Glossary - Division of Printing Terminology
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Binding (Case Binding):
This binding method features book sections, sewn together with thread. The back of the
book is formed to hold its shape and a separate hard cover is glued to the
book. An example of this process is the Kansas Statutes Annotated.
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Binding (Perfect Binding):
Binding method in which sheets are glued together with a separate cover, creating a flat
spine on the book. Thicker books may have type on the spine. This binding method is
limited by a minimum thickness of approximately one-fourth of an inch and a maximum
thickness of one and seven-eighths inches.
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Binding (G.B.C.):
This binding method uses a plastic comb inserted in specially punched holes to
hold the pages and cover together. Features a very flat, easily opened book.
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Binding (Plasticoil):
This binding is similar to the G.B.C. above except that the plastic elements are a coil
instead of a comb. This binding style allows user to open book to a full 180 degrees and
it will continue to lay flat.
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Binding (Saddle Stitch):
This term refers to a binding process in which two staples (stitches) are used to hold a
booklet together. The stitches are placed in the center of the spine. By its nature this
type of binding must be done in four page multiples (as each sheet of paper will become
four pages). This binding process is limited to a maximum of 100 pages.
Self Cover A saddle stitched book in
which the cover is the same paper stock as the inside pages. The page count must be
divisible by four including the cover.
Separate Cover A saddle stitched book
in which the cover is of a different paper stock than the inside pages. The page count
must be divisible by four excluding the cover.
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Binding (Tag Bound):
Binding method generally used for business forms. Sets are stapled together in a
perforated stub, with a heavier cover on the outside. Books do not open easily but are
very convenient if one or more parts of the set need to be retained by user in their
original order of use.
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Bleed:
When the ink coverage on a printed document extends to the edge of the paper.
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C.O.B.
A photograph in which the principal subject is reproduced but the background is
eliminated. The effect is that the photograph will not show any borders or beginning or
ending point.
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Camera Ready Copy: (see copy quality
)
Copy provided to the printer that is exactly as it is to appear in the final product. With
camera ready copy the printer will do nothing to it except make a negative and print it.
If we are to do anything other than this, the copy is not camera ready.
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Color Separations:
Whether printing a full process color publication or a simple two color newsletter, when
one color touches another it is necessary to produce color separated copy.
This
entails printing either to paper or to negative a separate printout of all of the elements
that print out in the same color individually to enable us to produce negatives.
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Copy Ticket: (see DA 104 printer requisition)
Used for job order to the State Printer, which involves Xerox duplicating and minimal
binding functions only. Copy tickets will be grouped and billed on a monthly basis to the
ordering agency unlike a DA 104, which is billed individually.
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Crop & Size: (see photos)
To crop a photograph is to determine the portion of the photo to be used in a printed
reproduction. Size can be accomplished by cropping, where the image within the picture
remains at the original size, or by reduction or enlargement. When reduction or
enlargement is used the photograph will be altered proportionally on both the horizontal
and the vertical axis.
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DA 104: (see copy ticket)
Requisition to the State Printer. This is the primary document used to initiate a printing
job. The more complete and accurate the information on this form, the better assurance of
a correctly completed print project.
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Duotone: (see halftone)
Photograph or art work reproduced using a dot pattern where two colors of ink are used.
Dots are photographed at different angles so the two ink colors do not print on top of
each other.
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Duplex: (see simplex)
One sheet of paper printed on two sides. Requires two originals and counts as two pages in
a printed document.
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Fan Apart Form:
This type of business form uses carbonless paper in conjunction with special glue that
will allow individual sets to break apart while holding the parts of the set together
until separated by the user.
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Halftone: (see photographs see
duo
tone )
Photograph or art work reproduced in one color of ink, using a dot pattern to achieve the
appearance of a continuous tone photograph.
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Hard Copy:
Hard copy is a printout, usually at low resolution, of a disk provided to us for printing.
It is necessary to assure that what we get off of the disk is what we are supposed to get.
Hard copy should be reviewed for accuracy before sending to the printer.
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Kansas Administrative Regulations:
Rules and regulations for state agencies. The rules and regulations are compiled by the Secretary of State's office while the
database is maintained at the Division of Printing. When an agency wishes to have
their regulations published, a print requisition is submitted to the Division of Printing
and the regulations are compiled for publication.
Leading:
This term refers to the spacing between lines of type.
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Line Art: (see screen )
Line art is any piece of graphic art that can be reproduced without using screens.
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Margin:
This is the un-printed edges of a page of copy. Includes all four sides of the page.
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Matchbook Form:
This type of business form uses carbonless paper and is bound together with staples in a
perforated stub. The cover has a flap that is inserted between sets to prevent transfer to
other sets in the book when writing on the form. Forms must be filled out by hand (not
typed) as the book will not fit into the typewriter. This can be convenient in many
applications but is labor intensive and thus quite costly.
