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.
  • Tear tab
    An additional area of face stock attached by the release liner to a pressure sensitive label produced in single form to facilitate removal of the release liner.
  • Tearing resistance
    (1) Internal (or continuous) measured where the edge of the material has been cut prior to the actual tear, expressed in grams of force required to tear 16 sheets; (2) Edge-tearing resistance measures the force required to make an initial tear; (3) Torsion-tearing resistance of paper or paperboard is the energy expanded in propagating a tear when the tearing force is applied in such a manner as to create a twist or torque.
  • Teflon
    A trademark of the DuPont Corporation for polytetraflouoroethylene, a waxy opaque material.
  • Telephone poles
    An embroidery needle that is larger than a number 14.
  • Temp
    Acceptable abbreviation for temperature.
  • Temperature humidity controls
    Equipment or device for regulating both temperature and humidity in given areas.
  • Temperature tapes
    Paper material treated with a heat sensitive colored substance that drastically changes color at a specified temperature.
  • Tempered
    Having the required degree of hardness or elasticity.
  • Tempered glass
    Glass that has been strengthened by chemical tempering or by rapid cooling from near its softening point.
  • Temporary adhesive
    An adhesive characterized by relatively short ultimate adhesion.
  • Temporary support
    Any support sheet on which film or printed material is placed for handling between initial process and final positioning.
  • Tenacity
    The relative strength of a textile fiber, expressed in grams of breaking force per denier unit.
  • Tendon lock
    A lock for interchangeable cards, usually a tap or tongue inserted into a slot.
  • Tensile modulus
    The ratio of stress to strain in a material that is elastically deformed.
  • Tensile strength (TS)
    (1) A measurement of the deformation produced in a material by an applied force; (2) The ability of a material to resist lateral strain or longitudinal stress from being pulled in opposite directions.
  • Tension
    (1) The tightness of a stretched screen mesh; (2) The stress caused by a force or forces operating to extend, stretch or pull apart a material; (3) Tautness of thread when forming stitches.
  • Tension loss
    A decrease in mesh tension from original tautness.
  • Tension stability
    The property of stretched mesh to retain a balanced state of tautness.
  • Tensioning system
    A mechanical device for stretching screen mesh to correct tension.
  • Tensionmeter (tensiometer) (deflection gauge)
    (1) An instrument used to measure the tautness of screen mesh in newtons per centimeter; (2) An instrument to measure surface and interfacial tension of liquids, or tensile strength of solids.
  • Tent card
    Small displays made of light weight stock, scored in the center for folding.
  • Tera (T)
    A prefix utilized in the metric system of measurement that denotes 10 to the twelfth power (1012) or 1 000 000 000 000.0; symbol is T.
  • Terabyte
    1,099,511,627,776 bytes of computer memory; one thousand gigabytes or one million megabytes.
  • Teratogen
    A chemical that has been scientifically demonstrated to cause physical defects in the developing human embryo.
  • Termination
    (1) A chemical reaction between polymer radicals that result in a solid polymeric network; (2) Point where a membrane switch gets connected to a device.