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.
  • Acid free paper
    A paper with no acidity or residual acid producing chemicals.
  • Application tape (application paper)
    A support material used to facilitate the application of pressure sensitive markings.
  • Art paper
    A coated paper often having a high finish used in printing halftones.
  • Bond paper
    A light weight paper stock with strength, rigidity, and good absorptive and erasing qualities.
  • Book paper
    Coated and uncoated papers.
  • Bronze paper
    A paper board coated with a composition consisting of a finely divided metallic powder and a binder such as pyroxylin.
  • Carbon tissue (pigment paper)
    A dyed or pigmented gelatin-based photographic material coated onto a paper support that is exposed, developed, and adhered to the screen printing mesh forming a stencil.
  • Cast coated paper
    Heavy clay coated paper dried under pressure against a polished cylinder to produce a highly glossy finish.
  • Coated paper
    Paper with a very thin clay coating on one or both sides of the sheet (C1S/C2S) with a finish ranging from eggshell to glossy.
  • Collodion film paper
    A backing paper coated with a water soluble film used in ceramic decal production, where screen printing is done on the surface of the collodion film.
  • Cover paper
    Large category of papers so named because they primarily serve the function of covering and protecting other printed matter.
  • Decalcomania paper
    A specially coated absorbent paper made of cotton fiber mixed with chemical wood pulp, having a smooth, uniform finish and with a good wet strength and finished as a simplex or duplex decal paper.
  • Double coated paper
    Paper stock that has been coated twice on the same side with either the same or different material.
  • Duplex decal paper
    A paper that consists of a thin tissue type paper that is adhered semi-permanently on a heavier base paper with adhesive coated on the tissue paper side used for larger decal production.
  • Duplex paper
    A fine paper, cover weight with a different color or texture on each side.
  • Fluorescent paper
    Paper that has light reflecting qualities, which is the direct result of optical bleaching additives in the form of fluorescent dyes making them whiter than white.
  • Foil paper (foil laminate)
    A very thin metal sheet laminated to a paper backing or support sheet, usually with permanent adhesives for use as a single element substrate.
  • Glazed paper
    Paper with a high gloss or polish.
  • Golden rod paper
    A specially coated yellow or orange masking paper used to assemble and position negatives for exposure to press plates.
  • Graphite paper
    A type of carbon placed between acetate paper and porcelain.
  • International paper size
    Common paper sizes in Europe and Japan — A3 297 x 420 mm (11.7 x 16.5 in), A4 210 x 297 mm (8.3 x 11.7 in), A5 148 x 210 (5.8 x 8.3 in), B4 250 x 353 mm (10.1 x 14.3 in), B5 176 x 250 (7.2 x 10.1 in), B6 125 x 176 mm (5.0 x 7.2 in).
  • Lacquered paper
    Paper that has been coated with a lacquer or plastic.
  • Ledger paper
    A durable grade of business papers generally used for record keeping.
  • Lightweight paper
    Book grade paper of basis weight 40# or less with high opacity.
  • Lithographic paper (litho paper)
    Paper that has been coated at least on one side to make it suitable for lithographic printing.