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.
  • CFR
    Acceptable acronym for the US Code of Federal Regulations that is maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.USA.
  • CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile)
    A vector-based standard for graphics files that allows images to be transferred between applications.
  • Chain marks
    Impression caused by support systems used to convey a substrate through the heat cycle.
  • Chain stitch (moss stitch)
    A stitch formed by a hook that acts as a needle and one thread that is fed from the bottom side of the fabric.
  • Chair easel (single wing easel)
    A display easel with a single fold-out support section that can be locked at a 90 degree angle to the back of a display card.
  • Chalking
    A screen printed ink where the pigment is not properly bound to the substrate and can be easily rubbed off in the form of a powder, common with exposure to the elements.
  • Channel
    A component of a digital image that carries the data for a color component or a mask.
  • Channel black
    Carbon black produced by impinging a natural gas flame against a metal surface.
  • Channel connector
    A display part used for connecting two attached planes.
  • Channel rubber
    Small rubber channel to insulate the wire mesh from the metal frame of an electrically heated or hot printing screen.
  • Channel support
    A display part for attaching landscaped part of a display in a forward position.
  • Character
    A single letter, symbol or numerical designation.
  • Character generation
    Constructing typographic images electronically as a series of dots, lines, or pixels on a CTR (cathode ray tube) screen.
  • Characteristic curve
    A photographic term, referring to a graph of relative response on the part of photographic materials to varying amounts of light.
  • Chase
    (1) A frame with a means of mesh attachment designed to hold tensioned screen mesh, usually made of tubular or channel aluminum, but can also be made from steel and wood; (2) A rectangular metal frame where cutting dies, type, or other design element is locked up for printing or finishing.
  • Chatter
    A phenomenon that can occur while sharpening a squeegee resulting in a jagged edge due to improper grinding procedures.
  • Checking
    Fine hairline cracks in a dried coating film which begin at the surface and progress downward.
  • Checkout rack
    A display fixture that is placed near or at the checkout area in a supermarket.
  • Chemical adhesion
    The attachment of an ink or coating to a surface by actual chemical attack which changes the character of the substrate.
  • Chemical fixation
    A hazardous waste treatment process involving reactions between certain chemicals, resulting in solids which encapsulate, immobilize, or otherwise tie up components in the waste, thus minimizing the leaching of hazardous components and rendering the waste nonhazardous or more suitable for disposal.
  • Chemical glass
    A chemically durable glass suitable for making laboratory apparatus.
  • Chemical lubricant
    Plasticizers and waxes of monomeric or polymeric structure that lubricate between micro-molecules in plastics and increase flexibility.
  • Chemical microscopy
    Method employed to identify material components, analyzing defects caused by dyes and finishes, determining the size and distribution of particles in paper, plastics, coatings, powders, resins and starches, and to obtain asbestos filament counts.
  • Chemical milling (chemical machining) (photofabrication)
    A process of producing very small precise shape in metal that is usually too fragile to withstand machine shaping. (A resist is printed on the metal foil in the design desired and the excess, unprotected metal is then etched away).
  • Chemical name
    The standard name used for a substance.