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.
  • Barcol hardness
    A hardness value obtained by measuring the resistance to penetration of a sharp steel point under a spring load, gives direct readings on a 0 to 100 scale; also refer to Shore hardness.
  • Barium crown glass
    An optical glass containing soda (Na2O), lime (CaO), and silica (silicon dioxide) composites.
  • Barium flint glass
    An optical glass containing 45 to 65% lead oxide.
  • Barium oxide
    Derived from BaCO3 (witherite) used principally in optical and crystal glass instead of lime or red lead.
  • Barre
    A stripe-like pattern in woven fabric, parallel to the weft threads, and usually caused by dye differences in the fibers or physical differences in thread geometry.
  • Barrel distortion
    Image effect that spreads the center dimensions of the picture.
  • Barrier coat (primer) (sealer coat)
    A coating applied to face material to provide increased opacity to the face material and/or to prevent migration between adhesive and face material and to improve anchorage of adhesives to face material.
  • Barrier tape
    Reflective pressure sensitive strips printed with diagonal strips of red transparent ink for application to rear/side of a vehicle or to a street barrier, warning, or safety signal.
  • Barytes
    A colorless crystalline mineral of barium sulfate used as an ink pigment, extender, or filler.
  • Base
    (1) A firm, true surface on which the substrate is placed for printing; (2) A modifying additive for screen printing inks; an unpigmented ink or adhesive; refer to extender base and transparent base; (3) A specific type of resin that determines the character of the ink such as acrylic base, oil base, synthetic base, and vinyl base.
  • Base alignment
    The positioning of type with relation to the same base line, also refer to baseline.
  • Base artwork
    Artwork that requires additional components to be added before reproduction.
  • Base chuck (turret)
    An indexing device for screen printing of cylindrical and tapered objects.
  • Base color
    The background color in multiple color printing.
  • Base line
    (1) Any line or specified quantity used as a point of reference; (2) The positioning of the bottom of letters so that they appear to rest on a common but imaginary line.
  • Base resolution
    Photo CD image resolution (512 x 768 pixels) formatted for display on current consumer televisions.
  • Base/16
    An image resolution with 1/16 the number of pixels of a base resolution.
  • Base/4
    An image resolution with 1/4 the number of pixels of a base resolution.
  • Basic dyes
    Dyes that have not been incorporated into carriers or vehicles of any type.
  • Basic flash exposure
    In halftone work, the secondary exposure required to produce a shadow dot of the desired size in the film. (The basic flash exposure is of relatively short duration compared to the main exposure which precedes it).
  • Basic size
    A specific size recognized by the trade as being the one from which its basic weight is determined, generally 500 sheets (wrapping tissue uses a ream count of 480 sheets).
  • Basis weight (substance weight)
    The weight of a ream (500 sheets) in pounds cut to the basic size for its grade; refer to paper sizes international. (In the US the basic sizes are 635 x 965 mm - 25 by 38 for book papers, 508 x 660 mm - 20 by 26 for cover papers, 610 x 914 mm - 24 x 36 for newsprint, 432 x 559 - 11 x 22 for bond, and 648 x725 mm - 25 _ by 30 _ for index).
  • Bastard size
    A non-standard size of any material.
  • Batch
    A quantity produced as the result of one operation.
  • Batch consistency
    A preservation of uniformity in the formulation or manufacturing of screen printing inks, plastic compositions, etc., to ensure subsequent batches match preceding batches of like formulation in all respects.