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.
  • Calender
    (1) A configuration of heated rollers used for flattening one or both sides of synthetic screen printing mesh; (2) To prepare sheets of material by pressure between two or more counter rotating rolls; (3) A set of cast iron rollers with highly polished surfaces situated at the dry end of a paper making machine.
  • Calender winkle
    Crease in paper web produced as the web passes through the calender rolls.
  • Calendered fabric
    Screen mesh that has been flattened on one or both sides by passing it through heated rollers.
  • Calendered film
    A film with a very glossy surface obtained by passing the film between polished rollers under pressure, and sometimes under elevated temperature conditions.
  • Calendered finished (calendered)
    Any paper with a surface glazed by means of steel or cast iron rollers with hardened surfaces.
  • Calendering
    (1) A finishing process that flattens one or both sides of a screen mesh reducing mesh thickness and opening size; (2) A way of manufacturing plastic sheets by first converting the resins into a dough like mass then passing it between heated pressure rollers to form a sheet with a glossy or textured surface; (3) A method of producing a very high gloss surface on paper stock by passing the sheet between a series of pressure rollers; (4) A finishing process for fabric creating high luster, glazing, embossing, and moiré.
  • Supercalender
    A calender stack, not part of the paper machine, with alternate metal and resilient rollers for producing increased density, smoothness, and gloss on paper.