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Glossary - A-C

Article Index

Accessibility
Making your web content accessable to all users, especially individuals with disabilities.

Against the Grain
At right angles to the grain direction of the paper being used, as opposed to with the grain.

AJAX
AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript and XML) provides a way to use JavaScript and XML to enhance interactivity in web pages.

Alt Tag
An alt tag is used to specify alternate text for an image on a web page. This is visible in the website code. Alt text helps with Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).

Anodized Plate
An offset printing plate having a treated surface to reduce wear and extend its life.

Anti-offset Powder
Fine powder lightly sprayed over the printed surface of coated paper as sheets leave a press.

Antique Paper
Rough finished offset paper.

Apache
The Apache HTTP server is an open source Web server. It is compatible with Unix systems as well as Microsoft Windows, Novell NetWare and others. It has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for easier configuration. Development is carried out by the Apache Software Foundation.

Aqueous Coating
Water base coating applied like ink by a printing press to protect and enhance the printing.

Artwork
All original copy, including type, photos and illustrations, intended for printing.

ASP
ASP (Active Server Pages) is a Windows-based server-side scripting language used for creating dynamic content.

Bind
Joining leafs or signatures together with either wire, glue or other means.

Bindery
A department within a printing company responsible for collating, folding and trimming various publications after printing.

Blanket
Rubber-coated pad, mounted on a cylinder of an offset press, that receives the inked image from the plate and transfers it to the surface to be printed.

Bleed
Printing that extends past the trim to avoid a white edge.

Blog
Short for "web log". A web page that serves as a personal journal (or log) and is ususally publicly accessible.

Body
The main text of a publication not including headings.

Bookmark/Favorites
Term used to describe how a web browser can store frequently used web site addresses so you can return at a later date without having to re-type the full address.

Boolean Logic
Combining search terms using "operators" such as "AND," "OR," "AND NOT" when using a search engine such as Google. AND requires all terms appear in a record. OR retrieves records with either term. AND NOT excludes terms.

Breadcrumbs
A navigational element at or near the top of a web page showing the path from the homepage to the current page. Each element is linked to the corresponding page as a shortcut to navigate back along the path.

Burst Perfect Bind
To bind by forcing glue into notches along the spines of gathered signatures before attaching a cover. Also called burst bind.

CAPTCHA
A CAPTCHA is field in a web form, designed to differentiate between users and bots. Typically a CAPTCHA consist of an image containing letters that are difficult to read. The user must then enter those letters into a text box on the form. The goal is to reduce form spam by making the letters unreadable to bots, but readable to humans.

Choke
Technique of slightly reducing the size of an image to create a hairline trap to help with registration.

Clipping Path
An outline, embedded into an image, that tells which areas of a picture are transparent.

CMYK
Abbreviation for cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), the four process colors.

Coated Paper
Paper with a coating of clay and other substances to improve reflectivity and ink holdout.

Colour separation
A continuous tone colour image separated into the four process colours (CMYK) for print production.

Content Management System (CMS)
A content management system (CMS) offers a way to edit the content of a web site from within a browser-based interface, without any programming knowledge.

Cookie
A cookie is a small text file that a web site saves on a user's computer to store information about that user. When a user returns to the same web site, the cookie is retreived to access the information. They are useful for saving bits of information like user preferences.

Crease
A rule pressed into heavy paper or board so it can be folded without cracking.

Creep
When middle pages of a folded section extend slightly beyond the outside pages.

Crop Marks
Lines near the margins of artwork or photos indicating where to trim, perforate or fold.

CSS
CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) is a style sheet language that controls the look of a web page.

CTP
Abbreviation of computer-to-plate; a process of transfering an image directly from a computer onto the printing plate.