Bitmap:
An electronic image composed of pixels, such as a TIFF file.

Chromalin:
A colour proofing system by DuPont. All corrections should be done at this stage (an expensive proof).

CMYK:
The acronym for the four process colours - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (Key).

Cold Set:
The process where ink dries by absorption on uncoated paper. Web press - notably newspapers.

Pantone Swatches

DPI:
Dots per inch. The resolution of a device or image.

DPS:
Double page spread.

EPS:
Encapsulated Postscript file.

Foil Stamping:
A mechanical process that results in the bonding of coloured foil to paper.

Greyscale:
A colour mode that displays images using 256 shades of grey. Used for black and white photographic images.

Heat Set:
The process that uses heat, usually a gas oven to quickly dry the ink on coated (glossy) paper. Used on web presses.

Hexachrome:
A proprietary colour separation process, developed by Pantone, that uses 6 colours instead of 4.

Imagesetter:
A high resolution device that prints directly to film or bromide.

Iris Proof:
A high quality colour inkjet proof, used for checking colour etc.

ISDN:
Integrated Services Digital Network. A high speed method of transferring electronic files.

JPEG:
Joint photographic Electronic Group. A common standard for compressing image data. Jpeg is not commonly used in printing because of data loss and unpredictable results.

Kissfit:
Two images which touch each other without any trapping being applied.

Lexmark Proof:
An inkjet proof, not the same standard as an Iris or Chromalin.

Matchprint:
A colour proofing system developed by 3M. All corrections should have been done prior to seeing a match print.

Offset Printing:
Ink is offset from the printing plate to a rubber roller then to paper.

PDF:
Portable Document File. A proprietary format developed by Adobe systems for the transfer of documents across multiple computer platforms.

Perfected/perfecting:
The operation that produces a sheet printed on both sides while only passing once through the press.

Perfect Binding:
A book/magazine binding process where pages are glued together directly into the cover of the book/magazine.

PMS:
Pantone matching system. A proprietary colour system for choosing and matching specific spot colours and process colours.

Process Colours:
The mechanical process of reproducing a full colour image with the three primary subtractive colour inks (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) and black.

Registration:
The quality of alignment of the different colour inks as they are applied to paper. Ie if the inks can be seen to overlap improperly or to leave white gaps on the page, the printing is said to be out of registration.

RGB:
Red, Green, Blue the colours used by a computer monitor to create colour images on the screen. Depending on the output device RGB graphics have to be converted to CMYK graphics.

Saddle Stitch:
A binding process where pages are wire-stitched together through the spine.

Score:
To imprint a crease. It is preferable to score heavy paper before folding it in order to avoid cracking.

Sheeter:
The facility which enables us to cut the printed reel into unfolded flat sheets.

Spot Colour:
Single colours applied to printing when process colour is not necessary. (ie 1,2 or 3 cols, or when 4 cols or more is needed).

Thermography:
A printing process using heat, ink and powder, that results in raised type.

TIFF:
Tagged Image File Format, a bitmapped file format which supports CMYK/32 bit and is used for the reproduction of continuous tone images such as photos and illustrations.

UV Varnishing:
Ultra violet lamps used to cure (dry) the ink and produce a high gloss finish to varnish

Web Press:
A high speed printing press that prints on both sides of a continuous roll of paper, web presses are used for high volume printing such as magazines.