PRINTING GLOSSARY

0–9

1st cover (front cover): Front outside page of a bound document or book. It usually contains the title, main visual and key marketing elements.
2nd cover (inside front cover): Inside face of the front cover, which may contain additional information, visuals or legal mentions.
3rd cover (inside back cover): Inside face of the back cover, often used for advertising, credits or legal information.
4th cover (back cover): Back outside page of a book, usually presenting the blurb, author bio, barcode and price.

A

Colophon (Achevé d’imprimé): Mandatory mention indicating when and where the book was printed, sometimes including printer details.
Gang run (Amalgame): Printing several different jobs together on the same sheet to optimise make-ready time, paper and cost.
Solid area: Area printed with flat, uniform ink coverage without gradients.
Gathering / Collation: Operation consisting in collating pages or signatures in the correct order before binding.

B

Wrap band: Printed paper band wrapped around a book to highlight a promotion, prize, quote or specific message.
Press proof (BAT): Final proof validated by the client before printing. It serves as the reference for the production run.
Rough edge: Untrimmed edge of the sheet extending beyond the final format, removed at trimming.
Duotone / Two-colour printing: Printing using two inks, often black and a spot colour to enrich tones or create a particular atmosphere.
Bitmap: Black and white image composed only of pixels that are either fully black or fully white, with no grey level.
Blanket: Rubber cylinder on an offset press that transfers ink from the plate to the paper.
White margin: Unprinted margin intentionally left around the design to frame the content.
Bleed: Extension of images or background beyond the final trim size (usually 3 mm) to avoid white edges after trimming.
Ribbon: Decorative ribbon that can be added as an accessory or closure, for example on notebooks or special editions.
Book block: Set of folded and bound signatures forming the inside of a book, before the cover is attached.
Bulky paper: Voluminous, opaque paper often used for novels, offering more thickness for the same grammage.
Gloss paper: Coated paper with a shiny surface, ideal for photos and visuals with strong colour rendering.
Binding (brochage): Process that binds pages together using staples, sewing, glue or wire, depending on the binding type.
Press sheet: Sheet as it comes off the press, before any finishing, trimming or folding.

C

Signature: Group of pages printed, folded and gathered together to form a booklet that will be bound into the book.
Makeready / Set-up: All adjustments made on press (ink, registration, density, etc.) before launching the production run.
Imposition scheme: Visual layout showing how pages are arranged throughout the book and where each page falls.
Presentation boxes / Slipcases: Rigid boxes or slipcases designed to protect and showcase one or several books in a premium way.
Rounded corners: Corners of the book or cover that are cut in a rounded shape for a softer or more playful look.
PUR glue: Polyurethane Reactive glue used in perfect binding for very strong, durable spines and difficult papers.
Colorimetry: Field and techniques dedicated to measuring, controlling and reproducing colours accurately.
Composition: Graphic arrangement of text, images, whitespace and visual elements within a page or spread.
Magnifier (loupe): Small folding magnifier used to inspect the screen, registration and print quality.
Mounting / Lamination to board: Process of gluing a printed sheet onto a thicker support (board, cardboard) to make it more rigid.
Point size: Size of a typeface, expressed in typographic points (e.g. 10 pt, 12 pt).
Coated paper: Paper with a mineral coating providing a smooth surface and better colour and detail rendering.
Condat Matt: High-quality matt coated paper widely used in publishing.
Process colours (CMYK): Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black – the four process inks used in four-colour printing.
Ink curve: Curve defining the amount of ink deposited on paper for each tonal value, used for calibration.
Sewn binding: Binding method where folded signatures are sewn together with thread, then glued and covered.
Exposed sewing: Sewn binding where the sewing remains visible on the spine as part of the design.
Case covering: Entire covering of a hardback case (front, spine, back), which can be paper, cloth or other materials.
Flat cover layout: Complete, flat representation of the cover (front, spine, back and flaps) with trim and bleed.
Black plate change: Job where only the black (K) plate is changed while CMY plates remain identical.
CTP (Computer-to-Plate): Technology that images files directly onto offset plates, without using film.

