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.
  • Rasterized type
    Type that has rough or stair-stepped edges.
  • Rattle
    A sound made by paper that is shaken for an indication of stiffness or dryness.
  • Raw materials
    The components necessary to the manufacture of a product (Basic items or materials in a chemical composition; basic items or materials used in constructing a mechanical device).
  • Raw umber
    An inorganic pigment with excellent fade resistance, excellent fade resistance, good resistance to acids and alkali, resists bleeding, poor gloss.
  • Rayon
    A synthetic textile fiber made from regenerated cellulose (wood pulp), cotton linters, or other vegetable matter.
  • Reactive dilutent
    Monomer or mixture of monomers used to reduce the viscosity of a UV ink.
  • Reactive dye
    Dye that works by forming a chemical bond between the fiber and the solution where heat is used to develop the proper shade, used to make fabric colorfast.
  • Reactive material
    A chemical substance or mixture that will actively polymerize, decompose, condense, or become self-reactive under conditions of shock, pressure, or temperature.
  • Reactivity
    The ability of a substance to change by combining with another substance or breaking down.
  • Reactor
    UV curable unit consisting of UV lamps, reflectors, cooling system, and shielding.
  • Read color
    Markings that are created in an ink that can be read by an ORC device.
  • Ream (rm)
    A quantity of 500 sheets of paper, formerly 480 sheets or sometimes 516 sheets (printer’s ream).
  • Ream marker
    A small piece of paper inserted in a quantity of sheets to mark off reams.
  • Receding color
    A color that appears to move away or create the illusion of distance such as blue, green, and violet.
  • Receiver sheet
    The piece of a two part diffusion transfer material that is not sensitive to light.
  • Receptivity
    Able to receive.
  • Reciprocity effect
    The extent to which time/light intensity ratios affect exposure.
  • Reciprocity law
    Photographic rule stating that exposure is a function of the product of both exposure time and light intensity, not of either variable alone.
  • Reclaimed screen
    Printing screen reconditioned for use by removal of excess ink and stencil from the mesh.
  • Reclaiming (decoating)
    (1) The process of removing both ink and stencil from the screen mesh after a printing; (2) The process of cleaning used solvent to obtain a reusable product.
  • Reclaiming solution
    A chemical used to remove a screen printing film or emulsion from screen mesh to make the mesh useful again.
  • Recommended tension
    The optimum tightness of a screen mesh as determined by the mesh manufacturer.
  • Recording density
    The number of bits of data recorded per linear inch on magnetic media.
  • Recovery
    In stretched materials, the difference between ultimate elongation and dead stretch; a return to normal condition.
  • Recto
    The right-hand page of a book, cover, or sheet; the odd numbered pages.