Demystify the world of print
We know printing can feel like its own language, and that’s why we’ve put together this glossary of printing terms to make it easy to understand the jargon, so you can communicate better with our team and make informed decisions about your projects.
A
- Aqueous Coating – A clear, water-based coating applied to printed pieces for protection and a subtle finish.
- Artwork – The design file you send for printing.
B
- Bleed – Extra image area extending beyond the final trim size to ensure there’s no unprinted edge (about ⅛ around all 4 sides).
- Bindery – The department or process that assembles, folds, and trims printed materials.
C
- CMYK – The four ink colors (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) used in process color printing.
- Crop Marks – Lines printed outside the final piece to indicate where it will be trimmed.
D
- Die-Cutting – Cutting paper into unique shapes using a custom die.
- DPI (Dots Per Inch) – Measurement of image resolution; higher DPI means sharper print quality.
E
- Embossing/Debossing – Raising (emboss) or pressing down (deboss) an image into paper for texture.
F
- Foil Stamping – Applying a thin metallic foil to paper for decorative effects.
P
- Pantone (PMS) – A standardized color system used for precise color matching. Make sure your pantone book is current
- Perfect Binding – A method of binding books where pages are glued to the spine.
S
- Spot Color – An exact color printed with a specific ink, instead of mixing CMYK.
- Stock – The base paper or material before printing.
T
- Trim Size – The final size of your printed piece after cutting.