A-Z of Printing Terminology: Your Go-To Glossary
Entering the world of professional printing can feel like learning a new language. With terms like “bleed,” “CMYK,” and “gang run” being thrown around, it’s easy to get confused. But understanding these terms is essential to ensuring your final product turns out exactly how you envisioned. To help you become a pro, we’ve created a simple glossary of common printing terms.
- Bleed: The extra space of a design that extends beyond the trim line of a printed piece. This is a crucial area to include in your design files to prevent a white border from appearing on the edge of your finished product after it’s trimmed.
- CMYK: Stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). This is the standard color model used in professional full-color printing. Unlike RGB (Red, Green, Blue) which is used for digital screens, CMYK is what your printer uses to mix colors and create your physical print.
- DPI (Dots Per Inch): A measurement of print resolution, indicating the number of individual dots of ink a printer can produce within a linear inch. For high-quality prints, a minimum of 300 DPI is recommended.
- Foil Stamping: A specialty printing technique where heat and pressure are used to apply a metallic foil (or another material) to a surface, creating a shiny, luxurious effect
- Gang Run Printing: A method where multiple print jobs are placed on a single large sheet of paper. This is a cost-effective way for businesses to print smaller jobs, as it saves on setup costs and materials.
- Paper Stock: The type, weight, and finish of the paper used for a printing project. Common types include gloss, matte, and uncoated, each providing a different look and feel.
- Trim Line: The final edge of a printed piece, where the paper is cut. This is where your design is intended to end.
- Vector Graphic: An image created from mathematical formulas, rather than pixels. Vector graphics can be resized infinitely without losing quality, making them ideal for logos and illustrations that need to be used on everything from business cards to large banners.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of printing terminology doesn’t have to be a challenge. By understanding these key terms, you can communicate more effectively with your print provider and make more informed decisions about your projects. At MyPrintEasy, we’re here to help you every step of the way, ensuring you get a beautiful, high-quality product—no matter the jargon.
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