A quick reference to common printing terms used in artwork preparation, prepress, color, materials, proofing, finishing, and production.
The definitions are intentionally concise. When a term is part of a larger production decision, the related guides provide more detailed information.
Artwork & File Preparation
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Artwork | Digital design files used to produce a printed product, including images, graphics, text, layouts, and production elements. |
| Bleed | Artwork that extends beyond the final trim edge to help prevent unwanted white edges after cutting. |
| Safe Area | The area inside the trim boundary where important text, logos, and other critical elements should remain. |
| Trim | The final cutting boundary that defines the finished size of a printed piece. |
| Dieline | A production layout showing cutting, folding, creasing, and structural boundaries for products such as boxes and packaging. |
| Prepress | The preparation and processing between submitted artwork and printing, which may include file checking, color handling, imposition, and RIP processing. |
| Preflight | The technical checking of artwork files before production to identify issues that may affect printing. |
| Imposition | The arrangement of pages or card faces on a production sheet for correct printing, cutting, and assembly. |
| Resolution | The amount of image detail represented in a digital file. Insufficient resolution can produce soft or pixelated images. |
| Vector Artwork | Artwork based on mathematical paths rather than fixed pixels, allowing it to scale without the same pixelation associated with raster images. |
| Raster Image | An image made from individual pixels, such as a photograph or many digital images. |
These terms describe different parts of preparing artwork for production. For a practical guide to dimensions, bleed, safe areas, resolution, and other file requirements, see File Preparation.
Color & Printing
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| CMYK | A four-color printing process using cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks. |
| Spot Color | A separately specified ink color printed as an individual color rather than being reproduced only through CMYK process colors. |
| Pantone | A standardized color reference system used to specify and communicate defined colors. |
| Color Management | The control and communication of color across different devices, files, materials, and printing stages. |
| Registration | The alignment of different printing elements or color separations during printing. |
| Offset Printing | A printing method that uses plates and an intermediate blanket cylinder to transfer ink to the printing surface. |
| Digital Printing | A printing method that sends digital artwork directly to a digital printing system without traditional offset printing plates. |
| Ink | The material used to create printed images, text, and graphics on the substrate. |
Color and printing terms describe both the way artwork is prepared and the way it is reproduced. For a broader overview of printing methods, color systems, and production technologies, see Printing Technologies.
Paper & Materials
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| GSM | Grams per square metre. A measurement of paper or board weight per unit area. |
| Caliper | A measurement of the physical thickness of paper, board, or card material. |
| Opacity | The degree to which a material blocks light from passing through it. |
| Stiffness | The resistance of a material to bending. |
| Flexibility | The tendency of a material to bend under force. |
| Core | An internal layer used in some layered card constructions. Core structure can affect opacity and card behaviour. |
| Blue Core | A card construction using a blue internal core layer as part of a layered card structure. |
| Black Core | A card construction using a black internal core layer as part of a layered card structure. |
| White Core | A card construction using a white internal core layer. |
| Gray Core | A card construction using a gray internal core layer. |
| Coated Paper | Paper with a surface coating that changes its printing and surface characteristics. |
| Uncoated Paper | Paper without the type of surface coating used on coated stocks, resulting in a different print appearance and feel. |
These terms describe the physical properties of paper and card materials. If you need to compare the actual cardstock types, core structures, and specifications available from EZRA, see Cardstock Materials.
Proofing & Samples
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Proof | A representation of a print project used to review specified aspects before full production. |
| Digital Proof | A digital representation used to review artwork, content, layout, order, orientation, and general appearance. |
| Physical Proof | A physical representation used to review selected characteristics such as size, structure, material, or finishing. |
| Printed Sample | A physical printed example used to evaluate a material, surface, finish, structure, or other characteristic. |
| Production Sample | A sample made to represent the intended or representative production materials and processes. |
| Production Approval | The point at which the artwork and agreed production specifications are confirmed as the basis for manufacturing. |
A proof or sample is useful only when it represents the characteristics you need to confirm. For a detailed explanation of digital proofs, physical samples, production samples, and approval, see Proofing & Samples.
Finishing & Surface Treatment
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Varnish | A coating applied to a printed surface to create a selected surface effect or level of protection. |
| Lamination | A process that applies a film to a printed surface to change its appearance, feel, protection, or handling characteristics. |
| UV | A UV-cured coating or printing effect that can create gloss, contrast, texture, or other surface effects. |
| Foil Stamping | A finishing process that transfers foil onto a printed surface to create a metallic or other decorative effect. |
| Embossing | A process that raises selected areas of the material to create a raised or tactile effect. |
| Debossing | A process that presses selected areas into the material to create a recessed effect. |
| Special Ink | An ink system used for a specific visual or functional effect beyond standard process-color printing. |
Finishing terms describe processes applied to the printed surface or substrate after or during printing. For the actual finishing processes and options available from EZRA, see Finishing Options.
Cutting, Assembly & Production
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Die Cutting | A cutting process that uses a shaped die to create a specific outline or structural feature. |
| Corner Rounding | A cutting process used to create rounded corners on cards or other printed components. |
| Collation | The process of arranging printed components into the required sequence. |
| Sorting | The separation and arrangement of components according to the required product or production sequence. |
| Assembly | The process of combining multiple printed or manufactured components into a finished product. |
| Parent Sheet | A larger production sheet containing multiple cards, pages, or components before cutting or further processing. |
| Quality Control | Checks and controls used to compare production results with agreed project requirements. |
These terms describe what happens after printing as sheets and components are converted into finished products. For an overview of how these stages are applied in actual EZRA manufacturing, see Production Process.
Printing Process Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Printing Process | The sequence through which artwork becomes a finished printed product, from file preparation and prepress through printing, finishing, converting, and inspection. |
| Pre-Production | The preparation and confirmation that takes place before full manufacturing begins. |
| Print Production | The stage in which approved artwork is produced through the selected printing and converting workflow. |
| Final Inspection | The final check of completed products against the approved specifications before shipment. |
These terms describe the overall relationship between preparation, printing, converting, and inspection. For an educational overview of the commercial printing sequence, see Printing Process.
How to Use This Glossary
Use this page when you encounter an unfamiliar printing term in a specification, artwork requirement, quotation, proof, or production discussion. The glossary provides the basic meaning; the linked guides provide the deeper context when a term affects a production decision.
