We take great pride in making our clients feel confident about their jobs during the production process. To help you gain a better understanding of what’s happening to your project, we’ve compiled a glossary of terms that we commonly use in our industry. If you have any further questions just call one of our customer service representatives, they will help you all the way through so you understand what is happening with you job.
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Back Up
(1) To print on the second side of a sheet already printed on one side. (2) To adjust an image on one side of a sheet so that it aligns back-to-back with an image on the other side.
Basic Size
The standard size of sheets of paper used to calculate basis weight in the United States and Canada.
Basis Weight
In the United States and Canada, the weight, in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to the basic size. Also called ream weight and substance weight (sub weight). In countries using ISO paper sizes, the weight, in grams, of one square meter of paper. Also called grammage and ream weight.
Bind
Usually in the book arena, but not exclusively, the joining of leafs or signatures together with either wire, glue or other means.
Bindery
Usually a department within a printing company responsible for collating, folding and trimming various printing projects.
Blanket
Rubber-coated pad, mounted on a cylinder of an offset press, that receives the inked image from the plate and transfers it to the surface to be printed.
Bleed
Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming.
Blind Image
Image debossed, embossed or stamped, but not printed with ink or foil.
Blocking
Sticking together of printed sheets causing damage when the surfaces are separated.
Blow-Up
An enlargement, usually used with graphic images or photographs
Body
The main text of work not including the headlines.
Bond paper
Category of paper commonly used for writing, printing and photocopying. Also called business paper, communication paper, correspondence paper and writing paper.
Border
The decorative design or rule surrounding matter on a page.
Bounce
(1) a repeating registration problem in the printing stage of production. (2) Customer unhappy with the results of a printing project and refuses to accept the project.
Bristol Paper
General term referring to paper 6 points or thicker with basis weight between 90# and 200# (200-500 gsm). Used for products such as index cards, file folders and displays.
Broken Carton
Carton of paper from which some of the sheets have been sold. Also called less carton.
Build a Color
To overlap two or more screen tints to create a new color. Such an overlap is called a build, color build, stacked screen build or tint build.
Bulk
Thickness of paper relative to its basic weight.
Bullet
A dot or similar marking to emphasize text.
Butt Register
Register where ink colors meet precisely without overlapping or allowing space between, as compared to lap register. Also called butt fit and kiss register.
Buy Out
To subcontract for a service that is closely related to the business of the organization. Also called farm out. Work that is bought out or farmed out is sometimes called outwork or referred to as being out of house.
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