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.
  • Baume scale
    Hydrometer scale that separately covers liquids with specific gravities greater and less than 1.
  • Density range (density scale)
    The difference between the highest density and the lowest density in a negative, transparency, photographic print, or printed press sheet; determines the amount of light that will pass through a transparency or reflect from a print.
  • Full scale output
    The algebraic difference between the minimum output and maximum output of a device.
  • Gray scale
    (neutral wedge) (1) A range of luminance values for evaluating shading through white to black; (2) a reflection or transmission scale of gray tones in steps from clear or white at one end to black at the other, with steps in-between showing evenly intensified series of gray tones (It is attached to the original design or copy to determine accuracy of exposure and uniformity of color separations. Patches of yellow, cyan and magenta are included with the scale when photographing for color separations); also referred to as gray or step wedge.
  • Gray scale continuous
    Continuous tone black and white image on film where the density gradually increases from zero.
  • Proportion scale (scaling wheel)
    A circular sizing tool for determining the dimensions of a piece of art when it is to be enlarged or reduced.
  • Scale
    (1) Printed range of values on a measurement instrument divided into either mathematical or logarithmic increments; (2) instrument for measuring by weight; also called a balance; (3) proportion between the dimensions of the original art and its reproduction size.
  • Transmittance scale
    A measure of light passing through a material, interpreted on a percentage scale of 0 to100, reading the reverse of percentage dot area.