Glossary of Printing Terms

Glossary of Printing Terms (large format)  

Here's a quick summary of the large format printing associated terms and jargon that we're sometimes asked to explain. If you need help, advice or guidance on any aspect of artworking, file formats, jargon-busting etc. please don't hesitate to get in touch.

adobe acrobat  
A computer programme designed to create, view, edit and manage files in Adobe's PDF format. Acrobat Reader is available for free download from Adobe's website and allows you to view and print PDF files.

artwork  

aspect ratio  

bleed  

cmyk  
Refers to (c = cyan, m = magenta, y = yellow and k = key (black) or process colours or four colour pinting process

colour correction  

cyan  
The light blue colour within the CMYK process colour group

digital printing  

digital proof
A method of proofing back an artwork file via email or other electronic means to indicate that your print file has been received and checked ready for printing. This will often be as a low resolution PDF file to confirm correct positioning and use of fonts. For a true refelection of the finished printed product a wet proof should be requested. 

dots per inch  
Dots Per Inch and Pixels Per Inch are technically different things, but are commonly used to indicate image quality or resolution and the maximum number of dots a digital inkjet printer can print per inch. The higer the DPI of the printing equipment, the better the print quality and the higher the PPI of a printed image the larger the size it can be printed at without losing quality or resolution.

DPI
Dots Per Inch 

embed  

EPS
 
file format  

finishing  
Process of completing your print job and includes, cutting, routing, creasing, laminating and mounting

FTP
File Transfer Protocol - a method of transfering larger graphic files over the internet from your desktop to our network server, avoiding restrictions on files sizes and filters placed on email services

full colour printing
 
gloss  
Shiny, highly reflective finish applied to printed graphics using a clear adhesive laminate

gsm  

high res image
Image resolution describes how much detail an image holds and a high resolution image can be enlarged for large format printing without a noticable deterioration in print quality. High values of pixels, dots per inch or megabytes will normally indicate a file is suitable for enlargement before printing.

JPEG  

laminating  
The process of applying a clear film over a printed graphic, either for added scuff protection or to achieve a matt or gloss finish. In the early days of large format digital printing it was essential to laminate virtually all prints as the scuff resistance and waterproofing was very poor.

large format digital printing   

macro art  
Macro meaning very large, so macro art or macro printing is to print images on a grand scale

magenta  
The pinky, purple colour within the CMYK process colour group

matt  
A non-glossy finish lacking in lustre. Printed colours often appear softer when a matt laminate has been applied, also helps to reduce light refelction in bright exhibition settings.

open type font  

pantone  

PDF  
Portable Document Format - a file format that allows you to create, view and manage electronic files using Adobe Acrobat and is an ideal way to transfer documents over the internet. Able to be used across MAC and PC platforms it has become a reliable and fast way to supply print ready artwork.

pixel
 
pixelation  

PMS  

postscript  

postscript font 
 
prepress
Our very helpful colleagues that sit between our sales and production teams to ensure supplied files are suitable and ready for print. By checking format, resolution, sizes and crop marks etc, they work hard to identify and eliminate problems before we send your files to print.

printer font  

proof  

resolution  

RGB  

rip
raster image processor  

sans serif  

screen font  

serif  

spot colour  

TIFF  

true type font  

uv inks  

vector file  

vector line art  

wet proof  

wide format digital printing  

zip disk