Page 136 - 2017 PIM Print Buyers Guide

Graphic Communications Terms Glossary

Desktop Publishing Stripping Direct-to-press Imaging
Electronic assembly of all elements in final imposition for direct output as composite negative or Unimaged plates are automatically mounted on the plate cylinder and then imaged with laser
plate. beams from digital data.
Detail Enhancement Disk, Hard (Hard Drive)
The technique of exaggerating picture image edges with unsharp masking or peaking, so the A platter-like magnetic storage device permanently encased in a computer system.
observer can easily see the detail of the original in the final reproduction. Disk Drive
Die The mechanism that rotates the magnetic disk and positions the read/write head(s) at the desired
Device for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing or debossing. location.
Die Stamping Disk Track
Printing from lettering or other designs engraved into copper or steel. Also called the intaglio One of several concentric circular recording bands where data is stored on a magnetic disk. Each
process, it is used for the production of letterheads, business cards, etc. track may consist of several sectors with a fixed memory capacity.
Diecutting Dither
Using sharp steel rules to cut special shapes from printed sheets. Diecutting can be done on either To fill the gap between two pixels with another pixel having an average value of the two to
flatbed or rotary presses. minimize the difference or add detail to smooth the result.
Digital Document
Method of representing information in numerical (binary) code. Unlike analog signals, digital ones (1) Recorded information regardless of physical form or characteristics. Often used interchangeably
are either “on” or “off.” The “opposite of”: analog device. with record. (2) An individual record or an item of nonrecord materials or of personal papers. A
Digital Asset collection of information that is processed as a unit.
Digital data stored in a file. It can be either data that was digitized, such as video frame data and Document Content
audio samples, or data created in digital form, such as title graphics or animation frames. It can be Document Content refers to the substance of the material or information within the document that
stored in either a Media Data object or a raw data file. Also called Digital media data. is intended to be communicated.
Digital Asset Management (Media Asset Management) Dot
File or asset storage and retrieval by a company for its customer. The individual element of a halftone.
Digital Camera Dot Area
A photographic system that transforms visual information into pixels that are assigned binary codes The size of the dot is indicated by the percentage of the area it occupies from zero to one hundred
so that they can be manipulated, compressed and stored or transmitted as electronic files. percent.
Digital Media Data Dot Etching
Digital data stored in a file. It can be either data that was digitized, such as video frame data and Applying chemicals by hand to either negatives for increasing dot size which adds color; or, to
audio samples, or data created in digital form, such as title graphics or animation frame s. It can be positives for decreasing dot size which subtracts color.
stored in either a Media Data object or a raw data file. Also called Digital asset. Dot Gain
Digital Photography The increase in the printing dot size from the halftone film to the printed substrate resulting in
Direct electronic capture of an image within a camera without using film and processing. darker tones.
Digital Plates Dots Per Inch (DPI)
High speed or spark discharge plates that can be exposed electronically by digital data from a A unit that describes the resolution of an output device or monitor.
prepress system. Double Black Duotones
Digital Printing Image created from two halftones, one for highlights and the other for midtones and shadows. Both
Printing by plateless imaging systems that are imaged by digital data from prepress systems. plates are inked with black for the most contrast.
Digital Proof Double Burn
Proof printed directly from computer data to paper or another substrate without creating separation Utilizing two or more negatives to expose an image on a plate or positive print.
films first. Proof made with computer output device, such as laser or inkjet printer. Download
Digital Soft Proof To transfer a file or files from a remote computer to a local computer’s hard drive.
A color video monitor display of a picture file, data file or text file. Also known as a soft proof. Drawdown
Digital Workflow Sample of inks specified for a job applied to the substrate specified for a job.
In print publishing, using the computer to lay out text and illustrations prior to creating film Drier
negatives for every page or going directly to plate. A substance added to ink to hasten drying.
Digitize Drop Out
To convert an image or signal into binary form. The technique that can give a mediocre photo greater contrast by photographically removing some
Digitized Information dots to create highlights that show the actual white of the paper.
Text, photographs and illustrations converted into digital signals for input, processing and output in Drum
an electronic publishing system. The common name for the photoconductive cylinders used on scanners and plotters.
Digitizing Tablet Drum Scanner
A device using a stylus and an x-y coordinate system to trace or draw images for input to a computer Color separation equipment on which the original transparency is wrapped around a hollow, plastic
graphics system. rotary cylinder.
Dimensional Stability Dryer
Ability of a film to hold size throughout its cycle of use. Polyester-based films are more A unit on a web press that hardens the heatset ink by evaporating the solvent ingredient in it.
dimensionally stable than acetate bases; glass is more stable than polyester. Drytapping
Direct Digital Color Proof (DDCP) Printing one or more layer of ink and then letting it dry before printing additional inks or varnishes
A proof made directly from the stored data file onto a substrate using a peripheral device such as a on the same area.
photographic exposure, dot matrix printer or ink jet printer without producing intermediate films. Dummy
Direct Screen A layout showing the size, shape, form and general style of a piece of printing.
The method of color separating which adds dots at the same time the transparency is being
photographically separated into the four colors. Duotone
Direct-to-plate Two films are made by changing the screen angle for each and one plate is made for each film. A
duotone is printed in two colors but both plates can be used for the same color ink for maximum
Often used as a synonym for computer-to-plate but less desirable to use because the acronym DTP contrast. When using black ink this is called a “double black”.
can be confused with desktop publishing, which is also known as DTP (see computer-to-plate).
Duplex Paper
Paper with a different color or finish on each side.

130 2017 PIM Print Buyers Guide—www.pimw.org