| Dahlgren |
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A dampening system for printing presses which utilizes more alcohol (25%) and less water; this greatly reduces the amount of paper that is spoiled. |
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| Dampening |
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An essential part of the printing process whereby cloth covered rubber rollers distributes the dampening solution to the plate. |
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| Dandy roll |
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During the paper making process while the paper is still 90% water, it passes over a wire mesh cylinder (dandy roll), which imparts surface textures on the paper such as wove or laid. This is also the stage where the watermark is put onto the paper. |
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| Deckle edge |
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The rough or feathered edge of paper when left untrimmed. |
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| Deep etching |
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The etching or removal of any unwanted areas of a plate to create more air or white space on the finished product. |
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| Delete |
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An instruction given to remove an element from a layout. |
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| Demy |
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A term that describes a standard sized printing paper measuring 17.5 x 22.5 in. |
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| Densitometer |
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An optical device used by printers and photographers to measure and control the density of color. |
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| Density |
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The lay of paper fibers relative to tightness or looseness which affects the bulk, the absorbency and the finish of the paper. |
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| Density |
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The degree of tone, weight of darkness or color within a photo or reproduction; measurable by the densitometer. Reference, densitometer. |
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| Descender |
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A term that describes that portion of lower case letters which extends below the main body of the letter, as in "p". |
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| Diazo |
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A light sensitive coal tar product used as a coating on presensitized plates, as well as overlay proofs. |
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| Die |
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An engraved stamp used for impressing an image or design. |
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| Die cutting |
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A method of using sharp steel ruled stamps or rollers to cut various shapes i.e. labels, boxes, image shapes |
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| Die Cutting |
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The process of cutting paper in a shape or design by the use of a wooden die or block in which are positioned steel rules in the shape of the desired pattern. |
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| Die stamping |
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An intaglio process for printing from images engraved into copper or steel plates. |
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| Digest |
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A common size of publication. Roughly 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". |
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| Digital Proof |
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Color separation data is digitally stored and then exposed to color photographic paper creating a picture of the final product before it is actually printed. |
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| Dimensional stability |
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The qualities of paper to stabilize its original size when undergoing pressure or exposed to moisture. |
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| Diploma |
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A fine paper made specifically for the printing of diplomas, certificates and documents. |
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| Direct screen halftone |
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A color separation process using a halftone negative made by direct contact with the halftone screen. |
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| Display type |
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Any type that stands out from the rest of the type on a page which attracts attention of the reader. |
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| Distribution rollers |
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In the printing process, the rubber coated rollers responsible for the distribution of ink from the fountain to the ink drum. |
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| Doctor blade |
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A term in gravure printing which refers to the knife-edge that runs along the printing cylinder; its function is to wipe the excess ink away from the non-printing areas. |
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| Dot |
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The smallest individual element of a halftone. |
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| Dot gain |
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Terms to describe the occurrence whereby dots are printing larger than they should. |
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| DPI |
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Dots per inch. Refers to the number of dots per inch that an output device can produce, such as a laser printer or an image setter. |
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| Draw-down |
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A method used by ink makers to determine the color, quality and tone of ink. It entails the drawing of a spatula over a drop of ink, spreading it flat over the paper. |
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| Drier |
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A term that describes any additives to ink which encourages the drying process. |
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| Drill |
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The actual drilling of holes into paper for ring or comb binding. |
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| Drop shadow |
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A shadow image placed strategically behind an image to create the affect of the image lifting off the page. |
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| Dry mount |
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Pasting with heat sensitive adhesives. |
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| Ductor roller |
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The roller between the inking and the dampening rollers. |
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| Dull finish |
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Any matte finished paper. |
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| Dummy |
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A term used to describe the preliminary assemblage of copy and art elements to be reproduced in the desired finished product; also called a comp. |
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| Dummy |
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A 3 dimensional model. It is a mock up generally used to figure out a pagination sequence in multi page printing. A folded up piece of paper with page numbers written on it. Also a stupid guy. |
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| Duotone |
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A two-color halftone reproduction generated from a one-color photo. |
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| Duplex paper |
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Paper which has a different color or finish on each side. |
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| Dutch |
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Any deckle edged paper, originally produced in the Netherlands. |
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| Dye based ink |
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Any ink that acquires its color by the use of aniline pigments or dyes. Reference aniline |
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