EVV Print Graphics Glossary

Calendared films are often called intermediate or short-term films. It starts with a molten mixture that is extruded through a die and fed though a series of calendaring rolls. The rolling and stretching process produces thicker films (3- to 4-mil is common) that have some inherent memory, making the film less dimensionally stable and less conformable with a tendency to shrink when exposed to heat. However, they are less expensive, somewhat more scratch resistant, and their heavier weight makes them easier to handle than cast films. These films are well suited for flat and simple curved applications on a variety of substrates.

With regard to recorders and imagesetters, the process of adjusting the device so it correctly reproduces the desired halftones, tints, and so on. See also Linearization.

Cast vinyls have a long durability against fading and the elements. They are more expensive than calendared vinyls. Cast vinyls are a good choice for uneven and contoured surfaces because they can be heated to conform and maintain their shape. A cast vinyl starts as a liquid and is cast into a sheet or form and then processed through ovens, evaporating solvents in the liquid. When the solvents evaporate, the remainder is a solid film usually between 2 mil (printable media) to 4 mil (solid colour) thick. This durability of shape allows for predictability on application and in applying heat to relax the material back to its natural form after modest stretching. Cast vinyls are less prone to shrinkage because stress (such as extrusion as in calendared films) is not applied to the material during the manufacturing process.

See Static Cling

The conversion of all tones lighter than a specified gray level to white, or darker than a specified grey level to black, causing loss of detail. This also applies to individual channels in a colour image.

Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (or Key) are the four inks used in four colour process printing, unlike RGB colours which are intended for colour displays. A CMYK colour is expressed as a set of four numbers, each representing a certain amount of each colour ink. Each colour is measured on a scale from 0-100. CMYK is a subtractive colour scale, so pure black is 0-0-0-100 and pure white 0-0-0-0.

Light waves that reach the viewer’s eye by transmission (through an object between the viewer and the light source) or by reflection (when light waves bounce off an object). All substances, whether transparent or opaque, absorb some wavelengths while letting others pass through or bounce off. A red apple looks red because it absorbs all colours in white light except red, which it reflects. White objects reflect all and black objects absorb all light waves (at least in theory).

The adjustment of colours in any photographic, electronic, or manual process to obtain a correct image by compensating for the deficiencies of process inks, colour separation, or undesired balance of the original image.

This happens to all printed graphics due to exposure from the sun’s rays. In solvent prints, colour begins to fade from day 1. Latex prints have much better fade resistance as do UV prints. All colour prints can benefit from the addition of an over-laminate which can often double the expected longevity.

Specifying Pantone or process colours to produce a desired colour from a previously printed piece or other colour original.

Colour profiles are generated for printer and paper combinations so that accurate reproduction of colours is possible. They are also very useful in obtaining colour matches between monitors and printers to ensure that what is seen on the screen is an accurate representation of the final printed image.

A representation matching the appearance of the final printed piece. Includes colour laser proofs, colour overlay proofs, and laminate proofs. A representation of what the printed composition will look like. The resolution and quality will vary greatly depending on the proofing device. These can be provided during the various stages of page construction.

The difference between the dark and light values in an image. Images with a great deal of contrast contain mostly very dark and very light values, while low-contrast images contain mostly medium gray values.

Lines printed with an image to indicate where the print should be trimmed.

Thin adhesive backed vinyl rolls or sheets are loaded into a vinyl cutter(plotter). Digital vector files are used to control the machine’s cutting path. The material moves on two axis and a small rotating blade scores the material and contour cuts along the artwork path. Excess material is removed. See weeding.