Printing Partners A–Z Glossary of Printing Terms

A

Accordion Fold: A type of fold where the paper is folded back-and-forth into a zigzag, resembling the bellows of an accordion. It’s often used for brochures or maps to allow a sheet with multiple panels to open and collapse easily in a compact stack.

Aqueous Coating (AY-kwee-us KOH-ting): A clear, fast-drying water-based coating applied to printed pieces to protect the ink and add a subtle sheen (usually satin or dull gloss). Aqueous coating helps resist fingerprints and scuffing and is more environmentally friendly than solvent-based coatings, making it a common finish for brochures and postcards.

B

Basis Weight: A U.S. paper weight measurement defined by the weight in pounds of 500 sheets (a ream) of a given paper grade at its standard stock size. Basis weight is used to indicate paper thickness – for example, 80 lb text paper is much thinner than 80 lb cover stock, because the reference sheet sizes differ for text vs. cover paper.

Bleed: In printing, bleed refers to extra image or background color that extends beyond the final trim edge of a page. This ensures that when the piece is cut to its finished size, the color or image runs fully to the edge with no white border showing, resulting in a clean, professional edge.

Binding: Binding refers to the method of fastening together the pages of a printed piece (such as a book, booklet, or magazine). Common binding types include saddle stitching (stapling folded sheets along the spine), perfect binding (using a strong glue along the spine of stacked pages to create a flat spine), spiral/Wire-O binding (punching holes and threading a plastic coil or double-loop wire through, allowing the publication to lay flat), and case binding (hardcover book binding with sewn or glued signatures attached to rigid covers). Each binding style offers a different look and level of durability for the finished product.

Bond Paper: A category of durable writing paper originally used for documents like bonds and letterhead, now a common term for high-quality copier and office paper. Bond paper (often 20 lb or 24 lb in basis weight) is known for its strength and good ink absorption, making it ideal for stationery, business forms, and everyday printing that needs a professional feel.

Bulk Mail: Mailing large volumes of identical or nearly identical pieces at reduced postage rates, typically through a presort or nonprofit mailing permit. In bulk mail, an indicia (permit imprint) is printed on each piece instead of a stamp, and the mail is prepared to USPS specifications (sorted by ZIP code, bundled, etc.), resulting in cost savings for mass mail campaigns like newsletters or flyers.

C

Coated Paper: Paper with a fine clay or polymer coating on its surface, giving it a smooth texture. Coated papers (available in gloss, satin, or matte finishes) produce crisper details and more vibrant colors because the coating keeps ink from absorbing deeply into the paper – they are commonly used for high-quality brochures, magazines, and photo printing.

CMYK: The four primary ink colors used in full-color printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). In four-color process printing, these translucent inks are printed in tiny dots and overlapping screens to produce a wide spectrum of colors; for example, combining 100% C, 100% M, 0% Y, 0% K yields a rich blue. (Black is denoted as “K” because it’s the key plate that aligns the other colors, and to avoid confusion with “B” for blue.)

Crop Marks: Thin lines printed at the corners of a design to indicate where the paper should be trimmed to its final size. Crop marks (also called trim marks) ensure that after cutting, the finished piece has the correct dimensions and that any bleed beyond the trim is cut off, leaving a clean edge with no unwanted borders.

Cover Stock: A heavy weight paper or cardstock typically used for the covers of booklets, catalogs, and for products like business cards or postcards. Cover stock is thicker and more rigid than regular text paper, often measured in point thickness (e.g., 14pt, 16pt) or by basis weight (e.g., 100 lb cover); it provides durability and a substantial feel for the outer pages of a publication.

D

Debossing: A finishing technique where a design, logo, or text is stamped into the paper surface, creating a recessed (sunken) impression. Debossing adds a tactile effect and visual depth by pressing the material inward, which is the opposite of embossing (embossing raises the design above the paper surface).

Die Cutting: The process of cutting paper or other substrates into a custom shape using a sharp steel blade formed into that shape (called a die). Die cutting is used to create unique designs like rounded corners, folders with pockets, hang tags, or any non-rectangular shape, allowing printed pieces to stand out with creative outlines beyond straight-edge cuts.

