It was originally compiled circa 1998, which means it could do with updating a little so if you do find anything thats not in the glossary, please. Learn more about important print related terms in our glossary. Book design language can be confusing for the new selfpublisher, so here is a list of oftenused terms in book design. We take great pride in making our clients feel confident about their jobs during the production process. Most books dont include printing on the inside covers, so they are 4004, with 0 meaning no ink. Use our printing dictionary to look up graphic design and print related terms. Relief print a means of making prints by creating a raised design on a flat surface. The term offset applies because the printing plate never comes in contact with the printing material as it does in letterpress printing. In the book arena, a blank page traditionally does not print a page number.
A system used to fit plates to press to ensure the proper registration of printed colors. A book with color printing on the two outside covers and the inside back cover, for example, would be noted as 4044. An item that exists to be renegotiated and revised. So, to better communicate to you whats happening with your project, weve compiled a glossary of terms that we commonly use in our industry.
Glossary of printing terms book printing experts for. These terms will not only help you understand the process of book production, but will help you build success for your book. The inked areas are then contact the material to be printed, transferring the ink from the raised areas to the material. Each printed page is a separate page within the artwork file. Book paper types of paper usually used for printing books. Below youll find a list of terms and their definitions to common book printing terms. The computer looks up the number in the database telling the cash register such. Book paper is divided into uncoated paper also called offset paper, coated paper also called art paper, enamel paper, gloss paper and slick paper, and text paper. I added the publishing and computer related terminology. William blake used the manner for text and illustrations in his books. Every industry has its own lingo, and the printing industry is definitely no exception. The first half of the glossary contains terms az and is followed by two book anatomy illustrations, descriptions of the various book sizes, a guide to condition ratings, and the most common abbreviations used in the world of books. The world of print design can be a confusing one for those coming from other design disciplines, not least because of all the unfamiliar printing terms and concepts that have evolved gradually over the hundreds of years along with the art and science of printing. Bit the bit shorthand for binary digit is the smallest possible unit of information.
Trimming the cutting of the three sides of your book to remove registration. Printing term dictionary glossary of terms modern litho. A general classification to describe papers used to print books bookweight. But getting your head around it is vital if youre to ensure your designs look the same on paper as they do on screen. Grade of paper suitable for books, magazines, and general printing needs. Stay ahead of the print with this glossary of commercial printing terms to help you make sense of baffling printing terminology. A printing method using flexible plates where the image to be printed is higher than the nonprinting areas.
Spoilage paper that, due to mistakes or accidents, must be thrown away instead of delivered printed to the customer, as compared to waste. Crossover, type or art that continues from one page of a book or magazine. If youre new to commercial printing or print buying is not your primary responsibility, the following terms and definitions should better help you communicate with commercial insiders. The term used to indicate work printed on one of a large sheet of paper. Saddlestitched books will lie flat when open but may contain. Additions and corrections are always welcome by contacting flexoglobal. Hopefully, our glossary will help you unravel some of the jargon used by book collectors and book sellers. Normally used when printing on fabric and banners and when printing on board that is too thick to pass through a standard litho print press. Printing terms glossary of commercial printing terminology. Registration with the loc is necessary before printing in order to have the number printed in your book.
Marks on a final printed sheet that indicate the trim lines or register indicators. Hairline register is the fitting of two or more colours in exact alignment with each other. Crossover a reproduction that extends across two facing pages in a book or magazine and crosses over the binding. Also called alkaline paper, archival paper, neutral ph paper, permanent paper and thesis paper. This entire business was built on my need for finding high quality, incredibly affordable printing for my personal books. The ability of paper to absorb liquids like ink and aqueous coating. Print on demand books are printed when the order is placed. Looking for help understanding commonly used book collecting terminology, or abbreviations and references used in book sellers descriptions.
