Back Lining
The fixing of a material, either paper or cloth, to the back of a book before it is bound. Reference: case binding.
Back Margin
The space between the edge of the type and the folded edge of the paper; also known as the binding margin.
Back Step Collation
The collation of book signatures according to reference marks which are printed on the back fold of each section.
Back-To-Back
Print applied to both sides of a sheet of paper.
Backbone
That portion of the binding which connects the front of the book with the back of the book; also called “back.”
Background
The part of a photograph or illustration that appears behind the principal subject; the surface upon which the main image is superimposed.
Backslant
Any type that tilts to the left or backward direction, opposite of italic type.
Backstep Marks
Marks printed on signatures that indicate where the final fold will occur. When gathering and initial folding is completed, these marks appear as a stepped sequence.
Balance
A term used to describe the aesthetic or harmony of elements on a page, whether they are photos, art or copy, within a layout or design.
Banner
The primary headline usually spanning the entire width of a page.
Base
The support onto which printing plates are fixed.
Bed
The flat steel table of a cylinder printing press upon which the type sits during the printing process.
Bimetal Plate
A plate which is used in long print runs; the printing image is copper or brass, and the non-printing area is aluminum or stainless steel.
Binder’s Board
A heavy paperboard with a cloth covering that is used for hardback binding of books.
Binding
Various methods of securing folded sections of paper together and fastening them to a cover to form a book.
Black Photo Paper
A black paper used to protect photosensitive materials.
Blanket
On offset presses a fabric-reinforced sheet of rubber to transfer the impression from the plate onto the paper.
Blanket-to-Blanket Press
A printing method in which there are two blanket cylinders through which a sheet of paper is passed and printed on both sides.
Bleed
Extra inked area that crosses designated trim line; used to allow for variations that occur when the reproduction is trimmed or die-cut.
Blind Emboss
A design or bas relief impression that is made without using inks or metal foils.
Blind Embossing
Embossed forms that are not inked or gold leafed.
Blind Folio
Page number not printed on page.
Blind Image
A problem that arises in the lithography process when an image loses its ink receptivity and fails to print.
Blistering
Although seemingly dry, paper does contain approximately 5% moisture. In cases where there is excessive moisture and the paper is passed through a high heat-drying chamber, the moisture within the paper actually boils and causes a bubble or blistering effect.
Block
Illustrations or line art etched onto zinc or copper plates and used in letterpress printing.
Block In
To sketch the primary areas and points of reference of an illustration in preparation for going to final design or production.
Block Resistance
The resistance of coated papers to blocking. Reference: blocking.
Blocking
The adhesion of one coated sheet to another, causing paper tears or particles of the coating to shed away from the paper surface.
Blocking Out
To mask a section of an art layout before reproduction.
Blow-up
Any enlargement of photos, copies or line art.
Blue-Line
Photographic proof made from flats for checking accuracy, layout and imposition before plates are made; also known as a dylux.
Body Size
The point size of a particular type character.
Boldface
Any type that has a heavier black stroke that makes it more conspicuous.
Bond
A grade of durable writing, printing and typing paper that has a standard size of 17×22 inches.
Book
A printed work which contains more than 64 pages.
Book Block
A term given the unfinished stage of bookmaking when the pages are folded, gathered and stitched in but not yet cover bound.
Book Paper
A general classification of paper stock used to print books.
Bounce
A registration problem, usually on copiers, where the image appears to bounce back and forth. A bounce usually occurs in one direction depending on how the paper is passing through the machine.
Box Cover Paper
A lightweight paper used expressly for covering paper boxes.
Box Enamel Paper
A glossy coated paper used to cover paper boxes.
Box Liners
A coated paper used on the inside of boxes used for food storage.
Break For Color
In layout design, the term for dividing or separating the art and copy elements into single color paste-up sheets.
Bristol Board
A board paper of various thickness having a smooth finish and used for printing and drawing.
Broad Fold
A term given to the fold whereby paper is folded with the short side running with the grain.
Brocade
A heavily embossed paper.
Brochure
A pamphlet that is bound in booklet form.
Buckle Folder
A portion of the binding machinery having rollers that fold the paper..
Bump Exposure
A process used in halftone photography that entails the temporary removal of the screen during exposure, increasing the highlight contrast and diminishing the dots in the whites.
Burn
A term used in platemaking to describe the amount of plate exposure time.
Burnish
A term used for the process of “rubbing down” lines and dots on a printing plate thereby darkening those areas.
Burnishing
Creating a polished finish on paper by rubbing with stone or hand smoothing a surface.
