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.
  • Spin art
    A method of garment decoration where the ink is distributed by centrifugal force.
  • Spine
    That part of an easel that is glued to the display; also refer to backbone.
  • Spiral binding
    A book bound with wires in spring form inserted through holes punched along the binding side.
  • Spit out
    A glaze defect similar to a pinhole caused from minute gas bubbles escaping from the body or glaze.
  • Splice
    To unite or join.
  • Split
    To divide or separate.
  • Split back (back split) (split liner)
    A slice in a release liner to facilitate removal of the decal.
  • Split back pattern
    A dimensional layout pattern of a series of slits in the release liner of pressure sensitive label stock.
  • Split face
    A slit in the face of pressure sensitive product to facilitate removal from the liner.
  • Split fountain (color blend) (blend)
    A process of blending adjacent quantities of different colors in the screen, producing a muti-colored gradated print with one squeegee stroke.
  • Split top labels (butt label) (knife-cut label)
    Labels so located on the sheet that one edge abutts the comparable edge of another so that one edge of the die separates the labels in cutting.
  • SPM
    Acceptable acronym for stitches per minute.
  • Spot coating
    A clear coating, where the applied coating material is confined to certain area on the substrate.
  • Spot color
    Color that is printed as a solid area in a design.
  • Spot varnish
    To coat specific portions of a sheet with a clear coat.
  • Spotting
    Retouching a processed photographic print with pencil or brush using water color or dye to eliminate spots left by dust on the negative.
  • Spray adhesive
    Aerosol adherent used to hold a textile to the platen during printing.
  • Spread
    A camera process whereby images are made bigger without changing their general shape or positioning.
  • Spreading
    A thickening or enlarging of a printed area caused by bleeding or lateral penetration of ink.
  • Spreading rate
    The area covered by a unit volume of printing ink or varnish, expressed in square feet per gallon.
  • SPTF
    Acceptable acronym for Screen Printing Technical Foundation, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia USA.
  • Spud
    An orifice, used in high pressure gas mixers to pre-select the desired rate of fuel usage.
  • Spunbonding
    A sheet or web formed by random distribution of very fine continuous fibers that are bonded by heat and pressure such as Tyvek® banner material.
  • Square centimeter (cm2)
    A unit of measure of area in the metric system where each side of a square equals a centimeter and is equivalent to 0.155 square inches.
  • Square dot
    A halftone dot pattern where the dots are square like a checkerboard.