Glossary of printing and graphic terms press proof. A digital printing technology that allows a complete book to be printed and bound individually, as opposed to traditional publishing that produces several hundred or thousand books in a lot. There may be exceptions to some of our definitions our main concern is to provide you with general concepts relative to commonly used book jargon. The hand application of transparent water colors onto a printed picture through. Some of the terminology used in book collecting can be arcane, indeed. To print two or more images on the same paper so that they fi t. Printmaking glossary a dictionary of technical terms used in printmaking. To join pages of a book together by thread, wire, adhesive, or other means. A term used to describe the orientation of a book, where the book is taller than it is wide. A standard binding for hardcover books, which uses glue to hold the interior text block to the cover. Seal or sealer a coating applied over the print to fix it. When two pages are supplied on the same page in an artwork file, this is considered as being imposed or 2up. Printmaking glossary of art terms art encyclopedia. The front and back together of a page is called a leaf.
Any material printed at the end of a book, such as appendix, addendum, glossary. Toms glossary of book publishing terms right reading. It can be compared to, in appearance, to cross hairs in a rifle scope. Relief print the opposite of intaglio, it is the upstanding parts of the block or plate that take the ink. The lining up 1 or more colors in prnting to achieve the same placement on a substrate each and every time.
This dictionary covers graphic design, prepress and print terminology. A term describing a general type of papers used for the covers of books. All the activities involved in preparing a printing press for a print run, such as setting the registration. This is usually suboptimal for both press operation and registration of the 4 color. Adding this section to the back matter of your book is a great way to assist. Printmaking terms brayer a small, handheld rubber roller used to spread printing ink evenly on a surface before printing. The mechanical register unit on a printing press that positions a sheet from the side. A sheet of printed pages which when folded become a part of a book or publication. A printing process in which a rightreading image is printed from a plate onto a blanketed cylinder. Baren a round, smooth pad, either flat or slightly convex, used to press paper against an inked wood or linoleum block to lift an impression from the block. The bindexpert has been designed to process many different types of paper, including coated, uncoated and laminated stock. There are photo examples of the terms but please keep in mind that book characteristics and conditions vary. Fit the registration of the different colors on a printed sheet. The registration of the different colors on a printed sheet.
Characteristic of paper referring to how much light it reflects. Printmaking dictionary glossary of printmaking terms and. Back matter can include an afterword, an appendix, a bibliography, a glossary, acknowledgments, andor an index. If you feel that the topic or the complexity of your book calls for a glossary of terms, then by all means, include one. The text of the book that appears between the front and back matter. The following will help you understand the three main structures that an interior book design is comprised of and terminologies that a book designer and a printer might use. Ink is applied to a porous silk screen and passes through a stencil or template to leave an impression.
Many of the terms below are only relevant to traditional offset printing, and. A term describing a general category of papers used for the covers of books. List of common vocabulary with links to a more thorough explanation, some. The flexoglobal print glossary is a compendium of printing terms and definitions, gathered from a number of resources across the printing industry, irrespective of process. We use a 27,000 square foot inhouse printing facility with ultra high speed duplex printing that offers the capability to produce thousands of books a. All printed material that appears in the back of the book after the body copy. What is a glossary in a book how to write a glossary for. Registration in printing, the fitting of two or more colours or images in alignment with each other. The books interior will only be printed in black ink, with one color.
Glossary of printing terms uk common print design terms. As one of the premier rare book sites on the internet, alibris has thousands of rare books, first editions, and signed books available. Letterpress method of printing from raised surfaces. Book paper text weight and is divided into uncoated or offset paper, and coated. Just click on the letter above to move into the most comprehensive print glossary on the internet today. Brightness characteristic of paper or ink referring to how much light it reflects. Including a glossary page in your selfpublished book. Printing on one side of a sheet that can be seen on the other side of the sheet. Glossary of www technical terms if you cant find it here, check the acronyms or glossary of technical terms dictionaries are like watches. A general term used to define paper for books, magazines, catalogs, advertising and general printing. Book paper category of paper suitable for newsletters and general printing needs.
Change in image color resulting from changes in register, ink. A heavy printing paper used to cover books and booklets, to make presentation folders, postcards, etc. This glossary is your guide to book production, design and publishing terms. Hairline register subjective term referring to very close register. Registration marks marks outside the printing area that help us make sure colours are lined up. The plate is covered with a special ground made from a powdered substance through which the surface is bitten.
There are many printing terms used in the print industry that sound like a different language. Glossary of publishing terms book publishing company. Paper made from pulp containing little or no acid so it resists deterioration from age. Book designer david moratto, interior book design structure book design structure terms and definitions.
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