C1S
Short for coating on one side of paper
C2S
Short for coating on both sides of paper
Caliper
Measurement of paper thickness expressed in thousandths of an inch
Camera-ready copy
Print ready layout of graphic and text
Cast coated
A type of coated paper with a high gloss enamel finish
Chrome
Color transparency
Coated paper
Paper with a thin surface coating of clay that produces a smooth finish
Collate
A finishing term for arranging pages or sheets in correct order before binding
Color Balance
Refers to the proper ratio of cyan, magenta, and yellow ink during printing to keep color consistency and produce the desired color of an image
Color bar
Strips of color used as a tool to check color accuracy and density
Color correction
Methods of adjusting and improving color qualities such as color balance, contrast, etc
Color filter
Filters used in color separation
Color key
A printer’s proof made from 4 acetate or transparent films of various colors, one sheet per process color, which when combined simulates the finished product
Color matching system
Color chart in an electronic system used to compare, measure or mix colors
Color separations
Preparing a full-color image for printing by separating it into the four basic process colors: cyan, magenta, yellow and black
Color Sequence
The order in which the four-color process inks are printed on the press
Colorimeter
A light sensitive device used for measuring color with an exact response similar to the human eye
Comb bind
A method of binding by inserting a plastic comb through holes along the side or edge of a stack of pages
Composite film
Combination of two or more images on one or more films
Computer-to-Plate (CTP)
A technology that enables transfer of digital data directly to a metal plate for printing, eliminating the use of conventional films
Continuous-tone copy
Illustrations and photographs that have a range of shades
Contrast
The range of difference between the darkest and lightest areas in an image
Copy
Any material (text or artwork) to be used in printing a piece
Cover paper
A heavyweight paper commonly used for covers of books, brochures, catalogs and folders
Creep
Creep is the shifting position of the page in a saddle-stitched bind. Creep moves the inside pages away from the spine.
Crop
To cut off sides or portions of an image
Crop marks
Lines at the edges of a sheet that show where the page will be trimmed
Crossover
Printing across the gutter or from one page to the facing page of a publication
Cure
The process of drying inks or coatings through chemical processes to develop strong adhesion
Cyan
Shade of blue; One of four basic ink colors used in 4 color printing process