Print & Design Terms

Bleed
This refers to any design element on a print piece that extends past the edge of the paper. The designer indicates a bleed by setting up the layout document with bleed marks, typically measuring 0.125 inches past the final size trim area of the finished printed piece.

CMYK
Stands for the combination of ink colors most commonly used in 4-color process or digital printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Images in print documents are always printed in CMYK, and must be converted from other color formats to CMYK before printing, unless Pantone spot colors must be used.

Pantone Colors
Also known as PMS (Pantone Color Matching System), these comprise a set of universal colors that every printer in the world can replicate. Each Pantone color comes with Pantone color code and mixing formulations. Using these codes helps create color consistency throughout print and digital branding materials.

Crop marks
Crop marks indicate where the printer should make cuts to the final printed piece. They are also used to cut and separate the excess paper used for image bleed allowance.

Digital printing
Also known as 4-color process printing, digital printing is specifically for CMYK color. It is most cost-effective for smaller quantities and quick turn-around time, as it requires less prep work.

Paper Finish
This refers to the surface quality of the paper used for the printed piece. Different types of paper have different finishes, such as matte, luster, glossy, textured, and uncoated finish. Commonly used finishes include glossy and matte.

Offset Printing
Offset printing is generally used for Pantone Spot Color printing, and for larger print jobs of 2,000 pieces or more. The press operator sets up a different plate for each color, and runs every print through each color plate to create the final printed piece. This requires more setup, but it enables both CMYK and Pantone colors to be used on the press. Cost savings occur for larger print order quantities.

PPI/DPI
PPI stands for “pixels per inch”; DPI for “dots per inch.” Both are used to communicate the resolution of images, and since they refer to the same measurement, they can be used interchangeably. There are two standard PPI measurements, with 72ppi referring to the optimal resolution for a computer screen, and 300ppi referring to the typical optimal resolution for printed images such as – .psd, .tif, .jpg, .eps (raster image.)

Raster Graphics
A raster graphic is an image made of hundreds, thousands, or even millions of tiny squares of color information. These are referred to as either pixels or dots in the printing industry.

  • A photograph is the most common type of raster image.
  • The most popular preferred program for creating and editing raster image files is Adobe Photoshop.
  • The preffered raster image format types to be used in a print layout are: tiff, jpg, eps, and psd.
  • Raster images are rich with information, providing precise shading and detail in your photographs. The term “DPI” stands for “dots per inch.” This is a measurement of how much detailed color information a raster image contains. The optimal dpi for a raster image intended to be printed is 300 dpi. The more dpi your image contains, more of the subtle details will be noticeable.

The biggest downfall to raster images is that they become pixelated (blurry edges) when a low dpi raster image is enlarged.

Vector Graphics
A vector graphic uses math to draw shapes using points, lines, and curves. A vector image will use math to “connect the dots” and fill in all of the missing information.

  • Logos are the most common types of vector graphics used in print layouts.
  • The preferred program for creating and editing vector graphics is Adobe Illustrator.
  • The prefered vector graphic formats are: eps, ai, and pdf.
  • Vector graphics are infinitely scalable through the wonders of math. Vector graphics can be scaled up or down as much as you want without losing any image quality.

Soft Proof
After prepping the final design files, the printer sets up a printing proof, which is typically a digital file in PDF format. Viewing a printing proof is essential for identifying any design or content-related issues before the piece is forwarded into production. Once you approve your proof, you can’t make any changes without additional costs. The best way to review the soft proof is to open it and view it carefully in Adobe Acrobat.