Artwork
Before printing a project it must be 'made ready' for print - this involves adding bleed so it will print correctly, making sure the colours are correctly set up and inserting hi res images amongst many others.

Authors amends
Authors amends are made by the client and alter the original copy or previously agreed design. The cost of doing author's amends after the development stages and making new proofs, is charged to the client.

Binding
There are different types of binding:

Case Binding is the most common type of binding for hardcover books - the inside of the book is bound first, sewn together, then hard covers in cloth, vinyl or leather are attached using glued endpapers.

Perfect binding - style of threadless binding where a flexible adhesive attaches a paper cover to the leaves of a book e.g. paperback novels.

Sewn binding - in perfect binding, the spine edges are ground off before glue is applied and the cover pulled over the spine. Sewn binding creates a more hard wearing finish where the folded sections are sewn together with strong thread.

Saddlestitch binding is one of the simplest binding techniques and the most widely used. Pages are printed four up and folded in the middle and stapled in the fold. Most magazines are saddle stitched and this style of binding is excellent for booklets, brochures, newsletters and catalogues.

Bitmap (.bmp)
A picture file type. A representation, consisting of rows and columns of dots, of a graphics image in computer memory. The density of the dots, known as the resolution, determines how sharply the image is represented. This is often expressed in dots per inch (dpi).

Bleed
Part of a printed image which extends beyond the trim edge of a page area leaving no margin - it is said to bleed or extend off. This is usually added at the artwork stage ensuring that the project would print correctly.

CMYK
Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The four colour separation used in 'full colour' printing processes.

Design brief
A document which sets out the basis of a project written by the client - or in collaboration with the designer. The brief determines the scope and cost of the work, the look, feel and appeal of the design and the functionality of the finished work.

Design visuals
In response to the brief, the designer presents one or more design visuals showing possible concepts and approaches. These visuals often include copy and pictures. Once a concept has been agreed, they will be the creative platform upon which the project develops towards final artwork.

Die cutting
Where work needs to be cut to a specific shape e.g. a curve, a window or an irregular shape such as a folder - the sheets are cut using a custom-made die.

Digital printing
Printing straight from a digital file rather than using plates. Digital printing can be a very cost effective way of producing high quality one-offs or small print runs.

Duotone
In printing terms, duotone is a halftone picture composed of two colours with slightly different dot ranges, giving greater tonal depth to the image than single colour reproduction.

Embossing and debossing
The process of raising (or impressing) letters or designs on card or strong paper.

eps (.eps)
A picture file type. Short for encapsulated postscript file. A file format used for storing vector graphics. This is scalable without losing quality. Logos should normally be supplied in eps format.

Film
Film is still used to make lithographic plates, and also dies for effects like foiling, embossing and UV varnishing.

Foiling
Sometimes called 'foil blocking'. An ultra-thin foil applied using heat and pressure from a special die. Metallic, clear, patterned, holographic or coloured foil can be used.

Four-colour process
Colour printing using four colours (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) as opposed to specials (Pantone). Also known as 'full colour' or CMYK.

ftp
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is the standard way via internet for transferring files from one computer to another, particularly if they are large files such as artwork or pictures.

gif (.gif)
A picture file type. Short for graphic interface format. A file format in which a graphic is stored in bitmap form, normally for reproduction at a low resolution on a computer screen e.g. website. Gifs are not of a high enough resolution to print from.

Greyscale
Continuous tone image eg a black and white.

GSM (Grammes per Square Metre)
A weight measurement used to describe paper bulk, also indicates the thickness of a paper stock.

Halftone
Continuous tone images are broken up into halftone dots to reproduce the appearance of continuity. This can be done for instance in one (mono), two (duotone) or four (CMYK) colours.

jpg (.jpg)
A picture file type. Short for Joint Photographic Experts Group. A compression format for storing picture files.

K
Black - the K stands for 'key', because the black separation keys the other three colours of cyan, magenta and yellow (CMYK).

Laminating
The application of a transparent plastic film, usually with a high gloss or matt finish, that seals and protects giving a luxurious sheen to printed matter - enhancing its appearance and increasing its durability.

Landscape
A sheet of paper that has its long edges at the top and bottom.

Moiré
In computer graphics, a visible distortion, an unwanted pattern caused when two or more tints are overprinted with the wrong screen angles.

Mono
Using one printing colour, usually black.

Offset
Printing in which the ink is first transferred from the plate to an intermediate surface, and then onto the paper.

Overs
A small quantity, over and above the amount ordered. This often happens as printers always makes an allowance for spoilage or wastage during the printing and finishing stages.

Page
'Side' of paper. A single sheet is two pages (2pp) - it has 2 sides.

Pantone
The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is the most widely used standard for matching 'special' printing colours.

pdf (portable document format)
A viewable file, capturing all the elements of a publication - read with Adobe Acrobat reader. PDF's can be a good way of sending visuals or proofing minor copy changes and are often used to transmit final artwork.

Portrait
A sheet of paper that has its short edges at the top and bottom.

Proofing
A publication can be proofed in a number of ways before being printed:

COLOUR LASERS - Quality paper proofs, not accurate for colour, but are the best way of checking and marking up design visuals and large areas of text.

PDF PROOF - Can be sent electronically in PDF format. This is good for minor changes, usually at a late and time-sensitive stage.

INKJET - High quality and outstanding colour accuracy, ideal for a variety of publications, and offer a chance to check all items prior to print.

WET PROOF - The highest level of proofing, it uses the plates and stock that will be used on the final print run and is the only real way to proof items such as duotones and spot colours. As wet proofing uses plates and a production printing press, last minute corrections can become expensive.

RGB (Red Green Blue)
Computer screens show colours in RGB. For print repro, however, files should be CMYK, or as Pantone colours.

Run-on
Printing price quoted for an additional quantity, produced at the same time as the base quantity.

Scanning
Converting an original artwork or photo into a digital file.

Spot Colour
Individually mixed inks usually to the Pantone colour system allowing a very accurate way to specify colour and giving the punchiest results. Mostly used for stationery, as it is a more expensive process.

tif (.png)
A picture file type. Short for tagged image file. A file format used for storing images.

Tint
Shading effect in printing colours, normally expressed as a percentage of the 'solid' colour.

Varnishing
Done to enhance the appearance, texture or durability of a printed sheet. Matt or gloss machine varnish means a thin oil-based coat applied on a printing press. 'UV varnish' is a heavy, high gloss varnish applied after printing, and cured in an ultra-violet dryer. Either type of varnish can be 'spot' or 'overall'.

Vignette
Refering to a graduated tint.