Terms & Definitions
Need a quick refresher on printing terms? You’ve come to the right place.
File Setup & Design Terms
These terms refer to the digital file you upload and how you prepare it for printing.
Bleed
The portion of your design that extends past the final trimmed size. It's a small margin added around the edges of your file to ensure that no white gaps appear after the product is cut.
Safety Margin (Safe Zone)
An inner margin on your design where all important text and images should be placed. Keeping your content within this zone guarantees it won't be accidentally cut off during trimming.
Resolution / DPI (Dots Per Inch)
A measure of the image quality. For professional printing, a resolution of 300 DPI is standard to ensure images appear crisp and clear. Low-resolution images (e.g., 72 DPI from a website) will often look blurry or "pixelated" when printed.
CMYK
The color model used for printing. It stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). Your design file should always be in CMYK color mode to ensure the colors you see on screen are as close as possible to the final printed product.
RGB
The color model used for screens, like your computer monitor or phone. It stands for Red, Green, and Blue. If you submit a design in RGB, the printer will convert it to CMYK, which can sometimes cause color shifts.
Proof
A final digital or physical sample of your print job. A Digital Proof is a file (usually a PDF) that you review to check for errors before printing. A Hard Proof is an actual printed sample you can approve.
Paper & Stock Terms
These terms describe the physical paper your design will be printed on.
Paper Stock
A general term for the type of paper used for a print job. This includes the paper's weight and finish.
Weight
Paper weight is a measure of a paper's thickness, stiffness, and density. It's typically measured in pounds (lb) for US paper sizes or grams per square meter (gsm) for international sizes. A higher number indicates a thicker, heavier, and more rigid paper.
Uncoated Finishes
This is a raw, porous paper with no special coating. It has a dull, fibrous texture and is often used for letterhead and products you plan to write on.
Coated Finishes
These papers have a layer that makes them smooth and less porous. This is the best choice for photos and vibrant designs.
Gloss Finishes
A shiny, reflective coating that makes colors pop.
Matte Finishes
A smooth, non-reflective finish that gives a more subdued, elegant feel.
Silk Finishes
A smooth, soft-touch finish with a subtle sheen. It is less reflective than gloss but not as flat as matte, offering a luxurious look and feel.
Finishing & Bindery Terms
These are the processes applied to your product after it has been printed.
Die-cut
A process that uses a custom-made steel die to cut paper into a unique shape, rather than a standard rectangle.
Perforation
Creating a line of small holes in the paper so a section can be easily torn off (e.g., a tear-off ticket on a flyer).
UV Coating
A coating applied to the paper that is dried instantly with ultraviolet light. This creates a very shiny, durable finish that is resistant to scratches and smudging.
Lamination
Lamination is the process of applying a thin, clear plastic film to a printed product to add a layer of protection. This makes the item more durable and resistant to spills, tears, and creases.
Saddle Stitching
A common method for binding booklets and magazines where the pages are folded and stapled together along the center crease.
Spiral Bound​
A binding method where a continuous wire or plastic coil is threaded through holes punched along the edge of a document. This allows the pages to open completely flat or fold back on themselves.
Tape Bound
A binding method that uses a strong, adhesive tape strip applied to the spine of a document. It provides a clean, professional finish and is a durable alternative to other binding options.
Half Fold
The half fold is the most basic and common type of fold. A single sheet of paper is simply folded in half, creating four separate panels: a front cover, a back cover, and two inner panels.
Tri-Fold
A tri-fold divides a sheet of paper into three sections, creating six panels in total. The two outer panels are folded inward to meet in the middle. This is also commonly known as a "letter fold" because the final size fits perfectly inside a standard business envelope.
Z-Fold
The Z-fold is also a three-panel fold, but instead of the panels overlapping, they are folded in opposite directions like an accordion. This creates a "Z" shape when you look at it from the side.
