Printing Glossary of Terms

Abrasion Resistance. Resistance to frictional rubbing as distinct from resistance to knocks and impacts. Abrasion tests may be made by means of the finger alone, or with a cloth or a pad with or without a mildly abrasive powder. The pressure, speed and time of rubbing as well as the character of the rubbing agent should be controlled when making comparisons of abrasion resistance.

ABS. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, a thermoplastic. Hs good impact resistance and a surface that is easily decorated.

Absolute White. In theory, a material that perfectly reflects all light energy at every visible wavelength. In practice, a solid white with known spectral data used as the "reference white" for all measurements of absolute reflectance.

Acetate. Thin, flexible sheet of transparent plastic used to make overlays.

Against the grain. At right angles to the grain direction of paper.

Agent. Alternate term for Artist's representative.

Airbrush. Pen-shaped ink sprayer used to retouch photographic prints and create illustrations.

Alley.Space between columns of type on a page.

Alteration. Change in copy or specifications made after production has begun.

Amberlith. Another trade name for orange masking material.

Artboard.Alternate term for Mechanical.

Artist's representative. Person who handles marketing and other business matters for designers, illustrators, and photographers.

Artwork.Images, including type and photos, prepared for printing.

ASCII.Acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a standard code used to help interface digital equipment.