Jargon buster
Print terminology can be confusing and intimidating. It's one of the reasons you'll always be able to speak to someone over the phone at Bishops to help you.
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Carbonless paper (NCR)
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Paper coated with chemicals that enable transfer of images from one sheet to another with pressure from writing or typing.
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Case bound
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A hardback book made with stiff outer covers. Cases are usually covered with cloth, vinyl or leather.
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Cast coated
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Coated paper with a very high gloss enamel finish.
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Choke
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A method of altering the thickness of a shape by over exposure in processing or by means of a built-in option in some computer applications.
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Chromolin
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A fast proofing system which uses powder as opposed to ink.
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Clipart
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Graphics saved in ready-to-use computer files. These are normally vector illustrations and not photographic images.
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Clipping path
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An outline, embedded into the file, that tells an application which areas of a picture should be considered transparent.
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CMYK
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Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the 4 process colours, which when combined together in varying proportions can be made to produce the full colour spectrum.
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Collating
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Gathering together sheets of paper from a book, magazine or brochure and placing them into the correct order.
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Colour separation
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Process by which a continuous tone colour image is separated into the four process colours (CMYK) for print production.
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Concertina fold
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A method of folding in which each fold opens in the opposite direction to its neighbour, giving a concertina or pleated effect.
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Continuous stationery
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Forms which are produced from reels of paper and then fan folded. these can be either single or multi-part forms.
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Crash number
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Numbering paper by pressing an image on the first sheet which is transferred to all parts of the printed set.
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Crease
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To mechanically press a rule into heavy paper or board to enable it to be folded without cracking.
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Creep
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Phenomenon when middle pages of a folded section extend slightly beyond the outside pages.
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Crop
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To trim the edges of a picture or page to make it fit or remove unwanted portions.
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Crop marks
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Lines near the margins of artwork or photos indicating where to trim, perforate or fold.
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CTP
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Abbreviation of computer-to-plate; a process of printing directly from a computer onto the plate used by a printing press.
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Cyan
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One of the four process colours.