D

Clipping path: Digital removal of a background around a subject, creating a clean cut-out for layout.
Satin matt: Coated paper or finish with a slightly satin look, between gloss and matt.
Hot foil stamping: Application of a metallic or coloured foil onto a support using heat and pressure.
Spine: Part of the book that holds the pages together and is visible on the shelf.
Cloth-backed spine: Spine reinforced and covered with cloth to increase strength and give a premium look.
Round back: Spine shaped into a curve, typical of many hardbacks.
Perfect binding: Binding where sheets or signatures are glued together at the spine to form a square back.
DPI (dots per inch): Resolution of an image or output device. For print, 300 dpi at final size is generally recommended.

E

Serif: Small extensions at the ends of strokes in a letter (e.g. Times New Roman).
Inserting: Insertion of a leaflet or insert into a book, magazine or brochure.
Colour insert: Section of colour pages inserted in a mainly black-and-white book.
Loose insert: Temporary insert (advertising, voucher, flyer) intended to be removed by the reader.
Enfocus PitStop: Professional software used in prepress to check, control and correct PDF files.
Enfocus Switch: Workflow automation solution used to manage and automate prepress tasks.
Debossing (estampage): Process that creates a recessed (sunken) relief in the paper using a die and counter-die.
Embossing: Process that creates a raised relief on the surface of the paper.
Thumb cut / Notch: Cut-out or notch in a book or cover to facilitate navigation or highlight a section.

F

Finishing / Bindery: All operations after printing: folding, trimming, binding, drilling, packing, etc.
Ragged right / ragged left: Text aligned on one side (left or right) leaving an irregular margin on the other side.
Make-ready sheet: Sheet used during press set-up to adjust colour, registration and density before the run.
Leaf: Single sheet in a book, corresponding to two pages (front and back).
Finishing: Post-press treatments such as varnish, lamination, embossing, foil stamping or die-cutting.
Watermark: Pattern or logo integrated into the paper pulp, visible by transparency.
Folio: Page number printed on the page.
Bleed area: Area of the artwork that extends beyond the trim line, cut off during trimming (typically 3 mm).
Portrait / landscape format: Vertical orientation (portrait) or horizontal orientation (landscape) of a document.

G

Template: Predesigned layout that defines margins, grids, styles and the overall structure of a document.
Endpapers tipped-in: Separate endpapers added between the book block and the hard cover.
Endpapers included: First and last pages of the book block serving as endpapers, integrated into the signatures.
Embossing (gaufrage): Relief created on the paper surface, with or without ink, to highlight an element.
Gloss: Very shiny finish on paper or coating.
Grammage: Weight of paper expressed in g/m².
Plate making: Process of creating offset printing plates from digital files.
Grain: Texture or surface finish of the paper, more or less smooth or rough.
Notching: Small cuts made in the spine edge of the book block to improve glue penetration and adhesion.

H

High resolution: Image with sufficient definition for print, generally 300 dpi at final size.
Highway paper: Inkjet-optimised paper designed for high-speed web inkjet presses.
Crop marks: Small marks printed around the artwork indicating where the sheet should be trimmed.
Scaling (homothety): Proportional enlargement or reduction that keeps the same aspect ratio.
H-UV / LED-UV: Offset printing technology where ink dries instantly under UV light, improving quality and reducing drying time.

I

Raster image: Image made of pixels; if enlarged too much, it loses sharpness and becomes pixelated.
Vector image: Image defined by mathematical vectors, infinitely scalable without loss of quality.
Imposition: Arrangement of pages on the press sheet so they end up in the correct order once folded and trimmed.
Printing: Process of transferring ink or toner onto a substrate (paper, board, etc.).
Digital printing: Printing directly from a digital file, without plates, suitable for short and medium runs.
Edge printing: Printing designs, colours or patterns on the edges of a book block.
Tracking: Overall spacing between characters in a block of text.
Leading: Vertical space between lines of text.
Landscape orientation: Document whose width is greater than its height.

