Poster Printing > Glossary > Glossary

Glossary

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8

8 Sheets

8 Sheets are a type of outdoor poster, smaller than billboards, often used in bus shelters and kiosks.

A

Acrylic Print

An Acrylic Print is a photo printed onto high-quality acrylic material for a vibrant and durable display.

Ad Panel

An Ad Panel is a type of outdoor advertising display typically found on street furniture or building walls.

Alignment

Alignment in printing refers to the precise arrangement of text and images on a page.

Aqueous Inkjet

Aqueous Inkjet is a type of printing that uses water-based inks for high-quality and environmentally friendly prints.

Archival Paper

Archival Paper is a type of paper designed to resist deterioration and yellowing, ensuring long-term preservation of printed materials.

Aspect Ratio

An Aspect Ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image or screen.

B

Backlit Film

Backlit Film is a translucent material used for illuminated signs and displays, providing vibrant and eye-catching graphics.

Billboard

A Billboard is a large outdoor advertising structure typically found along highways or busy streets.

Binding

Binding is the process of assembling and securing the pages of a printed document together.

Bleed

Bleed is the portion of a printed image that extends beyond the trim edge to ensure there are no white margins.

Bleed Area

A Bleed Area is the extra space added around a document's edge to account for cutting inconsistencies during printing.

Border

A Border is the edge or boundary surrounding a printed image or document.

Bus Shelter Advertising

Bus Shelter Advertising refers to posters and advertisements displayed in or on bus shelters.

C

Canvas Print

A Canvas Print is a photo or artwork printed onto canvas material and usually stretched over a wooden frame.

Cardstock

Cardstock is a type of thick, durable paper used for business cards, invitations, and other printed materials.

CMYK

CMYK is a color model used in color printing that combines Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) inks.

Coating

Coating is a layer applied to printed materials to enhance durability and appearance, such as gloss or matte finishes.

Collating

Collating is the process of arranging printed pages in a specific order, typically for binding into books or booklets.

Color Calibration

Color Calibration ensures that the colors displayed on a screen match the colors printed on paper.

Color Gamut

A Color Gamut is the range of colors that can be reproduced by a device or printing process.

Color Profile

A Color Profile is a set of data that ensures colors are consistently reproduced across different devices.

Crop Marks

Crop Marks are lines printed at the corners of a document to indicate where it should be trimmed.

Custom Size

A Custom Size refers to a non-standard, specific dimension tailored to fit unique printing needs.

Cut Line

A Cut Line is a guide on a printed document that shows where it should be cut or trimmed.

D

Digital Billboard

A Digital Billboard is an electronic display that shows digital advertisements, often in high-traffic areas.

Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH)

Digital Out-Of-Home (DOOH) refers to digital advertising displayed in public spaces, such as digital billboards and screens.

Direct Print

Direct Print refers to printing directly onto a substrate without the need for transfer or intermediary steps.

Double Sided

Double Sided means printing on both sides of a sheet of paper.

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

DPI (Dots Per Inch) measures the resolution of a printed image, indicating its sharpness and detail.

Durability

Durability in printing refers to the longevity and resistance of printed materials to wear and environmental factors.

Dye Sublimation

Dye Sublimation is a printing process that uses heat to transfer dye onto materials like fabric or plastic.

E

Embossing

Embossing is a printing technique that creates a raised design on the surface of a material.

Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the process of enclosing a printed document in a protective plastic film.

F

Finishing

Finishing in printing refers to the final touches applied to a printed product, such as cutting, binding, or coating.

Flatbed Printer

A Flatbed Printer is a type of printer that uses a flat surface to print on various materials, including thick and rigid substrates.

Foil Stamping

Foil Stamping is a printing technique that applies metallic foil to a surface to create a shiny, decorative effect.

Folding

Folding is the process of bending paper or other materials to create a specific shape or structure.

Format

A Format is the size, shape, and layout of a printed or digital document.

Four-Color Process

The Four-Color Process is a printing method that uses CMYK colors to produce full-color images.

G

Geotargeting

Geotargeting is the practice of delivering content or advertisements to users based on their geographic location.

Giclée

Giclée is a high-quality inkjet printing process used for producing fine art prints.

Gloss Finish

A Gloss Finish is a shiny, reflective coating applied to printed materials to enhance their appearance.

Grain Direction

Grain Direction refers to the orientation of fibers in a piece of paper, affecting how it folds and prints.

Graphics

Graphics are visual images or designs used in printed materials and digital displays.

Grommet

A Grommet is a reinforced eyelet used in banners and other materials to provide a point for attachment.

GSM (Grams per Square Meter)

GSM (Grams per Square Meter) is a measurement of paper thickness and weight, indicating its sturdiness and quality.

H

Halftone

A Halftone is a printing technique that uses dots of varying sizes to create the illusion of continuous tone images.

Heat Seal

A Heat Seal is a method of bonding materials together using heat and pressure.

High-Resolution

High-Resolution refers to the quality and detail of an image, with more pixels providing a sharper and clearer picture.

I

Inkjet

Inkjet is a printing technology that sprays tiny droplets of ink onto paper to create an image.

Interstitial

An Interstitial is a full-screen advertisement that appears between content on digital platforms.

K

Kiosk Advertising

Kiosk Advertising refers to promotional displays found on public information kiosks or standalone units.

L

Lamination

Lamination is the process of applying a protective plastic layer to printed materials.

Large Format

Large Format refers to printing on oversized materials, such as banners, posters, and signs.

Layout

A Layout is the arrangement of text and images on a printed page or digital screen.

LED Printer

An LED Printer uses light-emitting diodes to produce high-quality printed images.

