Printing is the business of conveying a customer’s message on some form of paper. Companies in this industry offer design, page assembly and printing services. Some also provide finishing and binding services. Depending on the company, it may be necessary to understand how all of these processes work.
Before starting any printing project, you need to have an image that will print well. This can be your own creative design or a picture taken from the internet through a program that lets you adjust light levels and tones of color. If you have a special photograph that needs to be printed, it’s important to test it out with the type of paper you plan to use. The paper must have the right kind of weave and texture in order to get a good imprint.
A type of paper that contains wood fibers that have been cooked, treated with chemicals and washed to remove impurities. It is stronger than regular paper and used for products such as book covers and letterheads. It is not as strong as linen or laid paper.
The amount of time a job spends on press. This includes the time required for makeready and the actual printing. Also called strike off and trial proof.
A strip of small blocks on a proof or a press sheet to help evaluate features such as density and dot gain. Also called a standard offset color bar and a color guide.