P - Printing Terminology and Facts

PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM

(PMS) International system of designating colour for printing, where specific colours are given unique reference numbers. These numbers are prefixed with ‘C’ for coated stock and ‘U’ for uncoated.  Note that the same colour will print differently on gloss coated, matt coated and uncoated papers.

PAPER STRETCH

A problem which may occur during printing where the actual size of the paper may be altered bu the effects of humidity and temperature. Can cause problems with fit and registration if not carefully monitored and compensated for during printing.

PERFECT BINDING

A binding method where gathered text sections are held together with glue worked in to the gaps between the different sections at the spine.  The bound edge is usually concealed by a drawn-on cover.

PERFECTING

Printing on both sides of a sheet of paper in one pass through a printing machine.

PORTRAIT

A term for any job where the height of the item is greater than the width.

PRINTING PLATE

A metal plate carrying the image to be printed, used in the offset lithography printing process.  It is important to realise that each colour in a printing job requires a separate plate.

PROCESS COLOURS

The colours which make up full colour printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.

PROGRESSIVE PROOF

Proof which shows the impression from each individual colour plate and how they progressively build up the full colour image.  

PROOF

A printed sample of work to be checked for errors in text, positioning or quality of colour reproduction.  There are six main types – laser, digitail and wet proofs.  

PRINT HD

(High Definition Printing) With our unique method we are able to produce print that, to the normal human eye, gives the impression of continuous tone printing.