Glossary of Digital Terms

Inks that use water as a carrier. Aqueous inks typically use either dyes or pigments as colorants.
A pattern of horizontal or vertical lines that appears in solid colors, continuous-tone tints, or gradations instead of a smooth color transition. Banding can appear on monitors when viewing images with limited color information, or on printers due to file, calibration, or output issues.
Unlike double-sided printing, where an image is printed on both sides of the same media, back-to-back printing places both images on the same side and folds the media over to create a double-sided graphic. These graphics are often perimeter stitched and may include a blockout layer between the two sides. This method is used when the media does not support printing on both sides due to coating limitations or lack thereof.
A graphic made from individual pixels arranged in a specific pattern. Common bitmap-image formats include:

AI = Adobe Illustrator
BMP = Windows Bitmap
EPS = Encapsulated PostScript
GIF = Graphics Interchange Format
JPEG or JPG = Joint Photographic Experts Group
PCD = Kodak Photo CD
PCX = ZSoft Paintbrush Exchange
PDF = Portable Document Format
PICT or PCT = QuickDraw Picture Format
RTL = Raster Transfer Language
PNG = Portable Network Graphics, created to replace GIFs
SCT = Scitex
TGA = Targa
TIF or TIFF = Tagged Image File Format
In PostScript page-description language, bounding boxes are rectangles that define the area of an image. They represent the maximum X and Y axis measurements of an on-screen image. Adjusting a bounding box by moving its control points can change the shape or size of an image. Bounding boxes also help scale graphics in page-layout software.
Abbreviations for Coated One Side and Coated Two Sides.
An image file format used by digital cameras that contains unprocessed image data. Also called RAW, the format is proprietary and can vary between camera manufacturers and models. RAW image files must be processed and converted before they can be edited, printed, or displayed by most web browsers.
Cast film is durable, flexible, conformable, and dimensionally stable. It retains color well and is ideal for complex surfaces such as vehicles, especially when a smooth finished look is expected.
Calendared films are often called intermediate or short-term films. They are well suited for flat and simple curved applications on a variety of substrates.
CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. These four process colors are used by output devices such as inkjet, electrostatic, and thermal-transfer printers. Black is represented by “K” because it is the key plate or keyline color in process printing.
A visual control used in photo illustration and graphics software to display color measurements and make tonal adjustments to an image.
An optical device used to measure color by analyzing reflected or transmitted light. Colorimeters and spectrophotometers help maintain color consistency across devices and print runs.
The coordination of color among input, display, and output devices. In print production, color management is often handled by imaging production software, such as a RIP. In display and design workflows, color coordination may be handled through device-specific software such as Apple ColorSync or Adobe Photoshop.
Color models based on different values, such as hue, luminance, and saturation; hue, saturation, and brightness; hue, saturation, and value; red, green, and blue; or cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
A system used to define color through a theoretical three-dimensional model. Colors are plotted using specific values, such as red, green, and blue. Color spaces are commonly used to represent the range of colors available within systems such as RGB or CMYK.
In color management, gamut compression reduces the range of colors in an image so they can be reproduced by a specific output device. In image processing, file compression reduces file size through an alternate encoding process.
A printing method in which equally sized color dots are placed in variable spacing to create smoother, more natural color transitions.
A print-and-cut process that cuts around the outline of an image, including outer edges and internal cut lines.
Lines near the edges of an image indicating portions to be reproduced. Also called cut marks and tic marks.
Artwork that continues from one page across the gutter to the opposite page. Also called a bridge, gutter bleed, or gutter jump.
A measurement used to describe the visible difference between two colors. Delta-E is often used in color matching, customer approvals, and manufacturer guarantees of color consistency or colorfastness.
Not to be confused with back-to-back printing, double-sided printing prints the image on both sides of the same media. Many media options are coated on both sides to support this process.
Click here to view a chart showing DPI based on viewing distance. DPI stands for dots per inch. It is a unit of measure used to describe print resolution based on the number of ink dots printed within one inch. DPI can influence image file size; higher DPI generally indicates higher print resolution.
A type of solvent ink that uses a less-toxic carrier. Printers using eco-solvent inks typically emit fewer harmful VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, than standard solvent inks.
In Adobe Illustrator files, embedded artwork becomes part of the Illustrator document. This can increase file size and slow processing, but it helps ensure that the image is included when the file is sent for output.
EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. It is an Adobe graphic file format that allows information such as colors, fill patterns, bitmap graphics, and vector graphics to be shared between software programs. EPS files may also include low-resolution preview files and high-resolution PostScript image descriptions.
A printing application in which a solid field of white ink is printed first, then overprinted with an image. This is often used when printing on non-white surfaces.
A flattened image is a file in which all visible layers have been merged into the background to reduce file size. Flattening removes hidden layers and fills transparent areas with white. In most cases, files should not be flattened until editing is complete, because a flattened file offers limited editability.
The size of a printed product after printing and trimming, but before folding. This is different from the finished size.
Technique of printing that uses black, magenta, cyan, and yellow to simulate full-color images. Also called color process printing, full-color printing, and process printing.
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is used to transfer files, while HTTP is used to load web pages. The “ftp” or “http” before a web address tells the browser which protocol to use.
GCR stands for Gray Component Replacement. It is a color separation process in which black ink replaces cyan, magenta, and yellow in midtone and highlight areas where the three inks overlap. This can reduce ink consumption and drying time. GCR is similar to UCR.
The predominant direction in which fibers in paper become aligned during manufacturing. Also called machine direction.
A transition between two colors or between black and white. Gradations are created by progressively mixing percentages of dominant and secondary colors. Also commonly called a gradient.
The inside margin of a book, brochure, or bound piece where pages meet at the binding edge.
