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.
  • Additive
    A substance added in small amounts to another to improve desirable qualities or suppress undesirable properties, or otherwise changes the composition to a predetermined state.
  • Additive color matching
    Process that can specify colors in terms of the three numbers representing the amounts of the three primary lights added together to make a match. (The amounts of the three primaries, expressed in numerical form for each primary and describing the new color, are known as the tri-stimulus values of that color).
  • Additive lamps
    A medium pressure mercury vapor UV lamp (arc or microwave) that has small amount of metal halide added to the mercury. (These materials will emit their characteristic wavelengths in addition to the mercury emissions).
  • Additive primary colors
    Red, green, and light blue; when all additive primaries are combined at 100% intensity, white light is produced; combining at varying intensities produces a gamut of different colors.
  • Soft hand additive
    An extender base added to plastisol ink to produce better flow characteristics and a softer feel to the cured print.