Back 12th April 2022 A-Z OF PRINTING We recognise that there is a lot of printing terminology to digest, and sometimes trying to understand it all can feel overwhelming – To help with this, we’ve put together a handy A-Z of popular terms to help you through the process: Adobe Creative CloudAn industry-standard set of creative applications, extensively used in design and print to create and layout artwork for printing. BleedThe printed image is extended beyond the trim edge to allow for any tolerance within the printing process. This bleed is then trimmed away and won’t show on the finished product. CMYKAbbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the 4 process colours, which combined in varying proportions can be made to produce the full-colour spectrum. Digital PrintingA method of printing from a digital-based image directly to a variety of media using large-format and/or high-volume laser or inkjet printers. EstimateA guide price for work is given to a customer based on the specifications provided. Four-Colour ProcessReproduction of full-colour photographs or artwork, with the four basic colours of ink (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) these colours are applied in successive layers to create a full colour image. GutterParallel folds that create space of a few mm wide at the seam of a page, or used to refer to the distance between two images on a printed sheet. HalftoneA picture with shades of tone created by varying sizes of dots. InkInk is a gel or solution that contains at least one colorant, such as a dye or pigment, and is used to colour a surface to produce an image, text, or design. JustifiedText which is flush to both the left or right margins. Kiss CutA type of label that is only cut through the first layer of material and leaves any backing material intact. LabelUsually made from self-adhesive materials, labels or stickers are printed with information and images and then cut individually so they can be peeled off and stuck onto various surfaces. Make-ReadyThe work associated with the set-up of printing equipment before running a job. NestingThe layout strategy that allows printers to impose the print to optimise the use of space on each sheet. Over-RunMore copies were printed than the quantity specified in the order. Photoluminescent SignsPhotoluminescent material works by absorbing light from ambient lighting sources, whether natural or electrical and then glows when the light source is removed. These durable signs are made from high-quality rigid polypropylene and are predominately used to display emergency information such as fire routes and fire exits. QuantityThe number of printed copies required. ResolutionThe number of dots per inch (dpi) in a computer-processed document. The level of detail retained by a printed document increases with higher resolution. The smaller the dots, the higher the resolution. Screen PrintingA printing technique where a blade or squeegee is pushed over a mesh screen to transfer ink through onto a surface. One colour is printed at a time, so several screens will be used to produce a multi-coloured image or design. Trade ServicesHere at Sovereign we provide a complete in-house service for our Print and Sign Trade customers. Combined with our comprehensive range of screen and digital printing presses and extensive finishing equipment we can meet your clients’ requirements with ease. Finished goods can be shipped to you – for forwarding on, or direct to your customer under plain labels. UV CuringWhen an ink, emulsion or UV sensitive solution is cured / dried when exposed to a UV light. This can include UV ink which cures when exposed to UV light however this ink is not necessarily protected from deterioration when exposed to outdoor UV light. Vector GraphicsVector graphics are made up of paths and curves, rather than pixels like in a photograph. These paths can be used to create lines and shapes and are infinitely scalable, maintaining crisp print quality. Wide-Format PrinterWide-format printers or large format printers are computer-controlled printers that print directly onto a material on a roll usually 300m and upwards. Wide-format printers are used to print banners, posters, graphics, vehicle wraps, construction plans and any other large format artwork or signage. XNumber of options to tailor our products to. YourYour exact specifications. ZippyOur service to you and your customers – From order through to delivery.
