Glossary
What's That Mean?
Printing and packaging come with their own language. Whether you’re new to folding cartons or just brushing up on production terms, this glossary breaks down commonly used industry terms in plain English. The more you know, the easier it is to collaborate — and we’re all about making the process smoother for you.
A
Abrasion
Physical wear on a printed surface caused by rubbing or friction during shipping or handling.
Aliasing
Jagged edges that appear on curves or diagonal lines in low-resolution digital graphics.
Aqueous Coating
A water-based coating applied to printed surfaces for added protection and a smooth finish. Often used to speed up drying and reduce smudging.
B
Basis Weight
The weight of paper measured in pounds per 500 sheets (a ream), used to indicate paper thickness.
Blanket
A rubber-coated fabric used in offset printing to transfer ink from the plate to the paperboard.
Bleed
Printed area that extends beyond the trim edge of the sheet, ensuring no unprinted edges appear in the final product.
Bitmap
A digital image composed of pixels. Unlike vector graphics, bitmaps can lose quality when scaled.
C
Computer Aided Design
Software used to create structural packaging designs such as die lines and prototypes.
Caliper
The thickness of paperboard, usually measured in points or thousandths of an inch.
Carton
A folding box made of paperboard, used to package and protect products across industries.
Channel
In graphic design, a grayscale representation of a color component in a digital image.
Chipboard
A thick, recycled paperboard often used for backing materials or inner layers of cartons.
Clay Coated Board
Paperboard with a clay-based coating on one or both sides, providing a smooth surface for high-quality printing.
CMYK
The four-color process (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) used in most commercial printing.
Coating
A protective layer applied over printed materials to improve durability and appearance.
Color Balance
The proper ratio of colors in an image to ensure accurate reproduction.
Continuous Tone
An image with smooth gradations of tone or color, such as photographs.
Contract Proof
A color-accurate sample used to approve print quality before full production.
Crease
A scored line made on paperboard to enable easy and clean folding.
Crop
Trimming of printed material to its final size, often guided by crop marks.
Curve
In prepress, a mathematical adjustment applied to a color channel or tone range for accuracy.
D
Deboss
A technique where an image or text is pressed into the surface of paperboard to create a recessed impression.
Die
A custom-shaped tool used to cut or score paperboard in specific shapes and sizes during production.
Digital Printing
A method of printing that transfers digital files directly to the press without the use of traditional printing plates.
Direct Imaging Press (DI)
A type of digital offset press where the image is transferred directly to the plate on the press.
Dither
A method used in digital printing to simulate color gradations using patterns of colored dots.
Dot Gain
The increase in size of a printed dot compared to the digital file, often due to ink spread on the substrate.
Dots Per Inch (dpi)
A measurement of image resolution; the higher the DPI, the finer the printed detail.
Drawdown
A sample strip of ink applied to the actual substrate to test color and finish before production.
Drytrap
A printing defect where ink is applied over a previously dried ink layer and fails to adhere properly.
Dull Finish
A low-gloss or matte coating applied to paperboard for a muted, non-reflective surface.
Dust Flaps
Small flaps on folding cartons that help seal the package and prevent dust or contaminants from entering.
E
Emboss
A technique where an image or text is raised above the surface of the substrate for a dimensional effect.
Economic Rights
In printing, this may refer to intellectual property rights related to ownership, reproduction, and financial use of creative content.
F
Flexography
A high-speed printing process using flexible relief plates, ideal for packaging and non-porous surfaces.
Flood Coating
A coating applied to an entire sheet or surface for protection or uniform appearance.
Foil Stamping
The application of metallic or pigmented foil onto a surface using heat and pressure, often used for premium effects.
Font Files
Digital files that define the shapes and styles of typefaces used in design layouts.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A standard network protocol used for transferring files between computers, often used in prepress workflows.
G
Gang Run
A production method where multiple print jobs are placed on the same sheet to reduce waste and costs.
Gloss Finish
A shiny, high-reflectivity coating applied to enhance visual appeal and protect the surface.
Glue Flap
The flap on a carton where adhesive is applied to hold the structure together during gluing.
Gradation
A smooth transition between colors or tones in a printed image.
Grain
The direction in which fibers lie in paperboard, which affects folding and scoring performance.
Gravure
A printing method using engraved cylinders; commonly used for long-run, high-quality work such as magazines or packaging.
Gray Balance
The ability to maintain neutral grays in printing by balancing CMY inks correctly.
Gray Map
A control tool in prepress used to evaluate tone reproduction, especially in gray areas.
Gray Component Replacement (GCR)
A color separation technique where the gray portion of CMY is replaced with black ink to improve stability and reduce ink usage.
Gray Stabilization
A method to maintain neutral gray tones throughout the press run for consistent color.
H
Halftone
A printing technique that simulates continuous tone using a grid of dots with varying sizes and spacing.
Hard Proof
A physical printed proof used for final approval before going to press, showing accurate color and layout.
Heat Seal
A process of sealing packaging material using heat and pressure, often for tamper-evident closures.
Hickey
A small spot or imperfection on the printed sheet caused by debris or ink contamination.
Highlight
The lightest area of an image or printed design, often where detail may be easily lost if not handled properly.
Highlight
The lightest area of an image or printed design, often where detail may be easily lost if not handled properly.
Histogram
A graphical representation of tonal values in an image, used in prepress for color correction and balance.
HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value)
A color model used in digital imaging to describe colors in terms of shade (hue), intensity (saturation), and brightness (value).
I
Image Resolution
The amount of detail an image holds, usually measured in dots per inch (DPI). Higher resolution equals better print quality.