Digital Printing: A modern printing method that directly transfers digital artwork from a computer to paper (or other media) without the need for traditional plates. Digital printing can use laser technology with toner (powder) or high-end inkjet heads with liquid ink; it’s ideal for short-run jobs or fast turnarounds and enables personalization (e.g., variable data printing for unique names/addresses on each piece) since each print can be different.

DPI (Dots Per Inch): A measure of print resolution indicating how many individual dots of ink or toner a device can place within one linear inch. Higher DPI yields finer detail and sharper images — for example, 300 DPI is a common standard for high-quality printing (suitable for crisp text and photos), while lower resolutions (72–150 DPI) may appear pixelated or blurry when printed.

Duplex Printing: Printing on both sides of a sheet of paper. Duplex printing (also called double-sided printing) is used for books, brochures, and many printed materials to save paper and reduce bulk; most commercial presses and office printers have duplex capability so that pages are automatically flipped to print the reverse side in the same run.

E

Embossing: A finishing process that creates a raised design on paper by pressing it between a matched pair of dies (one with a raised image and one with a recessed image). Embossing produces a 3D effect that you can see and feel — often used for logos, titles, or decorative patterns on business cards, invitation covers, or packaging to add an elegant, tactile element.

EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail): A USPS service that lets businesses send mail to every address along chosen postal routes without needing individual recipient addresses. EDDM is a cost-effective way to do saturation mailing for local advertising — you design a mail piece (such as a flyer or postcard), select the target neighborhoods/ZIP codes, and the postal service delivers your printed piece to every door (home or business) in that area.

F

Foil Stamping: A special printing finish in which a thin foil film (often metallic gold, silver, or colored foil) is stamped onto the paper’s surface using heat and pressure. Foil stamping produces a shiny, reflective design that can’t be achieved with standard inks — it’s commonly used to add a premium, eye-catching touch to wedding invitations, business cards, certificates, and high-end packaging.

FSC Certified (Forest Stewardship Council Certified): Indicates that a paper, printer, or print product meets the strict sustainability standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council. Using FSC-certified paper or working with an FSC-certified printing company means the wood fibers in the paper come from responsibly managed forests (and often include recycled content), ensuring your printed materials are environmentally friendly and trackable to sustainable sources.

Flexography: A high-speed rotary printing process that uses flexible relief plates made of rubber or photopolymer and quick-drying inks. Commonly called flexo, this method is used for printing on a variety of packaging materials and labels (plastic, foil, cardboard, etc.) — it’s ideal for large volumes like food packaging, shopping bags, or gift wrap, where the press prints on a continuous roll of material and can easily handle uneven or stretchable substrates.

G

Gloss Finish: A shiny, reflective coating or paper surface that enhances color vibrancy and contrast. Printed pieces with a gloss finish have rich, saturated colors and a slick sheen that catches the light (similar to a glossy photo), but the trade-off is that they can produce glare under bright light and show fingerprints more readily than matte finishes.

Grain (Paper Grain Direction): The direction in which the majority of fibers align in a sheet of paper as a result of the papermaking process. Folding or feeding paper with the grain (parallel to the fiber direction) is easier and results in a smoother fold, whereas folding against the grain can cause resistance or cracking in the paper’s surface — knowing the grain is important for binding and folding operations to ensure the best results.

GSM (Grams per Square Meter): The metric measurement of paper weight, representing the weight of a 1 m x 1 m sheet of that paper. A higher GSM number means a heavier and usually thicker paper: for example, standard copy paper is around 75–90 GSM, a nice brochure paper might be 150–170 GSM, and a typical business card or postcard stock could be 250–350 GSM or more.

H

Halftone: The technique of simulating continuous-tone images (like photographs or gradients) in print by breaking them into a series of tiny dots. In printing, a halftone image uses varying dot sizes or spacing to create the illusion of shades of gray or varying colors when viewed at normal distance — darker areas have larger or denser dots, while lighter areas have smaller or more widely spaced dots (this allows even a single ink color to render multiple tonal values).

