printing

> The world of printing and all the techniques and terminology
> associated with it can be complicated. Often it can take a while to
> understand and learn these through years of graphic design experience.
>
> This article consists of a list of some of the most common printing
> terms with a brief explanation of each. To make it easier to
> understand I have divided the list into three areas: General
> printing, Bindings, and Finishings.
>
>
>
>
> General printing
> CMYK
>
> This is the widely used printing method to achieve full colour
> printing. It is also known as Process, 4 Colour Process or Full
> Colour Process. It uses only four ink colours: Cyan (C), Magenta
> (M), Yellow (Y) and Black (K) layed down on the paper as dots which
> combine to create the illusion of other colours. If you look at any
> piece of print under a magnifying glass you will notice a matrix of
> tiny dots of the four colours.
>
> Spot colours
>
> Spot colours are true colours which are pre-mixed to the colour
> required rather than achieved through a process method on the
> paper. They are much punchier than process colours and can either
> be printed on their own (for single or two colour jobs) or printed
> in addition to CMYK (resulting in a 5 or 6 colour print). It all
> comes down to cost at the end of the day though, as the number of
> colours used can potentially be endless.
>
> Pantone® colours
>
> These are spot colours from the international ink colour matching
> system from the company called Pantone®. They are designed to allow
> people in the design and printing industries to specify and match
> specific colours in the printing process. They are sometimes known
> as PMS colours (Pantone® Matching System). They can also be created
> using the CMYK printing process but rarely come out exactly the
> same colour as in the Pantone® Matching System. Pantone also
> provide colour specifically for different types of paper and
> coatings so that a consistent colour can be achieved across a range
> of products.
>
> Metallic inks
>
> These are spot colours that have a metallic constituent in the ink,
> giving a shiny quality to a range of colours from Pantone®.
>
> Hexachrome® colours
>
> By using six colors instead of the standard four in CMYK, it is
> possible to expand the spectrum on a full colour print job. This
> system has been developed by Pantone® and results in a bigger
> visual impact. However, there are higher costs involved due to the
> extra inks and plates.
>
> Coated paper
>
> This is paper printing stock that has an outer layer of coating on
> either one or both sides. It is available in a variety of finishes
> including Gloss, Silk and Dull or Matt, which give slightly
> different results. They can produce sharp and bright printing due
> to the fact that the ink is not absorbed into the paper very much
> and the paper also reflects light well.
>
> Uncoated paper
>
> This is paper printing stock that does not have an outer layer of
> coating. It is sometimes preferred by designers for its natural
> feel. However, the effect is very different to Coated paper because
> the ink is absorbed and the dots expand. This results in print that
> is less sharp or bright than Coated paper, depending on the quality
> of the paper.
>
> Proof
>
> A representation of what the finished printed item will look like,
> so that the designer or customer can check for errors or printing
> problems before committing to the costs of printing the full job.
> This will generally consist of either a test sheet from the actual
> printing press, or a digital printout from a smaller machine. The
> costs vary greatly between the methods. Some online and discount
> printers will alternatively provide a digital PDF proof that shows
> folds, trims and so on. These are quick and easy to approve,
> however they provide no indication as to how colours or other
> physical attributes may turn out.
>
>
> Dummy
>
> A blank version of a proposed printed document, produced to
> demonstrate the feel of the paper stock that has been specified and
> the size of the document. On larger more expensive jobs this can
> help the designer or customer decide if they are happy with their
> choice of paper.
>
> Lithographic printing (Litho)
>
> This is a printing of method which uses a metal plate inside a
> printing press machine. The plate carries the image to be printed,
> to which the ink is applied. This is then applied to the paper as
> it passes through the press.
>
> Offset printing
>
> This very common printing method refers to Litho printing where the
> paper does not actually come into contact with the plate. Instead
> it is transferred from the plate to a rubber 'blanket' cylinder and
> then onto the paper.
>
> Digital printing
>
> Digital presses accept the digital data of your design and print
> straight from it, without the need to produce plates or any other
> such tools. Generally this method is used for shorter print runs as
> the set up costs are lower and the quality does not always match
> Litho standards. The main benefits of using digital printing are
> the short run costs, the possibility of item by item customization,
>
> Registration
>
> When two or more colours are printed together, Registration refers
> to the process of exactly aligning them on the paper so that the
> image is sharp.
>
> Letterpress printing
>
> This is a 'relief' method printing where a raised surface is
> applied with ink and then pressed onto a sheet of paper to create
> the text or image. This results in the text or image being slightly
> depressed into the surface. Once a common way of reproducing books,
> these days it is generally used in craft applications such as high
> quality invitations or letterheads.
