Glossary of Printing Terms – Basic Concepts in Printing (A–Z)
Discover the most important printing terms essential in offset printing, digital printing, and preparing advertising materials. This glossary was created for those who want to understand the processes in a print shop and prepare files according to technical requirements. Additionally, it includes definitions useful in marketing and custom publishing. Taking a moment to get familiar with these terms will reduce production errors and, most importantly, increase customer satisfaction.
A
Solid (Apla) – uniform coverage of a sheet’s surface with a single color. It can be CMYK or Pantone. Often used to test the quality of an offset machine.
Imposition (Alokacja) – arranging graphic elements on a sheet to maximize paper usage and minimize waste.
Printing sheet (Arkusz drukarski) – a large sheet on which multiple copies are printed at once, later cut or folded to final format.
Halftone (Autotypia) – reproduction technique of tonal images (e.g., photos) using a printing screen.
B
Creasing (Bigowanie) – scoring paper along a line to ease folding, especially above 170 g, to avoid cracking.
Plate (Blacha, CTP form) – metal matrix used in offset printing, created with CTP (Computer-to-Plate) technology.
Brochure (Broszura) – multi-page publication usually saddle-stitched, ideal for company presentations.
C
CMYK – the basic color space in offset and digital printing (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black). Files must be prepared in CMYK; using RGB often causes color mismatches.
Crop marks – lines placed outside the trim area to guide precise cutting.
Custom publishing – creating dedicated corporate publications, catalogs, or magazines for brand image and customer engagement.
D
Densitometer – device for measuring the optical density of ink on a print, ensuring proper color saturation.
Printing (Druk) – the process of reproducing an image on a substrate, most often paper. In offset, the image transfers from the plate to a blanket cylinder and then to paper.
DTP (Desktop Publishing) – electronic file preparation for print, including layout, color correction, and bleed setup.
Pantone LLC – Pantone developed and published its color scale, which serves as a color standard called the Pantone (Color) Matching System (PMS). Colors are identified by a number (e.g., 2352) with additional designations such as fluorescence, metallic finish, etc. The basic scale describes 1,761 colors. These colors are created by mixing 18 pigments (including white and black), which is why their reproduction in CMYK and RGB scales is not straightforward.
E–F
Exposure (Ekspozycja) – exposing a plate or film to create a print image.
Folding (Falcowanie) – mechanically folding sheets along lines, essential in books and brochures.
Lamination (Foliowanie) – covering sheets with thin foil for protection (gloss, matte, or soft touch).
G
Guillotine (Gilotyna) – cutting machine for paper, used in production and finishing.
Printhead (Głowica drukująca) – inkjet/digital element that sprays ink onto paper, crucial for print quality.
H
Hot stamping – foil stamping with heat, often in gold or silver, adding luxury to prints.
I
Imposition (Impozycja) – arranging pages on a sheet to achieve correct order after folding and trimming.
Bindery (Introligatornia) – finishing department of a print shop: folding, gluing, sewing, and bookbinding.
J–K
Print quality (Jakość druku) – level of image reproduction, depending on resolution, screen density, and paper.
Board (Kartoteka/Karton) – thicker paper used for hard covers and folders.
PUR glue (Klej PUR) – polyurethane adhesive used in perfect binding for durability.
L
Dispersion varnish (Lakier dyspersyjny) – fast-drying water-based coating, adds gloss/matte protection.
UV varnish (Lakier UV) – cured with UV light, applied overall or selectively (spot UV).
M–N
Dummy (Makieta) – layout model showing graphics and text before production.
Module (Moduł) – smallest graphic composition unit in a layout, planned at the DTP stage.
Print run (Nakład) – the number of copies produced in one cycle.
Numbering (Numeracja) – applying serial numbers (tickets, invoices, vouchers).
O–P
Offset printing – most common technique, image transfers from plate → blanket cylinder → paper.
Saddle-stitch binding (Oprawa zeszytowa) – wire-stapled binding, used in brochures/catalogs.
Pantone (PMS) – standardized spot color system for accurate special color reproduction.
Proof – test print to check final colors; usually printed only on glossy paper.
R
Reprography (Reprografia) – preparing print materials: scanning, color correction, layout.
S
Screen printing (Sitodruk) – ink pushed through a mesh, used for textiles and promo items.
Die-cutting (Sztancowanie) – cutting paper/board into shapes with a die.
Bleed (Spad) – graphics extending beyond trim to avoid white edges after cutting.
DTP layout (Skład DTP) – arranging text/graphics in software like Adobe InDesign.
T
Embossing (Tłoczenie) – creating raised/indented patterns, often combined with hot stamping.
Thermal printing (Termodruk) – pigment fixed under high temperature.
U–W
Print finishing (Uszlachetnianie druku) – enhancing prints (varnishing, laminating, embossing).
Die (Wykrojnik) – tool for die-cutting specific shapes.
Paper web (Wstęga papieru) – long roll of paper used in web presses.
Z
Single/double-sided print (Zadruk jednostronny/dwustronny) – specifies if printing is on one or both sides.
Foiling (Złocenie) – applying gold foil, used in luxury invitations/packaging.
Perforation (Nacinanie) – cutting lines into paper for easy tearing (e.g., coupons).