I

Indicia (in-DISH-ee-uh): A printed postal permit imprint used in place of a stamp on bulk mailings. An indicia is usually a small box of text and artwork in the upper right corner of an envelope or postcard that indicates postage has been prepaid (showing details like “PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Permit #___”) – it lets commercial mailers send large mail quantities efficiently without affixing individual stamps to each piece.

Inkjet Printing: A type of digital printing that propels tiny droplets of ink onto paper or other materials to create an image. Desktop photo printers and wide-format plotters are common examples of inkjet printing devices; in commercial printing, advanced inkjet presses can produce high-quality images (even on large banners or specialty substrates) and are prized for their ability to print continuous-tone imagery and variable data at relatively high speed without the need for plates.

J

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): A common image file format that uses lossy compression to reduce file size, often noted by the .jpg extension. JPEGs are convenient for web and photography, but overly high compression can degrade image quality – for printing purposes it’s important to use high-resolution JPEGs (e.g., 300 DPI at the actual print size) or lossless formats, because a low-quality JPEG may appear pixelated or blurry on a printed piece.

K

K (Black): In the CMYK color model, “K” stands for Key, which represents black ink. It’s referred to as the key color because in four-color process printing the black plate is traditionally used to align (key) the other color plates, and using “B” for black could be confused with “blue” – thus, K = black in print terminology.

L

Lamination: The process of bonding a thin protective plastic film to a printed sheet, enhancing its thickness, durability, and finish. Lamination can be glossy, matte, or soft-touch; it protects the print from moisture, tearing, and frequent handling (for example, menus or report covers are often laminated to make them water-resistant and long-lasting, and a soft-touch laminate adds a velvet-like feel for a luxury effect).

Letterpress: A traditional relief printing technique (one of the oldest printing methods) where a raised surface coated with ink presses into paper. Letterpress printing leaves an impression that you can feel on thick, soft paper – it produces an artisanal, debossed look for text and artwork, and today it’s often used for elegant projects like wedding invitations, business cards, and specialty stationery where a classic, handcrafted quality is desired.

Live Area (Safe Zone): The area within a page layout that is safely away from the edges and trim, in which all important content should reside. Keeping text, logos, and critical images inside this safe zone (typically a margin of at least 1/8″ to 1/4″ from the trim edge) ensures nothing essential will be cut off during trimming and that there’s a comfortable buffer so content isn’t too close to the edge of the final printed piece.

M

Matte Finish: A non-glossy, dull finish on paper or coating that diffuses light, resulting in no glare. Matte finished papers or varnishes give printed materials a subdued, elegant look and a smooth texture that’s easy to read (colors appear softer than on gloss stock, but matte can convey a higher-end feel for things like brochures, report covers, or art prints that don’t need shine).

Metallic Ink: An ink that contains metallic particles or pigments (such as powdered aluminum or bronze) to create a reflective, metal-like sheen on the print. Metallic inks (like gold, silver, or copper tones) are printed as spot colors and add a lustrous effect that regular CMYK cannot achieve – they’re commonly used on invitations, certificates, packaging, or anywhere a special shimmering accent is desired.

N

NCOA (National Change of Address): A USPS database and service that records address forwarding information when people or businesses move. When a mailing list is processed through NCOA, the addresses are updated to the most current addresses on file (for those who filed a change of address), which improves delivery rates and reduces returned mail by ensuring you’re sending to recipients’ latest known addresses.

NCR Paper (No Carbon Required paper): A special type of multi-part form paper that produces duplicates as you write, without the need for carbon sheets between pages. NCR paper has chemical coatings on the front and back of the sheets in a form set – pressure from writing or impact printing on the top sheet transfers the text to the sheets beneath. It’s used for creating instant copies of invoices, receipt forms, order forms, etc. (for example, a 3-part NCR form will yield a white original, plus a canary yellow and a pink copy).

