documents to deter forgers from trying to scrape the number off from the document. If the number is scraped off the red stain remains on the document.
Penetration The ability of a liquid to be absorbed into paper or other material.
Per M Per thousand, a pricing unit commonly used in printing.
Percent Elmendorf Paper tear strength shown in percentages.
Percent Mullen Paper bursting strength shown in percentages.
Percent Tensile Paper stretching strength shown in percentages.
Perf Perforation.
Perfect Binding A type of binding where the book or magazine's binding edge is ground down and coated with a fast drying glue to hold pages together and then are affixed to a cover with a flexible adhesive. This creates a squared off back.
Perfect Casebinding A method of binding that doesn't use sewing.
Perfect Press A press that prints both sides of a sheet of paper in a single operation.
Perfecting The process of printing both sides of a sheet of paper in the same pass through the press.
Perfecting Press A press that prints both sides of the paper in one pass.
Perfector A printing press that can print on the front and the back of the paper in one pass through the press.
Perforating Rule The steel rule that is used when the perforations that must be perpendicular to the direction the paper travels through the printing press. The perforating rules are inserted into cylinders on the press and as the cylinders revolve, the perforations are cut into the paper.
Perforating Wheel The steel segmented wheel that is used when a perforation must be applied parallel to the direction that the paper travels through the printing press. The segmented wheel rolls along the paper and applies the required cuts per inch as the paper is pulled through the press.
Perforation Tear Strength The amount of strength required to tear a perforated sheet.
Perforations A series of cuts on a sheet which are generally used to detach a portion of the sheet. Perforations may run either horizontally, vertically, or both directions on a sheet. The area between cuts is called a "tie".
Periodicals A mail classification for magazines, newspapers and other publications that get mailed in specified intervals. They are delivered at least four times a year and usually have a list of subscribers.
Permanent Adhesive A label with this adhesive cannot be removed without the label being destroyed or leaving residue on the object that it was applied to.
Permanent Ink An ink which does not fade or change color when exposed to light or other elements.
Personal Publishing Distributing reproduced or printed materials for personal gain or self-satisfaction.
Personalization The printing of variable data on one sheet to the next. The variable data may be a name, address, personal message or a combination of data.
pH Describes the alkalinity in a paper.
Phantom Image An image screened very lightly and printed in the body of the form. It helps protect against unwanted duplicating because the image is hard to reproduce. The image is light enough so that any imprinting or writing over it can be easily read.
Pharmaceutical Adhesive A permanent adhesive that is designed for excellent initial tack for applying labels to glass and plastic items, such as syringes and vials. It has dependable adhesion strength, which holds the label in place. Is FDA approved.
Photochromatic Ink When this ink is exposed to UV light it instantly changes colors. Once the source of UV light is removed it will change back to its original color. This ink can be colored or colorless.
Photocomposition A photographic method of creating type on film, as opposed to lead type.
Photoconductor Materials used in electrophotography which are light sensitive when charged by the corona.
Photocopier A machine that creates a copy of a physical image through a process in which electrostatically charged powder (toner) is bonded to paper using heat.
Photoengraving A photochemical process used to make relief plates used for letterpress and engraving
Photographic Proof A proof made from negatives or positives.
Photomechanical Process The image reproduction process that involves photosensitive imaging products (paper, film, proofing materials and plates) that react to light. During the photomechanical process these materials are imaged using a contacting procedure.
Photomechanical Transfer A process where original copy is exposed to a photosensitive paper, which is then mated with a receiver paper. The two are process together, which results in the image being transferred to the receiver paper, producing a black and white print. No negative is needed in this process.
Photomechanics Using photosensitive materials to prepare a printing surface.
Photometer A device used to measure the intensity of the light.
Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) Used in drum scanners to produce color separations of extraordinary quality.
Photopolymer A plate material that consists of an epoxy resin which is sensitized with an organic compound. An organic solvent is used to process the plates after exposure to ultra-violet light. The coating on the unexposed areas of the plate are dissolved with the solvent, but the exposed areas become insoluble and are receptive to ink.
Photopolymer Coating A coating for plates to increase their longevity.
Photoreceptor A receptor that transfers information onto paper in the form of an image.
Photoshop An image editing software created by Adobe, which provides an array of tools to create, alter, and add effects to a variety of digital or original images.
Photostat Photocopy prints.
Phototype Type created photographically by light being projected onto photosensitive paper.
Phototypesetting Same as photocomposition.
Pi characters The special characters needed in typesetting or photocomposition.
Pi Fonts Fonts that are special characters that are not in other fonts but can be specially added, such as special symbols and mathematical signs.
Pica A typographical measurement. There are 12 points to a pica and approximately 6 picas to an inch.
Pick Resistance The measurement of the resistance of paper to picks on its surface.
Pick Tester A machine that tests the pick resistance of the surface of paper.
Picking The lifting of fibers out of the paper due to the ink being too tacky. It causes small white dots in the solid areas of the printing.
Pickup Art Artwork taken from a previous job to be used on a currrent job.
PICT A common data format for graphics popular with illustration applications running on the Macintosh platform. PICT data can be created, displayed on the monitor and printed.
Piggyback Labels A label that has two label layers and a liner. The top label has adhesive on the back, the second label has a release coating on the front (to allow the top label to be pulled off) and adhesive on the back. When it is pulled off the liner and blown on to the form, the adhesive on the back of the second label is what holds the label onto the form.
Pigment The chemical composition or particles that are mixed into printing inks in order to create ink body, color and opacity.
Pigment Paper Paper that has a pigment coating.
Pile feeder The unit on presses which feeds paper from the top of the stack.
Piling When ink builds up on the rollers, plate, or blanket.
Pin Register A system using a series of pins used to maintain registration from prepress to press. It is used to register film to film, film to plates, and plates to press.
Pinfeed Holes Evenly spaced holes that are punched into the left and right margins of a continuous form, used at the collator to guide the paper through and align each part. They are also used to guide the form through a continuous printer.
Pinholes Tiny holes in a printed area that did not get covered by ink.
Pitch A measure used to determine the number proportional type characters that can be placed within an inch. If the type is designated as 8 pitch there are 8 characters per inch.
Pixel The smallest unit of a digitized image created by a digital device, such as a computer, camera, or scanner. Pixel is short for “picture element”. The more pixels per inch the better the resolution. On computer monitors, the display is divided into rows and columns containing thousands or millions of pixels. Each pixel is composed of three dots representing the three color channels of red, green, and blue light that are necessary for creating a color image on computer monitors and television screens. Because of their small size, the pixels appear to merge, simulating a continuous tone image, but when magnified they appear to be tiny square blocks of light, as shown in the illustration below.
Pixel Swapping An image editing technique where pixels from one area of an image replace the pixels in another area. By using this technique touch ups can be done to the image to change its appearance.
Pixelization A noticeable display of the pixels forming jagged edges which occurs as the image is enlarged and the square pixels become most noticeable on lines or curves.
Pixels Per Inch The number of pixels per inch displayed across or down a monitor.
Plain Text Textual data in the ASCII format that is not encrypted. Most portable format used because it is supported by almost every application on every machine.
Planographic Printing A process of printing from a flat or plane surface, such as lithography.
Plastic Comb Binding A binding method that uses a plastic comb type material, inserted through prepunched holes in a stack of paper, to bind the sheets together.
Plastic comb Binding A binding made of plastic in the shape of a comb.
Plastic Plate A plastic plate reproduced from a letterpress plate.
Plastic Wrapping A method of wrapping packages or products with a plastic film and then applying heat so that the wrap fits tight to the product. Plastic wrapping is used to package a product in specific quantities and is also used for protection purposes. It also adds some stability to the product when storing. Also referred to as shrink wrapping.
Plastic-Laminated Paper A plastic coating applied to cover stock to give a better appearance and reduce scuffing, scratches, etc. while being used.
Plate A metal or paper light-sensitive sheet that holds an image that has been photographically produced. During the printing process, the image area picks up ink, which is then transferred to a blanket and then to paper.
Plate Cylinder The cylinder on a press where the plate is mounted.
Plate Finish An even, hard finish as a result of calendering.
Platemaking A prepress process where a "flat" (masking sheet with negative stripped into it) is laid on a plate, the plate is exposed and then processed. The plate is then ready to be taken out to the press.
Platen Press A type of relief press, where during the printing process, grippers move a sheet of paper from the feedboard to the platen, which is the surface where the print impression is made. A set of rollers applies ink to the type in a chase on the press bed. The press bed and the platen are pressed together like a clamshell which produces the image on the paper.
Platesetter A device that records images directly on plate material. Platesetters generally use lasers to expose or image paper, polyester, or aluminum plates.
Plotter A device that draws lines on a piece of paper based on commands received from a computer. It differs from a printer in that it uses a pencil to draw the lines so it can draw a continuous line where as a printer uses a series of dots. Multi-color plotters have different color pencils. Plotters are used when precision is necessary, such as in engineering applications.
Plow Fold A fold parallel to the direction of the web, using an in-line folding device called a plow.
Plugged Refers to a printing condition characterized by the loss of dot reproduction; no dots are visible.
Ply 1.One page or part of a multiple part form. 2. Each layer in a multiple layered material.
PMT (Photomultiplier Tube) A light-sensitive laser that can discern very low light levels by amplifying the signals applied to it during the reading. PMTs give drum scanners their superior color separation capabilities.
Pocket Material made into a pocket and glued in a book.
Point In regard to type, it is used to state the size of the type. The "point size" of the type is measured from the bottom of the descender to the top of the ascender. There are 12 points in a pica and 72 points in an inch. 2. When using in regard paper, it is the measurement of the thickness of the paper. 1 point equals 1/1000 of an inch. The thickness of 10 pt. stock would equal 10/1000 or 0.010 in.
Poly Bag A clear bag, made of polyurethane instead of paper, used as an outside mailing envelope. Generally used to mail magazines and newsletters.
Polyester Plates A plastic substrate used for analog and digital offset printing plates. The polyester substrate is coated with an emulsion of either silver halide, which is imaged with lasers, or a toner-based coating, which is similar to the technology used for laser printers and copiers. Polyester plates are suitable for smaller print jobs of less than 25,000 impressions. Improved technology has resulted in plates that produce excellent results, allowing them to be used for almost any type of short run application.
Polyethylene This film is tear, abrasion and weather resistant and is high in durability. It shrinks at low a temperature range.
Polyolefin Has good printability. Is very strong and has a high chemical resistance. Good for indoor and outdoor use. Excellent for drum label applications.
Polypropylene A film that is highly durable, has excellent tensile strength and high heat resistant. It is resistant to moisture and most acids and alkalies. It has good printability and is lightweight.
Polystyrene A film that is low in durability with medium rigidity, which provides ease in converting and dispensing. It has a smooth surface that allows it to be easily printed. It is not recommended for use outdoors.
Polyvinyl Chloride A high density film with an excellent shrinkage rate at a low shrink temperature. It has high impact strength and has excellent clarity and good print quality. PVC is grease and solvent resistant and has good weather resistance. It is tasteless, odorless and non-toxic but less environmentally friendly than some of the other films.
Poor Trapping The condition in printing in letterpresses and lithography when less ink transfers to previously printed ink than to unprinted paper.
Porosity The open or closed characteristics of a paper's surface that allows air to pass through and ink to penetrate. Generally, coated papers have very closed surfaces and low porosity, and hold ink on the surface well. Some papers used for blow-in cards are porosity rated for bindery use.
Portable Document Format (PDF) A file format developed by Adobe. It can capture formatting information from many publishing applications. This makes it possible to send a formatted document to a computer screen or printer and have it look exactly the way in which it was created. You need Acrobat Reader to read PDF files.
Portable Document Format/X (PDF/X) set of rules which determine which PDF features are allowed. PDF/X defines what is allowed in the PDF document so the printer will know what to expect when he receives the file. This ensures reliability and makes it easier to work with and transfer PDF documents.
Portrait Mode The orientation of sheets of paper, with the long dimension of the page running vertical. Landscape would be the opposite mode.
Position Proof Color proof for inspecting position layout and/or color breakout of image objects.
Positive The reverse of negative.
Post Binder A looseleaf bind that uses posts over which the paper sheets are inserted.
Post-Consumer Waste Waste paper that has passed through the end-user, such as newspapers, office papers, paper bags and cartons.
Posterize A special effect created by transforming an image to a more stark form by reducing the gray levels of the image.
PostScript A vector-based page description language that is resolution- and device independent. Consists of a specific set of software commands and protocols that form images on output printers and film recorders when translated through a raster image processor. The key feature of PostScript is device independence, allowing different output devices from different manufacturers, which may not be compatible through any other means, to print the same file in more or less the same way.
Post-Treatment A method of treating the nonimage areas of a printing plate after the image is developed.
Pre-Consumer Waste Waste paper that has been disposed of during converting process. This may consist of paper trim, die clippings from die cutting of envelopes and corrugated boxes, or waste off the printing press. This is waste that has not passed through the end user.
Preflighting The test used to evaluate every component needed to produce a printing job in digital prepress. Preflight reviews the type of disk being submitted, the color gamut, color breaks, and any art required, screen fonts, printed fonts, EPS or TIFF files, laser proofs, page sizes, print driver, crop marks, etc.
Prepress All of the functions, such as composition, camera work, color separating, stripping, platemaking and any other function required to prepare for the actual printing of the order.
Prepress Proof A proof made photographically before the plate has been made.
Preprinted Form A sheet of paper containing a preprinted design or preprinted information to which varying information can be added by some method of printing.
Presensitized Plate A plate that has been coated with a light sensitive material so that an image can be made on it for printing.
Preseparated Art Art that has a separate overlay prepared for each color in the illustration.
Presorting The process of sorting the mail, by ZIP code, down to the finest extent necessary to meet the standard requirements for the mail rate being claimed.
Press Check Printed sheets from the press that are pulled once all the makeready has been completed. The sheets are checked for quality and accuracy before authorization is given to go ahead with the full production run. Sheets may be pulled throughout the run to do press checks to assure that quality is being maintained.
Press Numbering Forms are numbered at the press as they are being printed. The number is red on each part because each part is being numbered separately before they are collated together. All parts do not have to be numbered when doing numbering at the press and the number location can change from part to part.
Press Proof A few sheets are run off the press for a final proof.
Press Run The total quantity of pieces printed during one printing.
Press Sheet The paper that will be used for the printing job.
Pressure Sensitive A property of substrates and paper stocks indicating that the material may be affected by impact, friction or weight. An example would be pressure sensitive paper which has an adhesive layer, which adheres to a surface when weight or friction is applied. Another example would be carbonless papers, which are sensitive to impact. Impact to the carbonless paper causes the chemical coating to rupture and form an image.
Pressure Sensitive Adhesive It is called pressure sensitive because when the adhesive comes in contact with a surface and pressure is applied to the label, the adhesive will allow the facestock to stick.
Pressure Sensitive Labels Labels printed on pressure sensitive paper stock. A liner is removed from the back of the label and the label is then attached to a surface and pressured is applied.
Pressure Sensitive Paper Paper with adhesive on one side.
Preview Screen A small LCD display that can be enclosed in a digital camera frame or may swing out from the camera body and is used to either compose the image or review an image photographed.
Primary Colors The three colors from which all other colors can be made by mixing.
Primary Labels A product's main identification label. It is generally the label on the front of the product and is used to draw attention to the product.
Print Block The printed area on the page.
Print Head The part of the print mechanism on a printer that enables the image to be printed on the paper.
Print On Demand Printing documents electronically when needed, rather than printing stock in advance and keeping it in storage.
Print Quality An expression describing the visual impression of a printed piece. In paper, the properties of the paper that affect its appearance and the quality of reproduction.
Print Server A computer that manages the printing demands of one or more printers, local or remote. The print server keeps track of print jobs, permits changes to print queues, and sends jobs to the printers.
Print Service A service providing hard copy printing, using an electronic printer connected to a server.
Printability The ability of paper or other surfaces to accept ink. Some characteristics that affect printability are smoothness, absorbency, opacity and ink holdout. The ink and press room conditions also affect the paper's printability.
Printer 1. Person or company that produces printed products. 2. A device that produces a printed image on paper or another flat medium from digital data received electronically.
Printer Driver Software that translates digital data being sent by a computer into a format that is understood by that particular printer, generally using printer command language or page description language.
Printer Spreads Mechanicals that are set up the way the sheet is imposed for printing on the press. A four page brochure would have pages 1 and 4 on one and pages 2 and 3 on another.
Printer's Errors (P.E.) Errors made by the printer as opposed to those made by the author of the material which are called author's alterations.
Printing Pressure The pressure required to transfer ink to the paper.
Prismatic Printing A special printing technique where a pantograph background is printed in two or more colors on the same printing unit. The different ink colors merge where they meet in the ink fountain to form a blend of colors in the background.
Private Brand A name given to the paper that is a brand name owned by a merchant, converter or customer. Also referred to as merchant's brand.
Pro Number The number assigned by the carrier to its freight bill.
Process Camera A camera used in making negatives for the printing process.
Process Color Printing The printing method that is used to print full color images. Also referred to "four color printing." A halftone made of each of the color separations is printed in the appropriate color ink. Printing each color in accordance with each other produces a full color printed image.
Process Color Separations The process of separating the primary or process colors from a colored image. The separation is done by means of red, green, and blue filters in a process camera or color scanner which produce four continuous tone negatives. There is one for each of the primary colors used in the printing process: cyan, magenta, yellow. Black is also added to give definition to the printed piece. The separations are screened and printing plates are made from them.
Process Colors The subtractive primaries: yellow, magenta and cyan, plus black (CYMK) in four-color process printing.
Process Control A method of monitoring, controlling and improving a process through statistical analysis. The four basic steps of process control include measuring the process, eliminating variances to make the process consistent, monitoring the process and improving the process to its best target value.
Process Ink Ink used to reproduce copy by the halftone color separation process.
Process Lens A highly corrected photographic lens with a flat field for graphic arts line, halftone, and color photography.
Process Printing The method of using two or more halftone plates to produce various colors in the printing process.
Production Run The final run of the product according to all specifications opposed to the makeready.
Progressive Color Proofs (Progs) Proofs of color separations.
Proof A copy of the photocomposition or full page before going to camera.
Proofread Checking a proof for errors or discrepancies from the original copy.
Proofreader A person who checks the original copy to the galley or page proofs.
Proofreader's Marks Special coded marks used by a proofreader to indicate changes and/or corrections.
Proportion Rule A rule used to show amounts of reductions or enlargements of copy.
Proportion Scale round device that is used to determine the percentage of enlargement or reduction needed to produce a specific size from the original image.
Proportional Spacing A method of spacing characters to adjust to the varying widths of letters and figures. This increases readability. Typesetting done on a computer is proportional space, whereas typesetting done on a typewriter would be monospaced.
Protective Coating A coating that is added to provide protection to the printing and surface of the product. It protects against sunlight, chemicals, moisture and abrasion. Also referred to as overprint coating.
Psychographics Characteristics that reflect lifestyles, attitudes, personal values and purchasing habits.
Psychrometer A unit for determining relative humidity.
Publication Printer Manufacturers of magazines, catalogs, books and newspaper inserts.
Publishing Making information available to the public, generally through the use of a printed product, but could also be accomplished an electronic media such as the Internet.
Pull Test A method of checking the amount of pressure required to pull a page from a bound book.
Pulp Fibrous material for papermaking which is blended, watered down, and beaten.
Pyroxlin A water resistant material used to coat paper.