Printing has its own vocabulary, and it's easy to feel lost when a quote mentions "bleed," "GSM," or "drayage" without explanation. This glossary covers the terms you're most likely to run into while ordering business cards, large format signage, apparel, packaging, or trade show displays from Graphics Design Media. Each term links out to a full Wikipedia article if you want to go deeper.
General Printing & Prepress
- Bleed — artwork that extends slightly past the trim edge of a printed piece, so there's no thin white sliver if the cut shifts by a fraction of a millimeter.
- CMYK — the four-ink color model (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) used for full-color printing. Always convert your files to CMYK before submitting artwork — RGB files can shift color on press.
- DPI (dots per inch) — a measure of print resolution. We recommend 300 DPI at final print size for sharp, professional results.
- Offset Printing — a traditional high-volume press process that transfers ink via plates and rubber blankets; typically the most cost-effective option at large quantities.
- Digital Printing — printing directly from a digital file with no plates required, ideal for shorter runs, fast turnaround, and variable data.
- Pantone / PMS (Spot Color) — a standardized color-matching system used when a brand color needs to be exact and consistent, rather than approximated by CMYK.
- Registration — how precisely multiple ink colors or print passes line up with each other on the final piece.
- Vector Graphics — artwork built from math-based paths (like a logo made in Illustrator) that can scale to any size with no loss of quality — the preferred format for logos and line art.
- Raster Graphics — pixel-based images (like photos) that lose quality when scaled up too far. Always send raster images at full print resolution.
- Resolution — the amount of detail an image holds, directly tied to how sharp it prints at a given size.
- Typography — the art of arranging type — font choice, spacing, and hierarchy — so printed text is both legible and on-brand.
- Kerning — the spacing adjustment between individual letter pairs, used to keep text visually balanced.
- Color Model — a system (like CMYK or RGB) for representing color numerically so it can be reproduced consistently.
- Lamination — a thin plastic film applied over a printed piece for durability, scuff resistance, and a matte or gloss finish.
- UV Coating — a liquid coating cured instantly with UV light, producing a glossy, protective finish — often used as an accent (Spot UV) over specific design elements.
- Die Cutting — using a custom-shaped blade (a "die") to cut printed material into a shape other than a standard rectangle, like a circle, oval, or custom silhouette.
- Substrate — the material being printed on, whether that's paper, vinyl, fabric, or a rigid board.
Business Cards & Paper Stock
- Foil Stamping — applying metallic or colored foil to paper using heat and pressure, commonly used for the raised metallic accents on premium business cards.
- Cold Foil — a foil application method that bonds foil to paper inline during printing rather than with a heated die, often used for large foil areas.
- Embossing — pressing a design into paper to create a raised, three-dimensional texture, often paired with foil for a premium tactile effect.
- Letterpress — an old-world printing method that presses inked type directly into thick paper, leaving a distinctive debossed impression.
- Cardstock — thick, sturdy paper used for business cards, postcards, and similar printed pieces — heavier than standard paper but lighter than cardboard.
- GSM (Grammage) — grams per square meter, the standard measure of paper weight/thickness. Higher GSM generally means a thicker, more premium-feeling sheet.
- Kraft Paper — a natural, uncoated brown paper stock valued for its rustic, earthy look on cards and packaging.
Large Format & Signage
- Vinyl (PVC) — a durable, weatherproof plastic material used for banners, decals, stickers, and self-adhesive graphics.
- Dye-Sublimation — a printing process that turns ink into a gas that bonds permanently with fabric fibers, used for fabric banners, table covers, and tension fabric displays.
- Wide/Large Format Printing — printing on equipment capable of output far wider than a standard desktop printer, used for banners, posters, and signage.
- Vehicle Wrap — a large adhesive vinyl graphic applied over some or all of a vehicle's body for branding or full color-change.
- Grommet — a small reinforced ring punched into a banner's edge so it can be hung with rope, zip ties, or bungee cords.
Apparel & Wearables
- Screen Printing — pushing ink through a stenciled mesh screen onto fabric, one color per screen — the standard for durable, high-volume apparel printing.
- Direct-to-Garment (DTG) — printing full-color designs directly onto fabric with an inkjet-style printer, well suited to detailed designs and small quantities.
- Embroidery — stitching a design into fabric with thread, commonly used for logos on hats, polos, and jackets for a durable, professional look.
Packaging
- Corrugated Fiberboard — the fluted, layered material used for sturdy shipping boxes and rigid packaging.
- Die Line — the flat, unfolded outline template showing exactly where a box or package will fold and cut — see Die Cutting.
Trade Shows & Expo
- Drayage — the fee a show's general contractor charges to move your freight from the loading dock to your booth space. See our full Expos & Trade Shows guide for more on show freight.
- Bill of Lading (BOL) — the shipping document required to release freight from a venue at the end of a show.
Don't see a term you're looking for, or want help translating a print spec you received from another vendor? Contact us and we'll walk you through it, or head straight to Get a Quote to start your project.
