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.
  • Raster image file format (RIFF)
    A storage format used with gray scale images.
  • Raster image processing (RIP)
    A process using mathematical algorithms to enlarge and print an image.
  • Raw materials
    The components necessary to the manufacture of a product (Basic items or materials in a chemical composition; basic items or materials used in constructing a mechanical device).
  • Reactive material
    A chemical substance or mixture that will actively polymerize, decompose, condense, or become self-reactive under conditions of shock, pressure, or temperature.
  • Ream marker
    A small piece of paper inserted in a quantity of sheets to mark off reams.
  • Register mark
    A crosshair or other target image applied to original copy as an aid for positioning and aligning purposes.
  • Remake
    (1) To make anew; (2) To repeat for a better end result.
  • Screen printing plate (printing screen, image carrier)
    A frame or supporting device onto which is stretched and attached a mesh having open space in the areas of the mesh representing a design to be printed.
  • Screen reclamation
    The process of removing the stencil from the mesh, so a new stencil can be applied.
  • Semi-automatic flatbed press
    A screen printing press where the machine motion is automatic, the substrate is printed against a flat base plate, and the substrate is loaded and unloaded manually.
  • Semi-automatic machine
    Equipment where the machine operation is automatic but the substrate is loaded and unloaded manually.
  • Sharp image
    An image where every detail is accurately defined with respect to the original copy or subject; an image with accurate definition of lines and without distorted or fuzzy edges.
  • Shear mark
    A scar-like imperfection found on some glassware from the cooling action of the shears in cutting the hot glob of glass from the extruder.
  • Sheet matching
    An accurate line-up from sheet to sheet, both vertically and horizontally, when either printing or posting an outdoor poster.
  • Shrink mark
    A defect in a molded plastic part where the surface has retracted from the mold interface.
  • Silk manifold
    The paper from which outdoor poster stencils are cut.
  • Sink mark
    A depression or dimple found on the surface of an injection-molded part.
  • Slide arm machine
    The heating element of a heat transfer machine that slides away from the lower platen.
  • Small quantity generator (SQG)
    in the US a firm that produces less than 100 kg (2200 lbs) of hazardous waste in a calendar month.
  • Solder resist (solder mask)
    A coating applied by screen printing to a printed circuit board to prevent bridges from forming between circuits during the soldering or hot-air leveling steps in production.
  • Spectrum electromagnetic
    The entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation from gamma rays to the longest radio wave includes visible spectrum.
  • Standard reference material (SRM)
    A physical sample that has been calibrated to an accepted primary standard or set of standards.
  • Stop mark
    Mark showing a change in the density of a woven mesh caused by irregular tension on the warp threads.
  • Sublimable dyes
    A colorant that can be vaporized from a solid directly to a gaseous state by the application of heat.
  • Sublimation
    A process where dye pigments change from solid to vapor and back to solid again with the application of heat.