O

Offset Printing: A traditional and widely used printing method in which an inked image on a metal plate is transferred (offset) to a rubber blanket and then onto paper. Also known as offset lithography, this process produces consistently high-quality images and is very efficient for medium to large print runs (e.g., magazines, catalogs, stationery) – while setup involves making plates for each ink color, the per-piece cost becomes very economical at higher quantities, and it handles precise color reproduction and fine detail exceptionally well.

Opacity (Paper Opacity): The measure of how much light passes through a sheet of paper, or how much printing on one side is visible on the other side. High-opacity paper prevents show-through (so printing on the back won’t distract or ghost through to the front), which is important for two-sided printing jobs like books or brochures – low opacity papers (thin or translucent ones) might allow images and text to be seen from the reverse side under light.

P

Pantone (PAN-tone) Matching System (PMS): A proprietary standardized color system used in printing to ensure exact color matching through pre-mixed inks. Each Pantone color has a unique code number (e.g., Pantone 185 is a specific red) – printers use these PMS inks as spot colors when a project requires precise hues that can’t be perfectly achieved with CMYK alone (such as a exact corporate logo color, or special inks like metallic and fluorescents). Designers often specify Pantone colors to maintain brand consistency across different print runs and materials.

Paper (Types of Paper): There are many types of paper used in commercial printing – broadly speaking, these different kinds of printing paper are categorized as coated or uncoated stock. Coated papers have a smooth clay coating (in gloss, silk, or matte finishes) that yields sharp detail and vibrant color because the ink sits on the surface, whereas uncoated papers are more porous, offering a textured, natural look (better for writing or a subdued appearance). Papers also come in various weights and grades (text weight vs. cover weight, index, bond, etc.), and can have special qualities such as being recycled, FSC-certified, or featuring unique textures to suit different project needs.

Perfect Binding: A binding method where the pages are gathered into a block, the edges along the spine are ground flat, and a flexible adhesive is applied to hold them together inside a wrap-around cover. Perfect bound books have a clean, square spine (like a paperback book or thick magazine), and the technique works well for thicker publications – it allows printing on the spine but does not lie completely flat when open (unlike spiral or sewn bindings).

Perforation: A row of small holes or slits punched into paper to allow a portion to be easily torn off or separated along a line. Perforations are used for things like tear-off coupons, response cards, or invoice remittance slips – the perforated line ensures the tear is neat and straight, so the user can detach that part of the printed piece without scissors.

Plate (Printing Plate): In offset printing, a thin metal sheet (often aluminum) or printable polyester film that carries the inked image for each color. A separate plate is made for each ink color (for example, four plates for CMYK), and the plate’s image area attracts ink while non-image areas repel it (in lithography, via a chemical process). The inked plate transfers the image to a rubber blanket cylinder, which then prints onto the paper – creating plates is one of the first steps in traditional printing setup.

Preflight: The process of thoroughly checking digital files before they go to press to catch and fix any issues that could affect printing. In a preflight review, the printer (or designer) verifies that all fonts are embedded or outlined, images are high resolution (300 DPI for print), colors are correctly specified (CMYK or Pantone as needed, instead of unintended RGB), bleeds and crop marks are set up, and there are no errors like missing graphics – a successful preflight ensures the PDF or artwork is print-ready, preventing costly errors or delays on press.

Press Check: A review step where the client or designer visits the printing press as the job is starting to print, in order to examine the actual printed sheets. During a press check, you can inspect color accuracy, image alignment, and overall quality on the first sheets off the press (often under proper lighting conditions and using color proofing tools) – if adjustments are needed (like tweaking ink density or registration), they are made on the spot. The press check is essentially the last opportunity to make sure the print job looks as expected before the full run proceeds.

Proof: A preliminary sample of a printed project used for inspection and approval before the final print run. A proof can be digital (a PDF or on-screen soft proof) for content and layout verification, or hard copy (physical proof on paper, sometimes produced on a calibrated printer or as an actual press proof) for checking color and finishing. By reviewing a proof, the client can catch any errors or changes needed and see how the design will appear in print, ensuring the final prints will be correct once mass production begins.

