Jargon A-Z

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A-Z of commonly used printing terminology

Click on a letter  below to view details.

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   S   T   U   V   W   

Saddle Stitch/Wire
A method of securing pages in a brochure by stitching them, while they
are opened over a saddle shaped support, through the back with wire
staples. Also called 'wire stitch'.
 
Scatter Proofs
A proof of illustrations in which all the images are positioned at random
and as closely packed as possible, without reference to their final page
position. This is done in order to cut proofing costs particularly when
large numbers of illustrations are involved, such as in illustrated book
work.
 
Screen Printing
A printing process whereby ink is forced through a fine mesh stretched
across a frame. The image is formed by means of a hand-cut or
photographically generated stencil, which is bonded to the screen.
Commercially, screen printing is generally used for printing into difficult
surfaces, for display work and for small print runs.
 
Set Off
The accidental transfer of ink from a printed sheet onto the back of the
next sheet. In lithography it refers to an impression taken from a key
outline of a design which is powdered with a non greasy dye while the
ink is damp, then placed on the stone or plate and passed through the
press.
 
Sheet Fed
A term describing sheets which are fed into a printing press one by one
as distinct from being web-fed (on roll).
 
Sheet Work
A term describing printing work involving printing on both sides of a
sheet.
 
Spine
The centre of the case of a book, which runs down the back when it is
cased in.
 
Spiral
A spiral wire holding the leaves of a book together.

Step and Repeat
To produce multiple copies of an image at different sizes in defined
increments.

Stet
A latin word meaning 'let it stand'. Used when marking up copy and
correcting proofs to cancel a previous instruction or correction.