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.
  • Fritting
    The rapid chilling of a molten glassy material to produce frit.
  • Front score
    A cut score made in the front face of card stock.
  • Frost
    A roughened glass surface produced by immersing the article in hydrofluoric acid and fluoride compounds.
  • Frosted
    The surface of glass that has been treated to scatter light reflections to simulating frost.
  • F-stop
    Fixed sizes at which the aperture of the lens can be set; a number established by dividing the focal length of a lens by the diameter of the lens opening.
  • Fugitive colors
    Inks made from pigments or dyes which are not greatly light resistant and which lose color rapidly when exposed to light, heat and other environmental influences.
  • Full bleed
    Printing term used when an image or background extends to the final trim edge of a printed page.
  • Full color printing
    Term used to mean four color process printing, though a fifth or sixth color may also be added.
  • Full contact printing
    Screen printing in which the printing screen is in contact with the substrate at all points during the printing stroke.
  • Full scale output
    The algebraic difference between the minimum output and maximum output of a device.
  • Fumaric resin
    Synthetic hard resin formed by the reaction of fumaric acid and rosin.
  • Functionality
    The capacity of any molecule to react to a free radical in a UV curable formulation.
  • Furlong
    A customary unit of measure equal to 1/8 statute mile, 40 rods, 220 yards, or 201.17 meters.
  • Furnace
    An enclosure where heat is intentionally generated by combustion of gases or electrical resistance methods.
  • Furnace black
    A form of carbon black obtained by decomposing natural gas and/or petroleum oil under controlled conditions in a furnace and precipitating the pigment in special chambers.
  • Furniture
    Wood or metal blocks used to fill-up the blank spaces in a chase.
  • Fused glass
    Glass formed by placing different pieces of glass in contact with each other, then firing them in a kiln at high temperatures to fuse them together.
  • Fusible backing
    Backing material that adheres to a substrate under heat and pressure to which the glue side of the backing is applied.
  • Fusion
    The act or procedure of liquefying or melting together by heat; the uniting of various elements into a whole as if by melting together.
  • Fuzz
    Attached fibers extending from the surface of paper or cardboard. Not to be confused with Lint which is loose on the surface.
  • Fuzzy texture
    A defect characterized by a myriad of minute bubbles, broken bubbles, and dimples in a enamel surface.
  • Gable roof lock
    A type of display lock used in gable roof construction.
  • Galley
    A shallow metal tray used to hold type.
  • Galley proof
    A reader proof taken of type in a galley before it is formatted into pages.
  • Gallon (gal)
    A US unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System used in liquid measure equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters.