Printing dictionary

Printing Glossary (A–Z) – Terms Worth Knowing

This printing glossary includes essential terms related to offset and digital printing, as well as the preparation of advertising materials. It was created for people who want to understand what happens inside a print shop and prepare files according to technical requirements. Moreover, some definitions may be useful in marketing and custom publishing. Therefore, it is worth getting familiar with these entries, because it helps you avoid production mistakes and feel more confident when ordering print.

• Solid fill (Apla) – a uniform fill of a large area with one color. It can be CMYK or PANTONE. Therefore, a solid fill is often used to control offset press quality.
• Allocation – the arrangement of elements on a sheet to maximize paper usage and reduce waste.
• Press sheet – a large sheet on which several pieces are printed at once and then cut or folded to the final format.
• Halftone (Autotypia) – a technique for reproducing tonal transitions (e.g., photos) using a printing screen.

• Creasing (Bigowanie) – bending paper along a crease line to make folding easier. It is used for papers above 170 g to prevent cracking of the print.
• Plate (CTP plate) – a metal offset plate made using CTP technology, meaning the image is transferred directly from the computer onto the plate.
• Brochure – a multi-page publication, most often saddle-stitched with wire. Therefore, it works well for presenting companies and products.

• CMYK – the basic print color model: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black. Therefore, print files are prepared in CMYK. It is worth adding that RGB is a common mistake and, as a result, causes color differences on the print.
• Crop marks – cutting marks placed outside the trim area that help with accurate cutting of sheets.
• Custom publishing – creating dedicated catalogs, magazines, and corporate publications that support brand image. Moreover, it helps build a relationship with the audience.

• Densitometer – a device that measures the optical density of ink on a print. Thanks to this, color strength can be controlled.
• Printing – reproducing an image on a printing substrate. In sheet-fed offset, the image goes from the plate to the rubber blanket cylinder and then onto paper.
• DTP – desktop publishing and prepress: layout, typesetting, color correction, and setting bleeds.

• Exposure – exposing film or a printing plate to create an image intended for printing.
• Folding (Falcowanie) – mechanical folding of sheets along lines on a folding machine. Moreover, it is an important stage in the production of books and folders.
• Lamination – protecting a sheet with a thin film: gloss, matte, or soft touch for a velvety finish.

• Guillotine – a machine for precise paper cutting, used both at the end and during production.
• Printhead – a component of an inkjet or digital printer that deposits ink. Its condition affects print quality.

• Hot stamping – foil stamping with heat (e.g., gold or silver), which adds elegance to packaging and catalogs.
• Imposition – arranging pages on a sheet so that after folding and trimming the page order is correct.
• Bindery – the department responsible for finishing: folding, gluing, stitching, and binding.

• Print quality – the level of image reproduction influenced by resolution, screen ruling, and paper. Therefore, print shops use densitometric control.
• Board (cardboard) – a thicker paper material used for hardcovers and for producing folders.
• PUR glue – a polyurethane binding glue for perfect binding, providing high durability.

• Dispersion varnish – a fast-drying water-based varnish in offset printing that protects the print and gives gloss or matte.
• UV varnish – varnish cured with UV light, applied spot or full coverage.
• Mock-up – a sample showing the graphic and text layout before production.
• Module (layout) – the smallest layout element, worth planning already at the DTP stage.
• Run (quantity) – the number of copies printed in one production cycle.
• Numbering – adding consecutive numbers to items, e.g., tickets or vouchers.
• Offset – a printing technique where the image goes from the plate to the rubber blanket cylinder and then onto paper.
• Saddle stitching – wire-stitch binding, common in brochures, catalogs, and magazines.
• Pantone (PMS) – a color system that enables accurate reproduction of spot colors.
• Proof – a test print that helps evaluate color before the final run. Thanks to this, corrections can be made. Moreover, proofs are produced only on glossy paper.

• Reprographics – preparing materials for print: scanning, color correction, and layout.
• Screen printing – a technique where ink is pushed through a mesh, used in textiles and promotional items.
• Die-cutting – cutting shapes from paper or board using a die.
• Bleed – artwork extending beyond the trim line to avoid white edges. It is worth adding that this is a common file mistake.
• DTP layout – preparing text and graphics in layout software with print settings.
• Embossing – creating raised or recessed patterns, often combined with hot stamping.
• Thermal printing – a method of fixing pigment under high temperature.
• Print enhancement – adding effects such as varnishing, lamination, and embossing.
• Die – a tool for die-cutting that produces a specific shape from paper or board.
• Paper web – a long strip of paper used in web-fed presses.
• Single-sided / double-sided print – whether printing is done on one side or both sides of a sheet.
• Gilding – applying gold foil elements, often used in elegant packaging and invitations.
• Perforation (Nacinanie) – making cuts that help tear off parts, for example in coupons.