AA – abbreviation for author’s alterations, changes client makes to artwork and copy

Bleed – an extra amount of printed image that extends beyond the trim edge of the sheet or the page

Blind embossing – a design which is stamped without metallic leaf or ink, giving a bas-relief effect

Coated paper – paper having a surface coating that produces a smooth finish, from eggshell to glossy

Die cutting – the process of using sharp steel rules to cut special shapes

Duotone – a term for a two-color halftone reproduction from a one-color photograph

Embossing – impressing an image in relief to achieve a raised surface; either overprinting or on blank paper (called blind embossing)

FPO (For Position Only) - typically a low resolution image positioned in a document to be replaced later with a high resolution version of the same image

Hickeys – in offset printing, spots or imperfections in the printing due to dirt on the press, dried ink skin, paper particules, etc.

Letterpress – the first printing process, a relief method that can print from cast metal type on which the image or printing areas are raised above the non-printing areas

Makeready – all work done to set up a press for printing

Pantone/PMS ink – The Pantone method is based on 14 “pantone” colors that may be used by itself or in combination to create “PMS” colors

PMS (Pantone Matching System) – also referred to as “spot color,” is a method of applying a pre-mixed color of ink directly to paper and is useful for projects that require only a few colors (i.e., stationery, brochures, newsletters)

Perfect binding – method used for binding soft cover books where sheets are held together with a flexible adhesive

Preflighting – all the information and skills needed to accurately and effectively determine if all job components required for output, and/or proofing, are met before a project enters the production workflow, including: font issues; linked images; missing page elements; completeness of electronic files

Printer spreads – also referred to as “impositions,” the process of laying out and printing multiple pages of the same book on a piece of paper in such a way that when folded (and cut) they end up in proper 1, 2, 3, 4 order for readers

Process color – also referred to as “CMYK” or “4-color,” applies four or more standard ink colors (basic four = cyan, magenta, yellow and black) in very fine screens so that many thousands of colors are created. Process color is useful for printing photographs, paintings, and very complex colored images

Register – fitting two or more printing images in exact alignment with each other

Registration marks – crosses or other targets applied to original copy to use to register two or more colors in printing

Saddle stitch – the simplest and most inexpensive binding method where staples are forced through the backbone or spine of the booklet

Score – to impress or dent a mark in the paper to make folding easier

Self cover – A cover of the same paper as inside text pages

Signature – in printing and binding, the name given to a printed sheet after it has been folded

Skid – a platform support for a pile of cut sheets of paper

Spiral binding – a book bound with wires in spiral form inserted through holes punched along the binding side

Substrate – any material than can be printed on, such as paper, plastic, and fabric

Trapping – intentional overlap of colors to compensate for registration errors on press

Trim or crop marks – in printing, marks placed on the copy to indicate the edge of the page

Varnish – a thin, protective coating applied to a printed sheet for protection or appearance

Work-and-tumble – to print one side of a sheet of paper, the turn it over from gripper edge to back for the printing of the second side; the side guide remains the same

Work-and-turn – to print one side of a sheet of paper, the turn it over from left to right for the printing of the second side; the side guide changes but the gripper edge remains the same