Biz Printing USA – Advanced Graphics & Printing Services

Printing Glossary – Terms starting with T

# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Tabloid

Using a broadsheet as a measure, one half of a broadsheet

Tag

Grade of dense, strong paper used for products such as badges and file folders

Tagged Image File Format

Computer file format used to store images from scanners and video devices. Abbreviated TIFF

Target Ink Densities

Densities of the four process inks as recommended for various printing processes and grades of paper. See also Total Area Coverage

Template

Concerning a printing project’s basic details in regard to its dimensions. A standard layout

TERM

DESCRIPTION

Text paper

A high quality light weight printing paper.

Thermography

A printing process whereby slow drying ink is applied to paper and, while the ink is still wet, is lightly dusted with a resinous powder. The paper then passes through a heat chamber where the powder melts and fuses with the ink to produce a raised surface.

Thumbnails

Initial ideas jotted on virtually anything in regard to initial concept of a future project

Tint

A halftone screen that contains all the same sized dots, or a diluted variation of a full strength color.

Tip In

Usually in the book arena, adding an additional page(s) beyond the normal process (separate insertion)

Tone Compression

Reduction in the tonal range from original scene to printed reproduction

Total Area Coverage

Total of the dot percentages of the process colors in the final film. Abbreviated for TAC. Also called density of tone, maximum density, shadow saturation, total dot density and total ink coverage

Touch Plate

Plate that accents or prints a color that four-color process printing cannot reproduce well enough or at all. Also called kiss plate

Trade Shop

Service bureau, printer or bindery working primarily for other graphic arts professionals, not for the general public

Transparency

Positive photographic image on film allowing light to pass through. Also called chrome, color transparency and tranny. Often abbreviated TX

Trap

To print one ink over another or to print a coating, such as varnish, over an ink. The first liquid traps the second liquid. See also Dry Traps and Wet Traps

Trapping

The overlapping of one color over a different, adjacent color to ensure that no white space is visible where the two colors meet, especially when there are slight variations in the registration of the two colors during the printing process. Or the process of printing wet ink over wet or dry previously printed ink.

Trim marks

Marks placed on the printed sheet to indicate where cuts should be made.

Trim size

The final size of a printed piece after being cut from the sheet of paper that it was printed on.

Typo

A spelling mistake in printed material resulting from a mistake in typing or setting type. See common printing term misspellings.