>
> Thermographic printing
>
> To achieve a raised glossy feel in printing (often in business
> cards) powder is applied to printed ink while it is wet, and is
> then heated and cured.
>
> Web printing
>
> This is printing using a continuous roll of paper rather than
> individual sheets. It is used for very high print runs, such as
> newspapers.
>
> Varnish
>
> Applying a varnish coating to a printed surface can add a glossy,
> silk or matt finish.
>
> UV varnish
>
> This type of varnish is applied to give a very high glossy finish
> to printed surfaces. It is often used and referred to as a Spot UV,
> where it is applied to specific places on the print, such as
> photographs.
>
> Self cover
>
> Refers to documents where the cover is printed on the same material
> as the text pages.
>
> Fold formats
>
> There are many different formats and styles for folding smaller
> documents, but the most common tend to be: 4 or 6 Page Fold, Gate
> Fold, Concertina Fold and Roll Fold.
>
>
> ISO standard
>
> Different parts of the world use different standards for paper
> sheet sizes, but the most widely used system is the ISO standard.
> This consists of the A series (e.g A4) and the C series for
> envelopes (e.g C4 envelope for an A4 sheet). There is a B series of
> intermediate sizes for the A series but it is not so commonly used.
> RA and SRA (e.g SRA4) sheets are used by printers and are slightly
> larger than the A series, providing extra grip and trim in the
> printing process. If you are interested in other size coventions
> there is a useful guide on the Designers Toolbox website.
>
> Bindings
> Saddle Stitch binding (stapling)
>
> The standard form of binding which uses folded pages inserted into
> a folded cover, all of which are then stapled through the fold.
> This method is only suitable up to a limited number of pages
> (depending on the paper weight) as using too many will result in
> the finished job buckling and not lying flat. Typical uses are
> brochures, magazines and small booklets.
>
> Case binding
>
> This method is for books of at least about 80 pages and gives a
> hard, durable cover. Pages are sewn together with thread and then
> the whole thing is glued into the hard cover. It is generally the
> most expensive method of binding. Typical uses are hardcover books
> and documents.
>
>
> Image 2. thanks to Baddeley Brothers.
>
> Perfect binding
>
> This method is often chosen for the distinct flat spine it gives,
> which is useful for documents that will be kept for reference on a
> shelf. As with Case binding, pages are also stitched together and
> then glued into a separate (but not hard) outer cover. Often used
> for documents or brochures that have too many pages for Saddle
> Stitch Binding. Typical uses are company Annual Reports and
> paperback books.
>
> Spiral Wire and Wire-O binding
>
> This consists of a line of small holes along the edge of the cover
> next to the spine. Then, either a Spiral or Wire-O (double loop)
> wire is then inserted into the holes. The main benefit of this
> method is that it allows the document to lie flat or be folded
> over. Typical uses are notebooks and calendars.
>
> Finishings
> Lamination
>
> This is a very thin plastic coating which is sealed onto the
> printed sheet in either a Matt or Gloss finish. Matt tends to
> create a very smooth and professional looking surface, while Gloss
> creates a very vibrant and shiny effect. Lamination is often used
> to improve the durability of the printed job, but can add to the
> costs and be seen as ecologically unfriendly as it cannot be recycled.
>
> Foil Blocking
>
> A technique where a metallic foil is applied to a specific area of
> a printed sheet (such as a logo) to create an eye catching shiny
> effect. The method uses heat and pressure too apply the foil and
> the result is a much shinier finish than normal Metallic inks.
> However, it is more expensive as it requires special tools to be made.
>
>
> Image 1. thanks to GF Smith and SEA Design. Images 2. & 3. thanks
> to Baddeley Brothers.
>
> Embossing and Debossing
>
> This effect is where a a specific area or detail of a printed job
> (such as a logo) is either raised up (Embossed) or pressed down
> (Debossed). This makes the area more tactile and prominent than the
> surrounding area, or it can be used to suggest a slightly 3-
> dimensional look, such as a bevel.
>
> Die cutting
>
> This technique refers to either punching an irregular hole in a
> printed page or trimming the whole sheet in an irregular way. It
> requires a metal punch tool to be made which adds to the cost,
> depending on its complexity. Often used in packaging, where unusual
> shapes need to be created.
>
> Encapsulation
>
> This means to completely cover a printed sheet in clear plastic. It
> gives a much higher level of durability than Lamination and is used
> on ID badges and surfaces that need to be wiped clean.
>
> Further reading
> Hopefully this article has given you an overview of some common
> printing terms, but there are many places on the web where you can
> get more information and advice. Here are a few to get you started:
>
>
>