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Resources · Glossary

Plain English
for print words.

The terms that come up most often, explained without assuming you already know them. You never need any of this to place an order — but it helps when you are reading a proof.

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Files and artwork

The terms that come up on a proof, explained without jargon.

Vector
Artwork stored as shapes and maths. Scales to any size with no loss of quality.
Raster
Artwork stored as a grid of pixels. Has a fixed amount of detail and cannot be enlarged past it.
Resolution / PPI
How many pixels sit in each inch at final size. Higher means a finer edge.
Outlines
Text converted into shapes so it can no longer be substituted by a different font — or edited.
Transparency
Areas of a file with no background, so what is behind shows through.
Flatten
Merging layers into one. Simplifies a file, and removes the ability to change what was merged.

Print and finishing

Bleed
Artwork extended past the trim line so there is no white edge after cutting.
Trim
The finished size — where the blade cuts.
Safe area
The margin inside the trim where important content should stay, allowing for normal cutting tolerance.
Proof
A representation of the job for you to check and approve before production.
Stock
The paper or material a job prints on.
Coated / uncoated
Whether the paper has a surface treatment. Coated holds ink on top and reads brighter; uncoated absorbs it and reads softer.
Rich black
A black mixed from more than one ink, used for large solid areas where single-ink black can look washed out.

Apparel and decoration

DTF
Direct to film. The design is printed onto a transfer film and heat-applied to the garment. Handles full colour with no per-colour setup.
Digitising
Converting artwork into an embroidery stitch file. A craft, not an automatic conversion.
Satin stitch
Long parallel stitches with a sheen, used for lettering and borders.
Fill stitch
Rows of shorter stitches covering a larger area.
Underlay
Stitches beneath the visible ones that stabilise the fabric.
Backing / stabiliser
Material placed behind fabric during embroidery to keep it from stretching.
Underbase
A white layer printed under a design so the garment colour does not show through and dull it.

Signs and large format

Large format
Printing at sizes beyond standard sheets — banners, signs, vehicle graphics.
Grommet
A reinforced ring set through a banner so it can be tied or hooked.
Hem
A folded and finished edge that strengthens a banner.
Pole pocket
A sewn channel along an edge for a pole or rod to slide through.
Substrate
The material a sign is printed on or mounted to.
Viewing distance
How far away a piece will be read from. Determines how large the type has to be.

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Heard a term we missed?

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