Ink Balance
The proper ratio of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to achieve accurate color reproduction on press.
Inkjet
A digital printing method where tiny droplets of ink are sprayed directly onto the substrate without contact.
Intaglio
A printing method where the image is engraved into a surface, and the incised areas hold the ink. Less common in packaging but used in high-security printing.
J
JDF (Job Definition Format)
A digital job ticketing format that enables automation and standardization across prepress, press, and post-press operations.
K
Kraft
A type of paperboard made from unbleached wood pulp. Known for its strength and natural brown appearance, often used for eco-friendly or rustic packaging.
L
Layer
In graphic design, an individual element or set of elements stacked on top of others in software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.
Lenticular Printing
A process using lenses to create images with an illusion of depth or motion. Rare in folding cartons but used for high-impact promotional pieces.
Linearization
A calibration process that ensures predictable color output by adjusting tonal values during prepress setup.
Litho Laminated
A process in which offset-printed sheets are laminated to corrugated board for premium print quality on rigid packaging.
M
Make-Ready
The setup and adjustments required before a print run begins, including plate mounting, ink adjustments, and registration alignment.
Mask
A tool used in digital editing to isolate parts of an image or layout for editing or effects without affecting the entire design.
Midtone
The range of tones in an image that fall between the highlight and shadow areas, often critical in color correction.
N
Neutral Gray
A shade of gray that has no color bias (equal amounts of red, green, and blue in RGB, or CMY in CMYK).
Neutralization
Adjusting color channels in an image to remove unwanted color casts, particularly in grays and shadows.
O
Offset Printing
A common commercial printing method where ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket, then onto the substrate. Known for high-quality results and efficiency in long runs.
Output Resolution
The final resolution at which an image is printed, typically measured in DPI (dots per inch).
Overprint
Printing one layer of ink over another. Used intentionally to achieve certain visual effects or for trapping in print production.
P
Pallet
A flat platform used to stack and transport large quantities of printed cartons or packaging.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
A universal file format often used for submitting print-ready files while preserving layout, fonts, and images.
Pixel
The smallest unit of a digital image, typically seen in bitmap formats.
Pixel Depth
Refers to the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel. Higher depth allows more color detail.
PMS (Pantone Matching System)
A standardized color matching system used in printing to ensure color consistency across materials and processes.
Point
A unit of measurement in printing. In paperboard, 1 point equals 1/1000 of an inch and refers to thickness (e.g., 18 pt board).
PostScript
A page description language used in electronic and desktop publishing to define the layout and content of a printed page.
Preflight
The process of checking a file for errors before it goes to print, including image resolution, fonts, color settings, and bleed.
Q
Quartertone
A tonal range in an image between the highlight and midtone, often used in color correction and balance.
R
Raster Image Processor (RIP)
Software that converts vector images and text into rasterized images for printing.
Registration
The alignment of different printing plates (CMYK or spot colors) so they print in the correct position on the sheet.
Resolution
The clarity or detail of an image, usually measured in DPI. Higher resolution = sharper print quality.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
A color model used for digital images and screens. Files must be converted to CMYK for commercial printing.
S
SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate)
A premium grade of paperboard made from virgin fiber. Ideal for high-end packaging due to its strength and smooth surface.
Score
A crease made in paperboard to allow precise, clean folding without cracking.
Scanner
A device that digitizes photographs or printed material for use in prepress.
Screen Angles
The specific angles at which halftone dots are printed to avoid moiré patterns and achieve smooth tone blends.
Setup Box
A rigid, pre-assembled box often used for luxury packaging or high-end product presentation.
Shadow
The darkest area of a printed image, usually where rich blacks or deep colors are reproduced.
Soft Proof
A digital preview of a printed job, typically viewed on a calibrated monitor to simulate final output.
Spot Coating
A coating (such as UV or varnish) applied only to specific areas of a print piece for visual emphasis or texture.
Stiffness
A measurement of how resistant a paperboard or carton is to bending or deformation. Important in structural performance.
T
Tear Strip
A built-in feature in folding cartons or sleeves that allows for easy opening of the package.
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
A high-quality raster image format often used in professional printing due to its lossless compression.
Tone
The lightness or darkness of a color. Managing tone is essential for depth and realism in printing.
Transparency
A setting or file element where part of the image is semi-transparent. Must be flattened properly in prepress to avoid printing issues.
U
Unsharp Mask
A digital image enhancement technique that increases sharpness by emphasizing edge contrast, often used in prepress workflows.
UV Coating
A high-gloss, durable coating cured instantly with ultraviolet light. Often used to enhance visual impact and protect printed surfaces.
UV Inks
Inks cured by ultraviolet light instead of air drying. Ideal for fast, vibrant, and durable print applications, especially on non-porous surfaces.
V
Variable Data
A digital printing technique that allows unique elements (text, images, codes) to change from one printed piece to the next, often used in promotional packaging or secure printing.
Varnish
A clear liquid coating applied over print to protect or enhance appearance. Available in gloss, satin, or matte finishes.
Vector/Outline
A graphic made of mathematical paths, allowing for infinite scaling without loss of quality — essential for logos and text in packaging design.
W
Waterbase Coating
An environmentally friendly coating that provides protection and a matte or gloss finish. Less glossy than UV but often more sustainable.
Wet Strength Board
Paperboard engineered to retain strength and resist tearing when exposed to moisture. Ideal for refrigerated or high-humidity environments.
Wet Trap
A printing technique where one ink or coating is applied on top of another while still wet, requiring careful control to avoid smearing or color distortion.