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Mock Up: (see thumb nail)
This is a full size representation of the style desired in a printing job.
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Original:
This is one side of a piece of paper at its finished size, (printed pages only).
A
sixteen page publication, printed on both sides would require sixteen originals.
Printed on only one side it would require only eight originals.
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P.M.S. Color (Spot Color): (see process color )
P.M.S. stands for Pantone Matching System. The Pantone system is used
universally by printers to identify various ink colors. We can mix over a thousand custom
colors of ink using this system and reproduce them again and again.
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Page:
A page is one side of a piece of paper, at its finished size. A page may or may not be
printed. If it will appear in the finished product, it counts as a page. For example a
sixteen page document with printing on only one side of each leaf would require only eight
originals. An estimate is based on a given number of pages so this definition is extremely
important. If we were told a book would be eight pages, the estimate would be done
for a book one half the size of the actual need.
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Page Divider: (see
tab divider)
A page divider is usually a different color, and/or a different weight of paper and does
not protrude beyond the edge of the rest of the publication.
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Partially Camera Ready Copy: (see
camera ready)
We may add something to this copy but we do not move anything provided to us. For example,
we may add a photograph, seal or piece
of line art to your copy but it must fit in areas existing in the copy.
The term
camera ready is self defining as being ready for the camera. This copy is not ready
for the camera.
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Process Color: (see PMS color)
Process color is created using three basic colors, cyan, magenta and yellow, plus black.
From these colors, using screens of varying density, we can produce full color photographs
and art. This process can also be used to duplicate P.M.S. colors in the same job but the
printer should be consulted before this is done. Registration needs to be exact and
perfect color matches can be difficult or impossible to achieve.
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Proof (Laser Proof):
This proof is generated from the computer. It will show everything in place as in the
finished product with the possible exception of photographs to be placed into the document
prior to the blue line proof stage. If photographs are scanned into the publication, a low
resolution F.P.O. (for position only) image will be placed where photographs or other art
work provided separately from the text, will later be placed. This is the best place to
proof for spelling, grammar, punctuation, text format and graphic placement. Changes can
be made at this stage with comparatively little cost.
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Proof (Blueline Proof):
This is a photographic proof, produced from film negatives. All elements of the job should
appear as they will appear in the final product, including artwork and photographs. The
color of elements will not necessarily be correct, as everything will appear in blue. A
highlighter will be used to indicate items that will be printed in a second or third
color. Read this carefully as this is representative of the finished product and is the
last opportunity to catch errors. All grammar, punctuation and spelling errors should have
already been corrected in previous proof stages. Changes made at this stage can become
quite costly and time consuming. Changes at the blue line stage can sometimes necessitate
a complete start over on the job.
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Proof (Color Key):
This proof will be exactly as the job will appear including color (process color jobs
only). On spot color jobs the color may not be the color of the finished product but will
be represented by one of the four process colors (cyan, magenta, yellow or black). This is
a final proof and should be read very carefully for errors. All errors should have been
corrected at previous proofing stages but this is the final step prior to printing.
By this point a significant portion of the total jobs cost will already have been
spent.
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Proof (Galley Proof):
This is a proof of keystrokes only. No format shown on this proof but paragraphs should be
correct. Use to check copy content, spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
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Proof (Page Proof):
With this proof, each individual page should be correct as to format as well as
keystrokes. It should show headings, paragraphs, footnotes. Everything, except
graphic elements, that will appear in the final publication are represented.
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Proof (Press Proof):
The customer is on site when job is printed and actually checks the job as it comes off
the press. This type of proofing should be done only by persons with the knowledge and
special skills required to properly interpret what they are seeing. Charges for this proof
are on a time basis, so if a job is delayed for changes at this stage, costs accumulate
quickly.
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Revisers Data Base:
All of the Kansas Statutes are maintained on computer at the Reviser of Statutes. When an
agency desires to have these items reproduced by the Division of Printing, they must get
permission from the Reviser of Statutes to do so. The Reviser electronically sends us the
copy for these jobs, after approval, thus eliminating the need for typesetting each time
and assuring accuracy.
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Screen:
(see line art see
solid )
A screen is a shaded area on a printed job. It is done in the same color of ink as the
rest of the job, but will appear different. For example, a screen of black ink will appear
gray.
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Separation: (see desk top publishing)
When a color job is produced, whether process or PMS, it is necessary to break the job
down into the color components of cyan, magenta, yellow and black or individual PMS
colors. This is called a color separation. This may be done manually when the two
colors do not touch each other. If colors touch it should be done in the computer
program used to create the file.
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Simplex: (see duplex
)
Page that is printed on only one side. Requires only one original but counts as two pages
in a publication.
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Snap Out Form:
Used for business forms. Each part has a perforated stub which are glued together, usually
with carbon paper interleaved between parts of the set.
