An abbreviation for Artwork.

ISO paper size 210 x 297mm used for Letterhead.

A transparent sheet placed over originals or artwork, allowing the designer to write instructions and\or indicate a second color for placement.

An acid-proof protective coating applied to metal plates prior to etching.

Paper made from pulp containing little or no acid so it resists deterioration from age. Also called alkaline paper, archival paper, neutral pH paper, permanent paper and thesis paper.

Color produced by light falling onto a surface, as compared to subtractive color. The additive primary colors are red, green and blue.

At right angles to the grain direction of the paper being used, as compared to with the grain. Also called across the grain and cross grain. See also Grain Direction.

Pen-shaped tool that sprays a fine mist of ink or paint to retouch photos and create continuous-tone illustrations.

Any change made by the customer after copy or artwork has been given to the service bureau, separator or printer. The change could be in copy, specifications or both. Also called AA, author alteration and customer alteration.

An offset printing plate having a treated surface in order to reduce wear for extended use.

Fine powder lightly sprayed over the printed surface of coated paper as sheets leave a press. Also called dust, offset powder, powder and spray powder.

Roughest finish offered on offset paper.

Coating in a water base and applied like ink by a printing press to protect and enhance the printing underneath.

All original copy, including type, photos and illustrations, intended for printing. Also called art.

At the proofing stage, changes that the client requests to be made concerning original art provided. AA's are considered an additional cost to the client usually.

(1) To print on the second side of a sheet already printed on one side. (2) To adjust an image on one side of a sheet so that it aligns back-to-back with an image on the other side.

Copy pasted up on the mounting board of a mechanical, as compared to overlay art. Also called base mechanical.

Negative made by photographing base art.

The standard size of sheets of paper used to calculate basis weight in the United States and Canada.

In the United States and Canada, the weight, in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to the basic size. Also called ream weight and substance weight (sub weight). In countries using ISO paper sizes, the weight, in grams, of one square meter of paper. Also called grammage and ream weight.

Usually in the book arena, but not exclusively, the joining of leafs or signatures together with either wire, glue or other means.

Usually a department within a printing company responsible for collating, folding and trimming various printing projects.

Category of paperboard ranging in thickness from 15 to 48 points.

Rubber-coated pad, mounted on a cylinder of an offset press, that receives the inked image from the plate and transfers it to the surface to be printed.

Printing that extends to the edge of a sheet or page after trimming.