Lithography

Lithography is a printing process that uses chemical processes to transfer an image from a flat surface to a printing substrate.

M

Matte Finish

A Matte Finish is a non-glossy, smooth coating applied to printed materials to reduce glare.

Media Buying

Media Buying is the process of purchasing advertising space or time on various media platforms.

Mobile Billboard

A Mobile Billboard is an advertisement displayed on a moving vehicle, often a truck or bus.

Mounting

Mounting is the process of attaching a printed material to a rigid backing for display.

O

Offset Printing

Offset Printing is a common printing technique where the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface.

Opacity

Opacity refers to how much light passes through a material, affecting its transparency.

Out-Of-Home Advertising (OOH)

Out-Of-Home Advertising (OOH) refers to any advertising that reaches consumers while they are outside their homes.

P

Pantone Matching System (PMS)

The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a standardized color reproduction system used in various industries for accurate color matching.

Paper Weight

Paper Weight is the thickness and heaviness of a paper, measured in GSM.

Photo Paper

Photo Paper is a type of paper designed for printing high-quality photographs.

Pigment Ink

Pigment Ink is a type of ink used in printing that contains solid color particles, offering durability and resistance to fading.

Pixel

A Pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image, representing a single point of color.

Plotter

A Plotter is a printer designed for printing large-scale graphics, such as architectural plans and engineering drawings.

PMS Colors

PMS Colors are specific shades of colors standardized by the Pantone Matching System for consistent color reproduction.

Poster Board

A Poster Board is a thick, durable board used for creating posters and other displays.

Poster Frame

A Poster Frame is a frame designed to hold and display posters, protecting them from damage.

Prepress

Prepress refers to the processes and procedures involved in preparing a document for printing.

Print Head

A Print Head is the component of a printer that applies ink to the printing surface.

Print Run

A Print Run is the total number of copies produced in a single printing operation.

Print Speed

Print Speed refers to the rate at which a printer can produce printed materials.

Print-Ready

Print-Ready means a document is fully prepared and formatted correctly for the printing process.

Projection Mapping

Projection Mapping is a technology used to project images or videos onto irregularly shaped surfaces.

Proofing

Proofing is the process of creating a preliminary print to check for errors before the final print run.

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a durable plastic material used in various printing and signage applications.

R

Raster Image

A Raster Image is a type of digital image made up of a grid of individual pixels.

Reach

Reach refers to the total number of people exposed to an advertisement or campaign.

Registration Marks

Registration Marks are small lines or shapes printed outside the trim area to ensure proper alignment of colors and images.

Resolution

Resolution refers to the detail and clarity of an image, often measured in DPI for printing.

RGB

RGB is a color model that uses Red, Green, and Blue light to create colors, primarily for digital displays.

Roll Paper

Roll Paper is paper wound onto a roll, used in large-format printing and other applications.

S

Satin Finish

A Satin Finish is a smooth, slightly shiny coating applied to printed materials.

Screen Printing

Screen Printing is a printing technique that uses a stencil and mesh screen to apply ink to a substrate.

Sharpness

Sharpness refers to the clarity and distinctness of an image's details.

Signage

Signage refers to signs and graphic displays used to convey information or advertise.

Silk Screen

Silk Screen is another term for screen printing, often used in the context of printing on fabrics.

Spectacular

A Spectacular is a large, eye-catching outdoor advertisement, typically more elaborate than a standard billboard.

Spot Color

Spot Color is a printing technique that uses pre-mixed inks to produce specific colors, rather than combining primary colors.

Street Furniture

Street Furniture refers to public amenities like bus shelters and benches that can carry advertisements.

Substrate

A Substrate is the base material onto which images are printed, such as paper, plastic, or fabric.

T

Tabloid Size

Tabloid Size is a paper size commonly used for newspapers and flyers, typically 11 x 17 inches.

Thermal Printer

A Thermal Printer uses heat to produce images on heat-sensitive paper.

Transit Advertising

Transit Advertising refers to ads placed on public transportation vehicles or in transit stations.

Typography

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible and visually appealing.

U

Urban Panels

Urban Panels are advertising displays located in urban areas, often on street furniture or building walls.

UV Coating

UV Coating is a clear, protective layer applied to printed materials and cured with ultraviolet light.

UV Printing

UV Printing is a digital printing method that uses ultraviolet light to cure or dry the ink as it is printed.

V

Vantage Points

Vantage Points refer to the strategic locations from which advertisements can be most effectively viewed.

Vector Image

A Vector Image is a digital graphic that uses mathematical equations to create shapes, allowing for infinite scaling without loss of quality.

Vehicle Wraps

Vehicle Wraps are large vinyl graphics or decals applied to cars, trucks, and buses for advertising purposes.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a versatile plastic material used for printing banners, signs, and vehicle wraps.

Vivid Colors

Vivid Colors are bright, intense colors that stand out and attract attention in printed materials.

W

Wallscape

A Wallscape is a large outdoor advertisement that is attached to the side of a building.

Water Resistance

Water Resistance refers to the ability of printed materials to withstand exposure to water without damage.

Web Printing

Web Printing is a high-speed printing process that uses continuous rolls of paper, typically for newspapers and magazines.

Wide Format

Wide Format refers to printing on large materials, such as banners, posters, and billboards.

Wire Binding

Wire Binding is a method of binding books or documents using a continuous wire loop.

Workflow

Workflow in printing refers to the sequence of processes and steps involved in producing printed materials.

Y

Yellowing

Yellowing is the process by which paper or printed materials turn yellow over time due to aging or exposure to light.

Yield

Yield refers to the number of usable prints or pages produced from a given amount of ink or paper.