ANSI stands for the “American National Standards Institute.” This states the Financial Industry Standards and Specifications for the electronic exchange of check and image data as approved by the Accredited Standards Committee for US Checks. www.x9.org

Also referred to as a vector image and is a standard file format used to transfer postscript formatting information between applications. When creating a vector image, the program creates mathematical equations in the background this is why you can make the image as large or small as you want without losing quality.

A semi-gloss finish that falls between a gloss and matte paper.

A drop shadow is used behind text or an object to give the appearance of it lifting off the page. It is usually placed offset and behind the text or object to be effected.

A drill can be of many forms. It can be for the purpose of putting holes in paper (three hole punch in large quantities), or it can be for the purpose of ring or comb binding a book.

The measurement used to determine tone, weight and color within a photo or printed piece. This is usually measured by a Densitometer?

An optical devise used in the printing and photography industry to measure and maintain the density of ink or color on the page to help keep the color consistent.

Cyan is the “blue” used in four color process printing. CMYK Process.

Crop or cropping is the process of making an image smaller by selecting a smaller portion of it and deleting the edges.

Books bound together by using a plastic comb that is flexible and is inserted into holes that are punched into the edge of the book.

The process of separating color (CMYK, Spot Color) for the purpose of printing each ink separately. CMYK colors can be used to create any color you want (except a true gold, silver and bronze).

It is the act of gathering multiple sheets together in their correct order.

Coil / Spiral Binding is for books or statements. Holes are punched along the side of the product and spiral metal or plastic coils are wound through them binding the edge. Coil/Spiral Bound books can usually lay completely flat when opened.

A paper that has a coating that makes the paper more glossy and smooth.

Clip art is a collection of graphic images, designs and artwork in digital form that can be used for printing purposes. Some are free and some collections you have to pay a running fee to use.

The Center Spread is the middle of a book, the two facing pages that make up the center of a book or publication.

Paper that allow the transfer of an impression from the first page to the subsequent pages. It is also called NCR paper. You can get multiple page forms of this paper and in a variety of colors.

Coated Card Stock is stock that has a glossy finish. They are usually between 8pt and 18pt in thickness and can be coated on one side or both.

Products where the color runs off the edge of the page is called a bleed. A Bleed Edge is extra space that is needed in the printing process to ensure that there are no white borders around the finished product after it is cut.

Bindery is a department within a printing company that does the finishing work on your products. Jobs such as cutting, folding, collating, drilling and more are all done in this department.