Glossary
Common terms defined!
full-color
Refers to four-color process printing in which a wide range of colors can be represented using the process color inks, cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK).
CMYK
Cyan, magenta, yellow and black are also called process colors and are used in full-color printing to represent or build other colors. Accuracy of color will vary from slightly to quite a bit, depending on the color chosen. We always try to choose colors that will convert well to CMYK.
bleed
Refers to designs that have color or printing going off the edge of the page. These types of designs are always trimmed to size.
The Portable Document Format was developed by Adobe and has become a standard way of sharing documents since they are small and easily emailed, as well as being accurately rendered and cross-platform compatible.
PMS
An acronym for Pantone Matching System which is the most widely used color matching system in the printing industry.
raster
Raster files are images composed of pixels or dots, which are used to form an image on a display or press. These can only be enlarged slightly without losing quality.
vector
Vector images are formed by line segments that have a mathematical relationship which allows them to be scaled to any size without loss of quality.
fonts
Specific styles of type within a type or font family. Example: Arial Bold or Times regular. We always convert fonts to outlines in our final files, so that you will never need a font to print your files.
coated
Paper that has been produced in such a way as to have a smooth, hard surface (often shiny) which allows ink to "stand up" better or not be so readily absorbed into the paper. This usually results in sharper or clearer type and images
uncoated
Paper that has been produced in such a way that it has a softer, more absorbent surface. It often comes in colors and can have texture or fiber content.
stock
Paper is often referred to as stock.
indicia
Imprinted designations used on mail pieces to denote method of postage payment. You get these from your post office and if you want to use one, you'll have to send us your information.
self-mailer
A self-mailer is a printed piece that will fold up into a size that meets postal regulations for mailing. It will have a space reserved for addressing and postage so that it doesn't need an envelope. Self-mailers often require tabs to hold them together for automated mail handling. (Talk to your local Post Office for their requirements.)
zipped
Zipped or zipping is a term, similar to stuffing, that refers to a process of file compression which is way to make files smaller.
copy
The "copy" is the text, words or verbiage that will fill your brochure, i.e. your message.