Deboss
To press an image below the surface of paper
Densitometer
An instrument used to measure the density of colored ink to determine consistency
Density
The degree of darkness of an image
Diazo
A light-sensitive coating used on plates in offset printing
Die
Metal plate cut for impressing a design or image on paper
Die cutting
A process of cutting paper in a shape or design using metal dies
Direct Imaging
A technology that eliminates the use of film plates by directly transferring the image from digital files to the press plates using a laser
Direct Imaging Press (DI)
An offset press where the plate is imaged directly on the press with laser
Dot
The individual element of a halftones; also referred to as a “pixel”
Dot gain or spread
The spread of ink on paper; occurrence when dots print larger than they were on the film
Dots Per Inch (DPI)
A measurement of resolution of a screen image or printed image defined by the number of dots that fit horizontally and vertically into one inch; The higher the DPI, the sharper the image
Double burn
Exposing a printing plate to multiple images
Draw-down
A method of applying a thin coating or ink on paper to roughly determine color
Drop-out
Parts of artwork that are not reproduced
Dummy
A preliminary layout of a copy showing the position and general style made to resemble the finished product
Duotone
A halftone image made up of two colors
Duplexing
The ability of a press to print on both sides of a sheet of paper