J

Dust jacket / jacket: Removable printed cover wrapped around a hardback book, often with flaps.
Sprayed edges: Application of a solid colour (or several colours) on the outer edges of the book block.
JPEG: Compressed image format without transparency, widely used for photographs.
Justified text: Text aligned on both the left and right margins, with variable word spacing.
Inkjet printing: Printing technology that sprays microscopic drops of ink onto the substrate to form text and images.

K

Kraft paper: Strong brown paper used for covers, packaging or certain creative projects.

L

Web width: Usable width of a paper web on a web press.
Lamination: Application of a thin plastic film on a printed surface to protect and enhance it.
Foreword / preface: Introductory text placed before the main body of the book.

M

Set-off: Unwanted ink transfer from one sheet to another or onto the back of the sheet.
Bulk: Perceived thickness and stiffness of a paper relative to its grammage.
Dummy / blank dummy: Prototype of a book made with the chosen paper, but without printing.
Safety margin: Inner margin in which important text and elements are kept, away from trimming.
Bookmark: Separate strip slipped between pages to mark a place in the book.
Guillotine (cutter): Industrial cutting machine used to trim printed sheets and books.
Matt paper: Coated paper without gloss, offering a soft, less reflective finish.
Moire pattern: Undesired interference pattern caused by superimposed or misaligned screens or patterns.
Dampening system: System that distributes the fountain solution onto the plate in offset printing.
Micro-perforation: Very fine perforation that allows a clean, easy tear-off.

N

Swatch book / sample book: Booklet showing a range of colours, finishes or paper types.
Numbering: Printing a unique number on each copy, often for limited editions or tickets.

O

Eyelet: Metal ring inserted into a punched hole to reinforce it, for example on hanging calendars or banners.
Offset printing: Indirect printing process where the ink is transferred from the plate to a blanket, then to the paper.
Offset paper: Uncoated paper with good opacity and printability, ideal for text-heavy books.
Opacity: Ability of paper to block light and prevent show-through of printing on the other side.
Tabs: Cut-outs or extensions used to mark sections in a book or binder.
Otabind: Binding technique derived from perfect binding where the book block is not directly glued to the cover, allowing it to open flatter.
Ozalid: Former traditional proofing method using diazo paper, largely replaced by digital proofs.

P

Pantone®: International reference system for spot (solid) colours, each identified by a number.
DTP / Desktop Publishing: Use of software such as InDesign, Illustrator or Photoshop to create layouts for print.
Paper: Generic term for coated, uncoated (offset) and creative papers with different finishes and grammages.
Letterhead: Business paper pre-printed with the company’s identity, used for correspondence.
PDF: Standard file format for delivering print-ready artwork.
Matt lamination: Non-gloss protective film giving a soft, elegant surface.
Gloss lamination: Glossy protective film that enhances colours and contrast.
Soft-touch lamination: Velvety lamination offering a very soft, tactile feel.
Anti-scratch lamination: Reinforced lamination more resistant to rubbing and scratching.
Corner punch: Decorative or functional perforation on the corner of a document.
Footer: Bottom part of the page, which may contain folios, running titles or other information.
Saddle stitching: Binding method where folded sheets are nested and stapled along the fold.
Pixel: Smallest unit of a digital image, representing a single colour point.
Fold-out / map: Large map or illustration folded several times within a book or brochure.
Imposition sheet: Press sheet containing several pages or jobs imposed together.
Plate: Metal sheet used on an offset press to carry the image to be printed.
Fold: Operation that creates one or more folds: simple, roll, accordion, cross, gatefold, etc.
Accordion fold: Fold creating a zigzag pattern with alternating mountain and valley folds.
Cross fold: Successive folds at right angles, typical for some signatures.
Gatefold / wallet fold: Fold where the outer panels fold inwards like a wallet.
Roll fold: Progressive fold where each panel wraps over the previous one.
PNG: Image format without compression loss, supporting transparency.
Folders / pockets: Printed supports folded and glued to form pockets or presentation folders.
Halftone dot: Small dot used to build tones in halftone printing.
Font: Set of characters sharing a common design (e.g. Helvetica, Garamond).
Gripper margin: Non-printable area where the press grippers hold the sheet.
Colour profile: Set of data describing how a device reproduces colour (screen, printer, press).