Q

QR Code (Quick Response code): A two-dimensional barcode in a square pattern that encodes information (usually a URL, text, or other data) and can be scanned with a smartphone camera. When printed on marketing materials – like brochures, flyers, business cards, or posters – a QR code lets readers quickly access online content (for example, scanning a QR might open a website, sign-up form, or map location), effectively bridging physical print to digital interaction with a single scan.

R

Ream: A standard unit of quantity for paper, traditionally equal to 500 sheets. Paper is often sold or specified in reams (e.g., “two reams of 8.5×11 copy paper”), and basis weight definitions are based on the weight of a ream in that paper’s base sheet size. (In some cases, specialty papers use different sheet counts for a ream, but 500 is the common commercial count.)

RGB: The color model based on light’s primary colors – Red, Green, and Blue – used for digital screens, cameras, and scanners. RGB colors are capable of vivid, neon-like hues on monitors, but they must be converted to CMYK for printing because printed inks reflect light differently. If you print artwork that’s still in RGB mode, the colors may shift or appear dull, so designers always convert images to CMYK and adjust as needed to ensure the printed result matches expectations (for example, a bright neon RGB blue might turn navy in CMYK, so a Pantone spot color might be used instead for that neon effect).

Run Length: The quantity of units produced in a single print job, often described as short run or long run. The run length can influence the choice of printing method and cost – for instance, digital printing is cost-effective for short runs (say 50 or 500 copies), while offset printing becomes more economical for longer runs (in the thousands) due to the setup being amortized over many pieces. Printers may also discuss run length in context of scheduling (a longer run takes more press time) and consistency (ensuring color and quality remain stable throughout the entire run).

Registration Marks: Small cross-hair targets or circles with crosslines that are printed outside the trim area on press sheets to aid in alignment. When printing multiple color plates (like CMYK or any spot colors), the press operator uses these registration marks to check that all colors are “in register” – i.e., perfectly aligned on top of each other. If the registration marks show any misalignment (seen as a slight offset of one color’s mark relative to another), adjustments are made so the final image is sharp and colors do not appear as halos or shadows.

S

Saddle Stitch: A common binding method for booklets and magazines where the printed sheets are folded in half and nested inside one another, then stapled through the fold line (the spine) with metal wire staples. Saddle-stitched pieces can lie fairly flat and are inexpensive to produce – this format is typically used for programs, catalogs, newsletters, and other documents up to about 60–80 pages (beyond that thickness, other binding methods are preferred). Note that the staples on the spine mean you can’t print text on the spine, and very thick saddle-stitched books may exhibit page creep (slight inner page extension) that needs to be trimmed.

Scoring: The process of creating a controlled crease on paper or cardstock to facilitate a clean, crack-free fold. Scoring is done by pressing a channel or indentation into the paper (often with a blunt metal rule) at the fold line before folding; it’s especially important on heavier stocks or toner-based digital prints that might crack along an unstretched fold. By scoring brochures, greeting cards, report covers, etc., you ensure the paper bends accurately at the desired point and that the folded edge looks smooth and professional.

Screen Printing: A printing method where ink is transferred onto a substrate by pressing it through a fine mesh screen that has been stenciled (masked) in the areas that should remain ink-free. Each color in a screen print design uses a separate screen, so multicolor jobs require multiple passes. Screen printing deposits a thick layer of ink, resulting in vibrant, opaque colors even on dark materials – it’s commonly used for t-shirts and apparel, posters, decals, and signage, as well as specialty printing on surfaces like wood or glass. While slower than offset/digital for paper printing, it excels for custom merchandise and can print on irregular objects or materials that other presses can’t handle.

Sheet-Fed Press: A printing press that feeds individual cut sheets of paper (as opposed to a web press which uses a continuous roll of paper). Commercial sheet-fed presses are used for a wide range of print jobs – from flyers and brochures to packaging and art prints – and can handle various sheet sizes and paper weights. Sheet-fed printing offers high quality and flexibility, with the press operator loading stacks of paper that get pulled into the press one sheet at a time; after printing, the sheets are collected in order. This method allows for precise control and is ideal for medium-run jobs and projects requiring multiple versions or frequent job changeovers.

