B
This dictionary covers graphic design, prepress and print terminology.
Stan Schwartz supplied most of the terms of this online glossary.
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
B
- Abbreviation for Blue, one of the three primary additive colors.
- Abbreviation for Bytes or Bits (usually an lower case B means bits but not everybody respects this convention)
back lining
The fixing of a material, either paper or cloth, to the back of a book before it is bound.
back margin
A term referring to the margin which lies closest to the back of the book.
back step collation
The collation of book signatures according to reference marks which are printed on the back fold of each section.
back to back
Print applied to both sides of a sheet of paper.
backbone
The back of a case bound book connecting the front and back covers, also called the spine.
background
That portion of a photograph or line art drawing that appears furthest from the eye; the surface upon which the main image is superimposed.
backing up
- Printing the reverse side of a printed sheet.
- Making a duplicate of data as a precaution against losing the original files.
backlight
The illumination of a subject or object (e.g. a picture or poster) from behind.
backslant
An effect in typography in which the letters slant to the left instead of to the right as in italics.
backslash
backstep marks
Marks printed on signatures that indicate where the final fold will occur. When gathering and initial folding is completed, these marks appear as a stepped sequence.
back up
- An extra copy of computer work that is kept on separate disks , tape or CDs for safety’s sake in case anything happens to the original data
- The printing of the reverse side of a press sheet.
bad break
Starting a page or column of type with a widow or at the end of a hyphenated word
baking
- A term given to the procedure of drying coatings onto papers.
- A term given to the procedure of heating printing plates in an oven to increase the run length that can be printed with them.
balance
A term used to describe the aesthetic or harmony of elements, whether they are photos, art or copy, within a layout or design.
balloon
In an illustration, any line which encircles copy or dialogue.
banding
The undesirable effect of waves or bands of the same colour on a digital graphic.
bandwidth
The capacity of a data connection expressed by the amount of data that can be conducted by it per second
bang
An exclamation mark! Like this one! and these!!!!!
bank paper
A thin uncoated stock used for making carbon copies.
banker’s flap envelope
The wallet flap has more rounded flap edges, also called a wallet flap
banner
The primary headline of a periodical, which appears on the cover of a magazine or the first page of a newsletter. It usually spanning the entire width of the page and contains the name of the publication and serial information (date, volume, number,..).
bar
bar code
A pattern of vertical lines of varying thickness that identify a product, conforming to the Universal Product Code (UPC).
barrier coat
A coating that is applied onto the non-printing side of paper to add to the opacity of that paper.
baryta paper
A coated stock (barium sulfate compound) used for text impressions on typesetting machines.
base
Metal below the shoulder of a piece of type; the metal or wood block used for mounting letter press printing plates to make them type high
baseline
In typesetting, an imaginary line on which the bottom of letters rest.The descenders, such as the tail on y and g, fall below the baseline
BASIC
Abbreviation for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code: a programming language. It has nothing to do with prepress but brings back fond memories.
basis weight
Weight in pounds of 500 sheets of paper cut to a given standard size
Baskerville, John
English writing master, stonecutter, letter designer, typefounder and printer (1706-1775) who worked alongside William Caslon. He is one of the people who transformed English printing and type founding. Of course there is a font named after him.

bas relief
In art, an image that is pressed or engraved into the surface of the work. The opposite effect is called intaglio.
basis weight
Basis or basic weight refers to the weight, in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper cut to a given standard size for that particular paper grade.
Bass
The original codename used by Apple for the TrueType font technology. Later they changed it to RoyalT. According to an insider, its derivation was down to the fact that a bass (fish) is scale-able.
bastard copy
In typesetting, any text for which the type specifications vary from those that are typically used, such as the use of an unusual point size or typeface.
Bau haus
German design school which influenced many type designers and graphic artists.
beam splitter
An optical device to redirect a beam of light in two or more directions. A color scannner splits the input light into red, green and blue light beams and directs each to a PMT. The output beam splitter separates the light into as many as ten beams, one to each modulator
bearing base life
Minimum calculated bearing life under proper load


A fantastic site, and brilliant effort. A great piece of work.
I am doing some cartoon work, and doing all by hand drawing not computer – my problem is, i want the shading to look mechanical – so i’m trying to find out about benday tranfer sheets, and where to get them, and at what cost?