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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
M
Abbreviation for Magenta, one of the colors used in color printing
MAC (address)
Abbreviation for Media Access Control: unique address (number) build into each network interface card. It is sometimes referred to as the hardware or physical address. It can be found in either the properties of the network card or by typing ‘ipconfig /all’ in the command window of Windows. The Ethernet connection in my system has MAC address 00-20-18-2B-BA-43.
machine coated
Paper that has had a coating applied to either one or two of its sides during the papermaking process.
machine direction
An alternate term for grain direction.
machine finish
A paper finish that results from the interaction of the paper with the Fourdrinier process as opposed to post machine embossing. Reference, Fourdrinier
macros
Any number of keyboard characters that have been programmed and assigned to a single key. When the programmed key is pressed, all of the characters that were programmed and stored in the macro are played back, or executed exactly as if each character key in the macro were entered again.
magenta
Reddish color that is part of the CMYK colors that are used in 4-color printing. The color is named after a small Italian town, west of Milan, in which Napoleon III won a battle over the Austrians in 1859. To celebrate this victory, the French named the color that had been invented that same year after the city.
magnetic black
Black pigments containing black iron oxides, used for magnetic ink character recognition.
majuscule
Synonym for uppercase or for a capital letter.
makeready
The process of adjusting final plate on the press to fine tune or modify plate surface. In letterpress, makeready is done by building up or reducing the impression level under the tympan cylinder packing to make sure that all image area are type high. The ideal result is a “kiss” impression.
MAN
Abbreviation for Metropolitan Area Network: a network that stretches across an entire city.
Manutius, Aldus-
Late 15-th century scholar and printer. He designed the Bembo and Cloister Italic typefaces. Of course we all know him because his portrait appeared on some many boxes of PageMaker and other Aldus programs.
margin
The blank space bordering the printed area on a page.
markup
The marking of typesetting specifications or instructions on layout and copy for the typesetter to follow.
masthead
- The credit box in a newspaper or periodical that lists the publication name, editors, writers, designers, illustrators, photographers, and others, as well as the publication office address, subscription and advertising information, etc.
- The title of a newspaper or periodical as it appears across the front cover, or title page of each issue. It is also called the nameplate.
Matchprint
A photographic proof made from all color flats and form composite proof showing color qualityas well as accuracy, layout, and imposition before plates are made.
matte finish
A coated paper finish that goes through minimal calendaring.
MB
abbreviation for MegaByte or MegaBit – a lowercase b should indicate megabit but not everybody sticks to this convention. A megabyte equals 1048576 bytes.
MBR
abbreviation for Master Boot Record
MCGA
abbreviation for Multi-Color Graphics Array, an enhanced version of CGA
MDC
abbreviation for Meta Data Controller
measure
The width of type as measured in picas.
mechanical
A term used to describe finished artwork that is camera ready for reproduction, including all type, photos, illustrations etc
Megadot
Heidelbergs version of a chain screen
menu
A list of program demands and functions displayed on a computer’s monitor screen.
menu styling
In most layout programs, there are two ways to access the font ‘Times Italic.’ The first way is to select a block of text, and assign it to the font ‘Times Italic.’ The second way, known as ‘menu styling,’ is to assign the block of text to the font ‘Times’ and then assign it the characteristic ‘Italic.’ In general, using menu styling is considered bad practice.
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