In our business, it is a necessity to know basic paper and printing terms. Use the glossary for a quick reference or browse it to refresh your knowledge.
Select from the general listing below:
varnish
1) An oil used as the vehicle. in printing inks which has been bodied by heat (or chemically), or by the addition of gums, resins, or other materials. 2) A thin coating as in (1), applied to a finished printed job for protection or appearance. Also, a lacquer or other overcoating material such as an acrylic type emulsion can be used for the same function of providing appearance or protection to the printed piece.
vehicle
The fluid or liquid portion of an ink or coating that serves as a carrier for the pigment, adhesives, resins, and additives of the coating or ink formulation, and determines the flow properties of the ink or coating; varnish or oil portion of printing inks.
vellum finish
A full, toothy, relatively rough finish surface of uncoated text or book papers; generally intermediate in smoothness to an antique (very rough) finish and a regular or smooth finish.
viscosity
A broad term encompassing the properties of flow, as of an ink or coating - viscosity is measured on an instrument called a viscometer. Other ink characteristics would include tack and length.
voc
An abbreviation for "volatile organic compounds". Since these are OSHA and EPA regulated type materials, they have become of concern in both inks (evaporative solvents that might be used in heat-set, web offset inks) and fountain solutions (alcohol). Alternative materials and processes are being examined for these products so necessary to printing.
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