Glossary of Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A
B
Blueline -printer's proof for double-checking type and placement of photos and artwork. These proofs show color breaks and/or traps but are generally not as reliable as Waterproofs.
C
Calibration-quality control measures to ensure consistent output. Examples include checking dMAX on film or adjusting color output to known standards.
Camera-ready-photos, art, and/or complete pages in a form that the printer can photograph for making printing plates.
Catalog-a computer generated index created at the end of a digital photography session that includes thumbnail images with corresponding file names.
CD-ROM-(compact disk-read only memory) A ready only optical disk, which holds up to 650 MB of data.
Clipping path-a vector path that silhouettes a subject in a scan from its background. Must be saved in EPS format.
Color copy-a color print made from the copyboard glass or computer file.
Color output-our term for imaging composite color output onto paper or photographic film.
Color separations-all elements of a specific color on a page or plate.
Composite-a computer term where a page is imaged showing colors as gray or a traditional graphic arts term where random separations are composed with type and graphics. The later definition should be avoided or clarified as Composite Film Separations.
Continuous tone-CT a raster image as interpreted by Scitex systems.
Copy shot-flat artwork usually too big to fit on a scanner (larger than 17x19").
CMYK-(cyan, magenta, yellow and black) - the last referred to as K to avoid confusion with blue. The colors that are used to create all the other colors in four-color printing/ [syn. process colors]
Crop marks-intersecting lines indicating where a page is to be trimmed.
D
Digital camera back-the receiving end of the camera that is equipped with a digital sensory unit able to convert images into digitized information.
DMAX-density or "blackness" of the film when exposed at the maximum amount of black.
Dot gain-increase in size of halftone dots that can occur during plate-making or ink transfer to blanket but primarily happens when ink spreads out as it hits, the paper.
DPI-(dots per inch) the measurement of the resolution of an imagesetter, laser printer or other output devices.
Dmulsion-the dot pattern is etched on the film. This is the dull side of the film and should be handled with care to prevent scratching the image. Final film is generally "E-down."
E
EPS-(Encapsulated PostScript) file format that enables you to print vector art with smooth edges when scaled to any size.
F
FPO-(For Position Only) a low resolution reference file used to indicate placement of a final quality image.
G
Grayscale-photographs or artwork using one color (usually black) in varying shades to form the image.
H
Halftone -the representation of a continuous-tone photo or illustration as a series of dots that look like gray tones when printed.
I
J
K
L
Laser printer-300 to 800 dpi printing devices; toner on paper.
Line screen-a printers term referring to the number of lines of the screen pattern. The higher the line screen, the higher quality of reproduction.
Line art-artwork using one solid color (usually black) to form the image.
Line work-LW vector artwork as interpreted by Scitex technology.
LPI-per inch of a halftone screen.
M
Maximum density-specifies the total amount of ink coverage in the darkest point of a scanned image. Calculated by adding the percentages of CMYK at the darkest point.
Moire-a pattern that results from improperly aligned screens in halftones.
Multimedia-merging video, sound, graphics and text into one entity. It has been described as a "technological loom" that weaves media together. It can be used for education, entertainment, training, or communications.
N
O
P
Pixelization-appears as stairsteps in the diagonal boundaries of an image. Common when an image is enlarged to more than 120% of its optimum size. [syn. bitmapping]
PMS-(Pantone Matching System) Pantone publishes a series of color matching books to aid designers in specifying colors and to assist printers in matching these colors while on press.
PostScript-this page description software language is written and licensed by Adobe. PostScript allows the graphics imaging industry to communicate between various hardware and software components.
PPI-(pixels per inch) the correct term (rather than DPI) use when describing the resolution of scans or bitmap images.
Punch-registration holes punched in film in addition to optical marks to better align large film.
Q
R
Registration marks-a set of symbols, resembling cross-hairs, that are placed outside the "live" area of the page and used by proofers and printers to accurately align separations or overlays in multicolor printing.
Resolution-clarity or fineness of detail on-screen (ppi) or in the final printout (dpi). Output resolution ranges from 300 to 5080 dpi.
RGB-red, green and blue.
RIP-(Raster Image Processing) RIPping is the mathematical process that converts vector (point-to-point) based text and illustrations to raster or pixel based information that can be imaged to a dot pattern.
RRED-(Right Reading Emulsion Side Down) if you need plate ready film you will generally want film output RRED [syn. plate ready film]
RREU-(Right Reading Emulsion Side Up) if you have various elements to be stripped together, your printer may want RREU film. [syn. stripping negatives]
S
Scan resolution-the actual ppi of the digital image after it has been scanned. Should be approximately 1.8 times the specified line screen.
Silhouette-removing the background of an image by outlining an object. Accomplished digitally through the use of clipping paths (must be saved as an EPS).
Spot color-a solid, single ink - not a combination of process colors.
SWOP-(Specification for Web Offset Printing) A standard for process colors in America. The Iris is calibrated to complement SWOP. The toners used in the Canon CLCs are not.
T
TIFF-(Tagged Image File Format) most common file format for bitmap images.
Thumbnails-drawings used to represent how a photograph is to be composed. They help determine the order of each shot which builds a shot list.
Transparency-image recorded onto transparent film. It is the most popular media for traditional photography. Usually, 2 1/4" square or 4 x 5".
Trap-an overlap of adjacent colors that reduced the chance of paper showing between the colors.
U
V
Velox-a b/w proof created from one piece of film. Excellent for double-checking composite film and halftones. Can be used as an alternative to duplicate copies of LinoPaper.
Vignette-a graphic where a tone fades gradually until it blends with the background or another color. Graduated fills or blends are vignettes.
W
Waterproof-highest quality printer's proof showing color match, trapping and high resolution image placement. This is created directly from the film that your printer will receive.