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.
  • Monitor calibration
    A process used to adjust monitor color specifications, saturation, and brightness into synchronization with the final output device.
  • Monkey pot
    A small crucible for glass melts.
  • Monocalent ion
    An ion with a single positive or negative charge.
  • Monochlorbenzene
    Used effectively as a solvent for vinyl resins in non-flammable lacquer coatings and inks, and is also a solvent for ethyl cellulose and other resins.
  • Monochromatic
    a design or photograph represented by various shades and/or tints of one color; a single color.
  • Monocomponent toner
    A toner that does not require a carrier used in magnetic printing.
  • Monofilament (monofil)
    A fiber strand composed of a single thread or filament.
  • Monofilament polyester
    Screen printing mesh woven from single strands of extruded polyester plastic.
  • Monofilament polyester screens
    Printing screen made with monofilament mesh.
  • Monogramming
    Embroidered personal initials or a logo.
  • Monolithic circuit
    A circuit consisting of a semi-conductor such as silicon, into which all of the parts are fabricated.
  • Monomer
    (1) A small molecule of an organic substance that is the most basic structural unit of a polymer, usually a gas or liquid, used in forming polymeric chains in combination with oligomers and prepolymers; (2) Chemical unit used in building a polymer; (3) A single unit molecule used in combination with oligomers in formulating UV curable inks and coatings.
  • Monotone
    A print produced in one color.
  • Montage
    The process of cutting out parts and mounting prints or parts of prints on one support for the purpose of photographing or reproducing it.
  • Mordant
    (1) A reagent for fixing coloring matter in textiles; (2) A corrosive substance such as acid used in etching.
  • Morphing
    Moving smoothly from one image to another by having the computer animate a sequence by transposing points in the starting image to corresponding points in the final image.
  • Mottle (ink)
    Blotchy, spotty, or uneven appearance of printed image, most pronounced in solid areas.
  • Mottling
    A texturing seen in the smooth or monotone areas of an image. This can be due to faulty processing and a number of improperly used digital processes e.g. excessive unsharp masking.
  • Mounting
    The combining of two or more substrates or media into a single laminated sheet.
  • Mounting machine
    A machine which laminates paper to board in one operation.
  • Muffle kiln/furnace
    A kiln or lehr constructed so that the ware is not subjected to direct radiant heat from the elements (electric) or to direct flame from burners (oil, gas).
  • Muller
    A flat bottom glass pestle for grinding color pigment; power driven mullers have two circular glass grinding surfaces.
  • Multicolor press
    A screen printing machine capable of applying more than one color on the substrate at one pass through the printing sequence.
  • Multifilament (multifil)
    A screen mesh that is woven from twisted multi-strands of thread.
  • Multilayered printed circuit
    A unit that consists of a number of thin copper-clad laminates bonded with a suitable insulating adhesive with provision made for interconnection between the layers; a circuit where two or more layers are bonded together, one on top of the other, with heat and pressure.