Glossary

The PRINTING United Alliance Glossary serves as an excellent industry terminology resource. It is the language by which we all communicate. Without it, universal understanding would be impossible.

To keep our constituents well informed about changes to the increasingly complex industry terminology, PRINTING United Alliance has developed this glossary of terms. Definitions are for general reference only. Usage may vary between companies, individuals, or national and country customs. The information presented is as accurate as the authors and editors can ascertain and PRINTING United Alliance assumes no responsibility for the use of information presented herein.
  • Sublimation transfer
    A process of image transfer to a fabric containing high polyester content through the application of heat and pressure.
  • Subtractive primary
    The three colors that are used to create all other colors in color printing: cyan, magenta, and yellow.
  • Texture mapping
    Placing a texture or image file on the surface of a 3D computer image.
  • Thermal chromatic
    A special compound of micro encapsulated organic crystals with a pigment base that turns colorless at specified heat ranges; ink or dye that changes color when subjected to specified heat ranges.
  • Thermal coefficient of resistance
    The change in resistance of a semi-conductor per unit change in temperature over a specific range of temperature.
  • Thermal conductivity (K-factor)
    The relative ability of a material to conduct heat.
  • Thermal die cutting
    Cutting to desired shape by means of heated elements, usually magnesium dies that have been formed to the desired design.
  • Thermal endurance
    Relative ability of a material such as glass or other rigid substrate to withstand thermal shock.
  • Thermal expansion
    An increase in size due to an increase in temperature expressed in units of an increase in length or increase in size per degree such as inches/inch/degree C.
  • Thermal film
    A heat sensitive film that turns from clear to black when exposed to heat; the film that carries an image from a thermal imagesetter.
  • Thermal gradient
    The distribution of a different temperature through a body or across a surface.
  • Thermal printer
    A nonimpact printer that uses heat sensitive paper to form an image.
  • Thermal sensitivity shift
    The shift in sensitivity due to changes of the ambient temperature from room temperature to the specified limits of the compensated temperature range.
  • Thermal setting
    The use of elevated temperatures in curing to obtain a useable form of product.
  • Thermal shock
    The facture of a material that results from rapid temperature change.
  • Thermal stress
    Cracking or crazing of a thermoplastic material from exposure to high temperatures.
  • Thermal transfer printer
    A machine that digitally prints by transferring inks (resin or wax) from a foil or ribbon onto a media.
  • Thermal wax printer
    A medium-resolution color output device that must first separate the color information for continuous tone and spot color into three or four primaries, and are printed in multiple passes, one for each color. A/k/a thermal wax transfer.
  • Thermal zero shift
    An error due to changes in ambient temperature where the zero pressure output shifts, moving the entire calibration curve in a parallel displacement.
  • Thermochromatic ink
    Ink that is designed to change or loose color when the ambient temperature is increased, formulated to shift at different temperature levels, and to shift back to original color when the ambient temperature is reduced.
  • Three-quarter automatic
    Refers to an automated press where substrate feeding is done manually, but printing and substrate removal functions are automatic.
  • Trademark
    A name, symbol, or other identifying mark registered and legally restricted to the use of a specific owner or manufacturer.
  • Trichromatic printing
    A process where a full color reproduction is obtained using three colors such as magenta, yellow, and cyan, which are the tri-colors.
  • Trumatch
    Developed in 1991, color matching system that uses digital technology to specify colors within desktop illustration and page layout software.
  • Ultimate elongation
    The maximum distance a material will stretch in a lengthwise direction before breaking, expressed as a percent of the original (unstretched) length.