letterpress
The printing process in which ink is applied to the top surface of a raised image area, which is then pressed against paper to transfer the image.
Industrial printing
388 entries in this trade.
line art
Artwork to be reproduced with one solid color, contrasted with artwork having tone or shading (halftones), or full color (color separations).
line printer
A high-speed impact printer, most often used by older mainframes, that prints an entire line in a single operation.
linecasting
The use of a linecaster to cast entire lines of type in metal slugs.
linoblock
A linoleum block used in block printing.
linocut
A type of woodcut in which a block of linoleum is used for the relief surface; the design cut into the block.
lithographic
adjectiveIndustrial printing
Related to the method of lithography.
macule
To blur or be blurred; especially to blur or double an impression from type.
make-ready
The process of preparing something for use.
manchette
A vertical heading within a newspaper article.
master copy
The copy that acts as the main or original version among several copies, such as the master proof where changes from other author copies are combined, or a similar master manuscript with edits transferred to it.
matrix
In hot metal typesetting, a mold for casting a letter.
meridian
The size of type between double great primer and canon, standardized as 44-point.
metal master
A metal sheet used in offset printing for carrying ink onto the rubber printing form.
minikin
The size of type smaller than brilliant, standardized as 3-point.
minion
The size of type between nonpareil and brevier, standardized as 7-point.
minionette
A size of type between nonpareil and minion, standardized as 6½-point.
misregistration
Incorrect alignment of colors or other elements.
mist
To disperse into a mist, accompanying operation of equipment at high speeds.
mixed case
The use of both uppercase (capital) and lowercase (small) letters within a text.
monoline
A type of composing machine in which each line of type is cast as a single slug.
monotype
A print made by creating the design using oil paint or printer's ink on metal or glass, then transferring the image directly to paper.
multigraph
A combined rotary typesetting and printing machine for office use. The type is transferred semi-automatically by means of keys from a type-supply drum to a printing drum. The printing may be done by means of an inked ribbon to print "typewritten" letters, or directly from inked type or a stereotype plate, as in a printing press.
multinegative
An array of several negatives to be printed together by photolithography
multipositive
An array of several positive images to be printed together by photolithography
nick
A notch cut crosswise in the shank of a type, to assist a compositor in placing it properly in the stick, and in distribution.
Norse
A size of type between Saxon and excelsior, 2+¹⁄₂-point type.
O
American Library Association abbreviation of octavo, a book size (20-25 cm).
octavo
A sheet of paper 7 to 10 inches (= 17.78 to 25.4 cm) high and 4.5 to 6 inches (= 11.43 to 15.24 cm) wide, the size varying with the large original sheet used to create it. It is made by folding the original sheet three times to produce eight leaves.
octodecimo
A size of a sheet of paper resulting from folding and cutting a sheet of paper into eighteenths (3.5", 4.5" x 4.9", 5.9").
oddment
A part of a book that is not a portion of the text, such as the title, index, etc. (usually plural).
out
A word or words omitted by the compositor in setting up copy; an omission.
out of sorts
With some letters or sorts of type deficient or exhausted in the case or font.
overlay
A piece of paper pasted upon the tympan sheet to improve the impression by making it stronger at a particular place.
overmatter
Typeset material that proves to be surplus to requirements.
overprint
To overlap different colours to avoid gaps.
overrun
To carry (some type, a line or column, etc.) backward or forward into an adjacent line or page.
overset
To set (copy or type) in excess of a given space.
page proof
A trial page or proof that has been made up into pages.
paper jam
A malfunction in a computer's printer or a photocopier or similar device occurring when sheets of paper become jammed inside.
paragon
The size of type between great primer and double pica, standardized as 20-point.
parallel
A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines, used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page.
parathesis
The matter contained within brackets.
patch
An overlay used to obtain a stronger impression.
pearl
The size of type between diamond and agate, standardized as 5-point.
perfecting
The process of printing on both sides of the printed-on material during its single pass through the printing press.
photo machine
A phototypesetter machine.
photo-offset
A method of offset printing that uses photolithographic plates.
photoblocker
A substance that stops light.
photolettering
The formation of lines of type on photographic paper or film.
photolithography
A lithographic procedure in which printing plates are made using a photographic process.
pica
A size of type between small pica and English, now standardized as 12-point.
pica stick
A type of ruler used to measure by hand the spacing in prints, designs, mock-ups, and proofs.
pick
A particle of ink or paper embedded in the hollow of a letter, filling up its face, and causing a spot on a printed sheet.
pinfeed
A kind of dot matrix printer equipped to take paper with holes running along each side for alignment.
planography
A form of printing from a flat surface, as opposed to a raised or incised one.
plate
An engraved surface used to transfer an image to paper.
plucking
The undesirable situation in which printed ink becomes detached from the paper.
portrait
A print orientation where the vertical sides are longer than the horizontal sides.
post
A printing paper size measuring 19.25 inches x 15.5 inches.