A
This dictionary covers graphic design, prepress and print terminology.
Stan Schwartz supplied most of the terms of this online glossary.
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A2
A2 is a paper size that is frequently used for medium size posters, architectural drawings and diagrams. A2 measures 420 x 594 millimeters or 16.54 x 23.39 inches.
A3
A3 is a paper size that is typically used for drawings, diagrams and large tables. It is also frequently used in laser printers to output two A4 pages as a spread. A3 measures 297 x 420 millimeters or 11.69 x 16.54 inches.
A4
A4 is a popular paper size that is used for a wide range of documents, including magazines, catalogs, letters and forms. It measures 210 x 297 millimeters or 8.27 x 11.69 inches.
A5
A5 is a paper size that is often used for notepads or pocket books. It measures 148 x 210 millimeters or 5.83 x 8.27 inches.
AA
Abbreviation for Author’s Alterations – changes other than corrections, made by a client after the proofing process has begun. The client is usually charged for these corrections.
absorbency
The ability of a material to take up moisture
ablation
The removal of material from the surface of an object by vaporization, chipping, or other erosive processes. Ablation technology is used in some proofing devices and platesetters to create proofs or plates by vaporizing or blasting away a part of the emulsion, typically with a thermal laser.
above the fold
An expression that refers to the upper half of the front page of a newspaper. In web publishing it refers to the section of a Web page that is visible without scrolling.
abrasion resistance
- The ability of ink or paper to withstand rubbing and scuffing.
- The resistance to scratching of a surface of paper by other paper surfaces or other materials.
absorptance
The relationship of the light absorbed by a surface to the total light striking the surface expressed as a percentage. A person is able to see colors because a portion of the light striking the surface of the scene is absorbed and a portion is reflected to the eyes. In printing, for example, red is achieved because the magenta and yellow dots absorb the green and blue light respectively leaving only red light reflected from the paper. The absorbed amount of a certain color of light determines the hue and lightness or darkness of the color.
AC
Abbreviation for Author’s Corrections: corrections, made by a client during the proofing process.
accent
A mark used with a letter to modify its pronunciation.
access control list
A database that holds the names of the valid system users and notes the level of access that each has been granted on the network.
accordion fold
Binding term for two or more parallel folds that open like an accordion. Leaflets and maps often use accordion folds.
accurate screens
The rational screen angle system incorporated in Adobe’s PostScript Level 2.
accutance
A measure of the sharpness with which an image is reproduced. Larger numbers indicate better sharpness.
acetate
A transparent type of plastic. The term is often used to refer to a sheet made of this plastic that can be used for overhead transparencies. It can also be used as an overlay and placed over artwork to add comments or instructions.
achromat
A lens designed and corrected for color distortion
achromatic
Having no color (black, white and gray)
actinic
Used to describe radiation that will render a developable latent image
activator
An alkaline liquid to initiate image development in stabilisation processing.
A/D
Abbreviation for Analog to Digital (conversion)
ADA
Abbreviation for Apparent Dot Area: the dot area of a printed halftone.
ADC
Abbreviation for Analog to Digital Convertor
ad complaint
A publishers or advertisers formal grievance about the quality of the printed advertisement that is filled with a printer.
AdConnexion
A file format that resembles SpaceXML. It deals with display advertising specifying how the business transactions should be handled. It comes out of work done in Europe and reflects some of the particular characteristics of the Scandinavian ad industry. It has limited adoption in Europe.
additive color mixing
Color system in which red, green and blue light are mixed to form other colors. Televisions and computer monitors use additive color mixing.
additive color primaries
The colors red, green and blue. When white light is broken down into it’s componant parts, a rainbow is created. Dividing the rainbow into approximately equal thirds results in red light, green light and blue light. By combining the three colors of light together, white light is created. The above drawing shows the principle.
addressability
Refers to the capability of being addressed. For an output device, 2400 dpi addressability implies that each individual pixel that is output is no larger than 1/2400 of an inch.
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Dear Sir/Team,
Thanks for having a nice site like this. But you kept those things as a pdf files it more useful than this.
Thanx in advance.
Regards
JP
I have thought about that but converting the site content to PDF is both a lot of work and not any fun at all. There are more interesting ways to spend my time. Thanks for the suggestion though!
OH, A3 doesn’t measure 210 x 297 … but 420×297 mm
It does…. in copy-paste land
Thanks for pointing out the error, I fixed it.
The term “abrasion resistance” was repeated with two definitions. Please check.
The resistance to scratching of a surface of paper by other paper surfaces or other materials.
The ability of ink or paper to withstand rubbing and scuffing.
Regards
PremCM
Thanks for pointing out that the term was repeated. That is now fixed so that there is a single entry for “abrasion resistance”. I actually don’t mind including two differently phrased definitions since that often clarifies much better what a term means.