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.
  • Sericulture
    The cultivation or raising of silk worms for the production of natural silk fiber.
  • Serif
    Short cross-lines at the ends of the main strokes in a Roman type face.
  • Serigrapher
    An artist who produces fine art originals or reproductions in limited editions by using screen printing techniques.
  • Serigraphy
    (1) The act of reproducing fine art originals by using screen printing techniques; (2) Denotes the fine arts reproduction phase of the screen printing industry.
  • Set
    (1) To convert into fixed or hardened state by chemical or physical action; (2) The flow property of glaze or enamel slip, affects rate of drain, residual thickness, and uniformity of coating.
  • Set off
    The accidental transfer of ink from a printed substrate to the back of a subsequent sheet; also referred to as offsetting.
  • Set point
    The temperature that a controller is set to control a system.
  • Setting of ink
    The initial drying stage wherein a printed substrate, though not fully dry, can be handled without smudging.
  • Settling tank
    A holding area for waste water, where heavier particles sink to the bottom.
  • Settling-out
    The separation of solid constituents from a liquid.
  • Set-up
    (1) To make ready; (2) The installation of point of purchase material at destination and location.
  • Set-up time
    The physical time required to completely set-up a job for production.
  • SGIA
    Acceptable acronym for Specialty Graphic Imaging Association International, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia USA.
  • Sgraffito
    A pottery or enamel decorating method where an image is scratched through the top glaze surface to expose a contrasting fired surface underneath.
  • Shade
    (1) A hue; the extent that a color is mixed with black; (2) The brightness or luminance of an image when compared to a gray scale.
  • Shaded effect
    The darkening of color areas by the addition of black printed through a fine halftone screen or by using a Benday screen; refer to Benday.
  • Shading sheets
    Transparent sheet and special sheet bearing visible or latent patterns of lines, dots, or designs, used to obtain shading and halftone effect in photographic positives or negatives.
  • Shadow
    The darkest areas of a design, illustration, or photograph; a shaded area.
  • Shadow detail
    Subtle features in the darker part of an image.
  • Shadow dot
    The smallest dots in a halftone negative, or the coarsest or largest in the positive or print.
  • Shadow point
    The darkest tone printable in an image without being black.
  • Sharp fire
    Combustion with excess air and a short flame.
  • Sharp image
    An image where every detail is accurately defined with respect to the original copy or subject; an image with accurate definition of lines and without distorted or fuzzy edges.
  • Sharpen
    To make or become sharp or sharper.
  • Sharpening
    (1) A picture enhancement that creates more distinct borders, areas, lines, or tones: (2) Scanner option that emphasizes detail by increasing the contrast of the boundaries between light and dark areas of an image.