Jargon Buster

Print terminology can be confusing and intimidating when you don’t understand it. If you can’t find the term you’re looking for, please call us on 023 9233 4900 and we’ll be pleased to help.

Carbonless paper (NCR)

Paper coated with chemicals that enable transfer of images from one sheet to another with pressure from writing or typing.

Case bound

A hardback book made with stiff outer covers. Cases are usually covered with cloth, vinyl or leather.

Cast coated

Coated paper with a very high gloss enamel finish.

Choke

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.

Chromolin

A fast proofing system which uses powder as opposed to ink.

Clipart

Graphics saved in ready-to-use computer files. These are normally vector illustrations and not photographic images.

Clipping path

An outline, embedded into the file, that tells an application which areas of a picture should be considered transparent.

CMYK

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.

Collating

Gathering together sheets of paper from a book, magazine or brochure and placing them into the correct order.

Colour separation

Process by which a continuous tone colour image is separated into the four process colours (CMYK) for print production.

Concertina fold

A method of folding in which each fold opens in the opposite direction to its neighbour, giving a concertina or pleated effect.

Continuous stationery

Forms which are produced from reels of paper and then fan folded. these can be either single or multi-part forms.

Crash number

Numbering paper by pressing an image on the first sheet which is transferred to all parts of the printed set.

Crease

To mechanically press a rule into heavy paper or board to enable it to be folded without cracking.

Creep

Phenomenon when middle pages of a folded section extend slightly beyond the outside pages.

Crop

To trim the edges of a picture or page to make it fit or remove unwanted portions.

Crop marks

Lines near the margins of artwork or photos indicating where to trim, perforate or fold.

CTP

Abbreviation of computer-to-plate; a process of printing directly from a computer onto the plate used by a printing press.

Cyan

One of the four process colours.