Print glossary
Clear, practical explanations of print and signage terms — no jargon required.
B
Extra image area that extends past the trim so no white slivers appear after cutting. Small-format: 3 mm; large-format/fabric: 10–50 mm depending on product.
Ways to hold pages together: saddle stitch (stapled), perfect/PUR (glued spine), case bound (hardcover), wire/spiral.
C
CMYK is the print colour model; RGB is for screens. RGB colours can shift when converted to CMYK. Supply images and PDFs in CMYK (Pantone/spot where required).
Coated stocks have a clay coating for smoothness and high ink holdout (gloss/matt). Uncoated are porous with softer colour and more tactile feel.
D
Vector path that indicates cut/crease. Supply as a 100% tint spot colour (named e.g. “CutContour”), set to overprint, on the topmost layer; non-printing in the final piece.
E
Reinforced hole for ropes/ties. Avoid placing small text or key visuals right under eyelets.
F
Foil, emboss/deboss, die-cut, laminate (matt, gloss, soft-touch), Spot UV and more applied after printing.
I
How pages are arranged on the press sheet for efficient printing and correct order after folding/cutting.
L
Design for viewing distance, keep logos inside safe margins, allow bigger bleeds. For fabric, expect reverse ‘show-through’ and allow for hems/pockets/eyelets.
O
An object prints on top of what’s beneath rather than knocking out. Use for 100% K text and for technical spot colours (dielines/varnish/white ink).
P
Sewn sleeve that slides over a flag/banner pole. Keep critical content outside this zone; artwork usually has a marked pocket area.
Soft proof = on-screen PDF for content; hard proof = calibrated print for colour/finishing. Final sign-off ensures accuracy before production.
R
Image detail at final size. Small-format: 300 dpi @100%. Large-format: ~150 dpi @100% is fine due to viewing distance.
A deep black built from CMYK (e.g., C60 M40 Y40 K100) for large solids. For small text, use 100% K only.
S
Inner margin where important content (logos/text) must sit so it isn’t trimmed or caught in hems, seams or pockets. Small-format: 3–5 mm; flags/banners: ~30 mm.
A premixed ink printed as its own plate. Use for brand colours, foils, varnish, white ink, or dielines. Name clearly (e.g., CutContour, WhiteInk).
Paper/card choice and weight. GSM = grams per square metre. Coated gives sharper, more vibrant print; uncoated feels natural and is easier to write on.
T
Final cut size of the piece. Artwork is built at trim size, then bleed is added outside it.
V
Personalised text/images per recipient (e.g., names, codes). Requires a clean data file and a merge field map.
W
Opaque white printed as a spot layer on clear/coloured/substrate. Name it clearly (e.g., WhiteInk). Order matters if printing multiple passes.