








Glossary beginning with C
Glossary of Print Terms
C
- CMYK
This is an acronym for the four process color inks used in 4-color printing: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. Although the K commonly stands for black it does not have to. K is for "Key" plate. The Key plate holds the detail for the printed image, in 4-color printing this is usually black ink.
- Coated Paper
Coated paper is paper which has been coated by a compound to give the stock certain unique qualities, including weight, surface gloss, smoothness or reduced ink absorbency. Coatings can be designed purely for aesthetics, for durability, or to create food-safe packaging. Printing on coated paper can give your piece added brilliance and character.
- Color Bars
The strip of little colored squares on a press sheet or plate. These bars are a guide for pressmen to measure the amount and density of ink needed.
Bleedi refers to printing that goes beyond the edge of the sheet after trimming. A bleed lets the design of your final piece
stretch from edge to edge without margins.
Pengad requires an 1/8 inch bleed, meaning the design extends 1/8 of an inch from where the cut is to be made. (This means your document will be 1/4 inch wider and taller, this extra paper is trimmed off to the match the trim size.