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.
  • Face channel
    A lighted sign component with back, sides, and translucent face.
  • Face cut label
    A die-cut label where the matrix has not been removed.
  • Face down
    A decal designed for application to a transparent substrate through which the pattern or design can be viewed.
  • Face material (body stock) (face stock) (base material)
    Any paper, film, laminate, or foil material suitable for converting into pressure sensitive decals that are attached to a backing or support sheet.
  • Face plate
    Synonymous with fascia or overlay, refers to the top most area of a membrane switch.
  • Face print
    Screen printing on the first surface of a transparent substrate, as opposed to printing on the back (reverse).
  • Face slitting
    Cutting through the face sheet of a pressure sensitive laminate without cutting through the backing. (Slitting is done lengthwise of a web, or crosswise, in straight parallel cuts to form strips of desired width).
  • Face up
    A decal designed for application to an opaque substrate that is read or observed from the same side as the application surface.
  • Fade resistance
    The property of a color or ink film that inhibits deterioration from environmental influences.
  • Fadeometer
    An instrument used to measure the lightfastness of inks and materials under controlled and repeatable conditions.
  • Fading
    Partial or complete loss of color due to excessive sun exposure, humidity, or other environmental influences; a gradual "bleaching out" of the appearance of a color on a print.
  • Fahrenheit (F)
    A widely used thermal scale in which the freezing point is 32 degrees and 212 degrees represents the temperature at which water boils at sea level.
  • Faience ware
    Earthenware with a transparent glaze.
  • Fake color printing
    The printing of a transparent ink of one color overall or portions of a previously printed other color to a darker tone than either of the original colors. A third color is thus produced and, depending on the transparency of the inks, the third color may be a secondary hue, i.e., yellow on red to produce orange.
  • Fake duotone
    Two color reproduction using a single halftone negative, usually black and the halftone screen tint for the background usually in color.
  • False body
    A characteristic of an ink or coating which has more body or heavier viscosity that the pigment/vehicle ratio would indicate. A false body may be induced by adding a flocculent.
  • Family mold
    Multi cavity mold where each cavity forms one of the component parts of the assembled finished object.
  • Fancy finish
    Pattern textures in fine paper.
  • Farad
    A unit of capacity that will store one coulomb of electrical charge when one watt of electrical pressure is applied.
  • Farmer's reducer
    A chemical solution of potassium ferricyanide and sodium thiosulfate that is used to reduce the density and increase the contrast of developed film. (Named after its inventor Howard Farmer).
  • Fascia
    Term used to designate the face or first surface of an item, as in "sign fascia."
  • Fashion knit
    A broad category of garments generally depending on the material, the material pattern, or the color of the material. Fashion knits range all the way from tricots through combinations of polyester/cotton to some pure cotton fabrics.
  • Fast color
    A color which is resistant to the action of external agents such as light, acids, and alkalis.
  • Fastness
    The stability of colored pigments or dyestuffs under adverse conditions of light, acids, alkalis, etc.
  • Fat
    Color and oil mixtures that flow well; good flow characteristics.