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.
  • Reprographics
    A method of copying used by architects and engineers to create blueprints.
  • Reprography
    A term originating in 1963 for the arts and sciences of copying and duplicating print quantities below commercial printing levels.
  • Re-run
    To redo a portion of or all of a job due to error or defect.
  • Resampling
    Changing the resolution of a bitmap file without altering its physical size.
  • Rescreen
    Halftone negative or positive made from a printed halftone usually with a diffusion filter placed in front of the camera lens to eliminate moiré patterns.
  • Reservoir
    (1) A unit on a press designed to hold and supply ink; (2) the blocked out area between one end or side of a screen printing stencil and the adjacent frame, where ink to be printed is held for pickup by the squeegee.
  • Residual shrinkage
    The percentage of shrinkage remaining in a garment after being pre-shrunk.
  • Residual tack
    The tackiness remaining in a film which, although set, does not reach the tack-free stage.
  • Resiliency
    Ability to regain quickly an original shape after being strained or distorted.
  • Resin
    (1) Any of a number of clear to translucent yellow or brown solid or semi-solid substances of plant origin as copal rosin and amber used in lacquer varnish ink, adhesive, and synthetic plastic; (2) in printing ink, the material that binds the pigment to the substrate.
  • Resist
    A plate coating that hardens over the non-image areas after exposure to light; mixed with bichromated gum or other coating solution protects non-image areas during etching.
  • Resist printing (textile)
    The printing of a resist agent on the cloth to prevent a printed ink from affecting a preselected protected area.
  • Resistance
    The opposition a material offers to direct current flow, measured in ohms.
  • Resistance (insulator)
    The ratio of an applied voltage to the total current carried by a specific insulating material.
  • Resistance temperature characteristics
    Relationship between thermistor resistance and the temperature it is sensing.
  • Resistor
    A device, material, or component that offers opposition to the flow of an electric current.
  • Resite
    A thermosetting resin at the C-stage, or final stage of processing, where it becomes insoluble, or cured.
  • Resitol
    An uncured thermosetting resin at the B-stage, or intermediate stage of processing.
  • Resol
    A thermosetting resin in its solvent-soluble stage.
  • Resolution
    (1) A measure of image sharpness or the performance of an optical system, expressed in lines per millimeter or lines per inch; (2) the smallest distance that can be measured by an instrument.
  • Resolution target
    Any test image that measures the resolving power (ability to produce fine detail) of a printing system.
  • Resolving power
    The relative ability of a lens or emulsion to accurately reproduce fine detail.
  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, US (RCRA)
    A federal hazardous waste, solid waste, and waste reduction program involving remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and implementation of corrective measures.
  • Retarder
    An additive for ink that slows down drying time; a solvent with slower evaporation characteristics.
  • Retensionable frame
    A screen printing frame or chase with a built-in means of tensioning applied mesh.