There are a wide range of printing services available

Whether you need to print a few posters or a sales catalogue, there are a wide range of printing services available. Our handy guide explains the most common terms used in printing services.

A1, A2, A3...

Part of the ISO paper sizing system recognised by printing services everywhere. All A sizes have the same proportions and the largest is A0.

Backing up

The process used in printing services where the reverse side of the sheet is printed on.

Bleed

The surplus printed area that extends beyond the area to be trimmed.

C1, C2, C3...

The sizing system known as the ISO standard is universally recognised by printing services. The C series is used for envelope sizing and C4 holds an A4 sheet.

Print ready or Camera-ready artwork

A phrase used in printing services that refers to finished artwork that is ready to be printed.

CMYK

Standing for cyan, magenta, yellow and black, this is the shorthand used by printing services for the colours used in four-colour process printing.

Coated paper

Paper that receives a coating in order to achieve a particular finish.

Collating

Part of the printing service where the pages are gathered and placed in the correct order.

Digital printing

This type of printing service is relatively recent. It involves working directly from electronic data and is very cost-effective if you are printing low quantities.

DPI

Stands for dots per Inch and is a measure of the quality of an image. Printing services may recommend a minimum DPI.

Finishing

The processes that follow the printing itself, such as trimming, creasing or binding.

Lamination

A thin film coating that protects the printed surface.

Landscape

The orientation of a page that has the long edge along the top. This is the alternative to portrait.

Lithography/litho printing

The traditional form of commercial printing service, still commonly used for large quantities.

Pantone

A system of colour-matching produced by Pantone Inc that is used by printing services over the world.

PDF

Or portable document format, a digital proof created by printing services using Adobe Acrobat software.

Portrait

The orientation of a page that has the short edge along the top. Sometimes referred to as vertical, this is the alternative to landscape.

Proof

A test version of a page or document produced by printing services to show the customer what the finished product will look like.

Scanner

An electronic device used in printing services to turn a piece of artwork into digital form.

Stock

The paper on which the printing service prints your documents.

UV-varnish

A liquid laminate used by printing services to highlight areas and create special effects.