Printing Terms Glossary
Data Compression – A digital prepress term referring to the technique of reducing the amount of storage required to hold a digital file to reduce the disk space the file requires and allow it to be processed or transmitted more quickly.
Deboss – A letterpress term describing the process of pressing an image into paper so it lies below the surface.
Deckle – A paper term used to describe the width of the wet sheet as it comes off the wire of a paper machine.
Deckled Edge – A paper term used to describe the untrimmed feathery edges of paper formed where the pulp flows against the deckle.
Densitometer – An electronic optical instrument used to measure and control the density of color inks on the substrate.
Density – (1) Regarding ink, the relative thickness of a layer of printed ink. (2) Regarding color, the relative ability of a color to absorb light reflected from it or block light passing through it. (3) Regarding paper, the relative tightness or looseness of fibers.
Density Range – A general digital printing term referring to the difference between the darkest and lightest areas of copy. Also called contrast ratio, copy range and tonal range.
DDCP – Direct Digital Color Proof. Color proof made by a laser, ink jet printer or other computer-controlled device without needing to make separation films first.
Die – A general letterpress term referring to a range devices for cutting, scoring, stamping, embossing and debossing.
Die-Cutting – The process of using sharp steel rules to cut special shapes for labels, boxes and containers, from printed sheets.Die-cutting can be done on either flat-bed or rotary presses. Rotary die-cutting is usually done inline with the printing.
Digital Color Proof – A prepress color proof produced from digital data without the need for color separated film negatives.
Digital Dot – A halftone dot created by a computer and printed out by a laser printer or imagesetter. Digital dots are uniform in size, as compared to halftone dots that vary in size.
Direct Response – A mailing term describing advertising whereby the only connection the consumer has to the product is the advertising, and the only way a consumer can act on the advertisement or commercial is to return a coupon or make a phone call.
Dot – The individual element of a halftone image.
Dot Gain – A printing term describing a defect in which dots print larger than they should, causing darker tones or stronger colors, reducing detail and lowering contrast. Also referred to as dot growth, dot spread and press gain.
Dot Size – A general printing term referring to the relative size of halftone dots as compared to dots of the screen ruling being used. There is no unit of measurement to express dot size. Dots are too large, too small or correct only in comparison to what the viewer finds attractive.
Double Black Duotone – Duotone printed from two black printer halftones, one shot for highlights and the other shot for midtones and shadows. Used primarily to print images that appear to be one color but with an exceptionally rich tonal range.
Double Bump – To print a single image twice so it has two layers of ink for greatly increased density and color saturation.
Double Burn – A prepress term referring to the exposure of film or a printing plate twice with two different negatives and thus creating a composite image.
Double Dot Halftone – A prepress term describing a composite halftone image that has been double-burned onto one plate from two halftones, one shot for shadows, the second shot for midtones and highlights.
Doubling – A printing defect appearing as blurring or shadowing of the image. Doubling may be caused by problems with paper, cylinder alignment, blanket pressures or dirty cylinders.
DPI – Dots-Per-Inch. Measure of resolution of input devices such as scanners, display devices such as monitors, and output devices such as laser printers, imagesetters and monitors. Also called dot pitch.
DPS – Dennis Printing Service. The only name you need to know for all of your printing and imaging needs.
Draw-Down – An ink-making term used to describe and ink chemist's method of determining the shade of an ink color. A small portion of ink is placed on paer and drawn down with the edge of a putty knife or spatula to get a thin film of ink which approximates that produced in the offset printing process. Typically requested for specially mixed ink colors or for previewing the effects of a standard ink color on a specific substrate.
Dropout Halftone – A halftone image in which the contrast has been increased by eliminating dots from highlight areas.
Drier – A substance added to printing inks to hasten drying.
Dry Back – A term used to describe the nature of printed ink colors becoming less dense as the ink dries.
Dry Trap – To print over dry ink, as compared to wet trap. Commonly used when printing with metallic inks or varnishes for higher quality gloss and lustre.
DTP – Desktop Publishing. Technique of using a personal computer to design images and pages, and assemble type and graphics, then using a laser printer or imagesetter to output the assembled pages onto paper, film or printing plate.
Dull Finish – A paper term used to describe a flat finish on coated paper; slightly smoother than matte. Also called suede finish, velour finish and velvet finish.
Dummy – A preliminary layout showing the position of illustrations and text as they are to appear in the final reproduction. A set of blank pages made up in advance to show the size, shape, form and general style of a piece of printing.
Duotone – A digital prepress term used to describe a two-color halftone reproduction from a one-color photograph.
Duplex Paper – A paper with a different color or finish on each side.
Duplicator – A small format offset printing press made for quick printing.
Dylux – Brand name for photographic paper used to make blueline proofs. Commonly used as generic term for blueline.
Dynamic Range – A prepress term describing the density difference between highlights and shadows of scanned images.
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