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:
A4A
Symbol for standard metric "cut-size" paper that is nominally 20 x 30 cm or exactly 210 x 297 mm; used as the European (and other parts of the world) standard in place of 8 1/1 x 11 inches; is an ISO standard.
absorption
1) In paper, the property that causes it to take up liquids or vapors in contact with it; also, absorbency. 2) In optics, the partial absorption of light as it passes through a transparent or translucent material.
acid free
See alkaline sizing.
acid sizing
See alum.
additive primary colors
See primary colors.
AFPA
Abbreviation for American Forest and Paper Association. an industry association of forest products and paper manufacturing companies. (In 1993, the former API became a part of this organization.)
air dryer
See tunnel dryer.
alkaline sizing
Also called neutral or acid free sizing. Synthetic resins are added to the furnish of the paper machine to impart water resistance to paper; unlike the acid sizing system, alkaline sizing does not use high concentrations of alum to set the size; common internal synthetic sizing materials are abbreviated as AKD (for Alkyl Ketene Dimer) or ASA (for Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride). An advantage of alkaline sizing is better "permanence" (archival properties).
alkyd resin
Synthetic drying oils made by chemical reaction of various organic acids. See also <i>drying oils</i>.
alum
This is aluminum sulfate, used for "setting" internal rosin size, to impart water resistance to paper; the alum-rosin size system is "acid" sizing, and the alum is what imparts the acid character to the sheet of paper. Alum can also be used as a release agent on the paper machine to prevent wet webs from sticking to turning rolls or as a minor additive for alkaline sizing, imparting no pH change.
angle bars
See turning bars.
ANSI
Abbreviation for "American National Standards Institute, Inc.", which develops and publishes standards as the U.S. representative to international standards organizations.
anti-offset spray
In printing, a material (usually dry starch particles) sprayed on to the wet ink film surface to prevent set-off.
antioxidants
Agents which retard the action of oxygen in drying oils (chemical drying), and other substances subject to oxidation.
antique finish
A very rough uncoated paper finish, obtained on the paper machine with little wet pressing or machine calendering; can also serve as a prefix to other finishes, implying a rougher than usual finish, such as "antique vellum".
anti-skinning agents
Materials which retard the skin formation on the surface of a drying oil or printing ink; as an example, skin formation can develop when a can of oil based paint is left open, with a resultant drying on the surface and liquid paint still below the "skin".
API
See AFPA.
archival
See permanence.
art work
Original materials, including the illustrations, lettering, charts, color blocks, etc. which are to be reproduced in a printed piece.
ash
The inorganic pigment (mineral) residue after complete combustion (burning off) the organics (cellulose fiber for example) from a sheet of paper; used as a test to determine the filler content of the paper.
ASTM
Abbreviation for "American Society for Testing and Materials" which develops and publishes consensus standards, in many fields.
automatic density control
An automatic toning control system where the toner layer deposited on the paper is controlled by the copier/printer.
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