A metal ring inserted along the edge of a banner, billboard, or graphic to support installation.
Higher resolution means more detail. Higher DPI usually means higher print resolution. Resolution is not the same as size, although higher-resolution images are often larger files.
Postal permit information printed on mail pieces and accepted by the U.S. Postal Service in place of stamps.
The amount of detail an image contains. The term applies to raster digital images, film images, and other image types. Higher resolution usually means more image detail.
A software technique used to increase the size of an image file by creating additional pixels. Interpolation uses mathematical averaging to increase apparent resolution and tonal value.
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It is a graphic file format commonly used for photographs and color bitmap images. JPEG compression reduces file size by removing image data, which makes the format useful for screen and web display but less ideal for high-quality print production.
A color space calculated using lightness, red-green values, and yellow-blue values. It is commonly associated with CIE color measurement and is used as a device-independent way to describe color.
In Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator files, layers work like transparent sheets stacked on top of one another. Areas without content allow the layers below to show through. Layers help keep artwork editable and organized.
Muted or diluted forms of subtractive primary colors. When used with CMYK inks, these lighter inks can improve highlight detail, expand color gamut, and create smoother continuous-tone prints.
The process of calibrating tonal values on a scanner or printer to create evenly distributed tones and render detail throughout an image.
A file with a low DPI, PPI, or overall pixel count. Low-resolution files may appear blurry, pixelated, or unsuitable for high-quality print production.
The tones in a photograph or illustration that fall between highlights and shadows, often represented by dots between 30% and 70% coverage.
A measurement of how much light is blocked from passing through a substrate. Opacity is measured on a scale of 0% to 100% and helps indicate how much underlying type or imagery may show through.
In process color, overprint refers to placing one color over another to create different tones and shades. It can also be used with spot colors to create additional color effects.
A printing application in which white ink is used as a background for reverse-printed transparent materials, such as backlit graphics. The white ink is often somewhat translucent for this application.
The assignment of page numbers in a document, either manually or electronically.
A numbering system used to identify thousands of standardized colors. PANTONE colors are created through combinations of primary color inks and are used for color matching across print and design applications.
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It is an electronic document format from Adobe that allows files to be displayed and shared across platforms while preserving the original design, formatting, and layout. PDFs can often be viewed and printed without requiring the original software application or fonts.
PPI stands for pixels per inch. It is commonly used to describe the pixel density of a screen, such as a computer monitor or smartphone, and can also refer to the pixel density of a digital image.
Sleeves created in a banner or graphic to allow a pole to pass through for hanging or installation. Pole pockets are often used on outdoor banners and may be secured with hooks, straps, or other hardware.
A graphics language that creates vector-based images through computer code, allowing for proportional scaling. PostScript helps make scalable type and artwork possible in graphics software for Windows and Mac systems.
A common abbreviation for the PANTONE Matching System.
Colors that cannot be created by mixing other colors within a given color space. Red, green, and blue are additive primaries used for emitted light, while cyan, magenta, and yellow are subtractive primaries used for reflected light. Black is added to CMY in print production to create denser, more accurate black tones.
A printing method that combines cyan, magenta, yellow, and black to reproduce a wide range of colors in offset and digital printing.
Small programs that add specific features or capabilities to larger graphics applications.
Print resolution describes how fine or detailed a printer can output an image. 300 DPI is standard for many print applications. In some cases, 150 DPI may be acceptable, but lower resolutions are generally not recommended.
An image made from a collection of pixels arranged in a rectangular grid. Raster images are displayed as a series of dots or pixels, unlike vector images, which are built from mathematical paths.
To change the reproduction size of a file. Files can often be resized to print smaller or larger, but significant enlargement may cause jagged edges or visible pixelation. Moderate adjustments are usually safer than major upscaling.
The number of pixels or samples per inch that a device can recognize or produce. Resolution is a measure of image detail; higher resolution usually means more detail and a larger file size.
A graphic or type treatment created by printing ink around the shape, allowing the underlying color, substrate, or paper to show through. Also called knockout or liftout. The image or type “reverses out” of the ink color.
RGB stands for red, green, and blue. These additive colors are used by monitors, scanners, and digital displays to represent color data. In general, input and display are handled in RGB, while print output is handled in CMYK.
RIP stands for Raster Image Processor. It is software and/or hardware that converts digital files into bitmap information for processing on a PostScript printer or other digital output device. This process is called rasterization.
The intensity of a specific hue, based on the color’s purity. Highly saturated colors appear vivid, while less saturated colors appear more muted or grayish.
Solvent inks use a solvent-based carrier to bond pigment to a substrate. They are commonly used for durable outdoor graphics, banners, vehicle graphics, and other wide-format applications.
Colors used independently in a printed piece for a specific need, such as a brand color, or in overlapping combinations with other spot or process colors.
A printing application in which white ink is used as an independent color, often for printing text or logos on a non-white surface.
Two facing pages designed as one visual or production unit. The term can also refer to the layout of several photos, especially across facing pages.
UCR stands for Under Color Removal. It is a color separation process in which black ink replaces cyan, magenta, and yellow in shadow areas where the three inks overlap. UCR is similar to GCR.
A printing process in which ultraviolet light cures liquid ink and transforms it into a solid film on the substrate. UV curing is commonly used in many digital flatbed printers.
A computer image that uses geometric shapes, such as points, lines, polygons, and Bézier curves, to create mathematical descriptions of paths. Vector images can be scaled without losing quality.
DPI is a print measurement, not a true measurement of digital image quality. For web and digital use, actual pixel dimensions matter more than DPI settings. How the image prints is a separate consideration.

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