Q

Four-colour process: Full-colour printing using CMYK inks.

R

Creasing: Creating a groove in heavier paper or board to allow a clean fold without cracking.
Flaps: Extra panels on a cover folded inwards, often used for additional text or visuals.
Case binding / hardback: Hardcover binding where the book block is cased into a rigid cover.
Integral binding: Binding concept between softcover and hardcover, offering flexibility with a more robust look.
Turn-in (rembordage): Wrapping and gluing the edges of the cover material around the boards of a case.
Cut marks: Marks that indicate where the sheet must be trimmed.
Reprinting / overprinting: Printing additional information on an already printed document.
Recto: Front side of a sheet or page.
Backing up / work-and-turn: Printing the reverse side of a sheet that has already been printed on the front.
Resolution: Level of detail in an image or output, usually expressed in dpi.
Web press: Press printing on a continuous web of paper rather than on individual sheets.
Inkjet web press: High-speed web press using inkjet technology, suitable for variable and medium runs.
RGB: Additive colour model (Red, Green, Blue) used for screens and digital displays.

S

Saturation: Degree of intensity or purity of a colour.
Ribbon marker: Ribbon sewn into the spine of a book and used as a bookmark.
Screen printing: Printing technique where ink is pushed through a mesh screen using a squeegee.
Silk / satin finish: Coated paper with a smooth, satin finish, less shiny than gloss.
Spot finishing: Local application of a treatment such as varnish, foil or laminate on specific areas.
Overprint: Printing one ink over another without knocking out the underlying colour.
Sticker: Printed self-adhesive label, cut to shape or as a sheet.

T

Top margin / head: Upper part of the page, often containing running heads or titles.
Print run: Number of copies produced for a given job.
Spot colour: Special premixed ink used alone or in addition to CMYK.
Cloth-bound cover: Cover where the case is wrapped in cloth rather than printed paper.
Halftone screen: Pattern of dots used to reproduce continuous tones in printing.
Crop marks: Lines that indicate where the final format is to be cut.
Edge: Each of the three visible sides of a book block: head (top), fore-edge (outer edge), tail (bottom).
Headband / tailband: Small decorative woven bands at the top and bottom of the spine in many hardbacks.
Three-colour printing: Printing using three colours instead of four, for specific applications.
Typography: Art and technique of arranging typefaces, sizes, spacing and layout of text.
Binder holes: Holes punched into documents so they can be filed in a ring binder.
Offprint (TAP): Extract or article printed separately from the main publication for specific distribution.

V

Vector graphics: Graphics based on vectors that can be scaled without any loss of quality.
Varnish: Transparent coating applied over printing to protect and/or enhance appearance.
UV varnish: Varnish dried by ultraviolet light, providing a very hard and shiny surface.
Spot UV varnish: UV varnish applied only to selected areas to create contrast and highlights.
Verso: Back side of a sheet or page.
Panel: Each section of a folded leaflet or brochure.
Vignettes: Small printed images or frames used as graphic elements or labels.

Z

Bleed area: Part of the artwork extending beyond the trim size to ensure full coverage after cutting.
Trim area: Area of the sheet that is removed during trimming.
Page area: Entire printable area including live area, safety margins, bleed and technical marks.