Abrasion Resistance
The resistance to scratching of a surface of paper by other paper surfaces or other materials.
Absorbency
The ability of a material to take up moisture.
Accordion Fold
A type of paper folding in which each fold runs in the opposite direction to the previous fold creating a pleated or accordion effect.
Acetate
A transparent or translucent plastic sheet material of a variety of colors, used as a basis for artwork and overlays.
Achromatic
The non-colors of black, white and gray.
Acid Resit
An acid-proof protective coating applied to metal plates prior to etching designs thereon. Bichromated solutions employed in photoengraving as sensitizers provide acid resist through the action of light on sensitized surface.
Additive Colors
In photographic reproduction, the primary colors of red, green and blue which are mixed to form all other colors.
Aerate
This refers to a manual process whereby an air stream is blown onto paper sheets to create a riffling effect that separates the sheets as they are fed to the printing press.
Agate
A type size of 5 1/2 points. Reference: agate line.
Agate Line
In newspaper classifieds, a measurement denoting 1/4-inch depth by one column width. Fourteen agate lines = one column inch.
Air
Large white areas in a design layout.
Album Paper
A wood pulp paper with an antique finish used for pages of photo albums.
Albumen Paper
A coated paper used in photography; the coating is made of albumen (egg whites) and ammonium chloride.
Albumen Plate
A surface plate used in the lithography process; it has a photosensitive coating.
Alignment
The position of elements on a page in relation to a referenced horizontal or vertical line.
Alkali Blue
Also called reflex blue. A pigment used in carbon black inks and varnishes to improve luster.
Alley
The blank space between columns of type, sometimes also called a gutter or column margin.
Alphabet Length
The measured length (in points) of the lowercase alphabet of a certain size and series of type.
Angle Bar
“web-fed” printing (printing on rolls of paper as opposed to single sheets), an angle bar is a metal bar that is used to turn paper between two components of the press.
Aniline
Oil-based solvent (quick drying) used in the preparation process of dyes and inks.
Anodized Plate
In lithography, a plate manufactured with a barrier of aluminum oxide, which prevents chemical reactions that break down the plate; it provides optimum press performance.
Antique Finish
Paper with a rough, sized surface used for book and cover stock.
Antiskinning Agent
An antioxidant agent used to prevent inks from skinning over in the can.
Apron
The white area at the margins of text or illustrations used to form a foldout.
Aqua Tint
A printing process that uses the recessed areas of the plate; ideal for graded and even tones.
Aqueous Plate
Water soluble plate coatings, which are less toxic and less polluting.
Arc Light
A light source produced by the passing of electric current between two electrodes; used in the production of plates in photolithography.
Art Paper
A paper evenly coated with a fine clay compound creating a hard-smooth surface on one or both sides.
Art-Lined Envelope
An envelope that is lined with an extra fine paper; can be colored or patterned.
Artwork
All illustrated material (ornamentation, photos and charts, etc.) that is prepared for reproduction.
As To Press
A term used for proofs that show the final page positioning of all graphical elements.
Assembled Negative
Film negatives consisting of line and halftone copy which are used to make plates for printing.
Author’s Alterations (AA’s)
Changes made after composition stage where customer is responsible for additional charges.
Autochrome Paper
Coated papers that are regarded as exceptional for multi-colored printing jobs.