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Solid: (see screen)
A solid is an area of a printed document that receives one hundred percent ink coverage.
It is similar to a screen except that there are no dots in a solid.
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Tab Divider: (see page divider )
This is a divider page (usually on heavier paper stock) with a portion that protrudes
beyond the edge of the paper used for the rest of the publication.
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Thumb Nail: (see mock up )
This is a smaller size representation of a printing job. It is useful to indicate style
requested when not familiar with terminology or when complexity makes it difficult to
explain verbally.
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Type Font:
There are many different type designs, referred to as fonts. The basic font
used for this page is Verdana. Fonts may appear slightly different on different computer
platforms or from different type sources.
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Type Size:
Refers to the size of type used in a printed document. Type is measured in
points and is referred to as a point size.
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Type Style:
Type style examples are... plain.. italic.. bold...bold
italic
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A FEW TERMS IN GREATER DEPTH:
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Photographs: (see crop and size
see halftone
see Photographing previously printed material)
As a general rule, black and white photographs are more suitable for single color
reproduction than are color photographs.
A good photograph for reproduction will have a wide range of gray values and
will be crisp.
Generally, whenever photographs are enlarged, flaws in the photograph become more
prominent. Likewise, reduction helps them.
Color photographs frequently have tonal values that translate into the same gray values
when reproduced. Reds print black and light blues print white, etc.
The maximum range for enlargement on our camera is 200 percent and the maximum reduction
is 20 percent of original.
Remember, photographs enlarge in both directions. A 2 x 4 photo enlarged to
200 percent will be 4 x 8.
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Photographing Previously Printed Material:
We can, with some measure of difficulty, reproduce black and white photographs that have
been previously printed, however originals are preferred.
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Laser Printed Photographs:
Any screened material from laser printers being used for reproduction should not have a
screen with more than 100 lines per inch ruling. If the screen is dense (above 50
percent), then 80 lines per inch is probably the maximum. This often depends on the
quality of the laser printer.
Screened photographs for reproduction need to appear flat. When screened
material is photographed, generally speaking the large dots become larger (blacks become
blacker) and the small dots become smaller (whites become whiter). The result is a
photograph that, as a laser print, appears to have the proper contrast but will reproduce
with very high contrast, whereas a photograph that has little contrast will probably
reproduce with a normal tonal value.
In all cases, we will be glad to assist you in determining if your screens, photographs or
laser printed copy is going to produce the desired results before you commit large amounts
of time in production.
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Copy Quality:
The best copy for photo offset reproduction is crisp black copy on white background.
We can work with black copy on red paper, but the time required to produce acceptable work
will cause cost to go up while quality goes down.
Light blue type, pages with several colors of type, copy with type about the same color as
the paper are some of the most common problems we receive. They will generally result in
excessive cost.
Regarding ordinary pencil marks: It is nearly impossible to photograph
something written in pencil. On the other hand, if there are stray pencil marks on copy we
have difficulty getting rid of them. Try to avoid pencil copy.
Blue does not photograph well. When submitting signatures for reproduction, black ink is
to be preferred.
On camera ready copy, we prefer copy with marks that indicate page edge or page center
registration marks. In the event the page is run out on same size paper, information
is needed to let us know if the job is to be laid by page edge or if some point in the
copy is to be used for alignment.
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Negatives Furnished Work:
This subject has too many parameters to be listed here. Please contact us before creating
your negatives and we will be glad to help you with individual specifications.
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Desk Top Publishing: (see color
separation)
There are many great desktop publishing and word processing applications available for use
today. As long as these programs are used for their intended purpose, they allow users to
do wonderful work. If they are used in place of a page layout application it can result in
absolute disaster however. Desktop publishing is not the same as electronic print files
needed for offset print reproduction purposes. We would advise using extreme caution when
investing a large amount of time and effort creating a complex publication which may be
unusable for its intended purpose. In general, most of these applications do not allow
color separations to be produced. Without being able to separate the colors, many multiple
color jobs are either impossible or extremely costly to produce.
If you are producing a multi-color document using a desktop publishing or word processing
application you would need to provide a print-out in black ink for each individual color
in the document. along with infor-
mation about the ink color(s) to be used. Also, please include a composite print-out
of the entire document in color or black ink only. If this cannot be done it is likely
that the application does not support color separations.
Remember: If you send us a file that has been created as an RGB color file, we cannot
print it as a spot color job without a lot of potential problems. If a proof is printed on
a color printer, this can only represent how the printer has interpreted the
transformation from RGB (on your screen) to CMYK in the printer. Neither of these are
necessarily representative of how the job would look as a spot color job.
Make sure to do a collect for publishing procedure before sending us the file.
This will insure that all linked files, fonts, etc. will be included. Without all of the
elements, there is nothing we can do with the file.
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