Smyth Sewn (pronounced “smith sewn”): A premium binding technique where folded signatures (sections of pages) are sewn together with thread along the spine, often with multiple signatures then also sewn to each other. Smyth sewing is known for its durability and ability to lie flat – it’s frequently used in hardcover books, journals, and high-end publications. Books that are Smyth sewn can withstand heavy use because the thread holds the pages securely (as opposed to just glue), and this method prevents pages from easily falling out over time.

Soft-Touch Coating: A specialized finishing coating (or laminate film) that creates a velvety, soft feel on the surface of printed paper. Soft-touch coating provides a muted matte appearance and a luxurious tactility – when applied to business cards, packaging, or booklet covers, it not only elevates the look by diffusing reflections but also engages the sense of touch, leaving an impression of quality. (Because it’s a matte finish, colors will be a bit less vibrant than with a gloss coating, but the trade-off is a sophisticated, non-glare look with a unique feel.)

Soy-Based Inks: Printing inks made using soybean oil as the vehicle/carrier, instead of traditional petroleum-based oils. Soy-based inks are more environmentally friendly – they are derived from a renewable resource and generally have lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which means reduced harmful emissions during drying. These inks also tend to yield brighter colors (especially for certain pigments) and make paper recycling easier, as the ink can be more completely removed from paper fibers. They have become popular for eco-conscious printing and are often used in newspapers, marketing materials, and packaging where sustainability is a priority.

Spot Color: A single, solid color ink that is printed in a discrete area of a design, separate from the process-color (CMYK) mix. Spot colors are pre-mixed inks (like Pantone PMS colors or metallic inks) used when you need an exact color match or special effect that CMYK alone can’t produce accurately. For example, a company’s logo might be printed with a Pantone spot ink to ensure the blue is exactly right, or a neon orange might be used as a spot for emphasis. Spot colors require their own printing plate on offset presses (or a separate station on a press), and they’re also used for specialty finishes like varnishes, metallics, or fluorescents.

Spiral Binding: A binding style where a continuous plastic coil is threaded through a line of punched holes along the edge of a stack of pages, securing them together. The spiral (resembling a long spring) winds from the first page to the last, allowing the finished book to open fully flat and even fold back on itself 360 degrees. Spiral binding is popular for notebooks, calendars, manuals, and workbooks because of its ease of use – pages turn easily and stay put. The coils come in various colors and diameters to accommodate different thicknesses, and though similar to Wire-O binding, a spiral coil is a single helix (often plastic) whereas Wire-O is twin-loop metal.

Substrate: A general term for the material that is being printed on. While paper is the most common substrate in commercial printing, many projects involve alternative substrates like cardstock, plastic, vinyl, fabric, canvas, metal, or wood. Different printing processes are suited to different substrates (for example, UV printing or screen printing can handle non-paper substrates). The choice of substrate affects the look, feel, and durability of the final product – printers select appropriate inks and methods based on the substrate to ensure proper adhesion and image quality.

T

Text Stock: A category of lighter-weight paper typically used for the inner pages of booklets, catalogs, magazines, and other multi-page documents (as opposed to cover stock which is heavier and used for covers). Text stock usually ranges from about 50 lb to 100 lb in basis weight (or roughly 75–150 GSM) and is thinner and more flexible, making it suitable for folding and binding while still providing a quality feel for printed content.

Thermography: A printing process that produces raised lettering or images by using heat-fused resin, often used to imitate the look of engraving at a lower cost. In thermography, after printing the design in slow-drying ink, a special powder is sprinkled over it which sticks to the wet ink. The excess powder is removed, and then the sheet is passed through a heater that melts the powder, causing it to bubble up and harden into a raised, slightly shiny layer. You’ll often see thermographic printing on business cards, letterheads, and invitation text – the result is touchable, raised print with a glossy sheen, without needing the metal dies required for true engraving.

