C
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
C
- Abbreviation for Cyan, a blueish color that is one of the primary colors in printing.
- A popular programming language.
C1S
Acronym for coated one sided paper, used for postcards, fliers or covers.
CA
Abbreviation for Customer Alteration
CAD
Abbreviation for Computer Aided Design - using computer programs and systems to design two- or three-dimensional models of physical objects. In graphic arts CAD software is for instance using in the packaging industry.
cadmium yellow
A pigment made from cadmium sulfide and cadmium selenide.
calendar board
A strong paperboard used for calendars and displays.
calendar rolls
A series of metal rolls at the end of a paper machine; when the paper is passed between these rolls it increases its smoothness and glossy surface.
calibration
The process of adjusting a device or process to match certain criteria. This is usually done by measuring the devices’ deviation from standard values and then, during operation of the device, applying values to compensate the deviation. In prepress, in particular, calibration is the fine-tuning of scanners, monitors, printers, and imagesetters in order to increase the accuracy of their output.
calibration bar
A strip of tones used to check printing quality on proofs or printed sheets.
caliper
The thickness of a single sheet of paper, expressed in units of thousandths of an inch.
call-out
In magazine and newspaper publishing, a quotation or edited excerpt from an article that is placed in a larger typeface on the same page. It leads readers into the article and can highlight a key topic. Also known as a pull quote or a lift-out quote.
cameo
A dull coated paper, which is particularly useful in reproducing halftones and engravings.
camera-ready art or camera-ready copy
Original matter from which reproduction is eventually made, complete with all necessary guide marks. Text and graphic assembled in position, ready to be photographed for film assembly.
canvas board
A paperboard with a surface of simulated canvas, used for painting.
cap
Abbreviation for a capital or uppercase letter.
cap height
In typography, the distance from the baseline to the top of the capital letters.
capital
Synonym for uppercase. THESE ARE CAPITALS.
cap line
An imaginary horizontal line running across the tops of capital letters.
caps & lower case
Instructions in the typesetting process that indicate the use of a capital letter to start a sentence and the rest of the letters in lower case.
caps & small caps
Two sizes of capital letters made in one size of type.
cap size
The distance from the the cap line to the baseline on a typeface.
caption
In typography and page layout, a descriptive text accompanying illustrations or photographs. It is sometimes called a cutline. Text accompanying an illustration of a more explanatory nature is called a legend.
carbonate paper
A chemical pulp paper (calcium carbonate), used mostly for the printing of magazines.
carbonless
Paper coated with chemicals and dye which will produce copies without carbon paper. Also called NCR (No Carbon Required).
carbon wedge
A small transparent gray scale made on a stripe of film. A carbon wedge increases in density from clear film to a maximum density. The minimum to maximum variation maybe in incremental steps, or it may be continuous. The scale is made using a carbon dispersion coating that has very fine grain with low light scattering characteristics. This attribute makes the carbon wedge suitable for scanner calibration. A photographic step tablet will scatter light rays and not as useful in the scanner specular optics.
cartridge
- A rough finished paper used for wrapping.
- A plastic container that holds the ink or toner of a small desktop printer or a copier.
caret
Proofreader’s mark used to indicate where corrections or additional copies are to be inserted.
case
The stiff covers of a hardbound book.
case binding
Books bound using hard board (case) covers.
casein
A milk byproduct used as an adhesive in making coated papers.
casing in
The process of placing in and adhering a book to its case covers.
cast coated
A coated paper that is pressured dry against a highly polished cylinder to produce an exceptional high gloss.
casting-off
In copyfitting, the process of calculating and determining the amount of space the manuscript copy will occupy when set in a given typeface within a given area.
catching up
A term to describe that period of the printing process where the non-image areas can take on ink or debris.
CAV
Abbreviation for Constant Angular Velocity, term used in optical disks and CD-ROMs to indicate that the disk rotates at a constant speed. Also see CLV.
CCD array
A linear arrangement of charge-coupled devices (ccds). In a scanner, a straight row of charge-coupled devices, which may only be one inch long, scan and measure the light from as many as 1024 points.
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