This is a glossary of printing terms created in layman's terms to help our customers better understand the printing terms that we use on a daily basis.

4 Color Process (4C Printing): The process of combining four basic colors (CMYK) to create a printed color picture or colors composed from the basic four color inks used in the press printing process. CMYK is as follows:

Cyan: light blue (one of four standard process colors).
Magenta: pink (one of four standard process colors).
Yellow: yellow (one of four standard process colors).
Black: black (one of four standard process colors).

Bleed: Printing that goes to the edge of the sheet after trimming.

Crop: To cut off parts of a picture or image.

Crop Marks: Printed lines showing where to trim a printed sheet placed outside the "live area".

Die: Metal rule or imaged block used to cut or place an image on paper in the finishing process.

Die Cutting: Trimming images to specific shapes out of paper.

Films: Created from press ready artwork to make artwork ready for press printing.

Lamination: A protective plastic coating to seal in colors and become more durable by protecting the ink and paper surface.

Live Area: The area that the artwork will be trimmed to.

Offset Printing: Using an intermediate surface used to transfer ink. Also, an unpleasant happening when the images of freshly printed sheets transfer images to each other.

Offset Paper: Term for uncoated book paper.

Over-Run: A term used for charging a customer for more games than ordered. The places an order for a set number of games. Additional printing is done to cover any mis-printing and to avoid a shortage. If more games can be completed, the customer has to pay for the games that are sellable causing an over-run. If less games are completed, the customer is shorted and pays only for those completed causing an under-run.

Plates: Created to make the films for press printing.

PMS Colors: The abbreviated name of the Pantone Color Matching System. A system of formulated ink colors used for creating consistent specific color(s).

Press-Ready Art: Print ready electronic art.

Proofs: Prints or electronic images made for proof reading art work.

Under-Run: A term used for charging a customer for more games than ordered. The places an order for a set number of games. Additional printing is done to cover any mis-printing and to avoid a shortage. If less games are completed, the customer is shorted and pays only for those completed causing an under-run. If more games can be completed, the customer has to pay for the games that are sellable causing an over-run. 

UV Coating: Liquid laminate bonded and cured with ultraviolet light. Environmentally friendly.

Varnish: A clear liquid applied to printed surfaces for looks and protection.
 

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