Trim Size: The final physical dimensions of a printed piece after it has been cut down to its finished size. For example, the trim size of a standard letter flyer is 8.5″ x 11″ once it’s fully trimmed. When designing for print, you must account for trim size by including bleed beyond the trim edges and keeping important content within the safe live area, so that after trimming, the piece is the correct size with no unintentional white margins or cut-off text.

Tri-Fold (Letter Fold): A common brochure folding method where a sheet of paper is folded into thirds, creating three panels on each side. In a tri-fold (often used for pamphlets and #10 envelope inserts), one side panel is folded inward first and then covered by the other panel, resulting in a compact brochure that opens like a letter. The standard tri-fold turns an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet, for example, into a flyer with three panels approximately 3.6″ wide each, neatly presenting information in sections. This format is popular for take-away brochures because it’s economical to produce and fits in a regular envelope while giving six distinct page panels for content.

U

Uncoated Paper: Paper that has no surface coating, providing a porous, natural texture that is often slightly rougher or matte to the touch. Uncoated paper absorbs ink more than coated stock, which means colors appear a bit softer or darker, and fine details might not be as sharp; however, it offers a classic look and is easy to write on (ideal for letterheads, notepads, forms, or pieces where a more organic feel is desired). Many stationery items, books, and newsletters use uncoated stocks for a subtle, elegant appearance or for better writability.

UV Coating: A high-gloss liquid coating applied to a printed sheet and then instantly cured with ultraviolet light, creating an extremely shiny and durable surface. UV coating makes colors pop with vibrancy and provides substantial protection against smudges, scratches, and moisture. It’s often applied to postcards, catalog covers, business cards, or other materials that benefit from an eye-catching gloss – either flood (covering the whole page) or as a spot UV (coating selected areas like a logo or photo for contrast against an uncoated background). The UV curing process hardens the coating in seconds using UV lamps, resulting in a smooth mirror-like finish.

UV Printing: A printing technique (used in some offset presses and many high-end digital presses) that uses specially formulated inks which dry by exposure to ultraviolet light rather than evaporation or absorption. In UV printing, as soon as the ink hits the substrate, UV lamps cure (solidify) the ink instantly. This instant curing means the ink doesn’t get a chance to soak into the paper, resulting in sharper detail and more vibrant colors, and it allows printing on non-porous materials like plastics, vinyl, or foil that standard inks would smudge on. UV printing is also considered more environmentally friendly for certain applications, as the inks are solvent-free (low VOC) and the quick drying can reduce production time and waste.

V

Variable Data Printing (VDP): A digital printing process that allows elements like text, images, or graphics to change from one printed piece to the next, pulling from a database or spreadsheet of information. This means each copy in a print run can be personalized or customized on the fly – for example, a marketing postcard might have a different name, address, or even tailored offer for each recipient. VDP is commonly used for direct mail campaigns, personalized invitations, numbered tickets, or any project where customization can increase engagement (such as unique coupon codes or region-specific content), and it leverages the flexibility of digital presses to output a series of one-of-a-kind prints without stopping the press.

Varnish: A transparent coating applied to printed pieces to enhance appearance or add protection, similar to a clear ink. Varnish can be gloss, satin, or matte and is usually applied by the printing press as an extra ink unit. An overall gloss varnish, for example, can enrich the color saturation and add a slight sheen, while a matte varnish can reduce glare and give a silky feel. Spot varnish is used to highlight specific areas (like a logo or image) by making them shinier or just different in finish compared to the rest of the page. Although not as shiny or thick as UV coating, varnish is a versatile, subtle way to protect the ink from rubbing and to create visual contrast on a page (glossy vs. dull effects).

Vector Graphic: An image defined by mathematical paths, points, curves, and shapes, rather than fixed pixels. Vector graphics (created in programs like Adobe Illustrator or saved as SVG/EPS/PDF files) are infinitely scalable without losing clarity – you can enlarge a vector logo from business card size to a billboard, and it stays crisp and clear. In printing, using vector artwork for logos, text, and line art is crucial because it ensures the highest quality output at any size; by contrast, raster images (like JPEGs or PNGs) are made of pixels and can become blurry if printed larger than their resolution allows. For example, a company logo should be provided as a vector file so it prints cleanly on all materials from letterheads to large signs.

