Whether you’re creating brochures, business cards, or large-format marketing materials, print jargon can feel a bit overwhelming.
Here’s a straightforward guide to the most common printing terms, so you can feel confident when preparing your artwork.
 | What is litho printing?Lithographic (litho) printing is a traditional printing method ideal for large print runs. It offers consistent, high-quality results and becomes more cost-effective at higher volumes. |
| What is digital printing?Digital printing is a modern method suited for shorter runs and quick turnaround times. It is flexible, efficient, and ideal for on-demand printing. |
 | What is bleed?Bleed is the extra area around the edge of your design that extends beyond the final trim size. This ensures that when the piece is cut, there are no unwanted white edges. Typically, bleed is set to 3mm on all sides. |
| What is DPI in printing?DPI stands for dots per inch and refers to image resolution. For high-quality print, images should usually be 300 DPI. Anything lower may appear blurry or pixelated. |
 | What are crop marks?Crop marks are small lines placed at the corners of your artwork file. They indicate where the printed piece will be trimmed to its final size. |
 | What does CMYK mean?CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, the four ink colours used in most commercial printing. Designing in CMYK is important because it ensures the colours you see on screen are as close as possible to the final printed result. |
 | What is RGB?RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue, the colour system used for digital screens. When preparing artwork for print, files should be converted to CMYK for accurate colour reproduction. |
 | What is artwork?Artwork refers to the final design file that is ready to be printed, including images, text, and layout. Print-ready artwork describes a file that includes all the necessary specifications to proceed to print. |
 | What is a proof?A proof is a preview of your design before final production. It allows you to check layout, colours, and content, helping to catch any errors before printing begins. |
 | What is a font?A font is a set of characters in a specific typeface, size, and style used to display text in your design. |
 | What is GSM in paper?GSM stands for grams per square metre and measures the weight (and feel) of paper. For example:
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 | What is micron?A micron is a unit of measurement equal to one-thousandth of a millimetre (1μm). It is often used to describe the thickness of materials like lamination. Higher micron values mean a thicker, more durable finish. |
 | What is finishing?Finishing refers to all processes that happen after printing to complete the final product. This can include cutting, folding, binding, laminating, foiling, or die-cutting. |
 | What does ‘finished size’ mean?Finished size is the final dimension of your printed piece after trimming and binding have been completed. |
 | What is a gutter?The gutter is the inner margin between pages in a booklet or magazine. It allows space for binding so that important content is not lost or difficult to read. |
 | What is a crease?A crease is a pressed line applied to thicker paper or card to help it fold neatly without cracking. |
 | What is lamination?Lamination is a thin protective coating applied to printed materials to enhance durability and finish. |
| How do I choose a paper type?Common types include:
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 | What is perfect binding?Perfect binding is a method where pages are glued into a flat spine, creating a clean, professional finish. It is commonly used for books, brochures, magazines, and reports. |
 | What is saddle stitching?Saddle stitching is a binding method where folded sheets are stapled along the spine. It is commonly used for booklets with a lower page count. |
 | What is spot UV?Spot UV is a finishing technique where a clear, glossy varnish is applied to specific areas of a design and cured with ultraviolet light. It creates a raised, high-shine contrast, perfect for highlighting logos or key elements. |
 | What is foiling?Foiling is a premium finishing technique where metallic or coloured foil is applied using heat and pressure. It is often used to create eye-catching, luxury details. |
 | What is die cutting?Die cutting uses a custom-shaped blade or cutter-style template (for larger print runs) to cut printed materials into unique shapes. It can also be used to create folds, cut-outs, or intricate designs. |
 | What is embossing and debossing?Embossing and debossing are specialist finishing processes using a die to stamp a raised (emboss) or sunken (deboss) design onto the surface of the paper stock. |
Need help with your next print project?
If you’re unsure about any of these terms or want advice on the best options for your project get in touch. We’re always happy to help you get the best results from your print.