Printing terminology can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the industry. As professionals, these terms are second nature to us, and while we are always happy to explain them, we have compiled a glossary to make it easier for you to understand printing concepts.
This glossary can be accessed anytime, helping you become well-versed in printing terminology.
- 4C – Refers to printing in CMYK, commonly known as full-colour printing, with no restriction on the number of colours used.
- 4C (Front) – Full-colour printing on the front side only.
- 4C (Both) – Full-colour printing on both front and back sides.
- Artwork – The original materials, including images, text, and graphics, needed to produce a printed product. It also includes digital files used for print production.
- Printing File – A digital file used for printing, such as PDF, AI, PSD, JPG, TIFF, or PNG.
- GSM (Grams per Square Meter) – A measurement indicating the weight of paper. The higher the GSM, the thicker and heavier the paper. Example: 120gsm Art Paper.
- Binding – A finishing process that holds pages together in books, brochures, or notepads. Examples include Saddle Stitch, Perfect Bind, Wire-O, and Plastic Comb.
- Bleed – The area where an image extends beyond the trim marks of a printed page, ensuring it reaches the edge after trimming.
- Colour – Digital designs use RGB (Red, Green, Blue), while printed materials use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Some offset printers use spot or Pantone® colours, though these may not always have exact CMYK equivalents.
- Laminate – A protective plastic layer added to printed materials for durability. It can be matte, gloss, or soft-touch and helps prevent ink smudging, chipping, and wear.
- Proofing – A process to review a preview of the final print to catch errors before production. Proofs can be hard copy or digital.
- Email Proofing (Soft Proofing) – A digital proof sent via email, usually in PDF or image format. Monitor settings may cause colours to appear differently from the final print.
- Offset Printing – A traditional printing method using plates to transfer an image onto a rubber blanket, which then applies the image to paper. It is ideal for high-volume printing with accurate colour reproduction.
- Digital Printing – A printing method using toner or liquid ink without the need for plates. It is suitable for small print runs and allows for variable data printing, such as unique names or codes on each piece.