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.
  • Composite
    (1) An art layout where all color separations are shown in one piece of copy, usually black and white; (2) A homogeneous material created by the synthetic assembly of two or more materials to obtain specific characteristics and properties.
  • Compound
    (1) A combination of elements in a stable molecular arrangement; (2) To mix pure vinyl with plasticizers, stabilizers, lubricants, colorants, or other ingredients before it can be properly processed.
  • Comprehensive art work
    Design produced primarily for customer approval of layout, not necessarily camera ready. (Color work may be indicated by overlays to show color areas over the black and white base design).
  • Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)
    A US federal program enacted and designed to cleanup identified environmentally damaged sites, commonly referred to as the Superfund Program.
  • Compression
    The process of removing irrelevant information and reducing unneeded space from a file in order to make the file smaller. Compression can cause losses and distortion, depending on the method.
  • Compression molding
    Plastic molding process where the molding material is liquefied in the mold, shaped, and cured under pressure before being ejected, typically used with thermoset plastics.
  • Compressive strength
    The maximum ability of a solid material to withstand a compressive load; resistance to crushing or shattering.
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD) (Computer Aided Graphics) (CAG)
    System used to generate and reproduce full-color designs, artwork, photographs, etc., through use of a computer, plotter, printer, keyboard, etc.
  • Computer graphics
    The interactive production and layout of graphic material, text and images, by means of computer keyboard, light pen, digitizer, mouse, and other hardware/software integration.
  • Conc
    Acceptable abbreviation for concentrated.
  • Concentrated solution
    A solution containing a large amount of solute in proportion to the solvent; refer to dilute solution.
  • Concentration
    The amount by percentage of a solute contained in a given amount of solution.
  • Condensation resin
    Any of the alkyd, phenol-aldehyde, or urea formaldehyde resins.
  • Condenser enlarger
    A type of enlarger using undiffused light to produce high contrast and high definition images.
  • Conditional match
    A color match that depends on present values of illumination and observation.
  • Conditioning
    The process of subjecting materials to specific temperature and humidity conditions for a stipulated period of time.
  • Conduction
    The transfer of energy through a material by passing it from molecule to molecule.
  • Conductive ink (thick film ink)
    An ink for the screen printing of electronic circuits that contains materials that permitting electric current flow through a printed line or pattern.
  • Conductivity
    The quality or power to conduct or transmit electrical current.
  • Conductor
    An element or substance that has many free electrons permitting a free flow of electric energy within its mass.
  • Conductor width
    The width of a trace or line when printed on the substrate.
  • Confluence of ink
    The flowing together of the tiny segments of ink deposited through a screen printing stencil into a solid, unbroken line.
  • Conformability
    The ability of a material to yield to the contours of a surface that is other than smooth and flat.
  • Conformal coating
    Insulating coating applied to printed circuit board wiring assemblies that covers all of the components and provides protection against moisture, dust, and dirt.
  • Conjunctivitis
    A very painful condition of the eye or conjunctive - the inner lining of the eyelid - caused by harsh light exposure to a UV light source or the sun.