Printing

(click on the images to enlarge)

4-color-process A printing process in offset and screen printing that reproduces multicolor illustrations by overprinting 4 basic colors: magenta-red, yellow, cyan-blue, and black. (CMYK)

Complementary color Ink color used in addition to the four needed by four-color process, used in direct tone. Often used for vivid colors in a logo.

Pantone® – PMS Trademark of a system for color matching designed to ensure that color output will be the color intended whether on-screen or in output from a printer. Often referred to as PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors. Technical variances of not more than 5% are always allowed.

Cromalin® Off-press quick color proof using DuPont Cromalin materials - form of dry color proofing and hence, without printing plates. Also Matchprint.

Blueline Prepress photographic proof made from stripped negatives on which all colors show as blue images on white paper, used to proof films, their assembly and the position of the composing items, also called Ozalid (trade name). Final stage of approval before printing and hence, generally, any changes made after this stage are expensive.

Register To position print, using register marks, in the proper position in relation to the edge of the sheet and to other printing on the same sheet.

Offset An industrial printing process employing a photographic lighted aluminium plate with water-repulsive and water-compatible areas. Mount on a cylinder, the water-repulsive areas of the plate will attract oil-based printing inks. This image is transferred to a rubber roller, which then contacts the surface to be printed and transfers the image. This surface can be of paper or thin synthetic materials. High machine preparation costs for the bigger formats (1600/1200mm) and hence only suitable for the larger production series.

Screen printing A printing technique involving the passage of ink through a web or fabric, which has been stretched on a frame, to which a refined form of stencil has been applied. The stencil openings, made with the help of photo-chemical methods,  determine the form and dimensions of the imprint thus produced. Especially used to print vivid colors and on thicker materials, fabrics, etc. The bigger the image the less it is controlled.

Sticker A sticker is a printed piece of paper or vinyl that contains one side that is sticky, hence its name. The best solution for detailed 4-coulour images on surfaces that cannot be printed.

Dye-transfer Process in which designs or texts in single or multiple colors on lightweight film is transferred to a support (wood or glass or metal) by depositing na fine film of coulour. A window transfer is used for transfer on a window.

Rubber stamping Printing process where ink is transferred to an object by means of a tampon in rubber.

Foil stamping A printing process in which a logo or text in form of metallic or pigmented coating on plastic sheets or rolls is transferred to a material by a combination of heat and pressure of a die.

Ready for press Final signed acceptance of the color inking sheet (OK sheet) by the client which establishes the standard for all of the other prints in the edition. In general also used in other manufacturing processes.

CTP (Computer To Plate) A technology that allows for the delivery of digital data directly to a plate for printing. CTP efficiency eliminates conventional films and stripping to significantly reduce prepress materials and costs, and allow for significant productivity benefits over other commercial printing solutions. CTS (Computer to screen) for screen printing.

more..