Vellum: In modern printing, vellum usually refers to a semi-translucent paper that has a frosted, parchment-like appearance. Vellum paper is often used for creative invitations, overlays, or specialty brochures where a see-through element can add interest (for instance, a translucent cover sheet with a logo that you can see the next page through). It diffuses light softly and can give a sophisticated look by layering printed pieces. (Historically, “vellum” meant a fine parchment made from animal skin, and in paper it can also describe a smooth, vellum finish on cardstock, but most commonly the term in a print-shop context means the translucent paper used for artistic effect.)

W

Web Press: A high-speed printing press that uses a continuous roll of paper (called a web) instead of individual sheets. Web presses are typically used for very high-volume jobs like newspapers, magazines, catalogs, or directories – the paper feeds rapidly from giant rolls through the press and is usually printed on both sides in one pass. After printing, the web is cut (and often folded) into individual pieces by in-line equipment. Web presses can be heatset (using ovens to quickly dry ink for glossy papers) or coldset (air-dried ink, common for newsprint), and they are extremely efficient for long runs, where thousands of copies can be produced in a short time once the press is up to speed.

Wide-Format Printing: A category of printing for large graphics that exceed the size of standard commercial printing presses, typically done on specialized inkjet equipment that can handle wide rolls or sheets of material. Wide-format printers can produce posters, banners, trade show displays, wall murals, signage, and other oversized prints – often accommodating widths from about 24 inches up to 60+ inches (and many feet in length). They can print on a variety of substrates including paper, vinyl, canvas, fabric, backlit film, and more. This type of printing is often used for visual marketing materials and outdoor advertisements, and because it’s usually digital (inkjet), it’s well-suited for short to medium runs or one-off custom pieces like large photographs or art reproductions.

Wire-O Binding: A mechanical binding method similar to spiral binding, but using a series of twin-loop metal wires formed into a “C” shape that are crimped closed after being inserted through punched holes along the edge of the book’s pages. Wire-O (also known as twin-loop or double-loop binding) allows books to open flat and pages to turn 360 degrees around the spine, making it popular for calendars, notebooks, technical manuals, and presentation books. It has a more polished appearance than plastic coil and can accommodate index tabs or dividers cleanly. Wire-O bound books have pairs of loops visible along the spine (often silver or black metal), giving a professional look and secure binding that is ideal for documents that need to lie flat for writing or reference.

X

Xerography (zee-ROG-ruh-fee): A dry electrophotographic printing and copying process that forms images using static electricity and toner powder, famously used in photocopiers and laser printers. In a xerographic printer, an electrostatically charged drum or belt is selectively discharged by a laser or light (forming the image), then toner (a fine colored powder) adheres to the charged areas. The toner image is transferred to paper and fused with heat to fix it. This technology – invented by Chester Carlson in the 1930s – underlies most office copy machines and many digital presses, enabling quick, on-demand printing with crisp results, especially for text documents.

Y

Yupo: A brand of synthetic paper made from polypropylene resin instead of wood pulp. Yupo paper is waterproof, very durable, and tear-resistant, which makes it useful for applications where regular paper might fail – such as menus that need to be washed, outdoor signage, posters in humid conditions, or labels that must withstand water and oils. It has a smooth surface that can be printed with certain inks (often via UV printing or screen printing) and offers the look of paper with significantly enhanced endurance, but it’s not easily recyclable like typical paper due to its plastic composition.

Z

Z-Fold: A folding method where a paper is folded into thirds like the letter “Z,” creating a zigzag accordion with three panels. Unlike a tri-fold (where one panel is tucked inside), a Z-fold has two folds in opposite directions – the paper is folded in thirds, with one fold forward and one backward, so when you pull it open, it unfolds in a continuous “zigzag” strip. This format is often used for brochures and mailers because it opens in one motion to reveal multiple panels side by side, and it can be a convenient way to sequentially reveal information. (A Z-fold is essentially a three-panel accordion fold, commonly used for things like bills or flyers that need to be opened quickly and laid flat.)