Abrasion ResistanceThe resistance to scratching of a surface of paper by other paper surfaces or other materials.
AbsorbancyThe ability of a material to take up moisture
AbsorbencyThe ability of a material to take up moisture
Accordion FoldA type of paper folding in which each fold runs in the opposite direction to the previous fold creating a pleated or accordion effect.
AcetateA transparent or translucent plastic sheet material of a variety of colors, used as a basis for artwork and overlays.
AchromaticThe non-colors... black, white and gray.
Acid ResistAn acid-proof protective coating applied to metal plates prior to etching designs thereon. Bichromated solutions employed in photoengraving as sensitizers provide acid resist through the action of light on sensitized surface.
AcrylicA water-soluble polymer used in paints to make them dry both tough and flexible.
Actinic RaysLight exposure that affects chemical changes in paper.
Additive ColorsIn photographic reproduction, the primary colors of red, green and blue which are mixed to form all other colors.
AerateThis refers to a manual process whereby an air stream is blown onto paper sheets to create a riffling effect that separates the sheets as they are fed to the printing press.
AgateA type size of 5 1/2 points. Reference, agate line.
Agate LineIn newspaper classifieds, a measurement denoting 1/4 inch depth by one column width. 14 agate lines = one column inch.
AirLarge white areas in a design layout.
AirbrushA compressed air tool that dispenses a fine mist of paint or ink; used in illustration and photo retouching.
Albion PressA hand operated printing press made of iron.
Album PaperA wood pulp paper with an antique finish used for pages of photo albums.
Albumen PlateA surface plate used in the lithography process; it has a photosensitive coating.
Albumin PaperA coated paper used in photography; the coating is made of albumen (egg whites) and ammonium chloride.
AlignmentThe condition of type and or art materials as they level up on a horizontal or vertical line.
Alkali BlueAlso called reflex blue. A pigment used in carbon black inks and varnishes to improve luster.
AlleyA term for a random, coincidental path or a row of white space within a segment of copy.
Alphabet LengthThe measured length (in points) of the lowercase alphabet of a certain size and series of type.
AmberlithRed-orange acetate used for masking mechanicals when photographing for plates. The amberlith area appears black to the camera, and prints clear on the resulting film.
American Paper InstituteAn organization that correlates all paper related information.
Angle BarIn "web-fed" printing (printing on rolls of paper as opposed to single sheets), an angle bar is a metal bar that is used to turn paper between two components of the press.
AnilineOil-based solvent (quick drying) used in the preparation process of dyes and inks.
Animal SizedA technique of paper making which hardens the surface by passing the paper through a bath of animal glue or gelatin.
Anodized PlateIn lithography, a plate manufactured with a barrier of aluminum oxide, which prevents chemical reactions that break down the plate; it provides optimum press performance.
AntiguaAn eleventh century Italian script typeface.
AntiquarianA handmade paper (53 x 31 inches), largest known handmade paper.
Antique FinishPaper with a rough, sized surface used for book and cover stock.
Antiskinning AgentAn antioxidant agent used to prevent inks from skinning over in the can.
ApronThe white area of text (or illustrations) at the margins which form a foldout.
Aqua TintA printing process that uses the recessed areas of the plate; ideal for graded and even tones.
AquarelleThe hand application of color, through stencils onto a printed picture.
Aqueous PlateWater soluble plate coatings, which are less toxic and less polluting.
Arc LightA light source produced by the passing of electric current between two electrodes; used in the production of plates in photolithography.
ArmsThose elements of letters that branch out from the stem of a letter, such as: "K" and "Y".
ArrowheadA symbol shaped like an arrowhead that is used in illustration to direct a leader line. Reference, leader line
Art PaperA paper evenly coated with a fine clay compound, which creates a hard smooth surface on one or both sides.
Art WorkAny materials or images that are prepared for graphic reproduction.
Art-Lined EnvelopeAn envelope that is lined with an extra fine paper; can be colored or patterned.
ArtworkAll illustrated material, ornamentation, photos and charts etc., that is prepared for reproduction.
As To PressIn gravure printing, (recessed areas of plate hold ink), a term used for proofs showing the final position of color images.
ASAA number set by the American Standards Assoc., which is placed on film stock to allow calculation of the length and "F" number of an exposure. Reference, "F" numbers.
AscenderAny part of a lower case letter which rises above the main body of the letter such as in "d", "b" and "h".
Assembled negativeFilm negatives consisting of line and halftone copy which are used to make plates for printing.
Assembled viewIn illustration, a term used to describe a view of a drawing in its assembled or whole format.
Author's Alterations (AA's)Changes made after composition stage where customer is responsible for additional charges.
Autochrome paperCoated papers that are regarded as exceptional for multi-colored printing jobs.
AutolithographyA printing method whereby the image is hand drawn or etched directly onto lithography plates or stones.
AutopositiveAny photo materials which provide positive images without a negative.
AzureThe light blue color used in the nomenclature of "laid" and "wove" papers.