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This dictionary covers graphic design, prepress and print terminology.
Stan Schwartz supplied most of the terms of this online glossary.

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packing

Paper used as underlay on the impression cylinder of a letterpress, or under the plate or blanket on the offset presses. Used to build up the desired pressure for best impression.

padding

In finishing a binding method whereby a stack of sheets are kept together using a flexible adhesive so that the sheets can easily be removed. Notepad are a typical example of padding.

page

One side of a leaf of paper.

page description language

A language that can describe an entire page or a document containing multiple pages. The description includes all the text and graphics that appear on the page(s). A page description language defines page elements independently of a particular operating system, printer or viewing application. The page’s appearance is consistent regardless of the specific printer or viewer used. PostScript is by far the most popular page description language for electronic publishing. A complete section of this site is dedicated to it. XPS, PDF and PCL are other examples of page description languages.

page geometry

The description of the position and shapes of each elements in a composed page.

PageMaker

A software program used for page makeup, originally published by Aldus corporation, later a part of Adobe’s product range. PageMaker is no longer available but used to ship for Macintosh and Windows.

page makeup

The assemblage of all the necessary elements required to complete a page.

page makeup software

The category of desktop software that is used to create composed pages of text and graphics.

pagination

The numbering of pages in consecutive order.

paint program

Software, sometimes referred to as painting software, that creates black and white or color digital images with bitmap graphics.

PAL

Abbreviation for Phase Alternating Line, a TV broadcasting standard used in Europe (625 lines per frame and 25 frames per second). The USA uses NTSC.

palette

In a graphics file, these are the colors that make up a picture or drawing. In a computer program, it is an on-screen display containing the set of colors or patterns that are available.

panchromatic

Refers to a film that is sensitive to all colors of light. Orthochromatic film is not sensitive to red light.

panorama plate

A newspaper plate that contains 2 pages. These plates are sometimes used when there is an image that crosses over from one page to another. Such a plate is called a “double-truck” in the States.

panther

Code name for Mac OS X 10.3

pantograph

Security background, technique used to create patterns that are difficult or impossible to reproduce. One technique that is used consist of an overall screen pattern of one tone value but two different screen rulings. The secret message "VOID" is generally filled with a tint of about 15%, approximately 65 lpi. The entire background of the document is filled with the same 15%, but in a 150 line screen. Often a secondary pattern such as a coarse mezzotint is added to both the text and background to obscure the artwork from the casual observer.

Pantone Matching System

A registered name for an ink color matching system

paperboard

Any paper with a thickness (caliper) of 12 points (0.3mm) or more.

papeterie

A high-grade soft paper used for personal stationery because it accepts handwriting well.

parallax

The type and amount of operator error caused by the difference between the observer position and the instrument optical axis.

parallel processing

The capability of a computer to simultaneously perform multiple computations.

parameter

A variable that is used to define the limits of any given area or system.

parchment

A hard finished paper that emulates animal skin; used for documents, such as awards, that require writing by hand.

parenthesis

punctuation marks used interject text within other text. These are left and right parenthesis: ( )

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